Son Doong Cave is in the heart of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the Quang Binh province of Central Vietnam. Only recently explored in 2009-2010 by the British Cave Research Association, the cave has only been open to the public since 2013.

Less people have seen the inside of Hang Son Doong than have stood on the summit of Mount Everest. Join us on this otherworldly expedition and become one of the lucky few who have had the life changing experience of exploring the world’s largest cave.

Imagine trekking straight into the depths of the world’s largest cave on an expedition unlike any other. A cave so massive that a 747 could fly through its largest cavern. A space so mesmerising that it forces you to question whether you are still on this planet at all. Foreign landscapes found nowhere else, enormous stalagmites rising from the ground and statuesque stalactites hanging from the ceiling like an alien species. Jungles emerge from inside the cave itself, a scene so surreal that you have to see it to believe it. Misty clouds envelop the whole scene, a result of the cave’s own localised weather system. Passages adorned with ancient fossils offer evidence of the millions of years that have passed on this Earth.

As you approach the jungle just outside the entrance, the rush of cool wind that cascades out brings to life everything inside of you. Hazy, cold and exhilarating, it is apparent that there’s something magical waiting just beyond the opening to the cave.

HOW WAS SON DOONG CAVE FIRST DISCOVERED?

From an early age, local man Ho Khanh used to spend weeks on end trekking and maneuvering his way through the jungles of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, searching for food and timber to earn a modest income.

In 1990 while out on a hunting mission, Ho Khanh stumbled across an opening in a limestone cliff and moved forward to investigate. As he approached he noticed clouds billowing out of the entrance, and could hear the sounds of a river raging from somewhere inside the cave.

When he could feel a strong wind also blowing out from the cave, he decided to move on without further inspection. By the time he had returned to his home a few days later, he had forgotten its exact location and thought no more of it.

At the same time two members of the British Cave Research Association (BCRA), Howard and Deb Limbert, were basing themselves in Phong Nha to conduct exploratory cave expeditions in the area. While chatting with Ho Khanh one day, he mentioned to the caving experts that he had found a cave with clouds and a river inside. Howard and Deb were intrigued and urged Ho Khanh to try and rediscover the cave. After many failed attempts, they began to think this elusive cavern might remain lost in the jungle forever more.

In 2008 while out on another food gathering trip, Ho Khanh found the mysterious opening again and studiously took note of the path on how to get there. In 2009 he led Howard, Deb and a team of professionals back to the cave for the first expedition to enter what would later become known as Hang Son Doong, or ‘Mountain River Cave’.

GEOLOGY OF SON DOONG CAVE

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam contains the oldest karst system in Asia, between 400-450 million years old. Hang Son Doong itself is relatively young, with the analysis of sediment dating it to be only 3 million years old.

Formed on the edge of a fault zone, Hang Son Doong has been carved out by the mighty Rao Thuong River as it erodes away the limestone, forming the enormous tunnel beneath the Annamite Mountains. Giant sinkholes, known as dolines, have collapsed sometime up to 300’000 years ago, creating massive openings to the outside world. Cave pearls the size of baseballs have been formed by water dropping from the ceiling.

HOW BIG IS SON DOONG CAVE?

The first expedition had been halted by an 80m high calcite barrier, which was jokingly dubbed the ‘Great Wall Of Vietnam’. It wasn’t until their second expedition in 2010, when the Great Wall was finally climbed and the end of the passage was found, that Hang Son Doong was determined to be the largest cave in the world.

At over 5km long, with sections reaching up to 200m tall and 150m wide, Hang Son Doong is large enough to house an entire New York City block, complete with 40 story skyscrapers. With a total measured volume of 38.5 million cubic metres, this comfortably surpasses Deer Cave in Malaysia, which was considered to be the previous record holder. Stalagmites up to 80m high have also been surveyed, the tallest every encountered.

BAN DOONG ETHNIC VILLAGE

To reach Hang Son Doong, adventurers must first pass through the Ban Doong ethnic minority village. The only village located inside the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, less than 40 people makes up the population of Ban Doong.

Life is tough for the minority people here, due to their isolation from the outside world. Access is only possible by foot, and the dense jungles surrounding Ban Doong prohibit the cultivation of most crops. The discovery of Hang Son Doong and the subsequent expeditions that now pass through the village have seen new opportunities arise for the community, who now can earn extra income by working closely with Oxalis to protect the conservation of the area.

For many people, being able to visit Ban Doong and meet its welcoming villagers becomes a highlight of their trip. Ban Doong offers a view of way of life that has been unchanged for centuries.

Come and explore Hang En Cave located within the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, and spend one night in its massive chamber below thousands of darting swifts. We offer 3-4 departures per week but places fill up quickly so please book in advance!

