Eco-Friendly Lan Ha Bay Trip with Home Stay

a 2-day trip:

Day 1:  Arrive with the bus or bicycle (or motorbike) to our Park Headquarters in the morning (with visitors depart from Ha Noi around 7 am to Hai Phong and Cat Ba, they can get the Park around 11 o'clock).  If you would like to have a small hike beforehand. Lunch prepared by locals at the Park Headquarters (with visitors depart from Ha Noi around 7 am to Hai Phong and Cat Ba, can get the Park around 11 o'clock.  All meals on this trip can be vegetarian if· you inform us in advance.  Start latest 12.30pm for the long hike to the frog pond – best is to start this hike in the morning· though to allow you enough time for taking photos, picnicking etc  Hike through the natural jungle, passing the frog pond:· Rating: first 2-3 hours intermediate, final part (1-2 hours) challenging for fit people as it requires almost climbing up and down rocks and stones; a lot of fun and adventures though! Duration: For fit and quick people who like to take photos – around 4 hours or medium fit people 5-6 hours Variations of the hike are possible, depending on your time. For example: Educational medicinal plant tour, survival training, picnic in the forest Please find a checklist below what you should bring.  Homestay:· You can stay at a homestay with a local Vietnamese family. Stay in small bungalows at small, calm beaches at Lang Ha Bay is also possible. If you stay at the family, please bring your own towel and note that the living conditions are quite basic compared to Western standards. You might need to share the room with other persons – if you do not prefer this, please inform us in advance. Despite the basic conditions, the family are warm-hearted and welcoming and prepare a lovely traditional Vietnamese meal. They even join for the meal and you have the chance to get to know their culture and traditions. An English-speaker will be present to translate for you if you have questions.

Day 2:  Breakfast at the homestay·  Cycle, walk or electric car to Lang Ha Bay (which is also known as the small but less touristy· Halong Bay): Cycling is quite simple and only 20-30 minutes and a refreshing start of the day. The walk gives more time to absorb the calm atmosphere of nature, and takes about 1 hour.  Boat or kayaking:· If you have more time, we recommend kayaking at Lang Ha Bay as it is more environmentally friendly, refreshes you and gives you the chance to discover your own hidden beaches. You are also more flexible in the kayak. If you do not have that much time but would like to see a lot, we can show you the beautiful Bay by boat.  Lunch:· Lunch can be provided at one of the small, cozy beach resorts. There, you can swim, try kayaking or simply relax at the beach.  Depending on how long you would like to stay, we can arrange your departure time or if you· would like to add more activities, for example: climbing, more relaxing and spa, kayaking, cycling and much more! You are welcome to contact us for more information. We can also design your own favorite tour. -- Hiking checklist: Especially for the long frog pond hike to the homestay, we recommend you to bring:  A local guide – essential for your safety not to get lost·  Long but airy clothes·  Good hiking boots – especially for the last part of the hike, this is essential. Sports shoes are· possible but solid hiking boots are recommended as some of the rocks are sharp and slippery  Hat against the sun·  Sun screen (natural ones preferred if available)·  Mosquito spray (natural one preferred to have less impact on nature – for example essential oils· like tea tree)  Lots of water – at least 2 liters are recommended·  Snacks to keep your energy up, for example local fruits or cereal bars·  Swimming suits if you would like to go swimming at Lang Ha Bay·  Towel if you would like to sleep at the homestay·  Volunteers also recommended – but it is up to you how well-prepared you would like to be:· o Torch o Rain coat if there should be sudden rainfall – which is very unlikely though o Small local present for the homestay if you like o Cultural sensitivity – tip: Best observe what locals do and if you are unsure, you could ask your tour guide if you could do the same… just relax and dive into the great diversity of different cultures :) o Some words of Vietnamese to impress the locals o Environmental respect: Please during your trip, try to keep your impact on the environment as low as possible, for example try to refill your bottle at a big drinking water tank, throw waste in bins and if you cannot refuse plastic bags, you could reuse them o Lots of positive energy