Phong Nha Abandoned Valley trek & caves with camping & meals

Summary

Trekking Phong Nha’s wild valley, swimming E Cave, camping overnight

You’ll hike through dense jungle in Phong Nha’s Abandoned Valley with a local guide, swim and paddleboard inside E Cave’s turquoise water, and camp under stars near the cave entrance. With all meals included (think BBQ dinner and local breakfast) plus gear provided, expect both challenge and quiet moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We were already sweating by the time our boots hit the sharp stones — Quang, our guide, just grinned and said it gets easier after the first hill (he lied). The jungle in Phong Nha’s Abandoned Valley is louder than I expected: cicadas buzzing like power lines, bamboo creaking when the wind picks up. At one point we stopped for a snack near a mossy boulder and I realized my shirt was streaked with red dust. Quang pointed out a bird call — he said it’s common here but I’d never heard anything like it. The “back door” of Dark Cave looked almost fake, like something from a movie set: 50 meters high, green with moss and cold air pouring out. My legs were shaking but I didn’t want to say anything.

Lunch was simple but hot — rice, pork, some kind of pickled greens that made my mouth tingle. We reached E Cave in late afternoon; you could see straight into the turquoise water from the entrance. Swimming inside was surreal. The cave walls felt slick and cold under my hands and there was this echo that made every splash sound huge. Some of us tried SUP boarding (I fell off twice), others just floated on their backs staring at the ceiling. After dinner — grilled beef and pork over a fire — we sat around talking while someone played music quietly on their phone. I woke up once in the night to total silence except for frogs somewhere close by.

The next morning started early; sunrise through mist over the trees is something I still think about. Breakfast was sticky rice and eggs cooked right there at camp. We spent hours exploring E Cave again — snorkeling this time, then paddling deeper where the light turns blue-green and you can’t tell how deep the water goes. Quang filmed short GoPro clips for everyone (I look ridiculous in mine). Later we hiked to Golden Cave; honestly by then my legs were tired but those golden stalactites really do glow if you catch them in the right light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Trek Abandoned Valley & Dark Cave

• Gather at Operations House
• Trek Abandoned Valley forest and mountains
• Explore Dark Cave Exit
• Lunch break
• Trek to E Cave and swim
• Fish Massage at E Cave entrance
• BBQ dinner
• Campfire and stargazing

Day 2 — Explore E Cave & Golden Cave

• Breakfast
• SUP and water sports in E Cave
• Tea and coffee break
• Lunch
• Explore Golden Cave
• Trek back to pick-up point
• Transfer to Phong Nha, end tour

Top questions

How difficult is the Abandoned Valley trek?

The trek covers about 18km over rocky terrain and forest trails; moderate fitness is needed.

Is camping gear provided on this tour?

Yes, tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows, and camp lights are included.

Are meals included during the tour?

All meals are provided: breakfast, lunch, BBQ dinner, snacks with fruit and drinks.

Can you swim inside E Cave?

Yes, swimming and paddleboarding are part of exploring E Cave’s turquoise water.

Is hotel pickup available from Phong Nha?

Pickup from Phong Nha is included at 8:00 AM on day one.

What should I bring for trekking?

You need personal clothing; basic trekking sandals are available if you don’t have your own.

Are guides local?

Yes, tours are led by local guides familiar with Phong Nha caves and safety procedures.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

A moderate level of fitness is required; not recommended for those with health issues or pregnancy.

What’s included

Your experience includes pickup from Phong Nha town, all caving equipment (helmet, headlight, gloves), safety support from guides and porters throughout the trek, full camping setup at E Cave (tent, sleeping bag, mattress), four hot meals including BBQ dinner plus snacks with fruit and drinks after caving activities—plus insurance and all necessary permits taken care of so you can focus on exploring.