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Tour Code: OS-CAV-001
Region: Vietnam
Destination: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Central Vietnam
Duration: 3 days – 2 nights
Time to go: best from Feb to Aug
Trekking distance: approx. 16km
Adventure level: Medium high
Highlights:
Jungle trek
Cross stunning river valleys of Rao Thuong
Camping in Hang En cave (voted as best cave on NatGeo Magazine in March 2011)
Minority village of friendly Vankieu people
Trekking gears: Helmet, trekking boots (wet and dry trek), trekking pole, headlight, hammock, tent, sleeping bag, etc.
Welcome to the Cave Kingdom, explorers!
This tour is including 2-day trekking and is the best two-day tour deep into the National Park of Phong Nha. Trek down through the forest to the Ban Doong Village. Follow the Rao Thuong river valley to the cave entrance. You will explore the cave with our experienced English speaking guide, using top quality European standard caving equipment from Petzl.
See some fascinating 300 million year old fossils; visit the impressive exit of Hang En over 120m high and 110m wide and climb down to the river valley that leads to Son Doong cave – the World’s biggest cave.
We return via a different route in this huge cave back to camp for a well-earned rest and dinner. Watch the thousands of swifts return to the cave at dusk and try and spot a flying fox!!
The return journey is once again through the superb river valley passing the minority village and back up the hill to the drop off point 35km from Phong Nha village. A cold beer or coke will be waiting for you after the steep climb up to the road.
Overnight is spent in hammocks/tents in the cave.
Before reaching the caves,your will explore the historic DMZ on the way from Hue and enjoy the authentic Chay Lap homestay (www.chaylap.org) on the first day arrival to Phong Nha. Enjoy the relaxing and starry night at the homestay at the doorstep of the National parkt is needed to charge your energy for the next 2-day trekking after a long ride accessing to Phong Nha area from the others.
Day 1| Hue – DMZ – Chay Lap homestay (L/D)
09h00a.m: Our guide and driver will meet you at the airport/hotel in Hue and then depart for Phong Nha Ke Bang national park. En route, visit the 17th Parallel - Ben Hai river, the DMZ (demilitarized zone) of Vietnam from 1954-1972.
Continue driving along the coast to reach Vinh Moc tunnel – also known as the legendary ‘Underground City’ during the American War in Vietnam. Local people stayed underground for nearly 2,000 days without sunlight under one of Vietnam’s most serious battlegrounds.
Seafood lunch at the restaurant at Cua Tung beach.
Continue to Chay Lap homestay - nestled at the doorstep of Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003.
You are invited to prepare dinner with the host but only if you want! Later we meet the team at Phong Nha center for safety briefing and tour preparation.
Overnight at the homestay.
Destinations: DMZ, Chay Lap homestay
Meal: Lunch/Dinner
Day 2| Phong Nha - Ban Doong – Hang En (B,L,D)
Breakfast, check-out the homestay. After briefing and fitting the gears, you’ll be transferred to KM35 of Ho Chi Minh Road – West wing. From KM35 point, start trekking along Rao Thuong valley.
12:30pm reach Ban Doong
12:30-13:00 - Picnic lunch
13:30pm depart for Hang En. After around 2 hours trekking, we will reach to Hang En. Explore the cave.
18:00: Enjoy a tasty dinner and watch the swifts and maybe a flying fox.
20:00 Overnight at campsite in Hang En’s huge passage.
Destinations: hang En (Swallow cave)
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3| Hang En - Ban Doong – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi (B,L)
07:00 Breakfast. Spend more time to visit around Hang En
Explore the dry passage that leads to a viewpoint high above the campsite. See the 300 million year old fossils.
10.00 Trek back through the river valley to the Dong village. Explore the area around the ethnic village. Picnic lunch offered by the small steam
13.30 Back up the hill!!! Cold drink and pick up to Phong Nha center. Transfer to Dong Hoi city or return Hue for your next destination. End the adventure in the Cave Kingdom.
Destinations: hang En (Swallow cave) – Doong village
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch
TOUR PRICE: USD per person *
Notes: (*): 1USD = 21.000VND
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2-4 travellers
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5-7 travellers
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8-12 travellers
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Note
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464
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324
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290
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Extra porter is $20/day
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Group sizes that don’t exceed 12 guests per trip
