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Tour information

Duration: 1 Full Day
Adventure Level: Moderate
Minimum age: 8 years old
Departure: Daily join-in group (Private tour on request)
Group size: 2 to 14 persons
Tour start: 08:00 AM from any local hotel in Phong Nha
Tour end: 17:30 PM at any local hotel in Phong Nha
Tour price: USD 72/person

Difficulty Level

Trek: 9km

Swim: 600m Tra-Ang & Crystal Lake (optional)

Fitness Level: Moderate

This trek is perfect for those who have little hiking background but want to get a true jungle and cave experience. It begins deep in the jungle of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. You’ll take a short trek to the impressive Elephant Cave, then a walk through Ma Da Valley to the amazingly blue waters of Crystal Ma Da Lake. After lunch and swimming, you’ll continue trekking to Tra Ang Cave were everyone will gear up to swim into the furthest reaches of the cave.

If this sounds fun, but you would like a little more action or looking to sleep in the jungle checkout one of our 2D1N treks

If you’re looking for something more challenging, but EXTREMELY rewarding and authentic click here to check out our Tiger Cave Series Adventure

Tour departs daily at 8 am and returns around 5:30 pm. Please book before 9 pm the day before.

What to Expect

Once you have arrived at the ơprator Headquarters via our shuttle, we will brief you and the team on safety and what to expect. Once we have introduced everyone in the group and prepared the team, we will head off into the Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park. Once the team reaches the trail-head you will plunge into the jungle and begin the uphill climb into Elephant Cave. Upon completing the most difficult 20 minutes of the trek you will be rewarded with the magnificent sight of 60-meter high, 300-meter long Elephant cave. Our guides will lead you through the cave, take you into the depths, and tell you about the war history of the cave.

After exploring Elephant Cave, the team will hike the jungle trail, cross rivers, and balance across fallen trees. Deep into Ma Da Valley you and the team will go until you reach the heavenly blue waters of Ma Da Crystal Lake. Here you and the team will have the opportunity to take a swim, do some cliff jumping and enjoy a delicious Jungle BBQ prepared by your porter (vegan options also available). With full bellies and feeling refreshed you and the team will gear up and continue on the jungle hike. A few kilometers down the trail and a couple of river crossings later the team will come upon a large bend in the river and a staging area for the swim into Tra Ang Cave. After a short scramble up some limestone rocks, you will reach the cool waters of Tra Ang Cave and begin the 600m swim into the furthest depths of the cave.

Once the Tra Ang Cave swim is completed, our guides will lead you to the road. Here your driver will be waiting for you with a cold beer or soda and a ride back to our Headquarters.

Itinerary

8:00 – Pick up at the hotel and transfer to our Headquarter.
8:30 – Team meeting to plan the trip, clarify rules and regulations in the National Park.
8:45 – Depart for Elephant Cave by van
10.00 – Arrive at the trek departure point and start trekking through the jungle to the Elephant Cave
10:00 – 11:00 Explore the Elephant Cave
12:00 – Reach to Ma Da Lake- swim into Ma Da crystal lake.
12:45 – Enjoy BBQ lunch
14:00 – Start trekking to Tra Ang Cave.
15:00 – Arrive at Tra Ang Cave.
15:45 – Swim into Tra Ang Cave to explore 600m Tra Ang Cave
16:30 – Start trekking to be back Ho Chi Minh road.
17:00 – Arrive at Ho Chi Minh road, enjoy a cold drink on the road.
17:30 – Drive back Phong Nha and your hotels in Phong Nha. Tour end.

Price Includes

o Adventure local tour guide & Porter support team
o Pick-up and drop-off at any local hotels in Phong Nha (Out of Phong Nha, please pre-arrange with our adventure Sales team)
o Entrance Fees (400,000vnd/person to the national park)
o Caving and safety equipment: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves
o Local BBQ lunch
o Use of basic trekking canvas shoes size 36 to 45 (only if you don’t have your own pair)
o Use of medium towel
o Purified water (partially carried by your own and the porter team)
o First Aid kit (application by guides and porters only)
o Secure storage at Headquarter office for guests’ luggage you do not need for the trek
o Government value-added tax

Note

We also recommend you to prepare
o 1 long easy-to-dry pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (highly recommended to avoid leeches and poison-ivies)
o Swim suites
o 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes (Please prepare to get wet or we provide basic canvas shoes)
o Waterproof bag for your phone and camera
o 1 pair of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks)
o Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera
o Travel insurance

Photos by our partner

The post Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek – 1 Day Action Packed Adventure Tour appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

This incredible Son Doong Cave Expedition will give you a wonderful chance to explore the world’s largest cave and exit via the Great Wall of Vietnam. This is the only tour available of Son Doong Cave by our partner – the official tour operator Oxalis Adventure Tours. The tour guides are internationally qualified and granted the membership of the British Cave Research Association (UK), and the cave experts are members of the British Cave Research Association. Don’t let fear and worry steal your joy Let’s check out our tours and book us now!

This journey to the wild, exploring Son Doong Cave requires more than 25 porters, safety advisors & guides. You will explore the entire length of Son Doong Cave, Hang En Cave, and visit Ban Doong ethnic minority village. Less than 300 places remain available for trips departing in 2019. Please make your reservation with Oxalis Tour Operator, or choose to go on the waiting list for 2020.

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

Imagine trekking straight into the depths of the world’s largest cave which can fit a Boeing 747 flying through the largest passage, on an expedition unlike any other. Son Doong Cave is a masterpiece of nature with otherworldly landscapes, enormous stalagmites and statuesque stalactites – hanging from the ceiling and rising from the ground like an alien species. The real jungle inside the cave will amaze you in every way, while misty clouds envelope the scene. The fossil passage will give you the opportunity to understand the formation of this ancient limestone.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb the Great Wall Of Vietnam
• 2 nights camping inside Son Doong Cave (largest cave in the world)
• 1 night camping in Hang En Cave (third largest).
• Portable lighting equipment to capture stunning photographs
• 25km of Jungle Trekking and 9km of Caving
• Visit Ban Doong Ethnic Minority Village

An adventure from start to finish, you will use ropes to climb into the entrance, and climb up the Great Wall of Vietnam, a calcite wall totaling 90m in height. You will always be under the guidance of the Oxalis safety team.

The Expedition is not a race, so you should not expect to rush on this tour. There will be plenty of time for photography and to explore the cave. However, all adventurers are expected to be fit, and have some previous trekking experience (not necessarily climbing or caving experience).

INFORMATION

• Operating: January to August
• Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
• Adventure Level: Difficult; for physically active guests (30 km+)
• Availability: Regular Departures
• Small Group Tours: 10 Guests per Tour
• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Price: USD 3,000/pax
• Cancellation Policy: Once your reservation has been confirmed with final payment, the following conditions apply; If written cancellation request is received 90+ days before departure a VND 7,000,000 (USD 300) cancellation fee per person is charged and the balance refunded. If request received 45 – 90 days before tour departure you will be charged a cancellation fee of 50% of total booking price and balance refunded. If written cancellation request is received less than 45 days before tour departure, no refund will be provided.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Phong Nha – Ban Doong Village – Hang En Cave

Enjoy breakfast at 8:00 am before departing at 9:00 am for the first leg of the expedition. You’ll leave extra luggage and any valuables at Oxalis headquarters before setting off for adventure.

