Highlights

An ideal journey for all members of the family to explore Tu Lan's wilderness. Many enjoyable mini-games and activities for kids to join in such as trekking, swimming, painting, caving, and overnight camping. This memorable journey will be a wonderful part of children's childhood when emerging in the vast nature.

  • Soft trekking experiences, safe for kids
  • Marvel at beautiful and unusual cave formations
  • Boost children's creativity and confidence via mini-games
  • Swimming in the natural stream
  • Overnight camping inside the cave
  • Tuck into freshly cooked meals during the journey, plus snacks
Key Information
  • Two days exploring, one night camping
  • Not available in October due to annual floods. Available throughout the rest of the year
  • Tours depart every Friday and Saturday
  • Group size: 12 people maximum
  • Age: 8 years and above. Children must be accompanied by a parent
  • Distance: 8km trekking, 500m caving, 60m elevation gain
  • Difficulty: Level 2 • 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. Lifejackets must be worn when swimming.

Day 1: Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – Little Rat Cave Campsite

07:00 - 07:30 Pick up at your hotel in Phong Nha and take a 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 with a 2.5km walk on a flat path past peanut fields with grazing buffalo and cows. A river crossing leads to a 60m climb of Baby Hill, followed by a downhill descent into Laken valley. Cross the valley to explore Little Rat Cave with many challenges await.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the cave and keep moving to Rat Waterfall. Here you will have time to wade, take a plunge into the refreshing stream of Tu Lan and participate in fascinating family games such as tents and hammocks setup.

Finish off the day with a short trek back to the camp inside Little Rat Cave and have a dinner prepared and served by the porter team. After dinner, enjoy the evening games before sleeping in your comfortable tent.

Day 2: Little Rat Cave Camp - Rat Cave - Tan Hoa - Phong Nha

After breakfast, the day follows with packing up and walking out of the camp. More treks along the river lead you to Rat Cave, a small cave but full of extraordinary formations.

Enjoy the beautiful views from the entrances and explore the 300m length of Rat Cave. After the second cave, the return is the same route as the first morning. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Tan Hoa after a welcome shower.

Transfer to Phong Nha arriving at around 14:30 to 15:00.

Adventure Level

Tu Lan Family Adventure 2 Days
Adventure Level 2 · Easy

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

  • 2-day tour
  • Easy to moderate trekking
  • 8km of trekking including up to 500m of caving
  • Swims and river crossings
  • Terrain on tour: Soft trekking experience, 6m ladder in cave, safe for children
FAQs
  • Should children take some physical training before joining the tour?

    This adventure requires children to be in good health and have some physical experiences before departure. You should encourage your child to get used to jogging/walking/cycling about 2-3km per day to strengthen his/her fitness.

  • What happens if my child cannot keep up with the others on tour?

    Our safety assistants will come all along to help all the members get over difficult terrains. On the other hand, Oxalis's tour guides will take many breaks to let everyone catch their breath and slow down if someone wears out.

  • Does my kid need to know how to swim for your tours?

    No. Swimming is not a mandatory activity in all family tours. Instead, the children will have time for swimming by the stream after lunch on the first day of the tour. Life jackets will be provided by Oxalis and are compulsory for swimming.

  • 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 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.
    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.

  • 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.
    • 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.
    • You will enjoy a 10% discount for room at Chay Lap Farmstay.
    • Discount for room bookings at Son Doong Bungalow at just VND 800,000/night (valid until 31/12/2022). Applicable to all guests booking tours with Oxalis Adventure 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, Hang Tien and Hang Va tours, guests prepare their own medium-sized backpacks (type 15-25L) when participating in Hang En and Son Doong.
    Similar provisions for the Tu Lan 4-day tour, however, luggage used at the camp has a maximum weight of 5kg / person / tour.

  • 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.

  • Can I change clothes after swimming part?

    No, you cannot change during the trip. There is a lot of swimming combined with trekking and we don’t have enough time to change to dry clothes during the trek. When you reach the campsite, you can change and enjoy some warm drinks.

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

  • Meals: picnic lunches (day 1, day 2), breakfast (day 2), dinner (day 1)
  • Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals
  • Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow
  • Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves
  • Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet)
  • Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide and safety assistants
  • Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras)
  • Water filter (used only by guide and porters)
  • Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat
  • First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only)
  • Net hammock
  • 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 shorts and t-shirt to wear at campsite plus your swim suit.
  • 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). You need to prepare your baby a pair of shoes with a good grip and quick drainage.
  • 1 pair of flip flop (sandals) for campsite
  • 1 medium size towel
  • 2-3 pairs of calf length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!)
  • Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries

Pricing and availability

Please choose your departure date using the calendar below.

  • The days in bold below are available (Day 1 in the itinerary).
  • This tour is operated from mid-Nov to mid-Sep next year (closed from mid-Sep to mid-Nov).
  • This tour price includes: VAT, environmental service fee, entrance fees, travel insurance cost.
  • 10% off for Xiều (returned customer).
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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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