Vietnam Climbing Holiday to Cat Ba Island

AUD $2,300.00
  • Duration: 10 Days (approx.)

2018 Trip Date:     7th to 16th December

Minimum numbers have  been reached for 2018


Description:


Cat Ba island in Vietnam is a hidden treasure of delight! With the breathtaking views of Ha Long bay, to the tranquillity of Butterfly Valley, this climbing trip offers intermediate climbers an amazing opportunity to further their technical climbing skills with expert coaching in an idyllic surrounds. Limited to small groups to ensure more one on one sessions, with some of the most enjoyable climbs around, your climbing adventure will be amazing!

Professional climbing coaching sessions:


Also included in the trip are a number of professional climbing sessions, including: technique coaching, learn to lead or improve your lead climbing skills, route reading, projecting and fall training clinics.

Professional climbing coaching lessons included:


  • Technique coaching
  • Learn to or improve your leading skills
  • Route reading and falling training
  • Projecting to improve your climbing

Trip dates:


07th - 16th December 2018


Minimum of 4 people required for the trip to run. All bookings must be confirmed by October 26th 2018. If minimum numbers are not reached by this date the trip will be cancelled (deposits will be refunded).

SCHEDULE

2 days climbing, followed by 1 rest day ( total of 6 days climbing and 2 rest days)

IS THIS CLIMBING HOLIDAY RIGHT FOR YOU

  • Weather: Warm to Cold

  • Accommodation Style: Hotel

  • Food: Basic Vietnamese and Western

  • Tour Climbing Focus: Onsighting & Redpointing Skills

  • Climbing Level: Experienced to Advanced leading 18 (6a+/5.10c) and over

  • Rest Day Activities: Nature and Historical based

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Trip prices are in AUD (Australian Dollars)

2. Airfares are not included in the trip price

3. Accommodation is twin share (single room supplement is available)

4. Transit to and from CatBa is not included

GROUP SIZE

Two qualified climbing guides will be in charge of the group which is run as a climbing clinic.  Maximum of 8 participants per group.

GROUP TRAVEL

Your fellow climbers will have an array of experiences and will have come from different climbing backgrounds, age groups and from different parts of the world. We ask you to be understanding of the different personality types and courteous towards your fellow climbers. We have found that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes a small amount of effort on your behalf.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel (9 nights) - CatBa Princes Hotel. 0988557755

313 Phố Núi Ngọc

Tt. Cát Bà

H. Cát Hải

Thành Phố Hải Phòng

Vietnam

On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

MEALS

  • 9 breakfasts, 9 dinners
  • Drinks are not included

TRANSPORT

Crags are very accessible. Butterfly Valley is a short taxi/shuttle bus trip from our hotel around 30mins . At the crag, expect a walk in of around 2 minutes to the crag. For our day on the bay we will be on a big traditional Vietnamese fishing boat, accessing the beaches via a small motorised fishing punt.

MONEY MATTERS

SPENDING MONEY

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities and laundry. It's always better to bring a little more than you think you'll need. Also make sure you've read your trip details thoroughly so you know what's included in the trip price and what isn't. This should make budgeting a little easier. You'll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that's this document).

MEALS NOT INCLUDED

Lunches

EMERGENCY FUNDS:

We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. Please make sure you bring an extra USD500 for emergencies (e.g. natural disasters or civil unrest). Sometimes these things necessitate last minute changes to our itineraries, and we can’t guarantee there won’t be some extra costs involved.

SAFETY

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while climbing. Hotels generally have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Your climbing guides will accompany you on climbing days, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your guide will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your climbing itinerary, and Pinnacle Sports makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns,

FIRE PRECAUTIONS:

Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.

SEAT BELTS:

Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts.

PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY:

While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in transit locations eg bus depots, train and airports.. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.

PPE CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

It is a requirement that climbing helmets that conform with EN 12492 / UIAA 106 are worn on climbing days and this PPE should be included in your luggage allowance.

Climbing harnesses must be within date (ie within 10 years of date of manufacture) and must comply with EN 12277 / UIAA 105.

Climbing slings must also be within date (ie within 10 years of date of manufacture and be certified to CE / UIAA standards

MEETING POINT

CatBa Seaview Hotel unless otherwise advised, on date of arrival. 

We recommend staying the night in the Old Quarter in Hanoi and catching a shuttle service to CatBa. As of 2017, the recommended service was Good Morning CatBa. Your guides will advise closer to the date of any changes. You only need to book one to two days in advance. Our Hotel of choice in Hanoi is the Golden Sun Palace Hotel

GOLDEN SUN PALACE DETAILS:

Address: 33 Hang Quat Str - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi Old Quarter - Vietnam

Tell: (84.4) 39381033

Email: info@goldensunhotel.com

JOINING POINT DESCRIPTION

CatBa Seaview Hotel on first day of tour. 

Your guide will be waiting for your transport to arrive on CatBa itself.

