Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour
The journey of 4 days and 3 nights to discover wild Tu Lan is a journey that brings customers to experience the full Tu Lan cave system. With a gentle journey and not too difficult for participants, joining this tour, customers also have the opportunity to experience a dinner at local people's houses and stay overnight at Tu Lan Lodge at the end of the journey.
This Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour is a shorter version of the Tu Lan Expedition Tour. The trekking is easier and the distance is shorter. This tour is suitable for guests who have less time but still want to experience Tu Lan nature as much as possible.
A level 3 - moderately difficult trekking tour, this adventure tour is suitable for most people, who may work in offices, but participate in some sports and physical activities. Over 4 days and 3 nights, this Tu Lan cave tour will visit the primeval forest and unique limestone caves. Guests are offered 1 night at Tu Lan Lodge after the tour.
Together with the Son Doong Expedition Tour, the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (TL3) has become the most popular of Oxalis tours.
- Unearth subterranean wonders: Venture deep into the heart of the earth to explore the Tu Lan Cave System, often likened to magnificent underground palaces. Marvel at the pristine, spectacular stalactite formations and high geological value. Experience a truly unique thrill by swimming and exploring the underground rivers through colossal cave arches in eternal darkness, an adventure that few places in the world can offer.
- Immersive wild camping & Tu Lan Lodge comfort: Spend 2 nights deep within the primal forest, wild camping at Tu Lan’s most breathtaking sites. Each campsite is nestled beside a natural waterfall and pool, providing a peaceful ambiance and stunning views. Conclude your journey with a relaxing night at the Tu Lan Lodge, where you can enjoy modern comforts and the sweeping vistas of the lush Tan Hoa green fields.
- Authentic Vietnamese culinary journey in the wild: Savor one of the best culinary experiences in Vietnam with our thoughtfully designed menus, catering to meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Enjoy meals prepared with clean, freshly-sourced ingredients by our skilled local chefs. This is more than just food; it's a taste of authentic, healthy Vietnamese hospitality in a spectacular setting.
- Shared economy & sustainable farming: Your participation directly supports a shared economic model by utilizing local food, labor, and services. Go beyond tourism by cycling to explore the Tan Hoa villagers' ingenious flood-resilient farming models, offering a genuine insight into the community's sustainable way of life and adaptation to nature.
- Low-impact & sustainable tourism: We guarantee an eco-conscious adventure through strict control of group sizes and a leave-no-trace philosophy (meticulous trash collection, minimal impact). Our commitment ensures the pristine beauty of Tu Lan is conserved for future generations, balancing exhilarating tourism with the crucial preservation of its wilderness.
- A journey that transforms lives: Beyond the natural splendor, your presence contributes to a powerful story of community resilience and growth. Sustainable tourism has played a key role in transforming Tan Hoa, driving the poverty rate down from 85.7% in 2010 to just 2% in 2024. This expedition supports vital initiatives, including the construction of floating houses and septic toilets to improve local living standards. Furthermore, Oxalis is committed to future generations, sponsoring free open swimming and safety training to over 300 children in Tan Hoa and along the Rao Nan River every year.
The highlights include:
Itinerary
The itinerary of the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer may be adjusted according to the weather conditions. The path will be muddy and slippery on rainy days.
Download the itineraryPhong Nha – Tan Hoa – Rat Cave – Tu Lan Campsite
From 07:30 - 08:00 The bus will pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha and continue to the Tan Hoa office. At the office, visitors will listen to the safety briefing, including the itinerary, sign the release form, pack for the trek and receive safety equipment.
After the briefing, the trip will start with a 2.5km flat walk through fields of peanuts and corn. From afar, the entrance of Rat Cave will come into view. After crossing the Rao Nan River, the group will have a short break and lunch under the high ceiling inside Rat Cave. After lunch, the group will continue further into the cave to marvel at the magnificent stalactites. Clamber up through the exit of Rat Cave to continue the journey.
It will take the group 30 minutes to cross the La Ken Valley and reach the toughest challenge of the day – Lom Com Mountain, quite steep and rocky. After crossing the mountains, trek down to where the Tu Lan Valley appears, with the roar of the waterfall as it cascades from the cave entrance. Here the group will camp for the first night and swim in the blue pool next to the campsite. Settle into your tent and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the local chef.
