2008-09-06
The Perfume Pagoda is one of the most important religious sites in Buddhist Vietnam. Every spring thousands of pilgrims come to the Perfume Pagoda to pray for all the health and prosperity they need to get them through the coming year. The pagoda itself is built into limestone cliffs and can only be reached by boat or on foot, as there are no roads into this area of Vietnam.On this active, guided day trip from Hanoi you will travel by boat along scenic waterways and walk up mountain paths visiting the pagodas and temples that were built in this area over the centuries. Departing Hanoi, you have a two hour drive through the picturesque Vietnamese countryside and back roads to the village of Duc for some refreshments before boarding our boats for a 1.5 hour ride along the scenic Yen River.
After this we walk to the Thien Tru Pagoda (Heavens Kitchen) and the Perfume Cave and Pagoda - one hour walking in total. On your return to Hanoi, you visit Giai Oan and Tuyet Son Pagodas. Lunch will be at one of the little food stalls near Thien Tru Pagoda. After lunch the boat will take you back to our bus for the drive back to Hanoi.By choosing this tour you are supporting a local tour operator who is constantly seeking new ways to bring travelers closer to local cultures. This style of travel offers an alternative to mass market tourism which takes into account local cultural values and economic growth. All tours are low impact on natural resources; are respectful and observant of local customs and traditions, and are supportive of local economies. Conde Naste agrees. In 2007 they awarded the operator of this tour as the Winner of their Best Operator category in the Conde Nast World Saver Awards.