Da Lat day trip from Nha Trang: Datanla Falls & Zen monastery

Ten hours in the highlands: waterfalls, temples and mountain lakes from the coast

A full-day guided tour from Nha Trang to Da Lat, 140 km inland and 1,500 meters up into the Central Highlands, with stops at Datanla Waterfall, Truc Lam Zen Monastery overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake, the 1938 Da Lat railway station, Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Xuan Huong Lake. An English-speaking guide and driver handle the route; entrance fees, transport and bottled water are included. The tour wraps by 3 pm, leaving time to explore Da Lat further or head back to the coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day trip from Nha Trang to Dalat

• Travel from Nha Trang to Dalat
• Visit Datanla Waterfall and alpine coaster
• Explore Linh Phuoc Pagoda
• Visit Truc Lam Zen Meditation Center
• See Tuyen Lam Lake
• Visit Dalat Railway Station
• View Xuan Huong Lake
• End tour around 3pm

The Experience

The drive climbs from Nha Trang into pine forest and cooler air, arriving at Datanla Waterfall about 5 km south of Da Lat's center. The waterfall drops roughly 20 meters into a pool ringed by rock and forest. The site's signature draw is the alpine coaster—a 2,400-meter track winding through the pines above the falls (this costs extra and is optional). From there the route moves to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, built in 1993 on a protected forest slope overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake, Da Lat's largest freshwater lake at 350 hectares. The monastery sits in open landscape designed for meditation, and the lake below is ringed by pine forest and mist.

The itinerary also takes in Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a 49-meter dragon temple made from 12,000 beer bottles with a 37-meter bell tower—the highest temple bell tower in Vietnam. You'll see the 1938 Da Lat railway station, designed by French architects and now operating a 7 km tourist line to the nearby village of Trai Mat. Xuan Huong Lake, at the heart of Da Lat city, rounds out the stops. The guide narrates in English throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the mountain roads. Bottled water is provided. If you want to ride the alpine coaster at Datanla or take the cable car at Robin Hill (another viewpoint), those are separate paid options at the site.

The tour finishes around 3 pm, giving you the choice to stay in Da Lat for dinner and explore the city's French villas and flower markets, or ride back to Nha Trang the same day. Pickup from your Nha Trang hotel is included; children from age 5 are welcome. Personal meals and drinks are not included, though Da Lat has cafes and restaurants throughout the day.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide and driver.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fees to all sites.
• bottled water.
• parking fees and government fees.
• hotel pickup from Nha Trang.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Vietnam Backpackers Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable with a full day of winding mountain roads and coach travel to reach Da Lat's 1,500m altitude; English-speaking guide throughout.

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Top questions

How far is Da Lat from Nha Trang and how high up is it?

Da Lat sits 140 kilometers inland from Nha Trang and rises to approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level on the Lang Biang Plateau in the Central Highlands, which is why the air is noticeably cooler and the landscape shifts to pine forest.

What is the alpine coaster at Datanla Waterfall?

The alpine coaster is a 2,400-meter roller coaster track—the longest in Southeast Asia—that winds through the pine forest above Datanla Waterfall, giving a view of the falls from above. It is not included in the tour price and costs extra if you choose to ride it.

What is Truc Lam Zen Monastery and why is it on this tour?

Truc Lam Zen Monastery was built in 1993 on a protected forest slope and is designed as both a working meditation center and a visitor site. It overlooks Tuyen Lam Lake and sits in open landscape that draws people for its quiet and views rather than crowds.

What time does the tour finish and can I stay in Da Lat overnight?

The tour finishes around 3 pm, which gives you the afternoon and evening to explore Da Lat further, eat dinner, or visit the flower markets and French colonial villas. You can also return to Nha Trang the same day if you prefer.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks during the day?

Lunch and meals are not included in the tour price, though bottled water is provided. Da Lat has cafes and restaurants throughout the city where you can eat during the stops.

What is Linh Phuoc Pagoda and why is it notable?

Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a 49-meter dragon temple constructed from 12,000 beer bottles, with a dragon head 7 meters high and a 37-meter bell tower that is the highest temple bell tower in Vietnam. It is considered a unique architectural mosaic of Da Lat.