After a 45 minute drive along Road 20 of the Ho Chi Minh Highway you’ll reach the trailhead, where you’ll start trekking for approximately 1 hour downhill through the forest, which is quite steep at times. Walk for half an hour along a small stream to the minority village of Ban Doong, which is a real highlight for many on this expedition. Learn more about this unique ethnic group of people and enjoy lunch in the village.

After this point, you will be in the sun all afternoon with about 2 hours along a river, with very little shade. You’ll cross the river many times so please expect to have wet feet for the whole day. In the summer, the water is only usually knee deep, but Gore-Tex boots will fill and hold the water so therefore they are not recommended (please see our detailed FAQ for footwear recommendation).

You’ll then reach the entrance to Hang En Cave, home to thousands of swifts. Here you’ll be given your headlight and you will trek/boulder approximately 20-30 minutes to your campsite inside the cave. The group should arrive at camp around 3:00 – 4:00 pm where you can enjoy swimming and washing within the underground river. Dinner will be served at the spectacular campsite with numerous photographic opportunities.

Anyone who is unable to complete any stage of this first day comfortably will be turned around to Phong Nha and will not be permitted to continue the expedition. This will be the decision of the safety team on your tour. Should you be turned around, all tour costs will be forfeited.

DAY 2: Hang En Cave – Son Doong Entrance – Hand of Dog – SD Camp 1 – Fossil Passage

You’ll again begin your day with a delicious breakfast at around 8:00 am. You’ll be in for a very tough day today so it’s best to enjoy a big breakfast, as you’ll need your energy!

Start your trek at 9:00 am through Hang En Cave for about 30 minutes to reach the magnificent exit, made famous by many photographers over the past few years. You’ll scramble down to the river valley and then it’s an hour walk through the river, so your boots are going to be wet for most of the day; it is unavoidable, yet part of the fun.

You’ll then start climbing a steep hill for about 45 minutes with some rocky sections to start. At the top of the hill you’ll enjoy lunch, a safety briefing and fit your safety harness and prepare for your big journey underground. A steep descent with a couple of short rope climbs brings you at last to Son Doong entrance.

With your safety harnesses, you’ll then start the 80 m descent into the cave by making a number of short climbs, using ropes and safety lines with your guides’ assistance. There is no rappelling or abseiling at any point during the expedition. You’ll then enjoy a few more climbs and bouldering to reach the first and second river crossings inside the cave, which are no more than knee-to-thigh deep depending on the water levels. You should have a wash here, as it will be the last washing place for the day.

On your way to the first campsite in the first large passage of the cave, you’ll have to be extra careful as there are a number of big drops and scrambling over boulders along a rocky path before reaching one of the most spectacular views: Hand of Dog and daylight streaming through the cave, thanks to the first doline! You will then scramble down to the first campsite of Son Doong around 3 – 4 pm. After a tea and coffee break we will head down to view the ancient fossils. Here there is a chance for a short and cool swim, but no washing. You’re in for another big meal with your team before turning in for the night.

Please note that there are no washing facilities at camp on this day.

DAY 3: SD Camp 1 – Watch Out for Dinosaurs – Garden of Edam – SD Camp 2

Your day begins with a hearty breakfast with your team before a 9:00 am departure towards your second campsite in Son Doong Cave.  You’ll start with some rocky climbs, which are quite steep in some places, as you reach the first jungle within the cave at Watch Out for Dinosaurs. It will take about 1.5 hours to travel within the cave from Camp 1 to Watch Out for Dinosaurs. We will spend some time here taking photographs and then you’ll be going down the rocky path to reach the enormous Green Gours, one of the most magnificent and famous photography spots on the tour! A light lunch is provided with an incredible backdrop of the first doline. If you are lucky you may even catch some sunbeams, which make for truly spectacular photos.

It is then a walk through the cave past gigantic formations and plenty of cave pearls towards the light of the second doline and main jungle within the cave. Follow the path past the beautiful foliage reaching towards the light, to reach the underground jungle, unlike anything you could experience on the planet! Cross the jungle for around 30 minutes to reach the steep and sometimes slippery path down to your second campsite within Son Doong Cave. You will reach camp around 2 – 3 pm.

After a short rest at your campsite, you are back on your feet and heading deeper within the cave. You’ll pass through a very large dry passage with huge stalagmites and great views back to the second doline. Many new creepy crawlies have been discovered within this passage including white spiders, fish, woodlouse and shrimp species, so be sure to keep your eyes open. You will have many great opportunities for photography here.

You’ll be back at camp again around 5 pm to enjoy a sensational dinner with your team and delight yourself with an evening of games and entertainment, or simply relax and soak up the views at what is quite possibly the very best campsite in the world.

Quick note: you may use a pair of dry boots on this day, as aside from the mud, there are no water crossings! Also, there are no washing facilities at camp on this day.

DAY 4: SD Camp 2 – Wall of Vietnam – Son Doong Exit – Chay Lap Farmstay

After refueling with another hot breakfast you’ll pack up camp and start heading towards the Wall of Vietnam. Scaling this wall will use a combination of ladders and ropes, but you will always have a safety line and people to look after you. After this strenuous ascent, you will see the light from the exit. At the top of the Wall, you will enjoy your picnic lunch before passing more flowstones and cave pearls; see the calcited animal skeleton then emerge into the jungle again.

A short but steep and rocky path will lead you down to the bottom of the hill, followed by and a short hike to the road. Cold drinks await you at the top of the hill before a 45 minute drive back to Chay Lap Farmstay & Resort where cool towels and a refreshing swimming pool are waiting for you. You will have time to relax after your long trek before enjoying a group farewell dinner with your fellow expedition team members.

Please advise our sales team in advance of your departure time so that they can arrange the logistics of your transfer back to the airport or train station. If you would like to extend your holiday in Phong Nha, let our team know so that we can assist you in booking extra nights at Chay Lap Farmstay & Resort.

Departure: Extend staying or transfer to train station/airport

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and the check-out time of the hotel will be 12pm regardless of your departure time. Why not take this as your opportunity to get to know more about Phong Nha beside the expedition, by staying for some extra days?

You will be blown away by the remarkable scenery, being surrounded by karst mountains, idyllic green rivers, rustic villages with beautiful local people. There are so many places to go and see (Chay Lap Water Sport Center, Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Mooc Ecotrail, Dark Cave..); sensational local pubs (Easy Tiger, Moi Moi, Pub with Cold Beer..); motorbike/bike tours through the National Park, Bong Lai Valley.

If you are still in the mood for the wild, our one to two-day adventure tours in another marvelous area – Tu Lan Cave System, are highly recommended (see more here). Since the cave system is the home of the Hollywood blockbuster movie Kong: Skull Island, you will have a great experience enjoying the landscape and imagining the legendary King Kong!

Our driver will pick you up according to your departure time and don’t forget to let us know in advance if you would like additional night(s) at the hotel and we can reserve that for you.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

The Son Doong Expedition is considered as difficult even for anyone who considers themselves physically fit and who participates in regular outdoor activities, and not suitable for those without trekking experience. Please make sure that you have basic trekking experience and your health is suitable for these activities:

• 4 days 3 nights in the jungle & caves
• 25+ km jungle and mountain trekking
• 9 km caving including rope climbs, rocky terrain and scrambling (including 90m ascent of the “Great Wall of Vietnam”
• Elevation change up to 400m
• Surface/Underground river crossing: multiple times (knee deep, 10-50m wide river)

Oxalis Adventure Tours staff (cave expert or guide) reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a member of any party at any time without compensation or refund due to safety issue.

