Dong Hoi Trip Overview
1.Phong Nha cave and Paradise cave are the two most famous caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a world heritage.
2. Both of them have created a special attraction for the “Kingdom of the caves”.
3. Group tour from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town exploring the magnificent and brilliant landscapes in Paradise cave and Phong Nha cave.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 to 11 hours
Starts: Dong Hoi, Vietnam
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Hiking & Camping
Explore Dong Hoi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam
1.Phong Nha cave and Paradise cave are the two most famous caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a world heritage.
2. Both of them have created a special attraction for the “Kingdom of the caves”.
3. Group tour from Dong Hoi or Phong Nha town exploring the magnificent and brilliant landscapes in Paradise cave and Phong Nha cave.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Dong Hoi, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province
08:00 Tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel will pick up at your hotels in Dong Hoi city or Phong Nha, then depart to Phong Nha town.
Stop At: Paradise Cave, Son Trach Ward, Bo Trach District, Son Trach 510000 Vietnam
08:40 Arrive in Phong Nha town and starts to visit Paradise cave – the longest dry cave in Asia
Surrounded by forested karst peaks, this staggering cave system extends for 31km, though most people only visit the first kilometre. The scale is breathtaking, as wooden staircases plunge into a cathedral-like space with vast alien-looking stalagmites and stalactites. Get here early to beat the crowds, as during peak times (early afternoon) tour guides shepherd groups using megaphones. Paradise Cave is about 14km southwest of Son Trach.
From the buggie drop-off, it’s a further 600m-plus sweaty climb up to the cave entrance. To explore deep inside the cave beyond the barrier at the end and with luck see the eyeless cave fish that are part of its ecosystem
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Phong Nha, Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province
12:30 Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Phong Nha village
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Phong Nha Caves, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park 510000 Vietnam
After lunch. You will leaving Paradise cave to explore the most impressive Phong Nha cave. You will take a boat to cruise on Son river about 25 minute to the Phong Nha cave. While on the boat you will see the greenfield, people, houses and limestone along the river. Arrive in Phong Nha and start visiting, this cave is a water cave and famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”.
It would be difficult to find anywhere in the entire nation of Vietnam an area more well-preserved and wild than Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. There’s no litter, no gaudy construction projects and no sense of rapid development that’s prevalent throughout much of the rest of the country. Instead, there’s nature. Vast and uninterrupted limestone peaks soar to the horizon. Dense jungle canopy clings to rock walls, climbing thousands of feet into the sky. The roar of motorbikes succumbs to the cacophony of birds, monkeys and langurs singing in the safe confines of the forest. Cave systems run for hundreds of miles through and beneath the limestone giants overhead. Some are more expensive and difficult to reach, others are cheaper and easier to find. Phong Nha Cave is perhaps the easiest to access and one of the most stunning.
The ride to the cave takes 15 or 20 minutes along the Son River on one of the many wooden boats. It’s a peaceful experience sliding slowly across blue-green waters toward the park as small towns and steeples fade from view, replaced by karst walls and blanketing jungle flora. The river ambles by, snaking between peaks and thick foliage that runs to the water’s edge. Several smaller caves are visible high up on the exposed limestone mountainsides. As the boat turns round one final bend, a massive rock wall appears in the distance and the cave opening comes into view.
As the boats reach the caves they queue up, entering only one or two at a time. Engines die and the operators drag them along with long poles, slowly and methodically spearing them into the murky water. Once past the entrance, the immense cavern opens up. Giant stalactite chandeliers hang down from the ceiling. Without prodding or asking, everyone falls silent as eyes gaze up and the stone cathedral’s grandeur spills out. It’s a spectacular sight. Flood lights have been tastefully hidden throughout the first kilometer or so, illuminating other-worldly limestone structures. After 20 minutes the boats reach the end of the area you’re allowed to explore and turn back.
Before exiting the cave, each boat pulls to the side toward a sandy beach. Passengers are able to depart and walk, surrounded by 400 million-year-old sculptures. Limestone twists and turns all around, fascinating patterns fall from the walls – some so perfect it’s hard to believe they’re not man-made. After walking the last 100 meters toward the cave’s opening, a staircase leads out and up toward some shops and a dock where the boats reconvene.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Dong Hoi, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province
17:00 Come back the vehicle for leaving Phong Nha. Group go back to Dong Hoi for drop off at your hotels/places. End of the trip.
