In the morning, Tour bus and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam , about a two-hour drive from Hanoi . On arrival, you will visit two temples, one of them dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other in memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the OldPalace . Feel ready to star our cycling for one more hour to Tam Coc (12km), passing scenery of paddy fields or small stream. You will have lunch in Tam Coc, enjoy the taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst` hills, There, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. In the late afternoon, you will return to Hanoi for overnight.

HOA LU – TAM COC INFORMATION:

TamCoc means three caves, which takes about two hours driving from Hanoi (110km) to the South, and visitors may say that distance is not a matter after seating in a boat rowed by one or two local persons in Hoang Long river and seethe first limestone mountains, which will run along their river way for several kilometers.

The boat will be rowed, through three caves on the river, all created by wind and water from a legend time, while the sea had occupied this area. The tide-mark is still on the rock about 2m above the water, and in higher mountain wall the erosion have carved some strange shapes that now filled of green grass, delicious foods of the goats that local people breed everywhere. If you are lucky, sometimes you can see mischievous monkeys. The river trip is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. The tourists often compare the place with Guilin – China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of HalongBay in the TonkinGulf for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus TamCoc is also called Halong-Bay-On-Land.

HoaLu is very near to Tam Coc, is the relics of the ancient capital HoaLu – the remains are the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th century and chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city. From time to time, archaeologists have excavated buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th centuries and restored in 17th century. Though the temples are not maintained entirely some precious antiques are still preserved well like the whole-stone dragon thrones, wooden bas-relieves and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh Le, Queen Duong VanNga who in turn got married both of the kings, and the princes of the two dynasties.

Tour cost per adult, quoted in US Dollar.

Trip Included :

• Meal as mentioned in program (L = Lunch  )
• Sightseeing fees
• English / French speaking tour guide
• Transportation
• All entrance fees and permits

Trip Excluded :

• Insurance
• Personal expense (drinks, telephone…)
• Tips and gratuities