The post Explore The World’s Largest Natural Cave – Son Doong Expedition Tour appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Come and explore Hang En, located within the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, and spend the night underground in its massive chamber below thousands of darting swifts.

This 2-day-1-night tour will truly be an unforgettable experience during your time in Vietnam.

Here are the top daily tours * operated by our partner – The Oxalis Experience – The one and only exclusive adventure tour operator in Vietnam. The tour guides are internationally qualified and granted the membership of the British Cave Research Association (UK), and the cave experts are members of the British Cave Research Association. Don’t let fear and worry steal your joy Let’s check out our tours and book us now! For safety and conservation reasons, Decision 47/VPUBND-VX (dated January 9, 2015) of the Government of Quang Binh Province grants Oxalis Adventure Tours as the only operator to bring tourists to Hang En Cave.

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

Please consider booking at least 10 days before the departure date. Last-minute bookings are allowed, but not recommended. Our adventure and expedition tours are greatly fully booked at all times. All photographs below are provided by our partner tour operator. 

*All the tours below are Group-Joining tours. If you wish to book a private tour instead, please send your inquiry to us and we will arrange perfectly.

Note: Unexpected changes on itinerary might happen due to the weather conditions.

• Operating: from Dec to Aug (closed from Sep to Nov)
• Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
• Adventure Level: Moderate (22 km) for physically active guests
• Availability: Regular Departures (check availability in calendar)
• Small Group Tours: Average 10 – 16 pax (required minimum 2 pax)
• Minimum Age: 16 years old
• Tour Starts: 8:00 am – 8:30 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha.
• Tour Ends: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm at any local hotel in Phong Nha.
• Price: USD 330/pax (price inclusive of VAT & National Park environment/entrance fees )

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Phong Nha – Ban Doong Village – Hang En

Start your ultimate adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Phong Nha between 8:00 am and 8:30 am and a short transfer to Oxalis Headquarters. Learn all about safety collect your gear and sign our Release Form before driving 45 mins through the National Park to reach the trailhead. At 10:00 am, leave the road behind for the jungle.

A steep jungle hill starts the journey, with a refreshing river at the bottom. Hike through rich primary forest to reach the Ban Doong minority village, where a hot cup of tea welcomes you. Feast on a picnic lunch which takes place shortly afterwards at about 12:30 – 1:00 pm, near the river. Then it’s back into the jungle, through rivers and streams, and along the river valley until Hang En lays on the horizon.

Enter Hang En around 3 pm, and take a quick rest as the porter team sets up camp on the beach within the cave. For the next couple of hours, complete the adventure by preceding the rest of the way through the cave to the breathtaking exit, a scene made famous in the film Pan. Return to camp through the dry passage to the viewpoint high above camp, where 300 million year old fossils can be seen. Enjoy your downtime relaxing or swimming in the natural pool before a sizzling grilled dinner is served, complete with rice wine and the sounds of swifts overhead.

DAY 2 Hang En – Phong Nha

Awake at 8:00 am for breakfast and pack up your belongings. Depart camp at 9:00 am to leave Hang En. Take one last look at the entrance, almost hidden amongst the jungle.

Have lunch with your group from 12:00 – 1:00 pm, and then it’s time to start the journey home. Trek for the next hour along a shady path through the river valley. And then from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, make your way up the hill to the pickup point, where our driver will be waiting to take you back to civilization. Return to Phong Nha between 4:30 – 5:30 pm.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

Hang En Adventure Cave Camp is easy-to-moderate for anyone who considers themselves physically fit and who participates in regular outdoor activities, and moderate-to-hard for anyone with limited trekking experience.  Please make sure that your health is suitable for these activities with ease before taking part in the tour.

• 22 km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain
• Multiple river crossings: 30 times (knee deep, 10 – 50 m wide river)
• Elevation change up to 550 m (between road and valleys)
• 4 km caving
• 2 days and 1 night in jungle and caves

*Photos provided by the Tour Operator

The post Explore the Beauty of Hang En – Just like in Fairy Tales! appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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For those whom a week expedition to Son Doong cave – the world’s biggest cave – is too much, this new 2-day Hang Va Expedition can be a perfect alternative for your short holiday. Within the wet and dry gours are numerous conical calcite formations that have been named the Tower Cones. Towers Cones such as those in Hang Va are extremely rare and are only found in a few caves across the entire world. Both delicate and unique, these cones can only be formed underwater and take thousands of years to grow tall. This expedition gives you the opportunity to be one of the first people in these caves. We provide the very best adventure experiences with every aspect of the trip carefully planned including delicious meals, the highest safety standards, and friendly and informative adventure guides. Come and enjoy unique and unforgettable experiences in the caves with our dedicated adventure tour company! 

Here are the top daily tours * operated by our partner – The Oxalis Experience – The one and only exclusive adventure tour operator in Vietnam. The tour guides are internationally qualified and granted the membership of the British Cave Research Association (UK), and the cave experts are members of the British Cave Research Association. Don’t let fear and worry steal your joy Let’s check out our tours and book us now!

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

Please consider booking at least 10 days before the departure date. Last-minute bookings are allowed, but not recommended. Our adventure and expedition tours are greatly fully booked at all times. All photographs below are provided by our partner tour operator. 

*All the tours below are Group-Joining tours. If you wish to book a private tour instead, please send your inquiry to us and we will arrange perfectly.

Hang Va Expedition 2Days 1 Night

Duration: 2 Days & 1 Night 

Adventure Level: Moderate-to-hard for physically active guests 

(basic trekking experience required) 

Availability: 5 departures / week 

(operates from January to the end of August) 

Group size: 2 – 10 pax 

(minimum requirement of 2 persons to operate) 

Minimum Age: 16 years old 

Tour Starts: 8:00 am – 8:30 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm at any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1: Phong Nha – Hang Nuoc Nut – Hang Va (jungle camp) 

For your convenience, we will pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha between 8:00 – 8:30 am and drive to Oxalis Headquarters. At Oxalis Headquarters, you will collect your gear, listen to a tour briefing and please be noted that you need to sign our Release Form before driving 45 minutes through the National Park to the trailhead. 

From the trailhead, we will enter the jungle and hike to the entrance of Hang Nuoc Nut. Here we put on our Petzl helmets and Hope Technology 1500 lumen head lamps. Once inside the low opening, the cave enlarges dramatically and we explore the high-level series with excellent photographic opportunities. We have a picnic lunch with ice cold drinks provided before setting off in the cave for around 2 km. Enjoy the beautiful formations, enormous passage and underground river, again with many photographic opportunities. 

Leaving the cave, you will trek on a jungle path which, though short, traverses over tough and difficult terrain. The jungle campsite is located at the base of huge cliffs next to the entrance of Hang Va. Camp will be set up and tea/coffee will be supplied as well as a delicious dinner served by our local chef. Delight yourself with an evening of games and entertainment, or simply relax and soak up the views at our jungle campsite.  

