Get Up Close and Personal with Vietnam's Breathtaking Caves

• Welcome to Hanoi, the vibrant heart of Vietnam, where traditional charm seamlessly blends with modern allure.
• Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you'll be greeted by our guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
• After some time to relax, you'll be escorted on a short walk to the theater to experience the Water Puppet Show, a traditional Vietnamese performance.
• Following the show, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

• 08:00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide will meet you and escort you to begin your Hanoi city tour.
• Your first stop will be the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the remains of Uncle Ho. You'll then explore the Presidential Palace, an example of elegant French architecture set amidst gardens, and the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, reflecting the simple lifestyle of Vietnam's revered leader.
• The visit will conclude with the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique architectural gem that is a must-see in Hanoi.
• After lunch, you'll head to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and then to the Museum of Ethnology to gain deeper insights into Vietnamese culture.
• Next, you'll take a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 ancient streets, offering a leisurely way to experience the blend of classic and contemporary Hanoi.
• The tour will wrap up around 4:00 PM, leaving you with free time for shopping or relaxing in Hanoi.
• Overnight in Hanoi.

• 08:00 AM: Your driver will pick you up from the hotel for a 3.5-hour journey to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, board the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a tour briefing. A delicious lunch will be served as the ship sails deeper into the bay, giving you the chance to take in the stunning limestone islands.
• You can unwind on the sundeck or relax in your cabin. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to swim in the tranquil waters or try kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all ages and skill levels, and our experienced guide will provide you with basic paddling instructions before leading you to explore the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay.
• After about an hour of kayaking, return to the cruise to relax before participating in a cooking class later in the afternoon.
• Enjoy a delightful dinner and spend the night on board.

• You will continue your exploration of Halong Bay early in the morning with a Tai Chi class on the sun deck, a must-do activity while on the cruise. From the upper deck, you can relax and enjoy the stunning views of the rocky islands emerging from the emerald waters of the bay.
• After breakfast, you’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most impressive grottoes in Halong Bay.
• As you continue cruising, you'll pass by a fishing village, observing its unique lifestyle.
• At 10:30 AM, the boat will return to the jetty, and you'll have a final opportunity to savor the beauty of the bay before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
• You will disembark the boat around 11:30 AM and transfer back to Hanoi. At the designated time, you'll be taken to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Dong Hoi.
• Upon arrival in Dong Hoi, your driver and guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation in Phong Nha.
• After checking in, you have the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Phong Nha.

• 9:00 AM: After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide and friendly driver will transfer you to Phong Nha National Park to visit Paradise Cave.
• As you travel along the Ho Chi Minh trails, the newly paved single-lane road winds through one of Vietnam's most crucial conservation areas, with the calls of wildlife echoing off the stunning limestone cliffs.
• Upon arrival, you'll explore Paradise Cave, discovered in 2005 by the British Cave Research Association. Renowned as the largest and most stunning cave in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang region, Paradise Cave is often likened to an imperial palace due to its magnificent formations.
• The cave is well-equipped with accessible pathways and impressive lighting. You'll take a buggy from the parking area to the cave entrance (2 km). Inside, admire the diverse stalactites with names like Thach Thien Cung, Thien Ha Waterfall, Quan Tien Convergence, and Thap Lien Flower.
• After visiting Paradise Cave, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and have some time to rest.
• Following lunch, you'll continue to explore Phong Nha Cave. A boat will take you along the Son River, offering views of green fields, local homes, and limestone formations.
• After about 25 minutes, you'll reach Phong Nha Cave, renowned for its underground river and unique rock formations such as the “Lion,” the “Fairy Caves,” the “Royal Court,” and the “Buddha”. You'll explore approximately 300 meters of the cave on foot before taking another boat ride back to the port. From there, you'll be transferred by car to your accommodation in Phong Nha.
• Overnight in Phong Nha.

• Prepare for the highlight of your journey: a 2-day, 1-night adventure exploring En Cave, the third-largest cave in the world.
• Today's itinerary includes: Phong Nha - Ban Doong Village - Hang En.
• Your adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel in Phong Nha between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, followed by a brief transfer to our Headquarters.
• After a safety briefing, you'll collect your gear and sign our Release Form before driving for 45 minutes through the National Park to reach the trailhead. At 10:00 AM, you'll leave the road behind and enter the jungle.
• The trek starts with a steep climb through the jungle, followed by a refreshing river at the base. Continue hiking through lush primary forest to reach Ban Doong Village, where you'll be greeted with a hot cup of tea.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch near the river around 12:30 – 1:00 PM, then head back into the jungle, crossing rivers and streams, and following the river valley until Hang En comes into view.
• You’ll enter Hang En around 3:00 PM, taking a brief rest while the porter team sets up camp on the beach within the cave. Spend the next few hours exploring the cave, including the breathtaking exit featured in the film Pan.
• Afterward, return to camp via the dry passage to the viewpoint above, where you can observe 300-million-year-old fossils. Relax or swim in the natural pool before enjoying a sizzling grilled dinner, complete with rice wine and the sounds of swifts overhead.
• Overnight at a campsite inside En Cave.

NOTES:

This is a join-in tour, not a private. If you prefer a private tour, please let us know.

• Operating: from Dec to mid-Sept (closed from mid-Sep to Nov)
• Adventure Level: Moderate (22 km) for physically active guests
• Small Group Tours: Average 10 - 16 pax (required minimum 2 pax)
• Minimum Age: 16 years & above (Physically active 15 y/o with previous experiences will be considered)

We will provide you with the following:

• Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow
• Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves
• Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet)
• Semi dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics)
• Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 46
• Meals: picnic lunches (day 1, day 2), dinner (day 1), breakfast (day 2)
• Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant
• 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 and purifier (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

Please also bring with you the following:

• 1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry)
• 1 pair of shorts and t-shirt to wear at campsite plus your swimsuit
• 1 pair of trekking boots/shoes difficult terrain, good footwear necessary. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are

NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair)

• 1 pair of flip flops (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, underwear, toiletries
• If you are trekking in the colder months (November March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming.

• Start your day with breakfast at 8:00 AM and pack your belongings. Depart from camp at 9:00 AM, taking one final look at the entrance of Hang En, partially obscured by the jungle.
• Have lunch with your group from 12:00 – 1:00 PM and then it’s time to start the journey home.
• Trek for the next hour along a shady path through the river valley. And then from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, make your way up the hill to the pickup point, where our driver will be waiting to take you back to civilization.
• Return to your accommodation in Phong Nha by shuttle bus between 4:30 – 5:30 PM.
• Overnight in Phong Nha.

• Enjoy your free time to relax after exploring the stunning caves and immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Take in the natural sounds and breathe in the fresh air at your leisure.
• At the appointed time, our driver will transfer you to Dong Hoi. You will be dropped off at Dong Hoi Airport or Dong Hoi Train Station. Ends of services.