On this small group program, trek over jungle hills and mountains, swim and wade through underground rivers to explore four wet caves in the Tu Lan system. Marvel at beautiful and unusual cave formations and sleep in a peaceful campsite next to a waterfall.
NOTE: This program is for suitable only for adventurous travelers who want to switch off from the modern-day, embrace the wilderness, and see the full extent of the Tu Lan cave system. This program includes extensive hiking, trekking and swimming as well as overnights in basic accommodations and a tent where guests will sleep on the ground. This program is not available for guests who have any mobility restrictions. Although the hiking and trekking is not extreme, guests must be in very good physical condition to participate. This program is limited to 10 guests.
DAY 1
Disembark the ship and take a short journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Uncover the essence of Ho Chi Minh City from past to present. Start at the Reunification Palace, where the official handover of power took place during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Then visit the History Museum which was built in 1929.
The museum houses a collection of artefacts illustrating the evolution of Vietnamese culture since ancient times. Later, get in touch with southern Vietnam’s spiritual side at a colorful Cao Dai temple. Learn about this interesting religious sect which came about as the result of many influences, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Vietnamese spiritism, Christianity and Islam.
After lunch at a local restaurant, head to Tan Son Nhat airport for a flight to Dong Hoi.
Upon arrival, drive to a farm stay in Phong Nha. Chay Lap Farmstay is the first community-based tourist destination in Phong Nha and Quang Binh Province. This rustic farm stay was established in February 2009 by the Ministry of Agriculture of The United States and Counterpart International Organization and managed by of Chay Lap Village Community Tourism Cooperative. It showcases a subtle charm that echoes the incredible natural surroundings. Inspired by the traditional building materials and architecture of Vietnamese housing, each house is thoughtfully outfitted with classic furnishings offering a very simple yet comfortable place to rest.
Your room is surrounded by a garden with open space and has a porch with sun loungers and table.
Enjoy a Vietnamese dinner at your farmstay.
DAY 2
Following breakfast get ready to conquer the Tu Lan cave – home of the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island (2017). Your adventure kicks off at a meeting point where you will have a safety briefing and receive the required equipment for the cave exploration.
The trek starts with a flat path past peanut fields and grazing buffalo and cows. A river crossing leads to a short but steep and rocky uphill section, followed by a downhill descent into the next valley. Cross the valley on a flat path to enjoy a picnic lunch in the entrance of a cave. You will encounter more hills and jungle trekking before you drop down to Tu Lan valley and your camp for the night - Tu Lan Campsite.
Finish off the day with a swim into Ken Cave. Dinner is prepared and served by your adventure team at the campsite. After dinner, enjoy evening games before sleeping in a tent. Composting toilets are provided at the camp.
Note: Estimated easy 7km trekking, 300m elevation gain, 400m swimming in the cave. Wear or bring a bathing suit. Due to weather conditions, the itinerary may need to be changed at short notice. The paths can be muddy and slippery after rain. Lifejackets are required while swimming in the cave. A light PVC backpack is provided for each guest, but we suggest brining your own dry bag. A shared dry box is also provided for phones and small cameras. There is limited availability for larger cameras.
Your tent: Guests will be provided with an individual tent with mosquito net along with a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, and a small foam pillow. You will be sleeping on the ground. For couples who want to share a tent, please advise the Destination Manager on board the Insignia in advance. There is no electricity at the campsite therefore we suggest bringing along a fully charged portable charger for phones or electric devices.
DAY 3
Today you will continue to trek and swim through Tu Lan cave and Kim cave to arrive at the magnificent To Mo Valley. Enjoy a snack in the valley and continue the journey with another swim through Hung Ton Cave. NOTE: In Hung Ton Cave you will need to climb a 10-meter metal ladder with the extra protection of a safety line.
Beautiful views from the entrances into the jungle, refreshing swims, dry passages and amazing formations will give you many opportunities for photos along the way. After the third cave, the return is the same as the yesterday’s road. Snacks will be provided at To Mo Valley and lunch is in the village after a welcome shower.
Bid farewell to your helpful adventure team and depart for Hue.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant along the way.
Later this evening, check in to your hotel, the Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa which is ideally located in the quiet countryside in a rustic village setting surrounding by lush tranquil gardens. The hotel offers authentic Vietnamese culture and hospitality. Accommodations are simple but comfortable.
Note: Estimated 5km trekking, 600m swimming in the caves, descend 10m ladder in cave.
A light PVC backpack is provided for each guest, but we suggest brining your own dry bag. A shared dry box is also provided for phones and small cameras. There is limited availability for larger cameras.
DAY 4
Escape to the evergreen forests of Bach Ma National Park to discover a rich ecosystem filled with rare ferns, orchids and a variety of native Vietnamese flora. Filled with steep, mostly granite outcrops, these scenic mountains were once home to a hill station where the French elite sought refuge amid the cooler climates.
Trek to the highest peak of the national park for panoramic views of the neighboring mountains as well as Tam Giang lagoon and Hue city in the distance.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the park. Then continue on our forest walk where we may be able to spot some of the native wildlife such as the antelope-like saola various types of primates or a rare, red-shanked Douc langur. Follow the spring and pass five lakes to reach Do Quyen waterfall.
Take a moment to relax here and enjoy the tranquility before returning to your vehicle.
Head to Chan May port where your ship awaits.
