Tu Lan Experience Tour

Tu Lan Experience is a one day trekking tour. During this cave experience tour you will discover the unspoiled beauty of the Tu Lan Cave System - once the film set for the Hollywood blockbuster - Kong: Skull Island (2017). Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts once declared: "The world will see how beautiful Tu Lan is, they will come, experience and love Tu Lan as I did".

    The highlights include:

  • Trek through legendary valleys: Embark on an unforgettable journey through two vast, stunning valleys - Tan Hoa and Hung Ton. Traverse sweeping emerald fields encircled by dramatic limestone karsts, crowned with untouched, primeval jungle. This is the authentic heart of Vietnam's wild nature.
  • Discover a hidden underground kingdom: Plunge into a subterranean world as you explore two magnificent caves, Rat Cave and Hung Ton Cave. Marvel at unique, millennia - old formations - towering columns, delicate stalactites, immense stalagmites, and shimmering cave pearls. These chambers feel less like caves and more like natural, magnificent cathedrals.
  • The ultimate cave challenge: Prepare for the most unique part of the adventure - cave swimming through the cool, pitch-black underground river. Fully equipped with headlamps, you'll immerse yourself in a world untouched by natural light, fueled only by a sense of mystery and pure exploration. It's an experience that will ignite your inner adventurer.
  • Refreshing finale: Emerge from the darkness to the glorious sunlight and celebrate your journey with a refreshing dip. Take a leisurely swim in the cool, crystal-blue lake formed right at the exit of Hung Ton Cave, letting the gentle current carry you as you soak up the breathtaking, unspoiled beauty of the valley.
  • A journey that transforms lives: Beyond the natural splendor, your presence contributes to a powerful story of community resilience and growth. Sustainable tourism has played a key role in transforming Tan Hoa, driving the poverty rate down from 85.7% in 2010 to just 2% in 2024. This expedition supports vital initiatives, including the construction of floating houses and septic toilets to improve local living standards. Furthermore, Oxalis is committed to future generations, sponsoring free open swimming and safety training to over 300 children in Tan Hoa and along the Rao Nan River every year.

Itinerary

The Tu Lan Experience tour schedule may be adjusted according to the weather conditions. The trek can be quite muddy and slippery when it rains

Download the itinerary

Morning: Tan Hoa - Explore Rat Cave - Hung Ton Cave (dry branch)

You should be in Phong Nha before 07:00 AM on the tour day to ensure on-time departure. Oxalis provides dorm rooms with 6 comfortable beds available at Oxalis Home (Oxalis Office) for those who arrive in Phong Nha early in the morning of the tour and want to rest a bit before the tour (please inform us in advance if you want to use the free dorm room service).

Between 07:00 and 07:30 on the morning of departure, the guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Phong Nha town, and take the group to the Oxalis office in Tan Hoa Village, 70 km from Phong Nha. At the office, the guide will give you a short briefing about the trekking itinerary and safety regulations. You will sign the RELEASE FORM, and receive the necessary safety equipment.

After the briefing, the group will start walking through the flat corn and peanut fields toward the Rao Nan River. You will cross the river and go up a small slope to get to the entrance of Rat Cave. Here, you will be provided with helmets, headlamps, and safety equipment to explore Rat Cave for about 300m long. This cave has many beautiful stalactites and a soaring dome with a unique heart-shaped structure.

After exploring Rat Cave, the group returns to the cave entrance for a light snack to recharge. Following this, you will begin the journey to conquer "Baby Hill," which stands at an elevation of about 60m. Once over the hill, the group will continue trekking across Hung Ton Valley to reach the dry passage of Hung Ton Cave.

Afternoon: River Passage of Hung Ton Cave - To Mo Valley - Tan Hoa

Guides will assist guests in putting on safety harnesses to descend a 15-meter ladder inside Hung Ton Cave. Here, the group will continue exploring the cave passage and witness firsthand the fossils of marine species dating back millions of years.

