Oxalis Adventure difficulty levels
With 15 years of experience operating and running adventure tours, Oxalis Adventure has developed a system of difficulty levels for all tours to help customers evaluate and choose the tour that best suits their fitness, interests, and abilities. These levels are based on years of customer feedback, advice from cave experts, and input from the Oxalis management team. If you are still unsure which difficulty level is right for you, please contact the Oxalis Adventure consultants for dedicated assistance. For more detailed information on each tour, you can also refer to "How to choose the right Oxalis Tour".
Difficulty Level and Physical Fitness Requirements
To help customers easily choose the right adventure, Oxalis Adventure divides its tours into 3 difficulty levels: Easy, Moderate, and Challenging.
The difficulty levels of Oxalis tours are based on how strenuous the tour is, the level of adventure, and the complexity of the terrain. The requirement to use safety systems and equipment during the tour is also one of the factors used to determine the difficulty and level of adventure. This system only applies to Oxalis Adventure expeditions and should not be applied to tours or terrain operated by other companies, as conditions and organization may vary.
The difficulty levels are based on the average fitness level of participants and may not reflect the experience of long-distance runners or people who regularly participate in high-intensity sports. Those who regularly practice sports or participate in outdoor activities should be able to complete most Oxalis tours. For Moderate and Challenging tours, participants should have trekking experience, including experience with mountain trekking or similar tours in Vietnam or other countries.
Note: These difficulty criteria are based on many years of experience and advice from cave experts. However, the difficulty of a tour can change depending on weather conditions. In wet weather, the difficulty may increase due to more slippery terrain, higher water levels, and other factors. To avoid disappointment or unnecessary risks, please carefully check the difficulty level and fitness requirements of each tour and regularly monitor the weather forecast when booking. After booking, Oxalis adventure consultants will frequently contact you to guide you through the preparation steps. You can also contact the Oxalis consultants in charge of your tour if you have any questions.
Oxalis Adventure expeditions are divided into the following difficulty levels and fitness requirements:
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Difficulty Level: Easy
- Suitable for: Suitable for almost everyone.
- Tour activities: Gentle jungle trekking, suitable and safe for young children, crossing some rocky sections, swimming and wading through streams, crossing valleys to explore caves, and climbing ladders using safety ropes.
- Requirements: Prior experience with walking tours or outdoor excursions. Participants must possess a baseline level of physical fitness, demonstrated by the ability to climb five flights of stairs continuously or run 3 km on flat ground within 30 minutes without experiencing signs of overexertion such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. Participants must not have any medical conditions that would restrict them from engaging in mountain climbing or caving activities, as outlined in Oxalis's guidelines.
- Tours available in this level: Tu Lan Family Experience (1 Day), Phong Nha: Nuoc Nut Cave Discovery (1 Day), Tu Lan Experience (1 Day), Tu Lan Family Adventure (2D1N), Hang Tien-Tu Lan Discovery Tour (2D1N), Hang Tien Cave Day Trek (1 Day).
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Suitable for: Guests with trekking experience and good physical fitness.
- Tour activities: Trekking 8 – 22 km through forests, rocky terrain, and steep hills with elevations ranging from 150 – 450 m; crossing rivers and streams with water levels ranging from knee-deep to nearly waist-deep; climbing 10 – 20 m ladders and rock faces using safety equipment; and swimming 50 – 150 m through underground rivers, under the guidance and safety supervision of a professional team.
- Requirements: Within the last 12 months, participants must have completed at least one overnight trekking tour OR one to two day-hikes (covering a minimum of 6 km per day on steep, rocky jungle terrain, with an elevation gain of at least 500 m). Participants must demonstrate a baseline level of physical fitness by either climbing five flights of stairs continuously or running 5 km on flat ground within 45 minutes, without experiencing signs of physical distress such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. Participants must not have any medical conditions listed by Oxalis as contraindications for mountain trekking or caving activities.
- Tours with the same Difficulty Level: Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2D1N), Hang Tien Endeavour (2D1N), Hang Va Expedition (2D1N), Hang En Cave Adventure (2D1N), Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (4D3N).