Page Break 

Day 2: Hang Va – Phong Nha 

Day 2 is the highlight of the expedition. Before experiencing this fantastic cave, Hang Va, you will have a delicious breakfast at around 8:00 am. 

First, you will climb down the steep entrance of Hang Va. It can be quite slippery, so move slowly and with care. To ensure your safety, we will have a rope for you to clip into with a harness which will be provided for you. You will continue to wear the harness at all times inside Hang Va Cave. 

After that, time allowing, there is a chance to swim in a downstream pool inside Hang Va before heading upstream. You will walk most of the time in water flowing through the river passage, climb up and down, and squeeze between the rocks. The water level of the river passage can be as high as chest level, so be ready to be wet for about 4 hours. 

When you reach the end of the wet passage, you will need to use the harness again to carefully climb up to the high-level passage. You will be amazed with this high-level area because of its stunning formations, which are really rare throughout the world. In this area, we will have a lot of time to take beautiful images with the support of Hope technology and extra lights designed specifically for photography in Hang Va Cave. 

Finally, we will head back to the camp, enjoy lunch and at around 2:00 pm, walk back to the road by a different route to the pick-up point. Our driver will take you back to your hotel in Phong Nha by about 5:00 pm. 

We will provide you with the following: 

• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, gloves, harness 
• Camping gear: tent(with mosquito net), camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses & pillow 
• Semi dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics) for inside your backpack 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 
• Meals: picnic lunches, BBQ dinner (day 1), breakfast (day 2) 

• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant 
• Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare meals 
• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras ((20cm x 15cm or 22cm x 20cm and limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water filter and purifier (used only by guide and porters) 
• Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using Western toilet seat 

• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only) 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair) 
• 2 pair of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 

• 1 backpack to hold personal items 
• 1 pair of flip flops (sandals) for campsite 
• 1 small towel 
• 1 set of camp clothes (shorts are okay for around camp; please bring a fleece in winter) 
• 1 change of clothes for after the tour 

• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries 

If you are trekking in the colder months (December – March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming.

Price: USD 345/PAX

*Photos provided by the Tour Operator

The post Explore Hang Va – The Amazing Expedition 2D1N Tour for You appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Here are the top daily tours * operated by our partner – The Oxalis Experience – The one and only exclusive adventure tour operator in Vietnam. The tour guides are internationally qualified and granted the membership of the British Cave Research Association (UK), and the cave experts are members of the British Cave Research Association. Don’t let fear and worry steal your joy Let’s check out our tours and book us now!

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

Please consider booking at least 10 days before the departure date. Last-minute bookings are allowed, but not recommended. Our adventure and expedition tours are greatly fully booked at all times. All photographs below are provided by our partner tour operator. 

*All the tours below are Group-Joining tours. If you wish to book a private tour instead, please send your inquiry to us and we will arrange perfectly.

*Unexpected changes on itinerary might happen due to the weather conditions.

Tu Lan Experience 1 Day – Level 1

With your English-speaking guide and local jungle men from the nearby ethnic village of Tan Hoa, you will trek up to 9 km through buffalo fields, dense jungle and have an opportunity to swim through an unbelievable river cave. 

See the immense formations of Hang Chuot (Rat Cave) before trekking to impressive Hung Ton Cave and To Mo Valley. 

You’ll get wet, you’ll get dirty and you’ll enjoy an awesome lunch beside a stunning waterfall. This is a full day of adventure so be prepared! 

This tour is to give you a taste of Tu Lan, but if you really want the ultimate adventure we encourage you to spend the night in the jungle on our Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2 days) or add another night camping in a cave on our Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (3 days)! 

Duration: 1 Day 

Adventure Level: Easy (9 km) for physically active guests (swimming is necessary) 

Availability: Daily (excl. Thursdays) 

Group size: Average 8 – 12 pax (minimum requirement of 2 persons to operate) 

Minimum Age: 16 years old 

Tour Starts: 7:00 am – 7:30 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – To Mo – Tan Hoa – Phong Nha 

Start your day with pick-up from your guesthouse in Phong Nha between 7:00 am and 7:30 am (please be ready on time). 

You’ll then drive 70 km over the Da Deo Mountain Pass to reach the ethnic minority village of Tan Hoa and the Oxalis Headquarters. You can leave your entire luggage at our office in the storage room. 

After a safety briefing, checking gear and signing our Release Form, the day adventure begins with a 2 km walk across peanut and buffalo fields to reach the Rao Nan River. 

After crossing the river you’ll reach the impressive Hang Chuot (Rat Cave) to explore its massive formations for 280 m. Then climb over the mountain and trek through Hung Ton Valley to reach Hung Ton Cave. Explore this wild cave by descending a 15 m ladder with a safety rope before swimming 50 m through the cave and following an underground river to reach To Mo Valley, where a delicious lunch will be awaiting you. 

After swimming at the waterfall, trek over Hung Ton Mountain (1 km), across Hung Ton Valley (500 m), and another small hill down to Rao Nan River (500 m). You’ll finish the day crossing back over peanut and buffalo fields (2.5 km) to the Oxalis Headquarters, where a cold drink and shower will be awaiting your return. 

Depart Tan Hoa at 5:00 pm and return to Phong Nha at 6:30 pm and you will be dropped at your guesthouse.

Tu Lan Jungle & Cave Experience is considered easy for anyone who is physically fit and participates in regular outdoor activities, and moderate for anyone with limited outdoor experience. You will trek approximately 9 km via overgrown jungle paths and swim 50 m through a river cave (weather permitting). 

• 9 km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain 
• Elevation change up to 150 m (between valley and top of mountain) 
• 50 m swimming in cave 

• 1 km caving 

Any member of the Oxalis guide team reserves the right to turn around any person at any time without compensation or refund as deemed necessary for safety or conservation reasons. 

We will provide you with the following: 

• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 
• Meals: picnic lunch (day 1) 
• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant 

• Porter to prepare meals and pump water 
• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water filter and purifier (used only by guide and porters) 
• Eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat at lunch site 
• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only) 

• Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Headquarters to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary 
• 1 change of clothes for after the tour 

• 1 pair of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 
• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera 

Price: USD 80/ Pax

Tu Lan Encounter 2 Days 1 Night Level 1

This tour offers a glimpse into the amazing beauty of the Tu Lan area: caves, karst mountains, jungle, and waterfalls.  It is an opportunity to escape civilization and go deep into the rugged and untouched nature of Vietnam for two-days and one-night with a professional English-speaking guide and jungle porter team. This tour is perfect if you are short on time but still want a solid taste of adventure in the amazing Tu Lan jungle and cave system. You will enjoy exploring Ken Cave, Kim Cave, Hung Ton Cave and of course Tu Lan Cave. You’ll also be subjected to a decent amount of trekking with over 12 km of tough jungle terrain covered over the two days and plenty of swimming! 

Once the day’s adventures are over get ready for a night in the jungle at our amazing Tu Lan campsite located by a beautiful waterfall. You’ll enjoy a delicious BBQ beside the campfire before turning in to the sounds of jungle critters and rushing waters of the nearby waterfall.  With climbing, trekking, and swimming through river caves, this will surely be a highlight of your travels in Vietnam. 