The group will then move to the river passage, equip life jackets, and double-check personal belongings. You will experience swimming through the underground river to reach the cave's exit. Opening up before your eyes is the incredibly picturesque To Mo Valley. Here, the group will enjoy lunch and have free time to swim and relax in the emerald-green stream before starting the trek back.

The 1-day Tu Lan expedition concludes with a journey across lush green valleys and fields. Upon returning to the Oxalis Tan Hoa office, guests can shower, relax, and enjoy some refreshing cold drinks. The car will then transfer the group back to Phong Nha between 18:30-19:30, officially ending a unique and impressive trekking adventure.

Suggested itinerary before and after the tour:
To ensure the best preparation before your journey or to relax after the expedition, Oxalis suggests staying at Chay Lap Farmstay if you wish to combine exploring Phong Nha with experiencing a peaceful countryside atmosphere, or Blue Diamond Retreat if you prefer to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy relaxing moments amidst the mountains and forests. Special discounted rates exclusively for Oxalis guests are 1,100,000 VND/room/night at Chay Lap Farmstay and 1,600,000 VND/room/night at Blue Diamond Retreat.

During your time in Phong Nha, the Phong Nha Caves Exploration Museum (open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission) is a must-visit destination. Here, you can experience the Son Doong 5D VR technology for 500,000 VND per ticket. All proceeds from this activity are contributed to the Oxalis Foundation to support local community projects, making your journey even more meaningful.

Difficulty Level and Physical Fitness Requirements

Difficulty Level: Easy

Requirements: Prior experience with walking tours or outdoor excursions. Participants must possess a baseline level of physical fitness, demonstrated by the ability to climb five flights of stairs continuously or run 3 km on flat ground within 30 minutes without experiencing signs of overexertion such as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, or nausea. Participants must not have any medical conditions that would restrict them from engaging in mountain climbing or caving activities, as outlined in Oxalis's guidelines.

Suitable for: Suitable for almost everyone.

Tours with the same Difficulty Level: Tu Lan Family Experience (TF1), Phong Nha: Nuoc Nut Cave Discovery (NP1), Tu Lan Experience (TL1), Tu Lan Family Adventure (TF2), Hang Tien-Tu Lan Discovery Tour (HTL), Hang Tien Cave Day Trek (HT1).

Terrains

The tour takes place in remote areas with complex terrains. Customers must be physically fit. Please carefully read the tour itinerary and honestly fill out the booking information yourself, especially your experience and health condition.

  • Easy to moderate trekking
  • 9km trek through valleys forest and river crossing
  • 800m cave exploration; elevation gain 120m
  • 15m ladder climbing with a safety rope and harnesses, operated by the safety team.
  • 150m swimming in underground river with a life vest provided by Oxalis
  • Swimming and wading at the waterfall
TL1 trekking graph

For more information on the necessary physical activities for a successful trip, please refer to: /getting-ready-oxalis-tour/index.html.

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Safety on the tour

This is always the top priority of Oxalis Adventure to ensure the safety of both visitors and Oxalis’ staff on any trip, including multi day adventures. We only use high-quality equipment meeting international standards, mainly imported from France, the UK, and Switzerland. The tour guides must undergo professional training and be tested for skills regularly. Only qualified guides may lead an Oxalis tour. Visitors can learn about the "safety management" and " safety equipment" that Oxalis uses here.

By signing the Release Form, visitors agree to follow all tour safety regulations and the instructions of the cave experts and guides throughout the expedition. To ensure the safety of the entire group, the safety experts and guides have the authority to require any guest to end the expedition if they fail to comply with the safety regulations explained during the briefing.

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Items to bring on Tu Lan Experience tour

It is necessary to be well prepared for the trip because the Tu Lan Experience, although for one day, is still a hiking tour with a variety of terrain. Guests will be asked to wear appropriate clothing for safety reasons, good for moving in the jungle, river crossing, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Long trousers and long sleeved shirts should be worn for trekking. Trekking shoes play a very important role in Oxalis Adventure tours in Vietnam, such as this. Visitors must choose a good and well fitting pair of shoes for rocky steep mountains. Please test your shoes before the trek. Besides, guests also need to prepare personal items for one day’s trekking in the jungle and caves.