Ken Cave -Tu Lan Cave – Kim Cave – To Mo Valley
The second day continues full of cave adventures and explores three beautiful caves of the Tu Lan Cave System; Ken Cave, Tu Lan Cave and Kim Cave. After breakfast, the group will first explore and swim into Ken Cave, which is one of the most beautiful caves in the Tu Lan Cave System.
The group will return to camp for lunch. After lunch the cave adventure carries on, to explore and swim in Tu Lan Cave - a beautiful river cave giving its name to the whole cave system. The group will climb up from the river into the dry passage and emerge into the valley. Crossing the valley, the group will reach the entrance of Kim Cave, where you will continue your journey by swimming in the dark and crossing beautiful waterfalls to reach To Mo Valley. This stunning valley is the second campsite of this Quang Binh adventure tour. Another delicious dinner will be served.
Song Oxalis Cave - Hung Ton Cave
Starting the third day, a steep hill is waiting to be conquered and it will lead you to the entrance of Song Oxalis Cave – a cave with the most unique and rare cave coral calcite formations. After contemplating the beauty of Song Oxalis Cave, trek downhill back to the campsite, and enjoy lunch, before crossing To Mo Valley and entering Hung Ton Cave beside the waterfall.
The group will swim through the cave to reach the dry passage and climb a 15m ladder with a safety harness to reach the final cave exit. Trek across Hung Ton Valley and cross the ‘baby’ hill to the Rao Nan River. From here, the group will return to the Tan Hoa office by trekking through the farm fields.
At the Oxalis Tan Hoa office, the group will check in to Tu Lan Lodge to shower and relax.
Around 6:00 pm, the group will walk to the local’s house for dinner and interact with some villagers. After dinner, the group will come back to Tu Lan Lodge to rest.
Visit local farms by bike - Tour ends
Morning in Tan Hoa is peaceful and rustic, with wide green valleys and limestone mountains fading in and out of the early mist. You can enjoy the sunrise from your room at Tu Lan Lodge, or cycle and walk around the village to feel the fresh, quiet atmosphere of Tan Hoa. After that, you can enjoy breakfast at the Tu Lan Lodge restaurant, served from 6:30 AM.
At 08:30 AM, our guide will lead you on a bicycle tour through the heart of Tan Hoa. You will cycle along quiet paths lined with cornfields and peanut gardens, observing the daily rhythm of rural life. Stops include visits to local farms to learn about the sustainable VAC farming model. Along the way, you’ll taste local specialties like boiled corn, roasted peanuts, and ginger honey tea.
The tour finishes around 11:00 AM, giving you time to return to your room and pack your belongings. Check-out time is 12:00 noon, and the shuttle from Tan Hoa to Phong Nha or Dong Hoi departs at 12:30 PM.
Please inform your travel consultant of your flight/train/bus schedule at least one day in advance so transportation can be arranged smoothly. If you plan to leave Quang Tri on the same day, make sure your departure is after 4:00 PM.
If you wish to stay additional nights or join other activities in the Phong Nha–Ke Bang area, contact your Oxalis Adventure consultant or ask the reception for assistance.
Suggested itinerary before and after the tour:
To ensure the best preparation before your journey or to unwind after the expedition, Oxalis suggests staying at Chay Lap Farmstay, featuring premium rooms, a swimming pool, spa, kayaking, cycling, and more. A special discounted rate for Oxalis customers is 1,000,000 VND/room for 2 people. Check availability here: chaylapfarmstay.com
During your time in Phong Nha, the Phong Nha Caves Exploration Museum (open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission) is a must-visit destination. Here, you can experience the Son Doong 5D VR technology for 500,000 VND per ticket. All proceeds from this activity are contributed to the Oxalis Foundation to support local community projects, making your journey even more meaningful.
Gallery
Weather and Climate in Tu Lan - Tan Hoa area
Tu Lan - Tan Hoa has 4 seasons in a year (spring, summer, autumn and winter). Due to the weather conditions, and because Oxalis Adventure wants to protect and conserve the Tu Lan Cave System the Wild Tu Lan Explorer Tour will only be available from mid November to mid September every year. Weather conditions in the Tu Lan –Tan Hoa area are different in each season.