Note: Your local guide will lead the group to the best viewing spots in the national park, however, wildlife spotting cannot be guaranteed as it is dependent on the movement of the animals during the visit.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
7:30am Disembark the ship in Ho Chi Minh City
8:00am Depart for a 45-minute transfer to Ho Chi Minh City
8:45am Morning sightseeing to visit the iconic landmarks of Ho Chi Minh city
12:00pm Enjoy a Vietnamese set menu lunch at a local restaurant
1:15pm Leave for Tan Son Nhat airport
2:00pm Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport and check-in our flight
3:30 pm Fly to Dong Hoi (Flight details TBA and subject to change)
5:05 pm Arrive in Dong Hoi and drive to Phong Nha National Park
6:15pm Arrive at the farmstay, check-in and enjoy some time to relax
7:00pm Enjoy a dinner at the farmstay
Overnight at Chay Lap Farmstay or similar hotel
Day 2
6:30am Wake up and enjoy a breakfast at the farmstay
8:00am Drive to Tan Ho district
8:30am Arrive and join in a safety briefing and receive equipment for the cave exploration.
9:30am Start hike, trek and swim through rural trails, jungles and a river towards Tu Lan valley, enjoy a picnic lunch en-route
4:00pm Arrive at Tu Lan campsite. Refresh and relax
6:00pm Enjoy dinner in the middle of the forest
Get engaged with our cave exploration leader to have a casual chat to learn more about ecosystems in the area, or any queries you might have after our jungle trekking
Overnight in a tent at Tu Lan Campsite
Day 3
6:30am Wake up and enjoy a breakfast in the wild
8:00am Begin another adventurous day with full activities of trekking and swimming through caves and jungles. Snacks provided during break time
2:30pm Arrive at the finish point of the trekking trails, change clothes and refresh
3:30pm Enjoy a late lunch
5:00pm Bid farewell and depart for Hue. A comfort stop for dinner is scheduled on the way
9:15pm Arrive at the resort in Hue and check-in
Overnight at the Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa or similar hotel
Day 4
7:30am Breakfast at the resort then check-out
9:00am Drive to Bach Ma National Park
10:30am Arrive at the park and start a trekking to Do Quyen waterfall
12:00pm Enjoy our lunch at a local restaurant in the park
1:00pm Continue the trails and pass five lakes to reach the waterfall
4:30pm Transfer to Chan May port
5:30pm Arrive at Chan May port and re-board the ship
Expected Weather:
Mid-March to late June is the dry season and the weather is quite stable. Expect light showers and temperatures in the range of 22-32 C (72-90 F) although in the caves and under the forest canopy it will be cooler. Evenings will be cooler.
What to Bring:
Long, easy to dry pants and a long sleeved sleeve quick dry shirt to wear during the trek, shorts and t-shirt to wear at campsite, swimsuit, proper trekking boots or shoes for the difficult and possibly muddy terrain, water shoes for the cave swims, flip flop or sandals for the campsite, an easy dry towel, 2-3 pairs of calf length densely woven socks (not ankle socks), insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, fully charged portable charger, toiletries, hand sanitizer, wipes, dry bag, warm clothing for the night at the campsite.
GUESTS WILL BE PROVIDED:
•Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow
•Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves
•Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet)
•Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46
•Professional English-speaking tour guide and safety assistants
•Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals
•Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras)
•Water filter (used only by guide and porters)
•Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat
•First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only)
•Secure storage in your private vehicle to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek.
Local Currency:
Vietnam Dong however USD is accepted at a farmstay and restaurants
Credit card (Visa/ Master card) is accepted at resorts and airports only.
Electricity:
220V. We suggest brining a universal travel adaptor for electric devices
Luggage information:
Guests are advised to pack lightly for this program. One suitcase weighing no more than 23kg / 50 lbs is permitted on the flights as well as one carry on weighing no more than 7kg/15 lbs. We do not recommend brining any valuables however do not forget any medications. Guests will not be able to bring CPAP machines on this program.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in either denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A passport with validity of more than six months and at least two blank pages is required
Valid Vietnamese visa
Passenger Shore Pass and E-visa or Visa sticker (handled by the Port Agent)
Accommodations:
Chay Lap Farmstay
Chay village, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province
Tu Lan Campsite
Tu Lan valley, Quang Binh province
Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa
130 Minh Mang Street, Hue city
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards, and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes prior to departure, the hotels listed in this program will be used.
Please Note:
• This tour is NOT suitable for guests in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues
•Guests are advised to be in good physical health, acquainted with basic fitness and sport activities
•Guests may need to sign a release form prior to joining the exploration
•The itinerary may need to be changed due to weather conditions
•Flight times subject to change
•Like all tourist points of interest, guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money
•Toilets on this trip can vary in condition and are mostly Asian style (squat style). Western style toilets can be found at local restaurants and hotels.
•Order of visits may change or be operated in reverse due to traffic or other unforeseen circumstances
•Please note that Vietnam is a developing country, and it can be an overwhelming experience for first time visitors. Being a third world country, the standards are not as you might be accustomed to, buses vary in condition but are the best available. The best way to experience a different culture and way of life is to keep an open mind and to fully absorb this unique experience
Program Includes for guests
•1 night at Chay Lap Farmstay (simple Garden room) or similar
•1 night at Tu Lan Campsite (very basic tent with sleeping bag)
•1 night at Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa (Deluxe room) or similar
•Touring in private vehicles with A/C
•Local English-speaking tour guide on transfers and sightseeing tours
•Entrance fees
•Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•1 drink per person with lunch and dinner (choice of local beer, soft drink or bottled water).
Please note: No beer during the cave exploration trip
•2 x bottles of water per person per day on board the touring vehicle
•2 x cold towels per day
•Economy class flight per the program
Program Excludes for guests:
•All other meals and beverages not listed above
•Personal expenses such as telephone calls; curio shop purchases; spa treatments; laundry
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Visa fees if required
•Excess or overweight luggage on the flight
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.