Itinerary:
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Pick up at hotel and depart for Ninh Binh in the morning. It is a two and half hour drive southeast of Hanoi to the former Vietnam’s capital city – Hoa Lu (968 – 1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers. Visit Hoa Lu with the Dinh and Le Temples as well as Citadel traces. Apart from the historical importance, keep heading to Tam Coc Town for lunch. Along the way stop where you wish to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape. After lunch, board your private sampan*(see options below) to amazing site of Tam Coc referred as “Halong Bay on land”. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts and take a deep into dramatic scenery.
If time allowed, we can also pay a visit to Bich Dong – A Pagoda set in to the limestone cave in greenness as Jade. Get back to our car for the drive back to Hanoi approximately by 6 pm.
Option 1:
Trang An: situated near to Tam Coc, Trang An is a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc however currently less visited. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An 'eco tourism' area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.
Option 2:
Thung Nang: Similar to Tam Coc though not as spectacular, Thung Nang is off the tourist trail and a pleasant alternative. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.
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