Duration: 2 Days & 1 Night 

Adventure Level: Easy for physically active guests (swimming necessary) 

Availability: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 

(operates from mid-November to mid-September) 

Group size: Average 8 – 10 pax (minimum requirement of 2 persons to operate) 

Minimum Age: 16 years old 

Tour Starts: 7:30 am – 8:00 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm at any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1: Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – Tu Lan  

You’ll be picked up at your hotel in Phong Nha between 7:30 am and 8:00 am, before venturing off to the village of Tan Hoa, located 70 km away. After a safety briefing and gear check, you need to sign our Release Form before it’s off and away for a full day of trekking. The trek begins with a 2.5 km march across fields of peanut crops, giant water buffaloes, towering corn stalks, and down to the Rao Nan River. The adventure accelerates with a 30 m climb up a rocky hill to a small jungle opening where you can catch your breath before a 100 m descent in elevation down to Hung Ton Valley. 

Lunch will be enjoyed in the Hung Ton Cave opening and then the adventure picks up again with some serious trekking from Hung Ton Valley and over to Mango Mountain, then back down into Tu Lan Valley (3 km). By midafternoon, Tu Lan campsite will be on the horizon, where swimming can be enjoyed in the beautiful waterfall. Afternoon activities include exploring and swimming through Ken Cave, located next to the campsite, and after that it’s back to camp for a delicious BBQ dinner. Sleep will come easy in comfortable hammocks or tents set up amongst the trees! 

Day 2: Tu Lan – Tan Hoa – Phong Nha 

The second day starts with a hearty breakfast, and more cave exploration. Starting with a brief swim across the river into the heart of Tu Lan Cave System, you will break to enjoy the blue lagoon entrance before making your way 180 m downstream through Tu Lan Cave entrance.  Make your way up to explore the dry part with some climbing and squeezing, at which point you will reach the dry exit and trek a short way through the valley into Kim Cave dry entrance.  Stay for a while to watch out for a natural window in Kim Cave, and you’ll then be off on a swim (450 m) and trek (500 m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley. A picnic lunch will be served next to a stunning waterfall by Hung Ton Cave mouth.  Then, you will try to follow a dry path before swimming out through Hung Ton wet cave. Following this is the exploration of a dry passage, and then a trek down into Hung Ton Valley (800 m). Arrival in Tan Hoa is followed by a chance to take in the scenery with a cold drink in hand. Showers are available for those who would like to clean up and change, and then departure back to Phong Nha is at around 4 pm, with arrival in Phong Nha by 5:30 pm (Note: 6:00 – 6:30 pm from November to March)

Tu Lan Cave Encounter is easy for anyone who considers themselves physically fit and participates in regular outdoor activities and moderate for anyone with limited outdoor experience. Please make sure that your health is suitable for these activities, you have some basic trekking experience and you are able to swim before taking part in the adventure. 

• 12 km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain 
• 3 km caving 
• 1 km swimming in caves (from 200 m – 500 m each cave) 
• Elevation change up to 150 m (between valley and top of mountain) 
• 2 days and 1 night in jungle and caves 

Any member of the Oxalis guide team reserves the right to turn around any person at any time without compensation or refund as deemed necessary for safety or conservation reasons. 

We will provide you with the following: 

• Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow 

• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves 
• Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet) 
• Semi dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics) 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 
• Meals: picnic lunches (day 1, day 2), dinner (day 1), breakfast (day 2) 

• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant 
• Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals 
• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water filter and purifier (used only by guide and porters) 
• Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat 

• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only) 
• Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Headquarters to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 1 pair of shorts and t-shirt to wear at campsite plus your swimsuit 

• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair) 
• 1 pair of flip flops (sandals) for campsite 
• 1 medium size towel 
• 2-3 pairs of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 
• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries 

If you are trekking in the colder months (November – March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming

Price: USD 240/ pax

Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer 3 Days 1 Night Level 2

This adventure tour offers the perfect balance between trekking, caving, climbing, squeezing and swimming, combined with enough time to enjoy two spectacular campsites over three-days and two-nights!  Our three-day trekking and caving adventure includes the very best wild caves of the region including Rat Cave, Ken Cave, Kim Cave, Hung Ton Cave, Song Oxalis Cave and Tu Lan Cave!  It is a more challenging experience compared to our Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2 days / 1 night), as you’ll see more of the caves and go much further into the jungle! Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and one of the most talked about adventure experiences in Vietnam! 

Duration: 3 Days & 2 Nights 

Adventure Level: Moderate for physically active guests 

(swimming necessary) 

Availability: Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday 

(operates from mid-November to mid-September) 

Group size:  8 – 12 pax 

(minimum requirement of 2 persons to operate) 

Minimum Age: 16 years old 

Tour Starts: 7:30 am – 8:00 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm at any local hotel in Phong Nha 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – Rat Cave – Tu Lan  

You will be picked up in Phong Nha between 7:30 am and 8:00 am at your hotel and driven to the little village of Tan Hoa for your initial safety briefing. Please note that the Release Form needs to be signed before you leave for the jungle. You’ll then set off across sweeping fields for 2.5 km to the Rao Nan River, making your way up to the short hill into Rat Cave. Explore 300 m in Rat Cave with spectacular calcite stalagmites, then make your way back out for a picnic lunch served next to the river in La Ken Valley. 

You’ll then climb 150 m increasing in elevation up Lom Com Mountain.  Keep going through Flat Rock Peak and make your way to Mango Peak on Mango Mountain. After a quick break, the trek continues down into Tu Lan Valley (2 km). You’ll finish your afternoon on a more relaxed note with swimming around the waterfall, followed by a BBQ dinner and singing around the campfire until sleep overcomes you. 

Day 2: Ken Cave – Tu Lan – Hang Kim – To Mo  

The morning arrives with another full day of adventure. Shortly following breakfast comes a swim directly into Ken Cave. After exploring this longest cave in Tu Lan Cave System, you will return to camp for more waterfall swimming, a rest and picnic lunch. 

Post-lunch, it’s a 200 m swim into Tu Lan Cave, followed by a 1.5 km trek to Hang Kim where swimming (450 m) and exploration (500 m) continues before adventuring 500 m through To Mo Valley to the To Mo Cave campsite. Enjoy another beautifully prepared dinner, and camping within the graceful To Mo Valley. 

Day 3: To Mo – Song Oxalis Cave – Hung Ton – Tan Hoa – Phong Nha 

The last day continues to exude adventure and a good balance between trekking and swimming. At 8AM, after breakfast, you and the team will explore Song Oxalis Cave – a marvelous creature of Tu Lan Cave System. After that, you will get back to the campsite and enjoy some snacks before getting back on the journey. The guide then leads the team to trek and swim 100 m upstream past the waterfall and through Hung Ton Cave via the exit of the cave. Investigation of the dry passage leads to a 15 m ladder climb up to the entrance of Hung Ton.  

Early afternoon holds the return trip across Rao Nan River, the beautiful fields and back to Tan Hoa (2.5 km), where a cold drink will be calling your name. Showers are available for those who would like to clean up and change. The tour returns to Phong Nha by 5:30 pm. 

*Our Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer is moderate for anyone who considers themselves physically fit and participates in regular outdoor activities, but difficult for anyone with limited outdoor experience. Please make sure that your health is suitable for these activities, you have basic trekking experience and are able to swim before taking part in the adventure. 

