Phong Nha National Park – Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek – 1D

$72.00

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is a popular destination. The area is the cave hot spot of Vietnam and an area with pristine rain forest where parts of the original Ho Chi Minh Trail lead through. Definitely a place that should be on your Vietnam travel list. This new and exciting Jungle Trek Adventure is one of the best Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Experience!

Enjoy a very warm welcome from your tour guide who will guide you through this stunning piece of Vietnam.

Elephant Cave & Ma Da Valley Jungle Trek

8:00 Pick up at the hotel and transfer to headquarter.

8:30 Team meeting to plan the trip, clarify rules and regulations in the National Park.

8:45 Depart for Elephant Cave by van

10.00 Arrive at the trek departure point and start trekking through the jungle to the Elephant cave

11:00 Continue towards Ma Da

12:00 Reach to Ma Da Lake- swim into Ma Da crystal lake.

12:45 Enjoy BBQ lunch

14:00 Start trekking to Tra Ang Cave.

15:00 Arrive at Tra Ang Cave.

15:45 Swim into Tra Ang Cave to explore 600m Tra Ang Cave

16:30 Start trekking to be back Ho Chi Minh road.

17:00 Arrive at Ho Chi Minh road, enjoy cold drink on the road.

17:30 Drive back Phong Nha and your hotels in Phong Nha. Tour end.

Trek: 9km

Swim: 600m Tra-Ang & Crystal Lake (optional)

Fitness Level: Moderate

This trek is perfect for those with little hiking background but want to get a true jungle and cave experience. It begins deep in the jungle of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. You’ll take a short hike to the impressive Elephant Cave, then a walk-through Ma Da Valley to the amazingly blue waters of Crystal Ma Da Lake. After lunch and swimming, you’ll continue trekking to Tra Ang Cave were everyone will gear up to swim into the furthest reaches of the cave.

Once you have arrived to our headquarters via our shuttle, we will brief you and the team on safety and what to expect. Once we have introduced everyone in the group and prepared the team, we will head off into the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Once the team reaches the trail-head you will plunge into the jungle and begin the uphill climb into Elephant Cave. Upon completing the most difficult 20 minutes of the trek you will be rewarded with the magnificent sight of 60-meter high, 300-meter long Elephant cave. Our guides will lead you through the cave, take you into the depths, and tell you about the war history of the cave.

After exploring Elephant Cave, the team will hike the jungle trail, cross rivers, and balance across fallen trees. Deep into Ma Da Valley you and the team will go until you reach the heavenly blue waters of Ma Da Crystal Lake. Here you and the team will have the opportunity to take a swim, do some cliff jumping and enjoy a delicious Jungle BBQ prepared by your porter (vegan options also available).

With full bellies and feeling refreshed you and the team will gear up and continue on the jungle hike. A few kilometers down the trail and a couple river crossings later the team will come upon a large bend in the river and a staging area for the swim into Tra Ang Cave. After a short scramble up some limestone rocks you will reach the cool waters of Tra Ang Cave and begin the 600m swim into the furthest depths of the cave.

Once the Tra Ang Cave swim is completed, our guides will lead you to the road. Here your driver will be waiting for you with a cold beer or soda and a ride back to headquarters.

  • Tour guide and porter team
  • Snacks, all food and drinks
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Safety equipment use of hiking shoes but better to bring your own
  • Transfers from Phong Nha
  • Tips and personal expenses 
  • Travel insurance 
  • All not indicated in our itinerary 
  • Booking voucher from us
  • Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt
  • Swim gear
  • Long socks
  • Small backpack
  • Dry bag (optional)
  • Hiking shoes (optional)
  • Hat, sunglasses, insect repellant

Specific food requests

Please let us know if you have specific eating restrictions, allergic for certain things or if you are vegetarian, we can take that into account during the trips.

Useful information

Especially for the north and central Vietnam;

In the period between November and April, the weather is variable, from sunny to cold and rainy. It is advisable during this period to bring some rain gear with some warmer clothes. In the period from April to November, it is good to pack a hat with a wide brim, sunscreen (at least SPF15) and a reliable insect repellent. A thin rain poncho is useful all year round.

The south of Vietnam is generally a lot warmer all year round, so warm clothing is not really necessary.

Get Up And Go Vietnam does everything to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we have no control over weather conditions. Our apologies for that!

What do I need to know? 

During the period March to November it will good to pack your swimming gear, a towel, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (at least SPF15), a reliable insect repellent, toiletries, a camera and lots of batteries. Warm clothing for the cooler months of November to March is advised. How much luggage can I take? Your vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft over-night bag and include a small day pack to hand carry for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc. Inhibitions can be left in the luggage storage rooms at your hotel with your other unwanted baggage. 

Get Up and Go Vietnam is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!