You need to prepare

Essential clothing

  • Trekking clothes:
    - 1 quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirt
    - 1 pairs of - long trekking pants (quick-dry)
    - 1 waterproof jacket (winter months November to March)
  • 1 pair of good gripping trekking/approach closed shoes. Heavyweight trekking boots are not necessary
  • 1 pair of calf-length, thick socks
  • Clothes to change after the trek
  • Footwear to change after the tour (If you use your own trekking shoes)

Personal items

  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
  • Hand fan for summer (April to August)
  • Medium towel
  • Personal medication
  • Passport

Optional items

  • Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
  • Camera & Tripod
  • Bandana or headband
  • Swimwear
  • Rehydration tablets
  • Blister prevention tape

Oxalis provides

  • Caving and safety gears: helmet, headlight, gloves, …
  • Basic trekking shoes are available to borrow from Oxalis (sizes 36-44). If you use Oxalis shoes, please bring thick socks and two pairs of insoles to help prevent blisters. A VND 50,000 cleaning fee applies.
  • Water bottle (1L)
  • Water purifier
  • Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
  • 1 PVC backpack (25L) to carry helmet, dry box, water and things you need during the trek.
  • Shared dry box for electronic devices
  • First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
  • Satellite phone

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Food and drinks in the tour

Although the tour takes place in the forest and caves, guests are provided with enough food and drinking water for the full day of trekking. Oxalis prepares nutritious meals that are suitable for outdoor activities. If you have any dietary requirements, such as meat-based meals, vegetarian options, special diets, or food allergies, please note them in the booking form so the Oxalis team can make suitable preparations.

Drinking water is provided throughout the trip to help guests stay hydrated while trekking. The water is treated through a specialized filtration system and thoroughly boiled to ensure it is safe for drinking.

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Camping, Showers and Hygiene During the Expedition

Toilets and water facilities: Each campsite is equipped with modern toilets and convenient shower facilities. All water used for washing and other daily needs is carefully treated through a filtration system to ensure safe use throughout the expedition.

Waste management and environmental protection: To help preserve the cave ecosystem, 100% of solid waste generated during the expedition is carried out of the cave. For wastewater and toilet waste, Oxalis uses portable septic tanks combined with an advanced filtration system to ensure that discharged water meets Vietnam’s strict environmental standards.

Tour booking process

This is a tour that requires careful logistical preparation from both guests and Oxalis. Reading the tour information thoroughly will help you make an informed decision before booking. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please chat with an Oxalis adventure consultant using the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, or contact us via hotline at +84 919 900 357 for assistance. The booking process is as follows:

Step 1: Learn about the tour
Visit oxalisadventure.com to learn more about the itinerary, highlights, adventure level, tour price, and most importantly, the health and fitness requirements.

Step 2: Choose your departure date
Click “Book Now” on the tour page to view the available departure dates. Available dates will be shown on the calendar. Select your preferred date and enter the number of participants.

Step 3: Provide your information
Complete your contact details accurately, especially your email address and phone number. You must provide truthful information about:
- Your health condition and any medications you are currently taking;
- Allergies or special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals or food allergies;
- Trekking experience;
- Exercise frequency and level of physical activity.
Important: Oxalis reserves the right to cancel your booking without a refund if any information provided is found to be false or incomplete, particularly information related to your health and physical fitness.

Step 4: Complete your booking request
Select any additional services you may require, such as transfers or accommodation at Chay Lap Farmstay and Oxalis Home.
Read and agree to the booking terms and conditions, then click “Submit Booking Request.” The system will send a booking code to your email address.

Step 5: Consultation and information confirmation
Within 48 working hours, an Oxalis travel consultant will contact you by email or phone to:
- Provide detailed information about the expedition;
- Confirm your booking details;
- Assist with arranging any additional services you have requested.