From January to March, there are some cold days, especially on rainy days but there are also many warm sunny days. April and May are the warmer months, and this is the time when wildflowers are blooming. From June to August are the hot summer months, but most of the time visitors are in the cave with the temperature from 22 to 25 degrees, or forest, so it should not feel too hot. In the summer months, visitors can comfortably swim in the streams and underground lakes inside Vietnam caves, so exploring Tu Lan is the ideal suggestion for you if you don't know where to go for 3 days and 4 nights.
Each season will have its own unique features for visitors to explore, and find out more about the uniqueness of nature. In addition, visitors can check the weather in Tu Lan - Tan Hoa through Accuweather before joining the tour.
Adventure level on tour
After many years of adventure tourism activities, Oxalis Adventure has created a Level of Adventure scale to help guests participating in Oxalis tours to visualize and choose the adventure tour most suitable for their fitness and health. This scale is not to be applied to other companies or tours with different conditions and terrains. The easiest level (level 1) anyone can join, and the most difficult level - 6 requires regular exercise and some trekking experience. Those who often play sports or do exercise can complete this tour.
Adventure level 3 · Moderate
The Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour is rated as Moderate (Level 3) on the Oxalis Adventure level system. The difficulty of the tour is based on the physical fitness and health of average active people, not runners, athletes, or intensely active individuals.
Activities: Rocky terrain, steep hills, long trek or multiple swims
The number of guests per tour: Maximum 10 customers; Age 16-70 years old.
- Moderate trekking
- 18km of trekking including 4km of caving
- 435m elevation gain
- 1km swimming (50-200m) with a life vest provided by Oxalis
- 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.
Terrains
The tour takes place in remote areas with complex terrains. Customers must be physically fit. Please carefully read the tour itinerary and honestly fill out the booking information yourself, especially your experience and health condition.
Physical fitness requirements for Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour
The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour include:
- Trekking experience requirements: Having experience in trekking and camping in the forest is an advantage.
- Fitness Preparation: Regularly participating in physical activities (such as yoga, swimming, hiking, running, stair climbing, gym, and some other sports) to maintain physical fitness. This ensures that they are able to:
- Run continuously for 3 kilometres within 30 minutes.
- Climb 5 floors continuously without experiencing shortness of breath or dizziness.
Guests aged 16 to 70 are permitted to join the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour, which demands good physical fitness and prior trekking experience. Those with experience in mountain trekking and good physical health, as well as those who engage in regular sports training, could easily complete this tour.
Some guests on the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour may find it not particularly challenging, while others may encounter difficulties and require assistance from many safety assistants to complete the tour. The tour regulations allow safety experts and/or guides to temporarily suspend the journey, and escort guests out of the forest if significant difficulties are encountered on the itinerary. Refunds or rescheduling are not applicable in such cases.
For more information on the necessary physical activities for a successful trip, please refer to: https://oxalisadventure.com/getting-ready-oxalis-tour/.
Safety on the tour
This is always the top priority of Oxalis Adventure to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip, including multi day adventures. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The tour guides must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly.
Only qualified guides may lead an Oxalis tour. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and "safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.
Dangers, risks and how to avoid them on tour
Any adventure activities will always contain risks and these must be carefully managed. Oxalis tours take place in remote locations without easy access to medical care. Hence a lot of work goes into managing and reducing risks to the lowest level possible. Please always follow the instructions of the tour guide and safety assistants.
You can learn more about "Adventure Safety Tips" here.
Communication on tour
The Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour is an adventure tour with moderate difficulty, the tour area is located deep in a forest, far from external support such as medical assistance, hospitals etc. The trekking tour follows jungle trails, with hills up and down, and no paths are suitable for vehicles. There is no phone signal, no wifi, and no charging facilities.
Each Oxalis cave tour is equipped with 1 satellite phone for the guide to contact the office in case of emergency. Guests can only use the internet and phone at the hotel before and after the Oxalis tours. While trekking in the mountains and exploring the caves, the safety team will communicate with each other by walkie-talkie if necessary.