HANG EN CAVE ADVENTURE

Hang En Cave is probably the world’s 3rd largest cave and is quickly becoming one of the must-see natural wonders in Vietnam.

Its size will blow you away, and our campsite located within the cave beside a lazy river, will leave you speechless. You’ll examine fascinating fossils in one part of the cave over 300 million years old, and around every corner be subjected to the most picturesque views.

A stop in the ethnic minority Ban Doong Village, set amongst the limestone mountains is a highlight for many, not to mention the pristine jungle, many river crossings, and jovial porter team, made up of local jungle men!

We provide the very best adventure experiences with every aspect of the trip carefully planned including delicious meals, the highest safety standards, and friendly and informative adventure guides.

Hang En is one of our famous caves that has been featured within National Geographic, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Dailymail UK and recently on Good Morning America, in front of over 6 million audience members, as well as in Pan (2015), a newly-released blockbuster film distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment (Hollywood).

Come and find out what makes Hang En so popular and amazing as many have said.

 

Day 1:

Phong Nha - Ban Doong Village - Hang En

Start your ultimate adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Phong Nha between 8:00 am and 8:30 am and short transfer to Oxalis Headquarters.

Learn all about safety and collect your gear before driving 45mins through the National Park to reach the trailhead.

A steep jungle hill starts the adventure, with a refreshing river at the bottom. Hike through rich jungle to reach the Ban Doong minority village, where a hot cup of tea welcomes you.

Lunch takes place shortly after near the river, and then it’s back into the jungle, through river streams, and across the river valley until Hang En lays on the horizon.

Enter the cave around 3 PM, and enjoy your afternoon swimming, before a sizzling BBQ dinner is served, complete with rice wine and beautiful flocks of swifts overhead.

Day 2:

Hang En - Ban Doong Village - Phong Nha

Awake for breakfast early and explore the breathtaking exit, and then trek through the dry passage to the viewpoint high above camp, where 300 million year old fossils can be witnessed.

In the late morning, trek back through the mountainous river valley, through jungle and across streams, until reaching Doong village again.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the stream and then prepare for the biggest challenge ahead, climbing the treacherous hill up to the Ho Chi Minh Road.

Watch out for leeches and push ahead to the road, where cold drinks are waiting. Return by vehicle to Phong Nha by 5:00 pm.

WILD TU LAN CAVE EXPLORER

This adventure tour offers the perfect balance between trekking, caving, climbing, squeezing and swimming, combined with enough time to enjoy two spectacular campsites over three-days and two-nights!

Our three-day trekking and caving adventure includes the very best wild caves of the region including Hang Ken Cave, Hang Kim Cave, Secret Cave, Hung Ton Cave and Tu Lan Cave!

It is a more in challenging experience compared to our Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2 days), as you’ll see more of the caves and go much further into the jungle!

One of the highlights on the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer is our second campsite at To Mo Waterfall, where you’ll spend the night camping inside a small cave wedged within the limestone mountain and overlooking the beautiful natural swimming lagoon. It is really something special and a highlight for many of our guests.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and one of the most talked about adventure experiences in Vietnam!

Day 1: 

Phong Nha - Tan Hoa - Tu Lan

You will be picked up in Phong Nha between 8:00 am and 8:30 am at your hotel and driven to the little village of Tan Hoa for your initial safety briefing.

You’ll then set off across sweeping fields for 2.5 km to the Rao Nan River, where climbing ensues (50 m), up a rocky slope to find the entrance of Secret Cave for your first cave discovery.

You’ll then trek through Hung Ton Valley and up Hung Ton Mountain. It’s 2 km more along the mountain ridge until Mango Mountain, where the reward is a picnic lunch and from there, the trek continues into and through Tu Lan Valley (2 km).

You’ll finish your afternoon on a more relaxed note with swimming around the waterfall, followed by a BBQ dinner, and singing around the campfire until sleep overcomes you.

Day 2:

Tu Lan - Hang Kim - To Mo

The morning arrives with another full day of adventure. Shortly following breakfast comes a 200 m swim directly into Tu Lan Cave.

Trek 2 km back through the valley to loop back to camp for more waterfall swimming, a rest, and picnic lunch.

Post-lunch, it’s a 200 m swim into Ken Cave, followed by a 500 m trek to Hang Kim where swimming (450 m) and exploration (500 m) continues before adventuring 500 m on through To Mo Valley to the To Mo Cave campsite.

Enjoy another beautifully prepared dinner, and the unique experience of camping inside a cave set deep in the Vietnamese jungle.

Day 3:

To Mo - Tan Hoa - Phong Nha

The last day continues to exude more adventure with breakfast and then a morning swim 200 m upstream past the waterfall and through Hung Ton Cave via what is usually the exit of the cave.

