Highlights

This tour is perfect for families – or if you’re short on time but want to keep away from crowded caves. Trek through the jungle, explore the river cave of Nuoc Nut and kayak along the tranquil Chay River.

  • Explore different areas of the national park in just one day.
  • Unearth the Nuoc Nut river cave with optional swimming.
  • Kayak along the slow moving, tree fringed Chay River.
  • Trek through the jungle and enjoy a picnic in the wilderness.
Key Information
  • One day exploring.
  • Available January to August.
  • Tours depart four or five times a week.
  • Group size: 12 people maximum.
  • Age: 12 years and above.
  • Distance: 4km trekking, up to 1km caving, 50m elevation gain, 10-20m swimming depending on season, 3km kayaking.
  • Difficulty: Level 1 · easy.
  • Itinerary (below) is subject to change with the weather. Paths can be slippery and muddy after rain.

Itinerary

Due to the weather conditions the itinerary may need to be changed at short notice. The paths can be muddy and slippery after rain.

Briefing: Phong Nha - Oxalis Office

On Day 1, our tour bus will pick you up from your hotel in Phong Nha between 07:00 - 07:30, for the drive to the Oxalis office. Here you will have a tour safety briefing, sign the release form and receive the required equipment for the tour.

After the briefing section in the morning, you’ll get back into our tour bus and head out to the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail to commence your trek. The route starts with a short steep drop down from the road to the valley floor. A nice easy half hour trek in the jungle brings you to a dry rocky stream bed. Follow the rocky path carefully to climb down over boulders to Nuoc Nut Cave entrance. With your caving headlight and helmet, follow your guide into the darkness. Initially quite small, the cave soon opens up into impressive dimensions. Plenty of stalactites and stalagmites can be seen on the way and some clear blue pools. Return to the entrance and enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the wilderness.

Afternoon: Chay Village – Chay Lap Water Sports Center – Phong Nha

In the afternoon, you will retrace your steps to the road and continue by car to the kayaking point. Your guide will give you a briefing on how to kayak and then get you onto the water. With your safety team you will kayak downstream for about 3km through beautiful surroundings. Watch out for bird life such as Kingfishers along the way. Finish with a cold drink at the Chay Lap Water Sports Centre. Transfer to Phong Nha arriving at around 17:00.

Adventure Level

Adventure Level 1 · Easy

  • 1 day tour
  • Easy trekking
  • 4km of trekking including 1km of caving
  • Total Elevation gain: 50m
  • 2-3km of easy kayaking
FAQs
  • How do I get to Phong Nha?

    If you are arriving from oversea, there are two main international airports connect with Dong Hoi Airport: Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi Capital) in the north and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) in the south. There’re many daily flights connecting between 2 main airports with Dong Hoi Airport. From Dong Hoi airport you can get a taxi or shuttle bus to Phong Nha which takes around 45 minutes. You can choose other means of transportation. From Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An to Phong Nha by sleeper bus, or to Dong Hoi City by train. If you are planning to our tour once arrived in Phong Nha then please make sure your bus/train arrives before 6:00 am to take your tour on time.

    If your arrival time is too early, please contact us to get a FREE dorm bed at Oxalis Home to have a few hours rest before taking the tour. We have gathered all information regarding arrival and departure in the link below, please check for more details.
    https://oxalisadventure.com/arrival-departure-guide/

  • What is the weather like?

    The weather in Phong Nha is quite mild and divided into 4 main seasons.
    • Mid-November to early March: the weather is quite cold, the temperature ranges from 12-15°C;
    • Mid-March to late June: dry season, quite stable weather, light showers, temperatures in the range of 22-38°C (May to June is usually the peak heat wave, the temperature can rise up to 38 degrees);
    • Mid-July to mid-September: hot season, increased rainfall, temperature ranges from 25-35°C.
    • Mid-September to mid-November: rainy season, usually with prolonged heavy rain, possible flooding.
    (For safety reasons, Oxalis Adventure closes all tours during this time every year).
    In addition, typhoons, droughts or floods may occur in Phong Nha if the weather conditions are erratic. Prior 1 day to your arrival to Phong Nha, you can conveniently check the weather forecast and prepare for your trip accordingly, here: accuweather.com
    This website shows an approximately accurate weather forecast of the area.

