GOLDEN CAVE & E CAVE 1-DAY TOUR

Central Vietnam

Location

Phong Nha, Quảng Trị

BEST SEASON

Dec to Aug

AVAILABILITY

Every day

TOUR OPERATOR

Mộc Nam Adventure

LEVEL

Moderate

GROUP SIZE

2-16 guests

MEALS

Lunch, Snacks

AGE

7-65 yrs old

CAVING

600m

KAYAKING

≈3km

SWIMMING

optional

TREKKING

5-6km

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 Golden Cave 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 5km through the primeval rain forest in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park with no crowds or phone signals.
Exploring the two unique caves among the Cave Kingdom Phong Nha in a unique way
Doing SUP to the turquoise water in the E Cave

ITINERARY

GOLDEN CAVE & E CAVE 1-DAY TOUR

8:00–8:30 AM

Pick-up from your accommodation in Phong Nha.

9:00AM

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

9:30AM

Warm-up and depart from Km19. Trek 2.5km through primary jungle and karst terrain into Abandoned Valley — immersed in ancient bamboo forest, rugged limestone mountains, and the sounds of the wild.

11:00 AM

Snack break: seasonal fruit, mixed nuts, yogurt.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Challenging climb through karst terrain to reach Golden Cave. Explore 600m inside — moss-covered stalactites, sparkling cave pearls, flowstone terraces, and the only gold-like stalactites in Phong Nha.

1:15 PM

BBQ Lunch at the campsite.

1:45–3:30 PM

Explore the E Cave by SUP. You will paddle around 1.2km-1.5km deep into the cave on the turquoise water.

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

3:30–5:00PM

2.5km trek back through the jungle.

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: Phong Nha Lakehouse, 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/ Phong Nha Lakehouse 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.

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 difficult is the climb to Golden Cave? What fitness level is needed?

The karst terrain climb to Golden Cave is approximately 1km — this is the most challenging section of the tour. Good physical fitness is required. The tour is suitable for guests who exercise at least 2–4 times per week. If you are unsure about your fitness level, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to advise.

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 Phong Nha Lakehouse, Chay Lap Farmstay, Blue Diamond, Phong Nha Farmstay, or in Dong Hoi city, please contact us to arrange a private transfer surcharge:
- Chay Lap Farmstay: 400,000VND/ pax
- Phong Nha Farmstay/ Phong Nha Lakehouse resort: 300,000VND/ 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 Golden Cave & E Cave 1-Day tour 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:

- Trekking & Hiking: 3 KM of active jungle and valley trekking across the terrain, taking approximately 2.5 hours of moving time.
- Water activities: 1.5 KM of active swimming and Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) inside the cave system, taking approximately 1 hour.
- Caving disciplines: Exploration of 1 Fossil Cave (Dry Cave: Golden Cave) requiring rock scrambling, and 1 Active Cave (Water Cave: E Cave) requiring aquatic navigation.
- The trekking map in Golden and E caves tour

Guests aged 7 to 65 are permitted to join the Golden Cave & E Cave 1-day tour, which demands good physical fitness and prior trekking experience. 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.