Oxalis Adventure has an established "Emergency Response Procedure" that includes on-site first aid and rescue if an accident occurs during trekking or cave exploration. We organize many training courses for first aid, rescue, and evacuation, and have rescue teams for each tour operation area. The specialized equipment is imported from abroad and complies with European standards. Due to the remote location, rescue teams and medical assistants will take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the location. Therefore, the safety of visitors is the top priority of Oxalis in any activities related to caving in Vietnam. For Experts and Sales consultants to give suitable advice, guests are required to fill in their fitness and health information in the Booking form honestly. They are also required to update the information to the Oxalis consultant 45 days before the tour departure.
* Please note that tour communication is conducted in English and Vietnamese.
Items to bring on Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour
Cave tours in Vietnam will cross a variety of terrains and customers will be asked to prepare suitable clothing for safety and comfort. Clothing should be good for trekking in the jungle, river crossings, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Visitors need to choose a good and well-fitting pair of shoes for steep rocky terrain.
You need to prepare
Essential clothing
- Trekking clothes:
- 2-3 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts
- 2-3 pairs of long trekking pants (quick-dry)
- 1 waterproof jacket (winter months November to March) - Campsite clothing sets:
- Warm clothes for winter from November to March;
- Shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to September - 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
- 2-3 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
- 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite
- Swimwear using at the Campsites
Personal items
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
- Hand fan for summer (April to September)
- 1 medium towels
- Underwear
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
- Power banks
- Personal medication
- Antifungal foot powder
- Passport
Oxalis provides
- Camping equipment: tent, mattresses, pillow, sleeping bags
- Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
- 1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
- Basic jungle boots (EU size 36–44); if using Oxalis shoes, bring thick, long socks and 2 insoles to ensure comfort.
- Water bottle (1L)
- Water filter
- Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
- Semi-dry bag (15L) for campsite clothing sets and personal items
- First aid and medical rescue equipment
- Satellite phone
- Mini-size portable fan inside the tent (in summer)
- Secure storage at office
Optional items
- Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
- Camera & Tripod
- Ear plugs
- Bandana or headband
- Rehydration tablets
- Blister prevention tape
Campsites on the tour
The campsites in Tu Lan trekking tours are situated in 2 of the most beautiful camping areas. Each campsite has its own special features that make it unique. The campsites are equipped with lightning rod systems to ensure safety for visitors on stormy days.
On the first day, visitors will camp in Tu Lan Valley. This campsite has a stream and 5m high waterfall flowing out from Ken Cave and forming a large natural pool. The camping area is a stretch of golden sand beside the lake. Here you can hear the birds chirping in the woods every morning, or watch the clouds hovering on the side of the cliff in front of Ken Cave entrance.
The campsite for the second day is in the To Mo Valley. The campsite is located next to the stream and a large lake fed by the waterfall pouring out of Hung Ton Cave. This is also where director Victor Vu filmed scenes for the 2018 movie The Immortal. Note: The water may not be clear on rainy days.
The average temperature in winter is around 15 to 28 degrees, and in summer 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. Guests are provided with a warm sleeping bag in winter or a battery fan in the tent during the summer months. More information about the "unique campsites in Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour" - camping inside Quang Binh forest is available here.
Bathing at the campsite
All campsites of Tu Lan Adventure tours are located close to a river, lake or waterfall. Customers are free to swim at the camps. Oxalis staff will carry out lifeguard duties to ensure the safety of customers. At the campsites, Oxalis has prepared a number of water tanks to store clean water in case the river water is brown due to heavy rain. To protect water resources, shampoo or conditioner are not allowed to be used in the river or pools, and must be discharged onto the sandy area of the campsite. Environmental friendly biological shampoo is required on tour.
Toilet at the campsites
The tour occurs in a remote jungle with no power or infrastructure and for conservation and hygiene Oxalis has created environmentally friendly toilets, called "Oxalis Composting Toilets".
The toilet is inside a tent, and consists of a normal toilet seat on top of a box. Inside the box, is a bucket and waste bag to collect all waste and toilet paper which is provided. Nearby is a container of rice husks. After finishing, cover the waste with a generous scoop of rice husks. This ensures a dry composting process, which does not smell, and covers the waste from insects.
When the buckets are full, the porters will change them and bury the waste in a designated location in the jungle. This will biodegrade and turn into fertilizer.
Visitors are required to use the composting toilets for both urination and defecation. Urination outside the toilet or inside the cave is not allowed because of the smell and impact on cave formations and the cave ecosystem.
Hand washing facilities are provided.