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Difficulty Level: Challenging
- These are the most challenging expeditions within Oxalis's adventure portfolio.
- Suitable for: Regular trekkers and mountaineering with excellent physical fitness.
- Tour activities: Trekking 8 – 22 km through forests, rocky terrain, and steep hills with elevations ranging from 150 – 450 m; crossing rivers and streams with water levels ranging from knee-deep to nearly waist-deep; climbing 10 – 20 m ladders and rock faces using safety equipment; and swimming 50 – 150 m in underground rivers, with the guidance and safety supervision of a professional team.
- Requirements: Participants must have completed at least one overnight trekking and camping tour in a forest or mountainous area within the last 12 months (involving a minimum daily distance of 8 km over complex, rocky terrain and an elevation gain of at least 1,000 m). A solid level of physical fitness is required, demonstrated by the ability to climb five flights of stairs continuously or run 5 km on flat ground within 45 minutes without experiencing signs of overexertion such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. Participants must not have any medical conditions listed by Oxalis as contraindications for mountaineering or caving activities.
- Tours with the same Difficulty Level: Son Doong Cave Expedition (6D5N), Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition (3D2N).Tu Lan Expedition Tour (5D4N).
How to choose the right Oxalis tour
If you have limited time but still want to experience the world of caves and enjoy outdoor activities, you can choose tours at the Easy Level, such as Tu Lan Family Experience (1 Day), Phong Nha: Nuoc Nut Cave Discovery (1 Day), Tu Lan Experience (1 Day), Tu Lan Family Adventure (2D1N), Hang Tien Cave Day Trek (1 Day), or Hang Tien-Tu Lan Discovery Tour (2D1N). Although these tours only last 1 to 2 days, they combine a variety of activities, including jungle trekking, swimming and wading through streams, jungle picnics, and cave exploration.
The Easy Level also includes tours that are suitable for families who want to explore nature with their children and enjoy an adventure together in the wild. The activities are balanced and manageable, giving you enough time to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, forests, and caves without missing any part of the experience. Many travelers consider these tours a "starter" or "warm-up" for discovering their passion for adventure and exploration.
If you are looking for a real adventure into the spectacular world of caves and wild mountains, or want to get familiar with using technical safety equipment, tours at the Moderate Level, such as Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2D1N), Hang Tien Endeavour (2D1N), Hang Va Expedition (2D1N), Hang En Cave Camp (2D1N), and Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (4D3N), are great choices. These tours offer a wide range of experiences and activities, with each journey offering its own unique character, landscapes, and discoveries. Lasting 2 to 4 days, they give you plenty of time to relax at campsites, admire the rugged and spectacular mountain scenery, and explore caves with diverse and impressive stalactite formations.
If you are looking for a truly epic adventure in Vietnam or want to take on one of the world's most remarkable cave expeditions, you should not miss the Son Doong Cave Expedition (6D5N) at the Challenging Level. The Son Doong expedition takes you deep underground to discover magnificent stalactite formations, underground rivers, and even a jungle inside the cave. This expedition offers an unforgettable journey that will push you beyond your limits.
At the Challenging Level, if you are looking for a special, unique, and less conventional expedition, the Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition (3D2N) or Tu Lan Expedition (5D4N) should be on your list. These tours are ideal for those who are passionate about nature, conservation, and cave exploration. In addition to exploring diverse terrain, you will have the opportunity to experience real adventurous activities such as swimming in caves, rope climbing, navigating challenging terrain, and using safety equipment to explore the spectacular world of caves and mountains.
Each tour and each difficulty level offers different experiences and opportunities to take part in unique activities. Use the difficulty level guide to choose the expedition that best suits you and create unforgettable memories.
The Oxalis Experience.
Whether you prefer long treks, camping in a cave, sleeping under the stars in the jungle, swimming underground in river caves, explore the huge dry caves or just taking an exploratory day trip, Oxalis Adventure Tours can provide the right amount of adventure just for you.
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