FINISH 

CatBa Seaview Hotel on last day of tour. 

EMERGENCY CONTACT

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader immediately so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

Emergency contact details will be requested at time of booking.

VISAS

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality.

Allow time for Visas to be processed (this can take several weeks) so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for this time..

Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets.

Your passport details are required and a representative from Pinnacle Sports will contact you to obtain a copy of the main passport pages.

Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.

VIETNAM

At the time of writing, Australian nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam. As always, conditions can change at any time so check the latest information.

What to take

Temperatures range from warm to cool.

  • Backpack (around 45L )

  • Sturdy walking shoes

  • Climbing harness

  • Climbing helmet

  • Locking carabiners x 4

  • Personal Safety (Black Diamond  Link, Metolius PAS or Beal Dynaclip preferred).

  • Belay device

  • Climbing shoes

  • Chalk bag & chalk

  • Rain jacket

  • Fleece jacket

  • Beanie

  • Bathers

  • Hat

  • Sunscreen

  • Lip balm

  • Sunglasses

  • Water bottle 1 x 1L

  • Head torch and batteries

  • Small hand sanitiser is useful

  • Packs of pocket tissues

Participants may also be requested to take some group climbing gear with them and back again.

HEALTH

All climbing participants need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to cope with the demands of a climbing trip. Please note that if, in the opinion of our group leader any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group Pinnacle Sports reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor or a travel specific doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. Some vaccinations require multiple treatments over an extended time frame.  We recommend you consult your doctor as soon as  you have booked on. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses) as they may not easily be obtained at the locations on this trip. For legal reasons our guides are prohibited from administering any type of drugs including headache tablets and antibiotics. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared. If you are carrying prescription medicines (eg. the contraceptive pill, insulin, etc) please ensure you also carry a letter from a medical practitioner authorising you to carry this medication.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance which includes rock climbing cover is compulsory for this climbing holiday. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

When travelling on a trip, these details must be supplied within 10 days prior to trip departure at the latest. You won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been supplied.

A COUPLE OF RULES

Climbing under the influence of alcohol is not permitted. Our guides reserve the right to exclude you from climbing days if they feel that you are still under the influence of alcohol.

In non climbing time, you are responsible for the decisions you make with regards to extra curricular activities.  

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for participants of our climbing holidays. Pinnacle Sports philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular, the local people who make our destinations such special places. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our head guide has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure on their trip. We don’t tolerate any form of sexual harassment, either between participants or involving our guides or local operators. Sexual relationships (consensual or otherwise) between a guide and a participant are unacceptable. If you ever feel another person is behaving inappropriately please inform us immediately.

PARTICIPANT REVIEWS

Sarah  (Participant 2017 Vietnam, Kalymnos 2016)

Sometimes you just want to go on a climbing trip where you get up in the morning and you climb the best routes with some cool people (and goats).. and you don’t have that little voice in the back of your mind asking if what you’re doing is safe.

With over 20 years’ experience *each*, Peta and Scott will keep you safe.. it’s not their first rodeo! They want to share their knowledge of climbing and belaying too. You’ll learn loads on one of their trips and then worry about all the risks you used to take.

The climbing areas that Peta and Scott take you to are pruned and cleaned. The routes are tried and tested to make sure that you’re climbing quality (no polish thank you very much). I have done so many climbing trips where I have had to find a guide book and figure out where the good climbing is and what the best climbs are at the various crags then ended up on a scary and chossy 17.

I have also met some amazing people (and goats) on their trips – great friendships are formed when someone is holding your life on the other end of a rope.

Cat Ba Island was amazing.. so much culture to take in (and goats) and some of the very best climbing. I did my first 25 (7b). I laughed.. I cried.. Peta and Scott climbing trips always change your life. I came home motivated to push myself further and climb harder! #

James (Participant Vietnam 2017)

Just a couples lines summing up the trip. Goal was to improve my projecting skills. And way did i find out what Idid not know....  learnt so much more then I thought I would about projecting and safety. Great mix of climbing and sight seeing as well. Scott and Peta knew where all the good eating places were which was a huge bonus as well. Ten out of ten. Keep up the good work guys!

Amber (Participant 2017 Vietnam, Kalymnos 2016)

I have been to both Kalymnos and most recently, Cat Ba Vietnam with Peta and Scott. Their trips are awesome! The Cat Ba trip was a projecting tour which really improved my climbing abilities and leading. They scoped out the best routes, and personally tailored the climbing days to each climbers abilities and goals for the trip. They even spent weeks cleaning the routes before our arrival! The coaching and encouragement they provide is really excellent and there is never any compromise on safety. In addition to the climbing, Peta and Scott are really good company, and there is lots of opportunity to experience the local surroundings, culture and food during the evenings and rest days. I always finish up the trip really motivated in my climbing, and thinking ahead to which tour I could join next.