Step 6: Payment
Once your information has been confirmed, Oxalis will send you an invoice and payment instructions.
You must complete the payment within 24 hours of receiving the payment instructions. After this period, your booking request may be automatically cancelled.

Step 7: Booking confirmation
Once Oxalis receives your payment, you will receive an official booking confirmation by email.
From this point, you can begin preparing your clothing, equipment, and fitness for the expedition.

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Terms of tour cancellation

To confirm your booking, you will be required to pay the tour deposit after completing the booking process. Guests may cancel the trip 7 days prior to the departure date and receive a full refund. For cancellations after 7 days, no refund will be given. See more details in “Terms of tour cancellation”.

Tour price and available dates for booking

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  • Season: Tours operate from mid-November to mid-September every year.
  • Group Size: Limited to 12 guests per tour for safety and conservation.
  • Tour Types: Fixed departure dates for individuals; private tours available for special groups or film crews.
  • Exclusive Offer: Enjoy a 10% discount for UOB cardholders and Xiều Oxalis (returning guests).
  • Last-Minute Booking Notice: Online bookings close at 19:00 (7:00 PM) the day before departure. For bookings after 19:00, please contact our Adventure Team via chat box or Hotline at +84 919 900 357 (Call/WhatsApp) for immediate assistance and slot availability.

Useful Information Must read

  • Weather and Climate in Tu Lan - Tan Hoa area

    Tu Lan - Tan Hoa has 4 seasons in a year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) like many northern provinces of Vietnam. Due to the weather conditions, and because Oxalis Adventure wants to protect and conserve the Tu Lan Cave System. The Tu Lan Cave Encounter Tour will only be available from mid November to mid September every year. Weather conditions in the Tu Lan – Tan Hoa area are different in each season.

    • From January to March, there are some cold days, especially on rainy days but there are also many warm sunny days.
    • April and May are the warmer months, and this is the time when wildflowers are blooming.
    • From June to August are the hot summer months, but most of the time visitors are in the cave with the temperature from 22 to 25 degrees, or forest, so it should not feel too hot. In the summer months, visitors can comfortably swim in the streams and underground lakes inside Vietnam caves, so exploring Tu Lan is the ideal suggestion for you if you don't know where to go for 3 days and 2 nights.

    Each season will have its own unique features for visitors to explore, and find out more about the uniqueness of nature. In addition, visitors can check the weather in Tu Lan - Tan Hoa through Accuweather before joining this caving adventure tour.

    The weather & climate in Tan Hoa, Minh Hoa area
  • Communication on tour

    The Tu Lan Experience one day tour is an adventure tour in Quang Binh with an easy level but is still located in a quite remote area with no nearby external support such as medical assistance, hospitals etc.

    The Tu Lan Experience Tour follows jungle trails, over hills and through caves, and no paths are suitable for vehicles. There are very weak phone signals, no wifi, and no charging facilities. In case of emergency the guide will use a basic phone (smartphones do not work), to contact the office. Guests can only use the internet and phone at the village before and after the Oxalis tour. During the tour, Oxalis staff will keep in touch by radio if required.

  • Emergency Response Procedure

    Oxalis Adventure has an established "Emergency Response Procedure" that includes on-site first aid and rescue if an accident occurs during trekking or cave exploration. We organize many training courses for first aid, rescue, and evacuation, and have rescue teams for each tour operation area. The specialized equipment is imported from abroad and complies with European standards. Due to the remote location, rescue teams and medical assistants will take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the location. Therefore, the safety of visitors is the top priority of Oxalis in any activities related to caving in Vietnam. For Experts and Sales consultants to give suitable advice, guests are required to fill in their fitness and health information in the Booking form honestly. They are also required to update the information to the Oxalis consultant 45 days before the tour departure.

    * Please note that tour communication is conducted in English and Vietnamese.

