Highlights

An action-packed day to discover the magnificent caves of the Tu Lan cave system, including trekking, climbing, swimming and picnic lunch by a waterfall. This tour is for travelers who are short on time or don’t want to sleep in the jungle – but still want to explore the caves.

  • Discover the Tu Lan caves in just one day!
  • Trek over jungle hills and mountains
  • Marvel at the beauty of 2 dry caves and unusual cave formations
  • Swim and wade at waterfall
  • Picnic lunch next to a natural stream
Key Information
  • One day exploring
  • Tours depart every day except Friday
  • Group size: 12 people maximum - Age: 16 years and above
  • Distance: 8km trekking, 500m caving, 150m elevation gain
  • Difficulty: Level 2 • Easy

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.

Morning: Tan Hoa - Little Rat Cave - Rat Waterfall

07:00 - 07:30 Pick up and one-hour drive to the Oxalis Adventure office in Tan Hoa, located 70km from Phong Nha. Here you will have a tour safety briefing, sign the release form and receive the required equipment for the tour.

The trek starts after the briefing with a flat path past peanut fields and grazing buffalo and cows. A river crossing leads to a 60m rocky uphill section. Here you will visit Little Rat Cave with numerous unique challenges and opportunities to capture wonderful photos await. Pass through the cave exit and drop downhill into the Rat Waterfall, where you will have lunch, and lots of time to swim in the wilderness.

Afternoon: Rat Cave - Tan Hoa

After lunch, trek back along the river and pass over a short climb to explore Rat Cave, a small but beautiful cave. Exit Rat Cave and back over the buffalo fields to the office where a cold drink awaits. Take a shower and transfer to Phong Nha between 18:30 and 19:30.

Note

1.Guests are required to arrive in Phong Nha no later than 07:00 on the day of the booked tour departure and also recommended not to participate in any activities that might cause a delay.
2. To reach Phong Nha at a good time from the North, we recommend catching the SE3 train from Hanoi/Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi. If you’re down South, it is recommended to book a flight from HCMC/Da Nang/Hue to Dong Hoi (You are expected to arrange your own travel from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha).
3. Two complimentary dorm rooms (8-bed & 6-bed) at Oxalis Home are offered for our adventurers who arrive in Phong Nha early in the morning, a few hours ahead of their booked tour departure. You can rest here before your tour departs. Please inform us in advance if you request to stay in this room!

Adventure Level

Tu Lan Experience 1 Day
Adventure Level 2 · Easy

Requires: Basic fitness, some sports activities
Expect: Easy trails, some rocky sections & optional swim

  • 1-day tour
  • Easy to moderate trekking
  • 8km of trekking including up to 500m of caving
  • Swimming and wading at the waterfall
  • River crossings
FAQs
  • How do I get to Phong Nha?

    If you are arriving from overseas, there are two main international airports connected 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 our tours once you arrived in Phong Nha then please make sure your bus/train arrives before 7:00 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 6-16 y/o, we offer other family tour options as follow:

    From 8 years old and above

    From 6 years old and above: Feel free to contact our adventure consultant team for assistance in this regard.

    In addition to the above options, you can refer to other classic tours in Phong Nha operated by Di Di Thoi, a unit member of Oxalis Group.

  • 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, life jacket, gloves
  • 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 to prepare meals and pump water
  • Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras)
  • Water filter (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

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. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair)
  • 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

Pricing and availability

Please choose your departure date using the calendar below.

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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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