Hang Tien Endeavor Tour
Hang Tien Endeavor Tour is a challenging 2-day, 1-night adventure, where guests will trek through the jungle to explore four caves in the Tu Lan Cave System, including Hang Tien 1 & 2 - two of the largest dry caves in the area. These caves are well-known for their giant stalactites and immense passages that evoke an otherworldly feeling. The journey also offers the chance to swim in Ruc Cave, navigating beautiful maze-like underground rivers, and experience the eternal darkness of Ho Tien Cave, where visitors can listen to the sound of water droplets falling from the ceiling, forming unique stalactite formations over thousands of years. The tour includes one night camping by a tranquil river, immersing participants in the pristine nature.
Hang Tien is the largest dry cave in the Tu Lan System, and is located in Cao Quang Commune, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. This is about 75 km from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Hang Tien is famous for its natural beauty with special cave formations such as gour pools.
- Explore Tu Lan's largest and most unique caves: The journey to conquer Hang Tien Cave will take travelers through the four most beautiful caves in the Tu Lan Cave System: Hang Ruc, Hang Ho Tien, Hang Tien 1, and Hang Tien 2. Hang Tien is the largest cave in the Tu Lan System, boasting a colossal volume. In some spots, it reaches nearly 100 meters high and 50 meters wide. What truly sets Hang Tien apart is its incredibly unique and rare domed structure. The ceiling features swirling formations that resemble the Milky Way Galaxy in outer space.
- Riverside camping at its finest: Visitors will camp beside a natural underground lake, often likened to an "infinity pool" nestled in the Cao Quang mountains. As night falls, the star-filled sky and the profound silence create a breathtaking backdrop, offering a peaceful camping experience. It’s a chance to fully immerse yourself in the wild, pristine nature—an unforgettable moment on your expedition.
- A journey that transforms lives: Beyond the natural splendor, your presence contributes to a powerful story of community resilience and growth. Sustainable tourism has played a key role in transforming Tan Hoa, driving the poverty rate down from 85.7% in 2010 to just 2% in 2024. This expedition supports vital initiatives, including the construction of floating houses and septic toilets to improve local living standards. Furthermore, Oxalis is committed to future generations, sponsoring free open swimming and safety training to over 300 children in Tan Hoa and along the Rao Nan River every year.
The unique features of the trip are:
Itinerary
The itinerary of exploration tours can be changed due to weather conditions. The jungle trail during the exploration trip can be quite muddy and slippery when it rains.
Download the itineraryPhong Nha - Tan Hoa Commune - Hang Ruc Cave - Ho Tien Cave - Tien Cave Campsite
From 07:30 to 08:00 AM on the departure day of Hang Tien Endeavor Tour, the tour guide and driver will pick you up at hotels around Phong Nha town to drive to Cao Quang Commune for the safety briefing and packing. After signing the Release form, you will receive the necessary safety equipment and set off for the caving tour.
After warming up with an ascent of a small hill, you will overcome some rocky terrain and trek downhill to a small valley, with a short, steep peak to conquer before reaching Hang Ruc – a “warm-up” cave in this caving and jungle trekking tour. The Hang Tien trekking route begins with a walk along a trail leading to the Hang Ruc area. Here, visitors will be equipped like real explorers with headlamps, helmets, gloves, and specialized life vests for cave exploration, ready to conquer Hang Ruc Cave. Inside, you’ll experience swimming through its maze-like underground river system before returning for a picnic lunch by a scenic stream, prepared by our porters.
Following lunch, the group will continue to explore Ho Tien Cave – a natural wonder with truly unique formations and an eternal darkness where the only sound is droplets of water creating one-of-a-kind stalactites. Afterward, you will resume the trek to reach the Hang Tien campsite, nestled next to a stunning emerald green lake, perfect for a refreshing swim in a “natural infinity swimming pool.” Enjoy the beautiful surroundings before returning to camp for a hot cup of coffee or tea as sunset approaches. A delicious dinner will be served soon after by our amazing porters or chefs, allowing you to relax before retiring to your tent for a comfortable night.
Hang Tien 1 & 2 - Tan Hoa
After breakfast at the camp, guests continue to walk through the jungle and over a very rocky path to reach Hang Tien 1. You will be amazed by the vast entrance with a high roof, and tall calcite formations covered with plants and mosses. Marvel at the circular ceiling dome inside. At the end of Hang Tien Cave, you will be equipped with safety harnesses to climb up a 10m high ladder, leading to the cave exit.
After about 30 minutes of trekking through the tropical jungle, with several rocky sections, the group will reach the entrance to Hang Tien 2. Pass through a small entrance and spiral down to a huge passage, containing a floor of fine terraces, cave pearls, and many formations. After finishing Hang Tien 2, the group will enjoy lunch before tackling the final challenge, a steep ascent to the pickup point. Here, the vehicle will be waiting here with cold drinks before taking the group back to the Oxalis office to collect luggage, shower, and rest.
