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.
- 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 1 · Easy
- 1 day tour
- Easy trekking
- 4km of trekking including 1km of caving
- Total Elevation gain: 50m
- 2-3km of easy kayaking
- How do I get to Phong Nha?
- What is the weather like?
- My child (under 16 y/o) is accompanying me. Can they join the tour?
- What benefits will I enjoy if I book multiple tours and services with The Oxalis Group?
- Where would the excess luggage be kept and how much luggage would the porters carry on tour?
- What if I am a solo traveler, can I join a group?
- Why do I have to sign your Release Form?
- Which months of the year do you run this tour, and which are the best months to go?
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.
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.