Tuesday, March 24, 2009

NORTHERN VIETNAM

Northern Vietnam’s climate is tropical. The dry season is cool, and lasts from October to April, while the wet season, from May to September, is warmer. The average temperature is 23°C.

Hanoi is not only the country’s capital but also the cultural centre of Vietnam. A modern city, it is home to over 600 pagodas and temples and offers visitors a chance to experience the culture and history within a constantly bustling urban setting.

From Hanoi, visitors can embark on an overnight train heading further north into the mountains of Sapa. Trekking through the breathtaking scenery over natural waterfalls, rice paddy fields and wild bamboo forests, you can also stay overnight in a traditional Vietnamese long house hosted by one of the many hill tribe families.

If you head east for three hours from Hanoi, you will reach Halong City, your gateway to the awe-inspiring Halong Bay, the treasure piece of Vietnam. Listed with UNESCO, this pristine turquoise bay comprises of almost 2,000 islands, and it is picturesque from every angle.

There are many hotels and tourist companies offering their services here, but be warned – you do get what you pay for. For those looking for a little luxury, Indo China Sails operate the newest junks in Halong Bay, offering one- and two-night stays. The extra night is highly recommended, as it allows you to enjoy the full range of activities on offer including kayaking, cave exploring, squid fishing, and a visit to the fishing communities.

RECOMMENDED CRUISE


INDOCHINA SAILS

Offers various packages for the Halong Bay experience. All prices include transfers to and from Hanoi.

www.indochinasails.com, info@indochinasails.com.


TRAVEL TIP

If you are travelling overnight on a train, don’t forget a pillowcase and a sheet.

Source: http://www.gurusexplore.tv/

Monday, March 9, 2009

Enjoy A Day On Halong Bay Cruise Biking Tour

Halong Bay cruise biking tours are conducted by various tour operators and these biking sessions provide the travelers time to bond with the nature and observe the beautiful sights there.

Indochina sails - Cruises on Halong Bay, Vietnam ><br /> <div style=

Biking on Halong Bay


Halong Bay, located in the Tonkin Gulf, includes around 1600 islets and islands forming spectacular seascapes of limestone pillars. Due to the precipitous nature of the islands, most of them are unaffected and uninhabited by human presence. The outstanding scenic natural beauty of the site is further complemented by places of great biological interests.

One of the ideal ways of exploring the place is through Halong Bay cruise biking as it brings the travelers face to face with many of the varied aspects of the bay. There are various tour operators who conduct biking trips along with the cruises, which includes cycling, boating and visits to fruit gardens, cottage industries, locals’ homes and floating markets. Biking offers the travelers a great opportunity to explore the place in an entirely different way.

Types of Halong Bay cruise biking tours:

If you are the kind who want to experience a diverse adventurous sensation along with fascinating trails of the bay, you can choose a cruise biking program offered by the various tour operators out there. The different terrains and varied topography of the place offer one of the greatest opportunities to practice biking here. The programs are offered in different difficulty levels so that everyone can take part in it, regardless of his or her previous experience or physical condition.

There are different types of biking tour programs which include those designed for observing mystic forest vegetation and the interesting bird life in these, those for highlighting beautiful landscapes of the place and those for observing impressive coral reefs, caves, grottos and hidden ponds. Some of the tours are also conducted for exploring the beautiful sandy beaches along the Halong Bay.

The biking sessions can be conducted during day or night for a duration of about 2-5 hours, depending upon the interests and physical condition of the guests. Cruise biking is an exciting and different kind of adventure, which provides an opportunity to enjoy unseen corners of the bay and to bond with the nature.

The travelers can choose to cruise their favorite destinations in a distinctive manner and get to enjoy the moments from off beaten tourist tracks with these guided biking excursions. The experienced guides provided by these tour operators will lead the tourists and show them some of the most interesting and sought after sights and places of the area.

These tour operators offer biking tours with varied difficulty levels so that whether you are a passionate biker or a novice, there is surely something waiting for you to explore.

Whether looking for relaxation or for adventure, you are welcomed at these biking excursions so that you can have a memorable holiday experience. You will be accompanied by qualified guides who will give you valuable tips and interesting information about different destination coming your way. These tours will provide you more time for sightseeing and relax on beaches or in cafes along the coast.

These biking tours also provide sufficient breaks so that you can click pictures, relax, enjoy the picturesque views and explore the points and sights of interest. Before going on a biking excursion, make sure that you have a well-maintained bike, a helmet, rucksack, fitness bar and a bike bottle.

Recommended tours for biking on Halong bay: Indochinasails and Active Travel Vietnam