• 17 km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain 

• 4 km caving 
• 1 km swimming in caves (from 200 m – 500 m each cave) 
• Elevation change up to 150 m (between valley and top of mountain) 
• 3 days and 2 nights in jungle and caves 

Any member of the Oxalis guide team reserves the right to turn around any person at any time without compensation or refund as deemed necessary for safety or conservation reasons. 

We will provide you with the following: 

• Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, pillow, mattress 
• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves 
• Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet) 

• Dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics) 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 
• Meals: picnic lunches, dinner (day 1 & 2), breakfast (day 2 & 3)  
• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant 
• Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals 

• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (20cm x 15cm or 22cm x 20cm and limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water purifier (used only by guide and porters) and water bottle 
• Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat 
• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only 
• Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Headquarters to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 2 long (easy to dry) pants and 2 long sleeved shirts to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 1-2 pair of short and t-shirt to wear at campsite and swim suit 
• 1 pair of good-gripping and non-waterproof trekking boots/shoes (if you prefer your own comfortable pair) 
• 1 pair of flip flop (sandals) for campsite 

• 1 medium size towel 
• 2-3 pairs of calf length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 
• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries 

If you are trekking in the colder months (November – March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming. 

Price: USD345/pax

Tu Lan Expedition 4 Days 3 Nights Level 4

Our Tu Lan Expedition is led by a Vietnamese – English speaking skilled adventure guide, along with a porter team and cooks made up of local men with many years of jungle experience. This skills-based caving adventure provides a highly informative insight into this unique caving region, home to the most spectacular caves and jungle of Vietnam! On this tough jungle and cave trek there is plenty to keep your heart racing with some dark cave exploring, bouldering, climbing and a lot of swimming through the caves. You will also explore extraordinary caves, including Hang Tien Cave – famed for its vastness and magnificent formations. You will not miss the highlight caving activity of the tour – the flying fox. Our secluded jungle campsites are spectacular and mostly different from those visited on our shorter treks in the same region. Extra lighting will be brought in to provide many chances for epic photography. Within 4 days and 3 nights in the wild and one night in cozy comfort at Chay Lap Farmstay, our Tu Lan Expedition will take you to almost all of the explored caves and jungle in Tu Lan area and give you a dose of indulgence at our rural retreat. It will certainly be an once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Cave Kingdom of Vietnam.

Duration: 4 Days & 3 Nights on tour 

(plus a night in a luxurious countryside resort) 

Adventure Level: Moderate-to-hard for physically active guests 

(swimming necessary) 

Availability: Weekly, every Thursday and Sunday 

(operates from February to the end of August) 

Group size: 2 pax – 8 pax 

(minimum requirement of 2 people to operate) 

Minimum Age: 16 years old 

Tour Starts: 7:30 – 8:00 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: around 6:00 pm at Chay Lap Farmstay 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – Secret Cave – Hung Ton Cave – Tu Lan Campsite – Hang Ken  

The expedition takes off with a pickup from any local hotel at Phong Nha at 7:30 – 8:00 am and a transfer to Tan Hoa village. You’ll attend the safety briefing, check on gears, equipment & sign the Release Form at Tu Lan office prior to trekking. At 10:00 am, the trek gets underway with a hike across peanut and buffalo fields (2.5 km) to the Rao Nan River. 

After crossing the river, the group will go through the first cave of this expedition called Secret Cave at 11 am. The journey within Secret Cave then proceeds forward with a trek to Hung Ton Cave entrance. The journey within Secret Cave and the following trek to Hung Ton will take from about 11:30 am – 12:00 pm. At the entrance of Hung Ton you will take a break and enjoy lunch until about 1:00 pm.  

From Hung Ton, trek through the jungle to Tu Lan Campsite. At camp, you’ll get settled and have time to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before swimming into Ken Cave to the photo viewpoint where a famous picture of this cave was taken. There will be more time for swimming afterwards at the small waterfall by camp, while our porter team prepares a delicious dinner.  

Day 2: Tu Lan – Hang Kim – To Mo – Hung Ton – La Ken – La Ken Campsite 

Breakfast starts this adventurous day around 8:00 am. Then, the expedition group will see the namesake of the tour, Tu Lan Cave. Visit Tu Lan Dry Cave and abseil down (15 m) into the river passage of Tu Lan Wet Cave with the support of our guide team. You will either swim or boat out of the cave (exit mode depends on season/weather).  

Hang Kim is next, and you’ll enter via the dry entrance, follow the dry passage to the underground river and swim through the cave to exit into picturesque To Mo Valley. We will have lunch here from about 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Then, we will swim into Ton Cave, explore the dry passage and climb up the ladder to exit the cave.  

It takes a further 2.5 hours to trek to La Ken Valley and then you’ll reach the La Ken Campsite (around 5:30 pm) where everyone can enjoy swimming in the natural pools. In cooler weather, you can spend this extra time taking photos of the waterfall and drinking more cups of coffee or tea. Enjoy a fulfilling dinner at around 6:00 pm.  

Page BreakDay 3: Hang Doi – Hung Nhai – Tien Valley – Tien Campsite  

At 8:00 am, the day starts with breakfast ready when you wake up. Around 9:00 am, trek over the hill and through Hang Doi, known as Short Cave or sometimes Bat Cave. This will include a very short swim. When you exit the cave, you’ll see a beautiful waterfall and have time to stop and take some photos.  

At 11:00 am, cross Hung Nhai Valley to the bottom of the hill. Lunch will take place from 12:00 – 1:00 pm near the river. Enjoy its fertile valleys; breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy every moment of it. You then will reach a tranquil magnificent blue lagoon located right in the middle of the jungle surrounded by rocks. This kind of scenery is rare in the world, it makes you wish you could stop the time and live in this moment forever. 

Here you’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing swim, and capture some excellent photos when the sun goes down. Your campsite of the night will be right beside the lagoon, where the mouth-watering fulfilling BBQ dinner prepared by porter team is waiting; this definitely will gain energy for your upcoming exploration of Hang Tien 1 and Hang Tien 2 the following day.  

Day 4: Hang Tien 1 – Hang Tien 2 – Tan Hoa – Chay Lap Farmstay 

Have a big breakfast to gear up for this big, final day of the trek. Hike to the largest cave in Tu Lan Cave System, Hang Tien. Known as Fairy Cave, Hang Tien has two sections and you will explore both from about 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. 

Hang Tien 1 lies beyond a field of boulders and the entrance is magnificent. Rimstone pools are stacked high and add to the magical feeling of this cave. Travel deeper into Hang Tien cave and try our brand new caving activity, the 18-meter-long flying fox. Each of you will be equipped with professional safety equipment such as sit harness, locking karabiners and tandem pulleys. You will pull yourself across the steel cables, as if you were floating in midair. Our professionally trained guide team will support you. This is one of the new exhilarating parts of the tour, enjoy this amazing experience. The squad then keeps on the journey through Hang Tien 1 to its exit and then through Hang Tien 2 before making your way back.  

Lunch will take place on the return through Hang Tien, at the exit of Hang Tien 1. Then the group will proceed back through Hang Tien 1. Trek over the hill to the road where you’ll be picked up and returned to the office around 4:00 – 4:30 pm.  