Directions to Phong Nha
Phong Nha is located 45 km from Dong Hoi City, the capital of Quang Tri Province (About 40 minutes by car). You can book a private car service from Oxalis to pick you up at the airport or train station, or you can hire a taxi. There are many ways to get to Dong Hoi such as a plane, train or sleeper bus.
Domestic routes:
- Flight: Daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, to Dong Hoi.
- Train: From Hanoi to and from Ho Chi Minh City, there are numerous SE trains that travel every day. Dong Hoi station is where Ho Chi Minh has a stop.
- Bus: Buses from Hanoi to Phong Nha, Dong Hoi, or from Da Nang, Hue to Phong Nha run often during the day or at night.
International airports: There are 3 main international airports for international flights: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Ha Noi, travellers can book domestic flights to Dong Hoi Airport (VDH). From Da Nang, travelers can catch a train or bus to Dong Hoi/Phong Nha.
You can check out the means of transportation to Phong Nha here. “How to get to Phong Nha?". All participants of Oxalis Adventure tours will be picked up at their designated hotel around Phong Nha town on the morning of the departure day.
Vietnam visa: Vietnam currently grants visa exemptions to citizens of 29 countries and has expanded its E-visa program to apply to nationals of all countries and territories.
Upon arrival and during their stay, travelers are required to present a valid passport together with a valid visa or other legal residence documents in Vietnam so that accommodation providers and tour operators can complete temporary residence registration as required by Vietnamese regulations.
For the latest details on travel policies, please verify the information here: Vietnam Travel Policy Updates
Tour booking process
This is an adventure tour in Vietnam and requires a lot of logistic support. To avoid disappointment and complications, guests should choose the best tour for their fitness, abilities and interests. Reading the tour information carefully will help visitors make the right choice for their trips. The booking process includes the following steps:
Tour price and available dates for booking
- Season: Tours operate from mid-November to mid-September every year.
- Group Size: Limited to 10 guests per tour for safety and conservation.
- Tour Types: Fixed departure dates for individuals; private tours available for special groups or film crews.
- Exclusive Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for UOB cardholders and Xiều Oxalis (returning guests).
Terms of tour cancellation
To confirm the booking, visitors will be asked to pay 100% of the tour price. Guests may cancel the trip 7 days prior to the departure date and receive a full refund. For cancellations after 7 days, no refund will be given. Please see more about refund and cancellation terms here.
Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour price includes
The cost of Wild Tu Lan tour is 10,500,000 VND (~US$396) per person, this tour price includes VAT, entrance fee and environment fee and management fee. The tour includes the following services:
- Transfer from Tan Hoa to Dong Hoi airport.
- Service staff: The tour of 10 guests will have: 1 guide, 1 safety assistant, 1 chef, 2 sous chefs, 4 porters and 2 supplier porters who will be responsible for carrying fresh ingredients into the camp for everyday use. The number of team members may vary depending on the group's physical condition.
- Food and beverage: Oxalis provides meals, tea, and coffee for guests during the trip (excluding any extra requests). Dinner with a local family after the tour. Dishes follow a fixed menu and vegetarian or vegan dishes are also provided at the request of the guest.
- Accommodation: Oxalis offer two nights in the tent during the jungle trek and 1 night at Tu Lan Lodge after the trek.
- Safety equipment: Oxalis will provide safety equipment such as helmets, safety harnesses, caving headlamps, gloves and other safety equipment.
- Traveling insurance: Oxalis buys travel insurance for all tourists participating in the tour with a maximum compensation of VND 10,000,000. Visitors are advised to purchase their own comprehensive travel insurance prior to joining the tour.
Carbon Footprint Index
At Oxalis Adventure, our commitment to Net Zero tourism is driving tangible results. Our 2024 greenhouse gas inventory reveals that the average carbon footprint for participants of the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour has dropped to 124 kgCO2e per person – a significant 27% reduction compared to 2023 figures. This comprehensive calculation accounts for all emission sources, including transportation, accommodation, and tour activities, underscoring our successful efforts to minimize environmental impact while maintaining high-quality adventure experiences.
Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour • TL3
Adventure Level: Moderate
Tour type: Join-in
Age 16-70 years old
Group size: 10 customers
Operation: mid-Nov to mid-Sep
~USD 396 • VND 10,500,000/pax
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