ABANDONED VALLEY 1-DAY ADVENTURE

Central Vietnam

Location

Phong Nha, Quảng Trị

BEST SEASON

Dec to Aug

AVAILABILITY

Every day

TOUR OPERATOR

Mộc Nam Adventure

LEVEL

Difficult

GROUP SIZE

2-15 guests

MEALS

Lunch, Snacks

AGE

12-60 yrs old

CAVING

≈5km

KAYAKING

≈3km

SWIMMING

optional

TREKKING

8km

MORE INFOMATION

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

OVERVIEW

For those who look at a map and crave the blank spaces, your next adventure waits here.

Ditch the crowded tourist hubs and challenge yourself with a raw wilderness expedition into Phong Nha’s forgotten valleys. The Exploration of Abandoned Valley, Dark cave Exit and E Cave is a full-throttle immersion into the region’s rugged topography. From demanding jungle treks over limestone terrain to exploring pristine, pitch-black cave systems, this itinerary delivers pure exploration.

The crown jewel of your day? Strapping on a life jacket and headlamp to float through the mesmerizing, emerald-tinted underground river of E Cave. If you are ready to sweat, swim, and explore a landscape few human eyes ever see, strap on your trekking boots—this paradise is calling.

HIGHLIGHT

Trekking 8km through the primeval rain forest in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park with no crowds or phone signals.
Exploring the Dark cave in a unique way that most of regular tourists never know.
Paddle Stand-up Paddle boards (SUPs) to the turquoise water in the E Cave
Visiting the valley that has been “abandoned” for years.

ITINERARY

ABANDONED VALLEY 1-DAY ADVENTURE

8:00–8:30 AM

Pick-up from your accommodation in Phong Nha.

Please note that transfer services are not included for properties outside the main town area, specifically: Chay Lap Farmstay, Blue Diamond, Phong Nha Farmstay, or any accommodations in Dong Hoi.

9:00AM

Welcome to the Operations House. We’ll go over the itinerary, safety rules, and tour logistics.

9:30AM

Start trekking to explore the deep forest of Abandoned Valley.

Walk through dense forest and mountainous terrain, flat roads, climbing slopes, and crossing the sharp stone mountain range for about 4.5km.

Immerse yourself in the natural scenery, mountains, and forests, along with the typical bamboo forest of Thung Tre (Tre Valley).

11:00 AM

Snack break.

Visit and explore the part of the most diverse cave complex in Phong Nha Ke Bang – Dark Cave Exit :

A moss-covered stalactite system – extremely special, only a few caves have.
Extraordinary Cave Pearls: These precious stones, formed by the relentless dripping of water is a testament to nature’s artistry.
You have about 1 hour to explore and capture the most beautiful photos of your journey after a long 6.5km journey.

1:30 PM

Start trekking through the forest, the group will arrive at the E Cave campsite with the most beautiful turquoise water in Phong Nha.

2:00PM

BBQ Lunch at the campsite.

2:30 - 3:00 PM

Gear up, get ready to explore 1.2km – 1.5km inside E Cave by SUPs .

Relax and admire the beauty of the raw nature gifted by our Mother Earth.

3:30–5:00PM

Change clothes and have light tea and coffee.

Journey back: trek through dense forest and mountainous terrain, steep rocks for about 2.5km.

5:30 PM

Trekking completes. Cold drinks to celebrate, souvenir gift, transport back to Phong Nha.

6:00PM

Arrive at your hotel in Phong Nha.

PRICING

The Cost Includes

Pick-up and drop-off from Phong Nha town (Available for all hotels centrally located within Phong Nha town).
Please note that transfer services are not included for properties outside the main town area, specifically: Chay Lap Farmstay, Blue Diamond, Phong Nha Farmstay, or any accommodations in Dong Hoi.
Drinking water
Lunch. Vegan/ Vegetarian is upon request.
Professional English-speaking tour guide, safety assistants and porters.
Safety equipment: helmets, harnesses, headlights, gloves and other safety equipment.
Travel Insurance: maximum compensation of VND 50,000,000/ case.

