From Hanoi: Perfume Pagoda Day Tour - Yen River Boat, Huong Tich Cave & Lunch

The very best thing about this lovely day was that we had the area virtually to ourselves. So not only was it beautiful but it was very peaceful too and i felt quite privileged. Minh was a very welcoming and friendly man -the minute he greeted me at my hotel i felt i was safe in competent hands ( unlike my experience with the overnight tour to Sapa..). He shared with us the history of the area and showed us many pictures and videos of the pilgrims swarming the river, shrines and the cave in the three month festival . We had fun racing the other boat with the spare oars and then fell asleep lying in the hull listening to the water lapping on the way back after our busy day. I opted to walk up to the stunning cave and it was not tricky or exhausting. I Took the cable car back down! i wish I had brought my swimsuit because he had videos of others in the river. The lush scenery reminded me of Minh Binh- but so much more peaceful. Go! You will not regret it.

Perfect guide amazing tour. Thanks

Minh was our guide and he was so sweet, very knowledgable and approachable. We were almost the only ones at Perfume Pagoda so it was relaxing and we could go at our own pace. The lunch was great and the portions so generous! Would recommend if you want to escape Hanoi for a day of peace.

Miejsce jest autentyczne, odwiedzane świątynie oraz jaskinia są miejscami z długą i ciekawą historią. Nasz przewodnik (Minh) pochodzi z okolicznej miejscowości i był w stanie podzielić się wiedzą z uczestnikami wycieczki. Przejażdżka łodzią trwa około godziny w jedną stronę i krajobrazy są ładne (chociaż w Ninh Binh lepsze). Wjazd gondolą jest praktycznie obowiązkowy, nie ma przewidzianego czasu na podejście na szczyt, co też mijałoby się z celem, gdyż szlak to tak naprawdę schody otoczone z obu stron sklepowymi budami. Osobiście mnie się ta wycieczka podobała i bym ją polecał - chyba, że ktoś planuje wizytę na początku roku - wtedy są olbrzymie tłumy i słabe warunki do zwiedzania. Jeśli jednak ktoś nie jest zainteresowany historią, lub jeśli ktoś odwiedził już dużo historycznych świątyń, to być może będzie to po prostu kolejne doświadczenie na liście.

Another lovely boat ride and we seemed to be the only tourists there with just our 2 boats on the river. Minh our guide explained all about the various temples and caves we saw and the legend behind them. This is a working shrine with resident monks visited by huge numbers of pilgrims through January to March but quiet when we were there. We chose to go up in the cable car and walked back down which is a great way to do it as the views are largely blocked by almost continuous traders stalls, all empty in September, and the cable car takes the effort out while giving spectacular views. It is worth walking down as there are several small shrines by the path. What would be better? Let those walking down go ahead and meet at the bottom rather than make us stay at the top then fell a bit rushed to the boats. Great trip though