SUP & Trekking – Conquering Cat Ba Old Forest and Lan Ha Bay

(1 Review)
  • 2 Days 1 Night
  • Max Guests : 15
  • SUP, Trekking
  • Professional Tour Guide

Detail

This is the most fascinating itinerary to fully explore the natural world of Cat Ba Island. Trekking through the primeval forest, overnighting in the peaceful village of Viet Hai, and kayaking or SUP-ing on Lan Ha Bay will bring you unforgettable experiences. The trek through the forest is challenging enough to make you exhilarated when you emerge and see the serene homes in the Viet Hai valley. If trekking in the forest is an exciting challenge that makes you sweat, then an afternoon of kayaking or SUP-ing from Viet Hai to Ba Trai Dao Bay will be particularly enticing, especially in summer, with many stops for swimming and relaxing in the clear waters of Lan Ha Bay

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai

06:30 Board the bus to Cat Ba. Upon reaching Cat Hai, we will transfer to a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Continue by bus to Cat Ba National Park. Prepare equipment and start trekking through the forest towards Viet Hai village, a secluded ancient village nestled in a vast valley accessible only by trekking through the jungle or by boat from Lan Ha Bay.

After trekking for about 2 hours, we will have a picnic lunch at Ao Ech, a small swamp and a paradise for frogs at an altitude of 100m above sea level. Lunch will be a light picnic provided individually before starting the trek. After lunch at Ao Ech, we will continue hiking to Viet Hai.

Along the way, there will be several stops for rest and photos.

After approximately 4 hours of hiking, we will arrive at Viet Hai village. Check-in, freshen up, and rest. Before dinner, we will have time to stroll around Viet Hai village or relax by soaking our feet in the stream flowing through the ecolodge area.

Dinner will be at the ecolodge.

After dinner, we will have chill time around the campfire until bedtime.

Accommodation in Viet Hai village: Whisper Nature Ecolodge. Various room types for 2, 3, 4 people are available. Depending on the group size or available room type, Umove Adventure will arrange suitable accommodation for the group.

Included meals: lunch, dinner

Day 2: Viet Hai – Lan Ha Bay – Ba Trai Dao Bay – Cat Ba – Hanoi

07:00 Breakfast at the ecolodge. After breakfast, we will take an electric car to the Viet Hai pier. The route from the village to Viet Hai pier is scenic, passing through narrow roads amidst forests and towering cliffs. At the pier, we will board a boat to Lan Ha Bay and start paddling from the middle of the bay to a beautiful area furthest from Cat Ba called Ba Trai Dao Bay. Here, there are several pristine and clean beaches. Depending on the season and tides, we may also snorkel to observe coral reefs.

After exploring some beaches here, we will have lunch on the boat in Ba Trai Dao Bay.

After lunch, we will return to Cat Ba and then head back to Hanoi. The program will conclude upon our arrival in Hanoi around 19:00.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

This translation aims to capture the essence and details of your itinerary accuratel

Price Includes

  • Support boat
  • Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba and return
  • Meals as per the itinerary and Drinking water
  • SUP and accessories
  • Homestay in Viet Hai
  • Tour guide
  • Tickets to National Park, Lan Ha Bay
  • Travel insurance

Price Excludes

  • Drinks outside the program
  • Beverages during meals
  • Transportation before and after the tour
  • Other personal expenses

What to Expect

  • Trekking through the exciting Cat Ba National Forest
  • Staying at a homestay in Viet Hai village
  • SUP to explore the vast, pristine Lan Ha Bay
  • There is a support boat following the entire rowing route
  • Professional and experienced tour guide
Map

Difficulty Of The Activity

Discovery level tours (6/10): Most people can participate, and children from around 6 years old can join with their parents. Light physical preparation will enhance the comfort and ease of outdoor activities during the tour. The tour duration is typically 2 days. For trekking at this level, trekking time is around 2-3 hours per day on relatively easy terrain. Kayaking or SUP tours at this level involve paddling for 2-3 hours per day on large water surfaces or flowing streams, with ample time for photography stops and rest breaks.

Experience/Skill Requirement: Low
Physical Fitness Requirement: Moderate
Tour Duration: 2-3 days
Outdoor Activity Duration: 4-6 hours/day
Children: From 12 years old can participate

Recommended Physical Preparation: Train by running or kayaking/SUP 1-2 weeks prior. Run 2 sessions per week, each 3-5km, or kayak/SUP 2-3 sessions per week, each 5km.

Equipment

Umove provides the following equipment:

– SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) and accessories.
– Trekking poles.
– Gloves.
– First aid kit for the entire group.

Personal essentials to prepare:

– Water shoes or waterproof sandals.
– Trekking shoes.
– Water bottle (approximately 1 liter capacity).
– Daypack (10 – 20L capacity).
– Flashlight.
– Winter: Warm clothing, windbreaker, thermal wear, wetsuit.
– Summer: Quick-dry clothing, long-sleeve rashguard, hat, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
– Mobile phone, camera, power bank, suitable waterproof protection.
– Personal identification documents.

Additional suggested equipment:

– Spare clothing.
– Personal medication.
– Towel, hand sanitizer.
– Waterproof phone pouch.