At Tan Hoa office, you will have time to take a proper shower that you have been waiting for many days, have a cold drink, collect your luggage and be transferred to Chay Lap Farmstay. Check in at the hotel around 6:00 pm, and then enjoy a gala dinner with your expedition team around 7:30 pm. The night will be spent at Chay Lap Farmstay. 

Departure Day:  Transfer to Dong Hoi  

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, take a swim in the pool at Chay Lap, or enjoy Chay Lap water sports center before leaving. Off-property excursions are available as well and can be booked directly through Chay Lap Farmstay. Please contact our adventure consultant to be served. We will arrange 2 group transfers from Chay Lap Farmstay to Dong Hoi; the morning transfer is at 7:30 am and the afternoon transfer is at 2:00 pm. Please inform your departure time to your tour guide the night before to arrange transfer service.  We wish you all the best in your onward travels 

* The Tu Lan Expedition is moderate-to-hard for anyone who considers themselves physically fit and who participates in regular outdoor activities, and not suitable for those without trekking experience. Please make sure that you have basic trekking experience, you are able to swim and your health is suitable for these activities.

• about 30 km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain
• about 5 km caving
• about 800 m swimming in caves (from 100 m – 300 m each cave)
• Elevation change up to 300 m (between valley and top of mountain – total of 1750m of ascent)
• 1 abseil in a cave (in the dark)
• 4 days and 3 nights in jungle and caves

Oxalis Adventure Tours staff (cave expert or guide) reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a member of any party at any time without compensation or refund due to safety issue.

We will provide you with the following: 

• 1 night’s accommodation at Chay Lap Farmstay  (single or twin-shared) 

• Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow 
• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, life jacket, gloves, safety harness, ropes.. 
• Professional caving headlight (Hope Technology headlights – 1500 lumens) 
• Photography lighting supports (Hope Technology – R8 3,000 lumens) 
• Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet) 

• Dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics) 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 
• Meals: picnic lunch & dinner (day 1,2,3 & 4); breakfast (day 1, 2, 3, 4 & departure) 
• Gala dinner on day 4  
• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistants 

• Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals 
• Porter team to carry all your personal belongings to camp 
• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water purifier (used only by guide and porters) and water bottle 
• Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat 

• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only) 
• Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Tan Hoa office to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek 
• Transfers from Chay Lap Farmstay to Dong Hoi city center after tour  
• 1 hour complimentary kayaking at Chay Riverside 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 2 long (easy to dry) pants and 2 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 2 pair of shorts and t-shirts to wear at campsite and swim suit 
• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair) 
• 1 pair of flip flops (sandals) for campsite 

• 1 medium size towel 
• 3-4 pairs of calf length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 
• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries 
• Shoe pads and thick socks if using Oxalis canvas trekking boots 

Tour excludes: 

• Travel insurance (you must purchase travel insurance to join this tour, otherwise our team will help to purchase local travel insurance at VND 440,000 for a  4-day trip and you will be billed before your arrival date) 
• Any additional costs other than those mentioned above; additional expenses may include laundry services, extra food & drink, and additional water sports & river cruises at Chay Lap Farmstay 
• Tip for guide team and porter team 

If you are trekking in the colder months (February – March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming. 

Price: USD 645/pax

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

*All Photos are provided by the Tour Operator

The post Majestic Tu Lan Caves Tours – From Level 1 to Level 4 For Every Kind Of Explorer appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

*The tour below is group-joining tour. If you wish to book a private tour instead, please send your inquiry to us. 

UPDATES:

• Tour name update: 1 Day Discovery Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
• Route Update: 30 minute kayak in Son river

Duration: 1 Day; Daily Tour

Adventure Level: Easy 

(basic trekking experience required) 

Availability: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (from February to the end of August) 

Group Size:Maximum 12 pax

Minimum Age:  12 years old (for active guests)  

Tour Starts: 07:00AM – 07:30AM from any local hotel in Phong Nha 

Tour Ends: 4:30PM – 5:00PM at any local hotel in Phong Nha 

This is the perfect itinerary for everyone who is looking for an easy and enjoyable trek to the remote jungle & cave of Vietnam. The journey is suitable for family adventure with children and offers an outstanding outdoor trekking experience.

Hang Nuoc Nut was first officially explored in 2003. With the length of 2.2 km the cave is a part of Phong Nha Cave System and hydro–logically linked with Hang Va and Hang Son Doong in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, the World Natural Heritage Site.  This is a 2-million-year-old river cave which you can explore the majority of the cave by walking, wading. From February to April every year, you can also enjoy the freshness with some short swimming opportunities inside the cave. Nuoc Nut Cave 1-Day Discovery promises to bring to you unique and unforgettable moments in the legendary cave & jungle of Phong Nha! 

 ITINERARY

Phong Nha – Hang Nuoc Nut – Phong Nha 

The tour bus will pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha at around 8:00AM to 8:30 AM on the departure date before heading to Oxalis Adventure headquarters located right next to Son River. You then will collect your equipment; attend the safety briefing & sign on the Release Form before getting back on the bus at 9:30AM for another 30-minute drive deeper to the National Park to the drop-off point. 

From the trailhead, the team will get off the bus and start trekking through the jungle. You will spend about an hour to trek through Lang Va valley, learn about the biodiversity of flora and fauna in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park before stopping by the Nuoc Nut Cave entrance to have a short break and picnic lunch. A mouth-watering jungle-styled lunch has been prepared for everyone by porter team.  

Back to the journey at around 12:30PM to travel deeper into the cave, you will meet a small entrance opening up to a much larger cave inside. Everyone will be asked to put on your Petzl helmets and Hope Technology 1500 lumen head lamps before proceeding deeper into the cave. Once inside the low opening, the cave enlarges dramatically and there will be many of excellent photographic opportunities. This is a wonderful chance for you and the team to witness the marvelous formations, enormous passage with underground river. During this time, if you’re lucky enough, a natural sunbeam will be seen around this area. After spending about 3 hours to exploring Nuoc Nut Cave, you’ll finish the day trekking back through the jungle to the pick-up point before getting on the bus head back to Oxalis Headquarters. Depart Oxalis at 4:30PM and you will be dropped at your hotel upon your request

We will provide you with the following: 

• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, gloves and life–vests. 
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46 

• Meals: picnic lunch  
• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant 
• Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare meals 
• Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras) 
• Water filter and purifier (used only by guide and porters) 

• First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only) 

Please also bring with you the following: 

• 1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry) 
• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary 
• 1 change of clothes for after the tour 

• 1 pair of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!) 
• Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera 

Price: USD 70/ pax

 Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

*Photos provided by the Tour Operator

The post Explore the Natural World – Nuoc Nut Cave Discovery Tours appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Stunning caves are not just part of some fairy-tale world or horror movie. They can be found in the Central of Vietnam, an incredible and fantastic region riddled with hundreds of spectacular cave systems. Phong Nha Cave is one of the most captivating places to visit in Vietnam, surrounded by imposing limestone mountains, ancient jungle forests, and traditional villages that straddle the impressive waters of the Son River. Here are the top daily Phong Nha tours * operated by our partner – The Di Di Thoi & Oxalis Experience – The one and only exclusive adventure tour operator in Vietnam. The tour guides are internationally qualified and granted the membership of the British Cave Research Association (UK), and the cave experts are members of the British Cave Research Association. Don’t let fear and worry steal your joy Let’s check out our tours and book us now!