  • My child (under 16 y/o) is accompanying me. Can they join the tour?

    If your child is in the age bracket of 11-16 y/o, we offer a private tour option. Feel free to contact our adventure consultant team for assistance in this regard.

  • What benefits will I enjoy if I book multiple tours and services with The Oxalis Group?

    The Oxalis Group has four primary members:
    • Oxalis Adventure: Asia’s biggest adventure tour operator, conducting jungle and cave tours in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Tu Lan Cave System.
    • Chay Lap Farmstay & Resort: One of the top accommodations in Vietnam, blending a rustic countryside aura with luxury.
    • Di Di Thoi: A full service tour operator located in Phong Nha, Quang Binh, offering a variety of classic tours, soft-adventures and inspiring local experiences.
    • Son Đoong Bungalow: Based in the prime location of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong Bungalow offers unique features of indigenous culture, magnificent landscapes and hospitable locals.

    • You will receive a 10% discount for the second tour and onwards for Oxalis Adventure - Xiều Oxalis.
    • A special room rate at Chay Lap Farmstay & Resort at just VND 1.3 million/night, discounted from the original price of VND 2.6 million/night.
    • You will also enjoy a 10% discount on all Di Di Thoi tours.
    • Discount for room bookings at Son Doong Bungalow at VND 1.540 million for Family Room (maximum 4 adults), VND 1.120 million/night for Deluxe Rooms (1-2 adults) and VND 910.000/night for Superior Rooms (1-2 adults). Applicable to all guests booking tours with Oxalis Adventure or Di Di Thoi during the tour processing time.

    Our consultant will happily assist you, should you need further details on these benefits.

  • Where would the excess luggage be kept and how much luggage would the porters carry on tour?

    Your luggage will be kept at the offices in Phong Nha and Tan Hoa. For high-value belongings, please inform the staff, so that it can be stored safely in the locker.
    With 1-day tour, guests' items are not too many, so safety assistants can assist guests. In case guests have a lot of items, they will prepare a medium-sized backpack (type 15-20L) and bring it on their own during the journey.
    For 2-3 day tours, guests' equipment used at the camp will be supported by Oxalis porters, the maximum weight is 3kg / person / tour. The daily necessities will be brought by guests, Oxalis provides floating backpacks for visitors to Tu Lan and Hang Tien tours, guests prepare their own medium-sized backpacks (type 15-25L) when participating in Hang En and Hang Va.
    Similar provisions for the Tu Lan 4-day tour, however, luggage used at the camp has a maximum weight of 5kg / person / tour.

  • What if I am a solo traveler, can I join a group?

    Solo travelers are most welcome and make up a large percentage of most groups.

  • Why do I have to sign your Release Form?

    We require customers to sign our Release Form to confirm they accept this is an adventure tour and they have to follow our guide’s instructions and safety rules. Customers also accept they have some responsibilities for their own safety.

  • Which months of the year do you run this tour, and which are the best months to go?

    You can book the tour which departs from February to August. That is also the best time to join in the discovery and enjoy it at its best.

Preparations

Please visit our FAQ general page to read our specific What to Bring list before departing for Vietnam and your cave expedition.

WE WILL PROVIDE

  • 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 safety assistants
  • 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)
  • Kayaks (maximum 2 people on a kayak)

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING

  • 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!)
  • Medium size backpack (25 L) for your water bottle, personal belongings and provided caving helmet
  • Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera

Pricing and availability

Please contact our adventure consultants in the bottom right bubble of the screen to book the tour.

Best Safe Hotels in Phong Nha

Below, some hotels we would recommend in Phong Nha with the best COVID-safe measures. All staff members have been fully vaccinated, ensuring your safety while exploring Phong Nha.

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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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