  • How to get to Phong Nha

    To join the Tu Lan Cave tour, visitors need to arrive in Phong Nha before 7:00 AM. Phong Nha is about 45 km from Dong Hoi, Quang Tri. Visitors can take a bus directly to Phong Nha for a more convenient journey. If you arrive in Dong Hoi by plane or train, you will need to arrange a private transfer or take a taxi to Phong Nha.

    By air

    Dong Hoi Airport is about 45 km from Phong Nha and currently offers direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cam Ranh. From the airport, Oxalis offers a private transfer from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha at VND 650,000 per one-way trip for a 7-seater vehicle.

    • Hanoi - Dong Hoi: Vietnam Airlines and Sun PhuQuoc Airways currently operate daily direct flights between Hanoi and Dong Hoi. The flight takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
    • Ho Chi Minh City - Dong Hoi: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air operate direct flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Dong Hoi, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
    • Nha Trang - Dong Hoi: Sun PhuQuoc Airways operates direct flights between Cam Ranh International Airport and Dong Hoi, with 3 round trips per week.

    By train

    Dong Hoi Railway Station is located on the North-South railway line, approximately 45 km from Phong Nha. Trains to Dong Hoi are available from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other cities and provinces. From the station, an Oxalis vehicle will pick you up and transfer you to Phong Nha. There is also a Hue-Phong Nha tourist train, offering a direct connection between the two destinations as part of a journey through Central Vietnam. This is a convenient option for guests who wish to combine a visit to Hue with their Son Doong Expedition.

    By bus

    Sleeper buses are a convenient option if you prefer to travel directly to Phong Nha without transferring to Dong Hoi. Direct bus services are currently available from Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and several other destinations.

    International airports: There are 3 main international airports for international flights: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Ha Noi, travellers can book domestic flights to Dong Hoi Airport (VDH). From Da Nang, travelers can catch a train or bus to Dong Hoi/Phong Nha.

    You can check out the means of transportation to Phong Nha here. “How to get to Phong Nha?". All participants of Oxalis Adventure tours will be picked up at their designated hotel around Phong Nha town on the morning of the departure day.

    Vietnam visa: Vietnam currently grants visa exemptions to citizens of 29 countries and has expanded its E-visa program to apply to nationals of all countries and territories.

    Upon arrival and during their stay, travelers are required to present a valid passport together with a valid visa or other legal residence documents in Vietnam so that accommodation providers and tour operators can complete temporary residence registration as required by Vietnamese regulations.

    For the latest details on travel policies, please verify the information here: Vietnam Travel Policy Updates

  • Tu Lan Experience tour price includes

    The price of the Tu Lan Experience tour is 2,000,000 VND per person. The tour price includes VAT, entrance fee and forest environment service fee. The Tu Lan one day tour includes the following services:

    • Service team: Each tour with a maximum of 12 guests will have 1 guide, 2 safety assistants, 1 chef, 1 kitchen assistant. The number of team members may vary depending on the group's physical condition.
    • Food: Oxalis provides food, tea and coffee for visitors during the trek, (excluding any extra requests).
    • Safety equipment: Oxalis will provide safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, headlights, gloves and other safety equipment.
    • Travel insurance: Oxalis buys travel insurance for all tourists participating in the tour with a maximum compensation of 10,000,000 VND. Visitors are advised to purchase their own comprehensive travel insurance prior to joining the tour.
  • Carbon Footprint Index

    At Oxalis Adventure, our commitment to Net Zero tourism is driving tangible results. Our 2024 greenhouse gas inventory reveals that the average carbon footprint for participants of the Tu Lan Experience Tour has dropped to 25.2 kgCO2e per person – a significant 20% reduction compared to 2023 figures. This comprehensive calculation accounts for all emission sources, including transportation, accommodation, and tour activities, underscoring our successful efforts to minimize environmental impact while maintaining high-quality adventure experiences.

FAQs

Tu Lan Experience Tour

Duration: 1 day

Difficulty Level: Easy

Age 16-70 years old

Group size: 12 customers (Join-in)

Operation: mid-Nov to mid-Sep

USD 75 • VND 2,000,000/pax

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