- Evening before · from 18:30
Depart Sapa or Cao Bang
Overnight sleeper bus to Cat Ba — a cabin bus from Sapa, a standard sleeper from Cao Bang. Pick-up point and exact departure time are confirmed with your request.
- Day 1 · about 07:00
Arrive on Cat Ba
The bus drops you at the Cat Ba bus station around 07:00.
- Day 1 · 07:30
Car to your accommodation
Cat Ba Outdoors arranges the car from the bus station to The Healing Camp in Xuan Dam, or to your private hotel in Cat Ba town. Early check-in depends on availability; luggage can be left at reception.
- Day 1 · day and evening
Rest, beach, town
A slow day on the island: rest, the beach, cycling around Xuan Dam or the seafront in town. At The Healing Camp, Slow Table dinner and a Blue Hour drink can be added to your request.
- Day 2 · 07:30
Breakfast
Breakfast at your accommodation.
- Day 2 · 11:15
Car to Cai Beo Cruise Port
Cat Ba Outdoors' car takes you from your accommodation to Cai Beo Cruise Port for the 12:00 check-in.
- Day 2 · 12:00
Cai Beo Cruise Port
Our crew meets you at Cai Beo Cruise Port in Cat Ba town. Settle into your cabin, welcome drink, and the cruise briefing.
- Day 2 · 13:15
Lunch under way
Lunch is served as the boat heads out into Lan Ha Bay.
- Day 2 · 15:00
Ba Trai Dao or Dau Be
Deeper into the quiet bay: kayak among the karsts, take the tender through the rock passages, or swim off the untouched beach.
- Day 2 · 17:30
Cooking demonstration & BBQ dinner
Freshen up, then a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck before BBQ dinner on board. Squid fishing afterwards. Overnight at anchor.
- Day 3 · 06:30
Sunrise & Tai Chi
Sunrise over the bay around 5am if you want it, Tai Chi on the sundeck at 06:30, breakfast at 07:30 with the morning view.
- Day 3 · 08:30
Viet Hai village by bike
Ashore for the morning: cycle through the rainforest tunnel into Viet Hai, the ancient village inside Cat Ba National Park.
- Day 3 · 10:00
National Park walk & lunch with locals
Walk into Cat Ba National Park to visit the Tien Duc cave, then lunch in an old village house with the family who lives there.
- Day 3 · 13:30
Sail to Dau Be
Back to the pier and out again toward the Dau Be area — the far, quiet corner of the bay.
- Day 3 · 15:00
Kayak, swim, sunset
Kayaking or swimming, then back toward Lan Ha for the night. Sunset from the sundeck, dinner at 19:20, squid fishing after. Overnight on board.
- Day 4 · 07:00
Tai Chi & breakfast
Tai Chi on the sundeck, then breakfast on board around 07:00.
- Day 4 · 08:00
Islets & the floating fish farm
The cruise sails as close as it can to the most beautiful islets and rocks, and stops at a floating house where local families raise fish.
- Day 4 · 10:00
Check out
Time for a shower before checking out of the cabin as the cruise returns to port.
- Day 4 · 11:45
Disembark at Cai Beo
Back alongside at Cai Beo Cruise Port around 11:45 – 12:00.
- Day 4 · 15:30
Bus to Hanoi
After disembarking at Cai Beo around 12:00, lunch in town at your own pace, then the 15:30 bus to Hanoi (arrives about 19:00). Prefer Ninh Binh? Pick the bus or the limousine to Ninh Binh in the booking panel — the price follows your choice.
Included: all meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3, plus a BBQ dinner on the first night and lunch with a local family in Viet Hai village. Vietnamese seafood menus cooked on board; sunset snacks of rice cakes, prawn crackers and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and vegan menus on request. Drinks are not included — there is a bar on board.
Routes can change for weather or authority restrictions. Availability, guest requirements, pickup and final total are confirmed in writing.
