Overview

Tu Lan Cave System
The system lies 70 km away from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, next to the minority village of Tan Hoa, just past the fields of grazing buffalo and rapidly growing peanut and cornfields. After the fields, it’s a splash through the river until the first ascent is reached. An ascent over the rocky slope is followed by a descent into the jungle valley below. The first cave on the horizon from there is Hung Ton cave, accessed through its dry entrance.

 

 

Tu Lan Cave System is comprised of over 10 caves in all, some of which were originally discovered and explored in 1992, and some of which were just found in the past couple years. Hang Ton, first found in 1992 and explored more in depth in 2012, appears first on the horizon on a trek to this intricate cave system. Its dry entrance provides an outstanding view of the valley below, and promises many more adventures inside. A ladder inside leads to the floor of the cave, and from there the journey truly begins, where one must swim through the cave to reach the exit on the other side

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi sleeping bus to Phong Nha
17h00 – 17h15: Our bus picks you up at your hotel in Hanoi (Old Quarter)

Day 2: Phong Nha - Tan Hoa - Tu Lan
04h00: Early check in on your arrival into Phong Nha
You’ll be picked up at your hotel in Phong Nha between 7:30 am and 8:00 am, before venturing off to the village of Tan Hoa, located 70 km away. After a safety briefing and gear check, you need to sign our Release Form before it’s off and away for a full day of trekking.
The trek begins with a 2.5 km march across fields of peanut crops, giant water buffaloes, towering corn stalks, and down to the Rao Nan River.
The adventure accelerates with a 30 m climb up a rocky hill to a small jungle opening where you can catch your breath before a 100 m descent in elevation down to Hung Ton Valley.
Lunch will be enjoyed in the Hung Ton Cave opening and then the adventure picks up again with some serious trekking from Hung Ton Valley and over to Mango Mountain, then back down into Tu Lan Valley (3 km).
By mid afternoon, Tu Lan campsite will be on the horizon, where swimming can be enjoyed in the beautiful waterfall. Afternoon activities include exploring and swimming through Ken Cave, located next to the campsite, and after that it’s back to camp for a delicious BBQ dinner.
Sleep will come easy in comfortable hammocks or tents set up amongst the trees!

Day 3: Tu Lan - Tan Hoa - Phong Nha and depart
The second day starts with a hearty breakfast, and more cave exploration.
Starting with a brief swim across the river into the heart of Tu Lan Cave System, you will break to enjoy the blue lagoon entrance before making your way 180 m downstream through Tu Lan Cave entrance. Making your way up to explore the dry part with some climbing and squeezing, at which point you will reach the dry exit and trek a short way through valley into Kim Cave dry entrance. Stay for a while to watch out for a natural window in Kim Cave, and you’ll then be off on a swim (450 m) and trek (500 m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley.
A picnic lunch will be served next to a stunning waterfall by Hung Ton Cave mouth. Then, you will try to follow a dry path before swimming out through Hung Ton wet cave .
Following this is the exploration of a dry passage, and then a trek down into Hung Ton Valley (800 m).
Arrival in Tan Hoa is followed by a chance to take in the scenery with a cold drink in hand.
Showers are available for those who would like to clean up and change, and then departure back to Phong Nha is at around 4 pm, with arrival in Phong Nha by 5:30 pm.

Option 1: 21h00 - 22h00: Take a bus trip to go back to Hanoi. Tour ends!

Option 2: Stay overnight in Phong Nha Town. 04h00: The next day takes a bus trip to go to Hue city, arrival around 08h30.

Tour ends!

Find more Phong Nha tour programs - Click here

How to get to Phong Nha Ke Bang - Click here

Price

Price: VND 6,500,000/pax
Availability: Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday from Phong Nha
Small Group Tours: Average 2 - 8 pax
Minimum Age: 16 years
Tour Starts: 7:30 am - 8:00 am from any local hotel in Phong Nha

Please make sure that your health is suitable for these activities with ease.

12km jungle and mountain trekking, rocky terrain
Elevation change up to 150m (between valley and top of mountain)
1 km swimming in caves (from 200m – 500m each cave)
3 km caving
2 days and 1 night in jungle and caves
Requirements:
Basic trekking experience
Must be able to swim

YOU WILL NEED

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 swim suit.
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 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, underwear, toiletries