The Cost Excludes

Standard transfers between the meeting place and Chay Lap Farmstay/ Blue Diamond/ Phong Nha Farmstay or accommodations in Dong Hoi.
Gratuities for the tour guide, driver and porter team.
Personal expenses.

WHAT TO BRING

Lightweight, breathable, quick-dry clothing. Long sleeves recommended to protect yourselves from insects.

1 set of trekking clothes (long sleeves and trousers)
1–2 sets of bright-coloured swimwear
1 change of clothes for after the tour
1 pair of over-ankle socks (no ankle socks — they provide no protection)
Backpack: phone, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Personal camera / GoPro (optional)

FAQS

I can’t swim — can I still join?

Absolutely. You will paddle the SUP into the E Cave — no swimming required. At the entrance of the cave, you can swim optionally; life jackets and inflatable floats are provided. Our safety assistants are present throughout the entire tour to make sure you are safe.

I am nyctophobic (afraid of the dark). Can I still join the tour?

During the cave exploration segment of the Abandoned Valley 1-Day Adventure, there is an activity where the entire group switches off their headlamps to experience absolute stillness and "sitting in the darkness" for about 10 minutes inside a completely dark cave.

If you suffer from nyctophobia, please let our team know before booking or at the start of the tour.

👤 How we can support you: Our adventure guides are highly trained in safety and guest comfort. If you inform us in advance, we can arrange accommodations—such as keeping a light source on for you, positioning you directly next to a guide, or finding an alternative that ensures you feel secure and supported without missing out on the magic of the valley.

Does the tour run in the rain?

The tour departs in light to moderate rain. If heavy rain poses a safety risk on the karst climb to Golden Cave or makes the cave water too murky, Moc Nam will adjust the itinerary or reschedule. If the tour is cancelled entirely due to weather, you receive a full refund or free reschedule.

How far in advance should I book?

The tour departs daily. We recommend booking at least 1 day in advance so we can arrange logistics and purchase your travel insurance. During peak season (May–August and public holidays), book 3–5 days ahead — tours fill up fast.

What should I do if I stay at the hotels which pick-up & drop-off are not included?

We offer convenient pick-up and drop-off for accommodations inside Phong Nha town. If you are staying at further properties such as Chay Lap Farmstay, Blue Diamond, Phong Nha Farmstay, or in Dong Hoi city, please contact us to arrange an extra transfer with the following surcharge:
- Blue Diamond Retreat: 400,000VND/ pax
- Chay Lap Farmstay/ Doi De Eco Homestay: 250,000VND/ pax
- Phong Nha Farmstay/ Len Chua Ecostay: 200,000VND/ pax.
If you travel with group, you can ask your hotel or Endless Vietnam to arrange a private transfer.
If you stay in Dong Hoi, please make your way to Moc Nam Office by 9:00AM on the tour day.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park entrance fee, environmental protection fee & natural resource fee
Certified tour guide + safety assistants + chef
Full exploration equipment: helmet, headlamp, gloves, life jacket, towel, first aid kit
Jungle trekking sandals (size UK 5–13, for guests without suitable shoes)
Snack + lunch + afternoon snack + water
1 bottle of 500ml provided, with refills available at the basecamp

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

The basic physical fitness requirements for participating in the Abandoned Valley 1-day Adventure include:

Trekking experience requirements: Having experience in trekking and camping in the forest is an advantage.
Fitness preparation: Regularly participating in physical activities (such as yoga, swimming, hiking, running, stair climbing, gym, and some other sports) to maintain physical fitness. This ensures that they are able to:

- Total distance: 13km
- Trekking & Hiking: 8km of active jungle and valley trekking across the terrain.
- Terrain elevation: 324.5m
- Water activities: 3-4 km of active swimming/ wadding and Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) inside the cave system.

Abandoned valley 1-day map

Most of the guests joining the Abandoned Valley 1-day Adventure find it physically suitable: those with experience in mountain trekking and good physical health, as well as those who engage in regular sports training, could easily complete this tour.

Meanwhile, some others may encounter difficulties and require assistance from many safety assistants to complete the tour. If you are not sure about for your fitness level, please connect Endless Vietnam for further consult.

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