Itinerary
07:35 - 08:00: Our tour guides will pick you up at your hotel in Dong Hoi, with pick-up time in Phong Nha Village around 08:45 - 09:00.
The tour begins at the boat station, located at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Tourism Centre’s ticket office. We recommend having a hearty breakfast before the trip.
After a brief introduction, participants will board a tour van which will take them to a smaller dock located 10 minutes from the boat station. From there, a boat ride will take you to the entrance of Phong Nha Cave.
Phong Nha Cave is the most famous cave within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and holds the title of the world's largest wet cave! The underground river system inside the cave stretches all the way to what is believed to be the cave's end, 8 kilometers from the entrance. This exciting tour will take participants 4.5 kilometers deep inside the cave.
At the Phong Nha Cave boat station, each participant will be equipped with high-quality gear necessary for a successful cave exploration. After gearing up and checking all equipment, your tour guide will provide a brief overview of the cave and safety regulations. Once everything is approved by the guide, the adventure begins!
Depending on the size of the group, you’ll enter the cave either by kayak or boat. As you head in, you’ll pass through the first two zones of Phong Nha Cave: The Entrance Zone and the Twilight Zone. The Entrance Zone is home to various wildlife, including birds, fish, snakes, and monkeys. Animals that thrive in sunlight seek shelter in this area of the cave. A short distance from the entrance, the Twilight Zone begins. Here, a carefully placed artificial lighting system illuminates grand stalactites and stalagmites, creating a spectacular ambiance. The Twilight Zone extends about 1.2 kilometers. After the last light in the Twilight Zone, the Dark Zone begins. This area remains in complete darkness, with only one or two ropes guiding visitors through the slippery rocks.
Venturing about 500 meters into the Dark Zone, the kayaks/boat will be left behind as you climb over enormous boulders, narrow passages, and massive stalagmites and stalactites. It’s a thrilling climb as our guide shares fascinating information about the cave. The first few meters of this zone often leave visitors in awe of the immense size of the formations. It’s truly overwhelming!
You will then reach a small lake at the farthest point, where you can swim approximately 200 meters to a sandy beach.
After 2–4 hours of exploring, you’ll reach the 4.5 km point. After some relaxation, you’ll head back to Bi Ki Chamber and enjoy a fresh lunch.
Bi Ki Chamber is historically significant, where the Cham people left a thousand-year-old inscription. You’ll explore the Twilight Zone on foot, where the artificial lighting creates a completely different caving experience. It feels as if you're visiting two distinct caves on the same day.
The group will return to the Centre’s ticket office, and the tour concludes around 17:00 - 17:20 in Dong Hoi.
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