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

*Photos provided by Tour operator

Group-joining Tours

Phong Nha National Park Tour 1 Day

Code J-NB1

Our Phong Nha National Park tour starts at the semi-wild enclose where you’ll learn about the critically endangered Ha Tinh Langurs. You’ll enjoy an easy walk around the enclosure and if you’re lucky the ranger will point out a family of these incredibly rare mammals for you.

A short drive along Victory Road 20 into the national park will have you winding through jaw-dropping mountains covered with endless wild banana trees towards 8 Ladies Cave, the second highlight for the day. Here you will learn a little more about the Vietnam/American War and its impact on the area, and visit a historically significant temple that honors the soldiers who lost their lives when a cave collapsed where they were taking shelter from bombings.

We press on through the park to the absolute highlight for visitors, Paradise Cave, or as locals call it Hang Thiên Đường, a 31 km cave discovered in 2005. Your guide will give you a fresh perspective of the cave as you wander its network of walk-ways and impressive cave formations, highlighted by moody lighting. All National Park tours are definitely not the same as our guide will ensure your experience is beyond exceptional visiting this popular destination.

Chay Lap village is next on the agenda, where you’ll have a chance to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch by the banks of the river at Chay Lap Riverside. Catch some rays on our awesome deck chairs or take a quick refreshing swim, before setting out on the final leg of the journey, a bike ride to reach Tram Village. Tram village is so close to bustling little Phong Nha but still a world away. You’ll have a chance to wander through the village with your guide learning even more about the local area. This visit to the village provides a cultural perspective to this classic tour of Phong Nha. From Tram village, you will cycle back to Phong Nha and end the tour at Oxalis office..

Any of you stay at Farmstay or Hotel far away from Phong Nha will be transported back to your  accommodation, or if you stay in town you can take a leisurely walk back to your hotel.

DETAILED ITINERARY

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Professional English Tour Guide, Pick up from Accommodation and comfortable transportation around the park, Paradise Cave Entrance Ticket (250,000 VND), BBQ Lunch, Entrance to Chay Lap Riverside, Guided Village Walk, Water.

Tour excludes personal expenses and additional drinks or beers.

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable clothes and shoes, Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and bug spray, Camera or phone for picture, Rain Poncho, Swimming suite (optional).

PRICE

USD 65/ Pax

Phong Nha Villages Experience By Boat & Bike 1 Day

Code J-PB1

Phong Nha is surrounded by a collection of unique and interesting local villages, which specialize in a variety of crafts and local delicacies. The local people, who rely on the Son River for most of their daily activities, are amongst the most friendly and hospitable you will meet on your travels through Vietnam.  Our Phong Nha Villages Experience by Boat and Bike showcases this unique side of Phong Nha, one that exposes the rich diversity of life beyond the caves. 

• Group Tour Size: Max 15 pax
• Daily Departure
• No Minimum Age

Our tour starts with an early morning visit to Xuan Son market, where you’ll have a close encounter with the towns morning activities. Then get on board and after a short boat trip you will arrive at Xuan Tien Village, where you will learn about local fish farming practices, including the Black Carp and special eel from Phong Nha.

Continue cruising down the river to the very pleasant Gia Tinh Village, where guests will alight from the boat and have a chance to wander through the village with their guide, visiting a craft house where the locals make handmade rattan products. Here the local will show you how to make a product from rattan and you can put your craftiness to test.

You’ll then get back to the boat and float toward Gia Hung village. Here you will have a chance to learn about one of the most impressive churches of the region, if not the country, with its unique local wooden architecture. Then after a short walk, you will get to a local house where they make different types of rice cake. You will have a chance to try making it for yourselves to experience first hand the skills needed to produce hundreds of rice cake per day. You can buy some and bring back on the boat as snack.

Then a delicious lunch will be served on the boat to help you rest and recharge for the next portion of the tour. Our boat will take you back to Lien Trach where you will have some times for swimming. It must be hot after a day of walking around. This is your chance to relax in the cool water of Son River.

You will now head down to Ha Mon boat station then start the afternoon with your bicycles – cycling through very rural farming villages, where buffaloes will compete with laughing children to grab your attention!

This tour is perfect for those wanting to experience local life with a professional local guide – you will not be disappointed!

DETAILED ITINERARY

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Professional English Tour Guide, 3 – 4 Hour River Cruise, Village Walk, 2 – 3 hour Guided Cycling, Lunch, Water.

Tour excludes personal expenses and additional drinks or beers.

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable clothes and shoes, Sun scream, hat, sunglasses and bug spray, Camera or phone for picture, Rain Poncho.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

USD 60/ pax

Phong Nha Sunset Cruise & Village BBQ Experience

Code J-SB1

Phong Nha is a beautiful village nestled amongst majestic limestone mountains formed over millions of years and the delightful Son River. The village of Phong Nha has developed considerably over recent years due to the growing number of intrepid tourists visiting the impressive caves. In addition to the caves, there are an equal number of beautiful villages scattered throughout the area, that showcase local life in a way still reminiscent of times past.  

• Group Tour Size: Max 12 pax
• Daily Departure
• No Minimum Age

Our Phong Nha Sunset Cruise will take guests up river past these quaint villages, where locals can be seen going about their daily activities on the riverside. The cruise will continue winding down river past farmland where you’ll no doubt see buffalos grazing, and children running along the river banks.  You will enjoy some light snacks and a cold drink as you soak up the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, and listen to some interesting local stories by your professional tour guide.

Upon arriving at Chay Lap Riverside, you will have an hour to kick-back and enjoy the tranquil setting amongst the bamboo and beside a gorgeous stretch of the river, whilst enjoying another cold drink, and if you wish, you may order a meal from our delicious BBQ, or just chill out with some good music and stories by your tour guide.

This tour is perfect for those wanting a taste of local life with plenty of time to relax, and still receive an inspiring experience with a professional guide. It’s our short and sweet option that makes for the perfect add-on to any caving adventure in Phong Nha.

DETAILED ITINERARY

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Professional English Tour Guide, Pick up from Phong Nha by Boat, Finger Foods, Drinks. Tour excludes personal expenses and additional drinks or beers or dinner.

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable clothes and shoes, Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and bug spray, Camera or phone for picture, additional change of clothes for swimming.

PRICE

USD 18/ Pax

Private Tours

For any private tour inquiry, please contact us via Email/Facebook

Send your inquiry or any questions to Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com
or Message Facebook us: facebook.com/mazevietnam (24/7 Available)

All private tours have to be booked for at least 2 pax. The price ranges according to the number of pax in private tours. Please find our suggested private tours with different itineraries and activities we organize as follows

Code P-NP1 Phong Nha National Park 1 Day

Code P-TK1 Remote Villages Kayak Adventure 1 Day (16 Minimum age required)

Code P-NK1 Ngon Rao Remote River Kayak Adventure Half Day (16 Minimum age required)

Code P-PK1 Phong Nha Village Kayak Aventure 3 Hour Tour

Code P-PC1 Phong Nha Bike Adventure Half day (16 Minimum age required)

Code P-BC1 Phong Lai & Phong Nha Bike Adventure Full day

Code P-BW1 Botanic Garden Walking Tour 4 Hour Tour

The post Phong Nha National Park and Paradise Cave Tours appeared first on Maze Vietnam.