PHONG NHA 1 – DAY KAYAK TOUR

Central Vietnam

Location

Phong Nha, Quảng Trị

BEST SEASON

Year round

AVAILABILITY

Every day

TOUR OPERATOR

Phong Nha Tourism Center

LEVEL

Moderate

GROUP SIZE

N/a

MEALS

Lunch

KAYAKING

1.5km

MORE INFOMATION

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

OVERVIEW

Skip the classic cave tour and take your journey to the next level! Our Phong Nha 1-day kayak tour is designed for thrill-seekers who crave more than just sightseeing.

Paddle through emerald waters, venture into hidden chambers, and marvel at ancient limestone formations shaped over millions of years. Feel the excitement as you explore mystical underground rivers and witness the raw beauty of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is not just a tour—it’s an adventure into one of the world’s most breathtaking caves, seen from a perspective few ever experience.

HIGHLIGHT

Spectacular views: Marvel at the ancient stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, formed over hundreds of thousands of years.
Kayaking adventure: Paddle through emerald underground rivers
Expert guides and enthusiastic porter team: Discover history and stories with local expert

ITINERARY

PHONG NHA 1-DAY KAYAK TOUR

8:30-9:00AM

Our driver will pick you up in the Phong Nha town area.

(Please note that the pick-up and drop-off at further hotels are not included; In particular: Phong Nha Lakehouse, Chay Lap Farmstay, Phong Nha Farmstay and the ones in Dong Hoi).

9:00 AM:

Tour briefing: Our tour guide will tell you some information about Phong Nha cave, give you a quick glance of the tour program and prepare equipment.

9:30AM

Get on the entrance of the cave by bus and get on the kayak to enter the cave, where the guide trains you on how to control and paddle the kayaks (For beginners).

10:00AM

Start the kayaking. We will kayak through the first 2km to the Phong Nha cave in the darkness (Wooooh).

11:00AM

We stop kayaking and start the hiking part in the cave for about 1km. Here, you will do hiking and bouldering through stunning huge stalagmites and stalactites.

Reach the underground lake and enjoy the cool swimming in the dark cave.

1:30PM

Go back to the kayak and paddle back to the Bi Ky chamber where lunch is ready to serve. See and learn some ancient writing of Cham people, the early human of this area.

2:30PM

Go kayaking to visit Tien passage – another dry charming cavern in the Phong Nha cave.

3:00PM

Return to Phong Nha. Tour ends.

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, 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 as mentioned above.
National Park Entrance fee.
Travel Insurance: maximum compensation of VND 10,000,000/ case.

The Cost Excludes

Gratuities for the tour guide and service team.
Extra drinks or snacks that are not mentioned above.
Standard transfers between the meeting place and Chay Lap Farmstay/ Phong Nha Farmstay/ Phong Nha Lakehouse or accommodations in Dong Hoi.

WHAT TO BRING

1 set of quick dry shirt and shorts used for the kayaking
Swimwear
Towel
1 pair of good grip shoes (You should not use waterproof shoes because water cannot drain easily causing unsafety and discomfort during hiking)
One set of clothes to change after swimming
1 pair of calf-length and thick socks
Personal items: mosquito spray (if needed)

FAQS

Why do I have to sign the Release Form

We require customers to sign our Release Form to confirm that they accept this is an adventure tour and they have to follow our guide’s instructions and safety rules. Customers also accept that they have some responsibilities for their own safety and environment protection.

How can I protect my electronic devices when kayaking?

We would recommend you to equip yourself with a waterproof bag for your phone. Please bring your own dry-box or dry-bag if you have really big cameras, just to make sure! Also, please note that you will carry the camera by yourself if you have a professional and big camera, the same for its tripod.

How many kilometers do I kayak?

Around 1.5km.

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, 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 Phong Nha Heritage By Night by 9:00AM on the tour day.

What happens if there are poor weather conditions or heavy rain?

Phong Nha 1-day Kayak tour is designed to run year-round; however, your safety is our absolute priority. During the regional rainy season (typically from September to late November), river water levels can rise rapidly and the currents can become too strong to paddle safely. Because of this, we highly recommend having a flexible back-up plan in place, as last-minute cancellations may occur if conditions become unsafe.

Is the tour available during Vietnam National Holidays?

Because this tour enters exclusive sections of the Phong Nha cave system, we may close operations on certain peak national holidays when the classic, standard cave tours become very busy—specifically around April 30th, May 1st, and September 2nd. If you plan to travel during these periods, please contact us directly to check live availability before making your booking.

What kind of food is served for lunch during the tour?

We serve a fresh, authentic Vietnamese lunch. The menu typically features local favorites such as roasted or grilled chicken, steamed rice, and seasonal local vegetables. If you are vegan, vegetarian, or have specific food allergies, please let us know in your booking so we can customize your meal perfectly!

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Kayaks and paddles
Caving equipment/ Safety equipments: caving helmet, headlight, gloves, life jacket.
Rubber sandals: size 37-42 (Optional. In case you use our rubber sandals, please make sure you bring a pair of thick socks to avoid scratches).
Waterproof bag for the camera and phone.
First aid kit.