Notes About The Tour

 1. Travel Insurance:
Umove Adventure utilizes the services of Bao Viet Insurance with a maximum insurance coverage of 100 million VND per person per incident. For details, please refer to Bao Viet’s insurance policy here: [Bao Viet Insurance Policy](link to be provided).

2. Cancellation Policy:
Please refer to the tour postponement and cancellation policies in the Regulations and Guidelines section.

3. Liability Waiver:
Customers purchasing Umove Adventure’s adventurous tours are fully aware of the “adventurous” nature, physical challenges, and inherent risks in the tour. Therefore, customers are required to read and sign a Liability Waiver before departure. Please read the contents of the Liability Waiver below carefully before registering to participate.

4 . Notes on SUP and trekking routes:

The trekking route through the forest is not overly difficult, with 2/3 of the distance being on easy trails. The remaining 1/3 of the route, before reaching Viet Hai, becomes more challenging with some sections requiring hand-assisted climbing.

Our canoe route, whether long or short, will be determined by the guide based on weather conditions, timing, and the group’s fitness level. The final destination is Ba Trai Dao Bay, the farthest point in Lan Ha Bay. Within Lan Ha Bay, the water surface is generally calm, but as we approach Ba Trai Dao, we will encounter a broad area with waves. The guide will provide instructions for safe canoeing.

Before starting, the guide will instruct on paddling techniques, safety precautions, and the itinerary. Participants must wear life jackets and attach the ankle leash. For those new to SUP, it’s recommended not to stand on the board immediately from the starting point. After about 1-2km and feeling more comfortable and confident with the water flow, participants can begin to stand and paddle.

During the canoeing in the bay, it’s important to avoid obstacles such as submerged rocks and boats. Avoid paddling too close to rocky cliffs during wave impacts, as waves can push you into sharp and steep cliffs.

Throughout the canoeing, we will have accompanying support boats. If you wish to stop paddling and switch to a boat, please inform the guide.

Note, if you are a confident swimmer with experience in paddling, you may choose to remove your life jacket and secure it on the SUP, but never detach the ankle leash.

5. Food & Beverages:

Except for the packed picnic lunch in the forest, which includes sandwiches, fruits, desserts, all other meals are complete and served hot.

For trekking, each person should carry their own drinking water (about 1L). To minimize single-use plastic bottles, we encourage everyone to bring a refillable water bottle to fill from the larger bottle provided on the vehicle.

6. Environmental Protection:

Umove Adventure supports and applies Leave No Trace principles in its outdoor tours and activities. We also encourage customers and partners to adhere to Leave No Trace principles when traveling in outdoor environments. Learn more about Leave No Trace principles here.

To reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, Umove Adventure recommends each traveler prepare a 1L water bottle for daily water refills. During the tour, travelers must follow instructions and regulations regarding environmental protection at the destination.

7. Safety & Health Advisory:

If you have heart disease or joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.), consult a doctor before deciding to join the trip. Guides will carry basic first aid kits. If you have specific health concerns requiring medication, please bring your own medications.

In all cases, if you enter the water for swimming, you must wear a life jacket.

FAQ

Best Time to Visit:

Summer is the ideal time for traveling to Cat Ba. From April to October is most suitable for underwater activities. From November to March, the island is quieter, making it perfect for nature exploration and relaxation. Typically, July to August sees the sea in motion, so travelers should check the weather forecast three to five days in advance to ensure there are no storms or rain.

Suitable Age for Children:

This tour is suitable for children aged 12 and above, accompanied by their parents or guardians.

 
 

I have never paddled SUP/Kayak before. Can I still join this tour?

This tour is rated 6/10 in difficulty, so even if you have never paddled SUP before, you can still join. Before entering the water, the guide will provide basic paddling skills and safety instructions. You will also have time to get acquainted with the SUP before paddling.

Can I join this tour alone?

This is a group tour, so you can join alone. However, there is a minimum requirement of 5 participants for the tour to proceed. If the minimum number is not met, Umove Adventure will inform you one week in advance so you can decide to reschedule or receive a refund of your deposit.

If I am vegetarian (or have specific dietary requirements), will the tour accommodate them?

You need to inform Umove Adventure about your vegetarian or dietary requirements before booking. They will check if the tour destination can accommodate your needs and inform you accordingly. Typically, Umove Adventure offers vegetarian options based on the tour location.

Can I bring my pet (dog/cat) along?

Umove Adventure does not organize tours specifically for guests bringing pets. Whether you can bring your pet depends on the consensus of other tour participants. If you wish to bring a pet, Umove Adventure will seek the agreement of all tour participants. You will be fully responsible for the general hygiene and safety of your pet during the tour.

If I get too tired while paddling SUP/Kayak, can I stop?

If you become too fatigued to continue paddling, promptly inform the guide or the support boat for assistance. Most Umove Adventure tours have support boats accompanying them. If you cannot continue paddling, you can board the support boat for the remaining part of the program.

I don't know how to swim. Can I still participate?

Even if you cannot swim, you can still participate under the condition that you strictly follow the safety instructions provided by the guide. All participants paddling SUP must wear a life jacket and ankle leash at all times.

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1 Review
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ngocnguyen97

Family Traveller

tuyệt vời

July 18, 2024