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.
- Three days exploring, two nights camping.
- Not available in October due to annual flooding. Available throughout the rest of the year.
- 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); 450m elevation gain; 10m ladder climb.
- Difficulty: Level 3 • moderate.
- 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.
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 17:30.

Adventure Level: Level 3 · Moderate
- 3 day tour
- Moderate trekking
- 14km of trekking including 4km of caving
- Total elevation gain: 450m
- 1km swimming (50-200m)
- There will be some rocky terrain, long and steep hills, underground swims and river crossings and a 10m ladder climb with a safety rope, operated by the safety team.
- 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?
- How can I protect my electronic devices when crossing rivers, or swimming through the caves?
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 trekking boots/shoes – difficult terrain, good footwear necessary
- 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.
- This tour is operated from mid-Nov to mid-Sep (closed from mid-Sep to mid-Nov).
- The days in bold are still available
- 2021 and 2022 tours are available for booking, please check calendar box belownew_releases
- 10% off for Xiều.
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.