At around 4:30 PM, the Oxalis vehicle will take guests back to Phong Nha or Dong Hoi. The tour is expected to finish at around 6:00 PM. If you would like to stay a few extra nights at your hotel or join other activities in the Tu Lan or Phong Nha - Ke Bang areas, please contact an Oxalis consultant in advance for assistance.
Note: On days with heavy rainfall, the water in the river and caves will not be as clear as usual.
Suggested itinerary before and after the tour:
To ensure the best preparation before your journey or to relax after the expedition, Oxalis suggests staying at Chay Lap Farmstay if you wish to combine exploring Phong Nha with experiencing a peaceful countryside atmosphere, or Blue Diamond Retreat if you prefer to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy relaxing moments amidst the mountains and forests. Special discounted rates exclusively for Oxalis guests are 1,100,000 VND/room/night at Chay Lap Farmstay and 1,600,000 VND/room/night at Blue Diamond Retreat.
During your time in Phong Nha, the Phong Nha Caves Exploration Museum (open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission) is a must-visit destination. Here, you can experience the Son Doong 5D VR technology for 500,000 VND per ticket. All proceeds from this activity are contributed to the Oxalis Foundation to support local community projects, making your journey even more meaningful.
Gallery
Difficulty Level and Physical Fitness Requirements
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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.
Suitable for: Guests with trekking experience and good physical fitness.
Tours with the same Difficulty Level: Hang Va Expedition Tour 2D1N , Hang En Cave Adventure 2D1N, Tu Lan Cave Encounter 2D1N, Hang Tien Endeavor Tour 2D1N, Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour 4D3N.
Terrains
The tour takes place in remote areas with complex terrains. Customers must be physically fit. Please carefully read the tour itinerary and honestly fill out the booking information yourself, especially your experience and health condition.
- 12km of trekking, 3.5km of caving
- 250m elevation gain
- River crossings
- Swimming in the caves with a life vest provided by Oxalis
- Swimming in the natural stream
- A 10m ladder climb with a safety rope, operated by the safety team
For more information on the necessary physical activities for a successful trip, please refer to: https://oxalisadventure.com/getting-ready-oxalis-tour/.
Safety on the tour
This is always the top priority of Oxalis Adventure to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip, including multi day adventures. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The tour guides must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly. Only qualified guides may lead an Oxalis tour. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and " safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.
By signing the Release Form, visitors agree to follow all tour safety regulations and the instructions of the cave experts and guides throughout the expedition. To ensure the safety of the entire group, the safety experts and guides have the authority to require any guest to end the expedition if they fail to comply with the safety regulations explained during the briefing.
Items to bring on tour
The Hang Tien Endeavor Tour is a 2-day 1-night trip in the jungle with different terrains and weather conditions, so guests need to be well prepared. They will be asked to have appropriate clothing for safety reasons, good for moving in the jungle, river crossing, or exploring the cave and avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts must be worn for trekking. Trekking shoes play a very important role in Oxalis Adventure tours in Vietnam. Visitors must choose a good and well-fitting pair of shoes for rocky steep mountains. Please test your shoes before the trek. Besides, guests also need to prepare personal items for 1 night’s camping in the jungle. Our adventure consultant will give you helpful advice before joining the Hang Tien Endeavor Tour.
You need to prepare
Essential clothing
- 1-2 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts
- 1-2 pairs of long trekking pants (quick-dry)
- 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
- 1 waterproof jacket (winter months November to March)
- 1-2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
- Campsite clothing set:
- Warm clothes for winter from November to March;
- Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to September - 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite
- Swimwear
Personal items
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
- Hand fan for summer (April to September)
- 1 medium towel
- Underwear
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
- Power banks
- Personal medication
- Passport
Oxalis provides
- Camping equipment: tent, mattresses, pillow, sleeping bags
- Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
- 1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
- Basic trekking shoes are available to borrow from Oxalis (sizes 36-44). If you use Oxalis shoes, please bring thick socks and two pairs of insoles to help prevent blisters. A VND 50,000 cleaning fee applies.
- Water bottle (1L)
- Water purifier
- Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
- Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing set
- First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
- Satellite phone
- Portable fan (in summer)
- Secure storage at office
Optional items
- Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
- Camera & Tripod
- Ear plugs
- Bandana or headband
- Rehydration tablets
Food and drinks in the tour
Although the expedition takes place deep in the primary forest and inside the cave, you will be provided with three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oxalis has a dedicated team of cooks who prepare fresh ingredients brought directly to the expedition route, ensuring you receive the nutrition you need throughout the long days of trekking.
For your health and safety, all drinking water served during the expedition is treated through a specialized water filtration system and thoroughly boiled at the campsites to meet strict safe drinking-water standards. Hot drinks such as tea and coffee are also available.
