Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi behind and travel to Hai Phong City on Vietnam’s northeastern coast.  A speedboat shuttles you to Cat Ba Island, where your adventure will begin. On the way you’ll pass barges and industrial ports, signs of Vietnam’s growing economy. After checking into your Cat Ba hotel, take a gentle hike with your guide to Cannon Fortress built during Vietnam’s French colonial period. Enjoy a panoramic view of the bay’s limestone formations, and hear the stories of battles won and lost.

Return to your hotel just as some local boats motor to sea for a night of squid fishing. Halong Bay is Vietnam’s unofficial squid capital, and the fish features heavily in most of the restaurants — you can tell by looking at their tanks!

Board a traditional boat and cruise out of the harbor, stopping to collect kayaks at a floating jetty. Kayak to secluded beaches and watch tropical birds dive for fish. Then spend a few hours rock climbing with expert guides on the limestone formations of Moody Beach. Halong Bay is a world-class destination for rock climbers of all abilities, and part of the appeal is finishing your climb to find such lovely views. And if you start to overheat, take a dip in the crystal-blue waters!

Return to Monkey island where you will stay overnight at a private beach resort. Relax and rest your limbs over cocktails and dinner, and swap stories about your epic day.

After a beachside breakfast, a local guide takes you into the island’s thick jungle –and far from the beaten path. Break through forest canopy to the top of a limestone formation with superb summit views. After snapping a few photos, make your way to a local family’s house for lunch. Later jump back on the speedboat and return to the port, where a private transfer takes you to back to Hanoi.