Investigation of the dry passage leads to a 15 m ladder climb up to the entrance of Hung Ton. After trekking across Hung Ton Valley and over the hill to La Ken Valley (2.5 km), enjoy lunch by the river prior to visiting Hang Chuot (300 m).

Early afternoon holds the return trip across Rao Nan River, the beautiful fields, and back to Tan Hoa (2.5 km), where a cold drink will be calling your name.

Showers are available for those who would like to clean up and change. The tour returns to Phong Nha by 5:30 pm.

TU LAN CAVE ENCOUNTER

This tour offers a glimpse into the amazing beauty of the Tu Lan area: caves, karst mountains, jungle, and waterfalls.

It is an opportunity to escape civilization and go deep into the rugged and untouched nature of Vietnam for two-days and one-night with a professional English-speaking guide and jungle porter team.

This tour is perfect if you are short on time but still want a solid taste of adventure in the amazing Tu Lan jungle and cave system.

You will enjoy exploring Hang Ken Cave, Hang Kim Cave, Hung Ton Cave and of course Tu Lan Cave. You’ll also be subject to decent amount of trekking with over 12 km of tough jungle terrain covered over the two days and plenty of swimming!

Once the days adventures are over get ready for a night in the jungle at our amazing Tu Lan campsite located by a beautiful waterfall.

You’ll enjoy a delicious BBQ beside the campfire before turning in to the sounds of jungle critters and rushing waters of the nearby waterfall.

With climbing, trekking, and swimming through river caves, this will surely be a highlight of your travels in Vietnam.

Day 1: Phong Nha - Tan Hoa - Tu Lan

You’ll be picked up at your hotel in PhongNha between 8:00 am and 8:30 am, before venturing off to the village of Tan Hoa, located 70 km away. After a safety briefing and gear check, 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 TuLan 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 set up amongst the trees!

Day 2: Tu Lan - Tan Hoa - Phong Nha

The second day starts with a hearty breakfast, and more cave exploration. Tu Lan Cave (both wet and dry sections) are first on the agenda, followed by lunch back at your campsite.

You’ll then be off on a swim (450 m) and trek (500 m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley, before continuing with a swim through Hung Ton Cave.

Following this is the exploration of a dry passage, and then a trek down into Hung Ton Valley (800 m).

After crossing this valley, it’s time to climb up over a small rocky mountain to get to Hang Chuot (Rat Cave).

After seeing Hang Chuot (300 m), the tour winds down by crossing the Rao Nan River and picturesque fields (2.5 km).

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.

HANG TIEN EXPERIENCE

The majestic cave known as Hang Tien has previously only been viewable on the Tu Lan Expedition. It is now showcased as the star of our 1 day tour.

This tour is designed for those short on time but still looking for an escape to the jungle along with adventure and of course, a beautiful cave.

With formations rising up like a layer cake of rimstone pools and lush ferns, this cave is truly a unique specimen. The 1 Day Jungle Trek and Hang Tien Cave is fitting for both true adventurers and also those with little outdoor experience. Come check out our newest product of the season!

Phong Nha - Cao Quang - Hang Tien caves

Pick up will take place from 7:00 – 7:30 am from local hotels in Phong Nha, after which you will set off on an approximately 1.5 – 2 hour drive to our brand new Cao Quang headquarters. The road to Cao Quang commune passes by many small towns and rice paddies. Around 9:30 AM, you’ll turn off the main road and onto the rural village road, where you can see the jungle starting just beyond our office. The tour will both start and end at this office, which has basic amenities including showers, bathrooms, and a secure place to store belongings or extra luggage.

A short safety briefing will take place around 9:30 am, where you’ll have a chance to borrow a pair of our jungle boots if you don’t have any of your own. Then at 10 – 10:30 am your tour guide and porter team will lead you to Hang Tien.

Start off from headquarters, where you’ll pass through small farms and rice fields for about 3 km. During harvesting season you can witness locals securing their livelihood through farming and harvesting crops including peanuts, corn, rice, and paper trees. The trek is relatively easy on flat terrain.

After 45 minutes, the tour will reach the river, which you will trek alongside to reach the lunch spot. Be warned that it can be quite muddy and adventurous to trek along the river! When you stop for lunch, you’ll have a chance to refresh yourself and splash in the cool waters of the river and then enjoy BBQ feast made by the porters, including fresh pork and traditional spring roll wraps. You will be surrounded by green in every direction, with both the overhanging jungle trees and the elegant water of the river.

From lunch it’s time to head closer towards Hang Tien, which is the largest of the caves in the Tu Lan cave system. You’ll reach a natural swimming pool, where you’ll have to cross through the river (Rao Nay) to get to the entrance of the cave. The last kilometer before the cave is very rocky with many boulders, as if the cave terrain has spilled out onto the landscape in front of it. Very thick jungle and vines protect the entrance.