The menu offers a variety of options, including standard, vegetarian, and special-diet meals. If you have specific dietary requirements or food allergies, please note them on your booking form so the Oxalis team can make the necessary preparations in advance.
Camping, Showers and Hygiene During the Expedition
This is considered to be one of the most beautiful campsites that Oxalis has, located right on the riverbank, and also the point where the underground river emerges, on its way to the sea, creating the amazing “natural infinity swimming pool”. The campsite in the valley has open views allowing visitors to contemplate the clear blue sky, millions of stars or the colorful dawn.
The average temperature in winter is about 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, and in summer it is from 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. Guests will be provided sleeping bags and warm mattresses for winter and solar-powered fans for summer. More information about the "unique campsites in Tu Lan Cave System" - camping inside Quang Tri forest is available here.
Tents: At each campsite, you will stay in tents specially designed by Oxalis. Each tent offers enough space for one or two people to sleep comfortably, and is set on a sturdy raised platform 30 cm above the ground, helping minimise moisture and insects. The tent walls are made of breathable mesh, with a fan provided inside to keep the space cool while allowing you to stay connected with the surrounding natural environment. Each tent is also equipped with a mattress, pillow, and sleeping bag, all thoroughly cleaned before every expedition to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
Toilets and water facilities: Each campsite is equipped with modern toilets and convenient shower facilities. All water used for washing and other daily needs is carefully treated through a filtration system to ensure safe use throughout the expedition.
Waste management and environmental protection: To help preserve the cave ecosystem, 100% of solid waste generated during the expedition is carried out of the cave. For wastewater and toilet waste, Oxalis uses portable septic tanks combined with an advanced filtration system to ensure that discharged water meets Vietnam’s strict environmental standards.
Tour booking process
This is a tour that requires careful logistical preparation from both guests and Oxalis. Reading the tour information thoroughly will help you make an informed decision before booking. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please chat with an Oxalis adventure consultant using the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, or contact us via hotline at +84 919 900 357 for assistance. The booking process is as follows:
Step 1: Learn about the tour
Visit oxalisadventure.com to learn more about the itinerary, highlights, adventure level, tour price, and most importantly, the health and fitness requirements.
Step 2: Choose your departure date
Click “Book Now” on the tour page to view the available departure dates. Available dates will be shown on the calendar. Select your preferred date and enter the number of participants.
Step 3: Provide your information
Complete your contact details accurately, especially your email address and phone number. You must provide truthful information about:
- Your health condition and any medications you are currently taking;
- Allergies or special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals or food allergies;
- Trekking experience;
- Exercise frequency and level of physical activity.
Important: Oxalis reserves the right to cancel your booking without a refund if any information provided is found to be false or incomplete, particularly information related to your health and physical fitness.
Step 4: Complete your booking request
Select any additional services you may require, such as transfers or accommodation at Chay Lap Farmstay and Oxalis Home.
Read and agree to the booking terms and conditions, then click “Submit Booking Request.” The system will send a booking code to your email address.
Step 5: Consultation and information confirmation
Within 48 working hours, an Oxalis travel consultant will contact you by email or phone to:
- Provide detailed information about the expedition;
- Confirm your booking details;
- Assist with arranging any additional services you have requested.
Step 6: Payment
Once your information has been confirmed, Oxalis will send you an invoice and payment instructions.
You must complete the payment within 24 hours of receiving the payment instructions. After this period, your booking request may be automatically cancelled.
Step 7: Booking confirmation
Once Oxalis receives your payment, you will receive an official booking confirmation by email.
From this point, you can begin preparing your clothing, equipment, and fitness for the expedition.
Terms of tour cancellation
To confirm your booking, you will be required to pay the tour deposit after completing the booking process. Guests may cancel the trip 7 days prior to the departure date and receive a full refund. For cancellations after 7 days, no refund will be given. See more details in “Terms of tour cancellation”.
Tour price and available dates for booking
- Season: Tours operate from mid-November to mid-September every year.
- Group Size: Limited to 10 guests per tour for safety and conservation.
- Tour Types: Fixed departure dates for individuals; private tours available for special groups or film crews.
- Exclusive Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for UOB cardholders and Xiều Oxalis (returning guests).
- Last-Minute Booking Notice: Online bookings close at 19:00 (7:00 PM) the day before departure. For bookings after 19:00, please contact our Adventure Team via chat box or Hotline at +84 919 900 357 (Call/WhatsApp) for immediate assistance and slot availability.
Useful Information Must read
Hang Tien Endeavor Tour
Duration: 2 days 1 night
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Age 16-70 years old
Group size: 10 customers (Join-in)
Operation: mid-Nov to mid-Sep
USD 253 • VND 6,700,000/pax
Book nowWhether 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.
