Highlights

Explore six wet and dry caves that you’ll swim, scramble and wade through. Spend two nights under the stars in two different campsites good for swimming – one with a rock pool and the other on a river bend. This tour is for adventurous travelers who want to experience different types of caves and sleep in two stunning locations.

  • Swim and wade through underground rivers.
  • Trek over jungle hills and mountains.
  • Explore six wet and dry caves in the Tu Lan system.
  • Sleep in two incredible campsites with natural swimming pools.
  • Tuck into freshly cooked meals during the journey, plus snacks.
  • Marvel at beautiful and unusual cave formations.
Key Information
  • Three days exploring, two nights camping.
  • Tours depart every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Group size: 10 people maximum.
  • Age: 16 years and above. 15 year olds with experience will be considered.
  • Distance: 14km trekking; 4km caving; 1km swimming (50-200m); 435m elevation gain; 15m ladder climb.
  • Difficulty: Level 3 • moderate.
  • Itinerary (below) is subject to change with the weather. Paths can be slippery and muddy after rain.

Wild Tu Lan Explorer in 2023 is now available with many enticing extra services to enhance your trip's experience. Check out here:

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.

Day 1: Phong Nha – Tan Hoa – Rat Cave – La Ken- Tu Lan Campsite

07:30 - 08:00 Pick up and one-hour and a half drive on Day 1 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 field and grazing buffalo and cows. A river crossing leads to the Rat cave. You will enjoy the picnic lunch at the entrance before visiting the cave, a small but beautiful cave. Drop downhill into the next valley. Cross the valley on a flat path to reach to Lom Com hill with the 150m climbing and descending. More hills and jungle trekking before you drop down to Tu Lan Valley and your camp for the night.

Finish off the day with a swim into the beautiful lake near by the Camp. Dinner is prepared and served by the porter team. After dinner enjoy chatting or card games before sleeping in your comfortable tent. Composting toilets are provided at camp.

Day 2: Tu Lan – Kim cave – To Mo

The following day you will trek and explore three caves: Ken Cave, Tu Lan Cave and Kim Cave.

After breakfast, you will explore and swimming in the Ken Cave. Return to camp for lunch. After lunch swim into the wet entrance of Tu Lan Cave, a short climb up leads you into the dry passage and exit. Trek around the valley to Kim Cave. Enter the small entrance via a short climb and follow the dry passage to meet the underground river. A series of short swims and waterfalls brings you to the beautiful To Mo Valley and your camp for the second night.

Day 3: To Mo - Song Oxalis Cave - Hung Ton - Tan Hoa - Phong Nha

After breakfast a challenging steep hill will lead you to Hang Song Oxalis. This cave has an amazing display of cave coral. Take your time and appreciate this cave. Descend the steep hill for snacks and tea or coffee. Cross To Mo Valley to enter Hung Ton Cave next to the small waterfall. Swim along to the dry passage, where you will climb a metal ladder with the extra protection of a safety line. Follow the dry passage to the exit.

From here the route follows the same way as the first morning: cross the flat valley, climb a short hill, cross the river and buffalo fields to the office. Back at the office enjoy a welcome shower and a tasty lunch at a local restaurant before departing. Transfer to Phong Nha and arrive at around 19:00.

Adventure Level

Wild Tu Lan Cave 3 Days
Adventure Level 3 · Moderate

Requires: Regular physical activities or sports
Expect: Rocky terrain, steep hills, long trek or multiple swims

  • 3 day tour
  • Moderate trekking
  • 14km of trekking including 4km of caving
  • 435m elevation gain
  • 1km swimming (50-200m)
  • There will be some rocky terrain, long and steep hills, underground swims and river crossings and a 15m ladder climb with a safety rope, operated by the safety team.
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 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.

  • 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.

  • How can I protect my electronic devices when crossing rivers, or swimming through the caves?

    All electronic devices will be collected and stored in a dry box (25cm high, 15cm diameter) by our tour guide before swimming. Please bring your own dry-box or dry-bag if you have really big cameras, just to make sure! Also, please note that you will carry the camera by yourself if you have a professional and big camera, the same for its tripod.

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

  • Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow
  • Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, gloves
  • Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet)
  • Meals: Picnic lunch (Day 1 & 2 & 3), Breakfast (Day 2 & 3), Dinner (Day 1 & 2)
  • Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 – 46
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide and safety assistants
  • Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals
  • 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)
  • Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Headquarters to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING

  • 2 long (easy to dry) pants and 2 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry)
  • 1-2 pair of short and t-shirt to wear at campsite and swim suit
  • 1 pair of good-gripping and non-waterproof trekking boots/shoes (if you prefer your own comfortable pair)
  • 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, underwears, toiletries

Pricing and availability

Please choose your departure date using the calendar below.

Hotels in Phong Nha

Below, some hotels we would recommend in 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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