Our My Son Lake Kayak Tour

For a full day feel the ancient Champa temples of My Son Sanctuary - and then go kayaking on the quiet and hardly used lake at the start of My Son.

Location

The My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is approximately 40 km by road from Hoi An. My Son was the spiritual capital of the Champa Kingdom and today is the most important Champa site in Vietnam.

Tour time

Full day of at least 8 hours.

Suitable fitness levels

All ages of healthy and active people - this tour has comfortable walking and novice kayaking on still waters. This is an education and adventure tour - with just enough of each!

Departure time

Hotel pickup at the latest 6.30 am (breakfast not included) and return by 3 pm.

Things to see and feel

My Son is a holy place of feelings, peace and quiet inhabited for more than 1,200 years - a welcome retreat from any holiday to modern Vietnam!

The Champa's were influenced by the Hindus (and later by Arab Muslim traders) - My Son being smaller and similar to Ankor Wat, Cambodia. The backdrop is the holy mountain Mahaparvata (shaped a like a cats tooth) symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, from which run streams into the lake and onto the Thu Bon River (symbolizing the Goddess Ganga, the consort of Shiva) finally passing thru the commercial capital of Hoi An and running out into the ocean.

Arrival at My Son by approximately 8.00 am (My Son opens 6.30 am). Our vehicle takes us to within 100 m of the temples and towers (about 2 km from the main entrance). Walking at a comfortable pace our Customer can walk around to see and feel one or two groups of ancient temple and tower ruins set amongst hills and streams. Today My Son has traces of 68 Champs temple and tower structures of which about 20 survive.

Everyday except Mondays there are traditional Champa shows (music and dance) well worth watching starting at 9.45 am - finishing by about 10.00 am (included in entrance ticket price). By approximately 10.45 am start kayaking on the still, quiet and unpolluted 5km of My Son lake.

Lunch is taken when hungry - a picnic on a tiny island on the lake. Vegetarian food provided by Karma Waters. After lunch take a nap or paddle around. Swimming is not recommended as this is a holy lake.

Kayaking on the lake finishes by approximately 1.30 pm. Returning by car visit Tra Kieu - the old political Capital of the Champa Kingdom - see the layout of the land and geomancy of the Champa Kingdom. Tra Kieu was the site of many important findings of Champa sculpture.

Return to Hoi An for hotel drop-off by approximately 3.00 pm.

Equipment

Sit-on-top style kayaks (safe!) in still lake waters (life jackets provided).

Personal needs

Bring towel, change of clothes (in case of getting wet when kayaking). Floppy hat, sun block, anorak and other protection against the elements are recommended.