2-day Phong Nha caves tour: Paradise, Dark Cave, boat trip

Three caves in two days: hike, zipline, swim and boat through an underground river

A 2-day guided tour from Dong Hoi through three caves in Phong Nha National Park. Day one covers Paradise Cave (the longest dry cave in Asia, reached by golf cart and jungle climb) and Dark Cave (with zipline, mud bath and swimming). Day two is a 25-minute dragonboat ride into Phong Nha Cave, then a 300-meter walk inside to see rock formations named the Lion, Fairy Caves and Royal Court. Hotel pickup from Dong Hoi, English-speaking guide, Vietnamese meals and an optional overnight homestay in the Phong Nha area are included. Zipline use requires weight between 40 and 90 kg. Children under 0.9m tall should skip the mud bath.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Paradise Cave3h · entry included
2. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park4h · entry included

Day 1: Visit Paradise and Dark Caves

• Pick up from Dong Hoi
• Transfer to Phong Nha area
• Visit Paradise Cave by golf cart
• Climb to cave mouth
• Lunch at Dark Cave restaurant
• Adventure activities at Dark Cave
• Drop-off at Phong Nha hotel
• Free evening time

Day 2: Explore Phong Nha Cave and Departure

• Pick up from hotel
• Lunch at restaurant
• Boat ride to Phong Nha Cave
• Explore cave on foot
• Return by boat
• Drop-off in Phong Nha or Dong Hoi

The experience

You're picked up from your Dong Hoi hotel or train station between 7:45 and 8:10 and driven to Phong Nha National Park. The first stop is Paradise Cave, Asia's longest dry cave. A golf cart takes you 1.6 km through the jungle from the main gate, then you climb to the cave mouth: a path with views across the mountainous region. Inside, stalactites and stalagmites fill the passages. Lunch follows at Dark Cave restaurant, where you eat a traditional Vietnamese dish (vegetarian available). By early afternoon you're at Dark Cave itself, where the real activity starts: mud bathing, ziplining across the cavern, swimming in an underground pool, kayaking, or tackling an adventure course. Bring swimwear and a towel. Lockers with a 50,000 deposit hold your belongings while you're inside.

You stay overnight in a homestay in the Phong Nha area (if you choose that option) or return to Dong Hoi. Day two starts at 11:00 with pickup from your accommodation and lunch at a restaurant. At 1:30 pm, a traditional dragonboat carries you for 25 minutes to Phong Nha Cave, which flows with an underground river. After the boat ride, you walk 300 meters into the cave on foot, seeing rock formations the locals call the Lion, the Fairy Caves, the Royal Court and the Buddha. The boat brings you back out. Drop-off is in Phong Nha afterward, or the operator can arrange return to Dong Hoi airport or city if you're catching a bus, train or flight.

The zipline at Dark Cave has a strict weight limit: you must be between 40 and 90 kg to use it. If you fall outside that range, kayaking is an alternative. Children shorter than 0.9 meters are not advised to enter the mud bath section because it's deep and hard to move through. Bring swimwear and a towel. The lockers are secure but require a deposit you'll get back.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Dong Hoi and return transport.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Paradise Cave, Dark Cave and Phong Nha Cave.
• golf cart and jungle walk at Paradise Cave.
• dragonboat ride on the underground river.
• lunch on both days with vegetarian options.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• locker storage at Dark Cave (50,000 deposit refunded on return).

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour excluding the one-night homestayGuide in English · 07:30 and 08:00No accommodation. Paradise, Dark and Phong Nha: Day 1, pickup at Dong Hoi, visit to Paradise and Dark caves, drop-off in the Phong Nha area. Day 2, pickup at Phong Nha, lunch, return to Phong Nha; includes pickup

Tour including one night in a homestayGuide in English · 08:00Hotel or homestay in Phong Nha: one night's accommodation with breakfast, two lunches and one breakfast; includes pickup

Private tour without homestayGuide in English · 07:30 and 08:00Private tour; includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 10 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 36 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Is this one for you?Book the version with a homestay if you want to start the second day rested and unhurried. The overnight in Phong Nha gives you time to settle before the boat ride and cave walk. Choose the tour without homestay if you'd rather return to Dong Hoi after day one and rejoin the group the next morning, or go private if you prefer your own schedule and guide.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 10 years); Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (under 5).

What is Paradise Cave like inside?

Paradise Cave is Asia's longest dry cave, filled with intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations. You reach it by golf cart through the jungle, then climb to the mouth, which overlooks the mountainous region around the park.

Can I do the zipline at Dark Cave if I'm over 90 kg?

No. The zipline requires you to be between 40 and 90 kg with no exceptions. If you're outside that range, you can kayak instead during the Dark Cave activities.

How long is the boat ride through Phong Nha Cave?

The dragonboat ride to Phong Nha Cave takes 25 minutes. Once inside, you explore 300 meters on foot before the boat takes you back out.

What meals are included in the tour?

Lunch is included on both days at local restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese dishes. Vegetarian options are available. Contact the operator in advance if you have dietary restrictions.

Do I have to stay overnight in Phong Nha, or can I return to Dong Hoi after day one?

You can choose. The tour is offered with or without a 1-night homestay in the Phong Nha area. If you skip the homestay, you return to Dong Hoi after Dark Cave and rejoin the tour the next morning, or you can book a private tour without the overnight stay.