HIGHLIGHTS
• Exclusive 2,000-hectare wilderness — no crowds, no phone signal. Trek through Moc Nam’s exclusively operated Abandoned Valley, a pristine 2,000-hectare stretch of primary rainforest inside Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. No paved paths, no tourist infrastructure — just ancient jungle, karst limestone, and your team. Come prepared to fully disconnect.
• SUP paddle inside the most beautiful turquoise water cave in Phong Nha. Glide 1.2–1.5km into E Cave by stand-up paddleboard, surrounded by cave walls encrusted with 400-million-year-old fossilized coral reefs. The water is the kind of blue-green that doesn’t look real in photos and looks even better in person. Swimming is optional — no experience needed.
• Photos & underwater GoPro footage — included, no extra charge. The Moc Nam team photographs you throughout the entire journey. In clear water conditions, every guest receives 15 seconds of personal GoPro underwater footage. Best conditions: dry season, February–August.
• Hot jungle lunch + full afternoon of water activities. Grilled chicken, grilled pork, fresh vegetables and soup cooked at the basecamp. The afternoon is yours: SUP, snorkeling, volleyball,…
• The only 1-day cave tour in Phong Nha open to children from age 5. Dry season (April–August): open from age 5. Outside dry season: from age 10. If travelling with young children or guests with health conditions, contact us in advance for a personalised assessment.
BASIC INFORMATION
- Total distance: 7.5km :
+ Trekking in the forest: 5km
+ Swimming / SUP: 2-3km
- Total Schedule: 7 hours
- Elevation terrain: 412m
- Terrain includes:
+ Trekking, climbing Karst terrain
+ Walking in the primary forest
+ Swimming, SUP boarding
- Physical requirements: the itinerary is suitable for people who exercise regularly 1-2 time a week.
DETAILED ITINERARY
- 8:00–8:30 AM: Pick-up from your accommodation in Phong Nha. (If staying outside the Phong Nha area, please make your own way to the Moc Nam pick-up point — directions here.)
- 9:00 AM: Welcome to the Operations House. We’ll go over the itinerary, safety rules, and tour logistics.
- 9:30 AM: Warm-up and depart from Km19. Trek 3km 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: Arrive at E Cave. Swim or SUP paddle 1.2–1.5km into the cave, past walls covered in 400-million-year-old fossilized coral reef.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the basecamp.
- 1:00–3:00 PM: Free time at the E Cave entrance — SUP, snorkeling, volleyball, inflatable floats. Each guest receives 15 seconds of personal GoPro underwater footage (clear water conditions only).
- 3:00–3:30 PM: Afternoon snack — seasonal fruit, mixed nuts, yogurt, tea, coffee.
- 3:30–5:00 PM: 2.5km trek back through the jungle.
- 5:30 PM: Journey complete. Cold drinks to celebrate, souvenir gift, transport back to Phong Nha.
*Schedule may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
MAP
MEAL
- Snack: Mixed nuts, yogurt, seasonal fruit
- Lunch: Grilled chicken, grilled pork, boiled vegetables, soup, steamed rice, dessert
- Filtered water served throughout the journey
If you have any dietary requirements, vegetarian requests, or food allergies, please let us know at least 1 day in advance.
WHAT TO PACK
Lightweight, breathable, quick-dry clothing. Long sleeves recommended to protect against insects.
- 1 set of trekking clothes (long sleeves and trousers recommended)
- 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)
MOC NAM PREPARED
- 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 + drinks throughout
- 1 bottle of 500ml provided, with refills available at the basecamp
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park entrance fee.
• Tour guide + 3–4 safety assistants + 1–2 chefs per group of 10–15 guests.
• Return transport from Phong Nha to the trailhead and back.
• Full exploration equipment: helmet, headlamp, gloves, life jacket, towel, first aid kit.
• Jungle trekking sandals (size UK 5–13, for guests without suitable shoes).
• Lunch + afternoon snack + tea, coffee & drinks throughout the journey.
• Travel insurance up to VND 50,000,000 (approx. USD 2,000) per person.
NOT INCLUDED:
• Personal expenses.
• Transport from outside the Phong Nha area (surcharge applies — contact us)
• Tips for guides and staff (discretionary, always appreciated)
Frequently Asked Questions
I can’t swim — can I still join?
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Absolutely. Inside E Cave, you paddle by SUP — no swimming required. Outside the cave entrance, life jackets and inflatable floats are provided. Our safety assistants are present throughout the entire tour. Non-swimmers join regularly and have a great time.
Does the tour run in the rain?
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Yes — the tour departs in light to moderate rain, and trekking through jungle in the rain has its own magic. If heavy rain poses a safety risk 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.
What age is suitable for this tour?
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This is the only 1-day cave tour in Phong Nha that accepts children from age 5 (dry season, April–August). Outside dry season: from age 10. If travelling with young children or guests with health conditions, please contact us in advance.
How far in advance should I book?
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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 does the price include?
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Included: National Park fees, tour guide + safety team, all exploration equipment, return transport from Phong Nha, lunch + afternoon snack + drinks throughout, travel insurance up to USD 2,000 per person, souvenir gift.
Not included: Personal expenses, transport surcharge if staying outside Phong Nha, tips for guides and staff (discretionary).
What Our Guests Say
★★★★★ 5/5 · Hundreds of reviews on Google and Tripadvisor
“The activity was wonderful. The trek was quite challenging at times, but fun and worthwhile. The SUP paddleboarding was incredible, I loved swimming near the cave, I loved the food. The guides were lovely.”
Sara · ★★★★★ · Google
“Honestly the best thing we have done in Vietnam. Visiting E Cave was a once in a lifetime experience. The caves are majestic, millions of years old — a truly magical experience I’ll never forget. Highly recommend. A must-do when you visit Phong Nha.”
James R. · ★★★★★ · Tripadvisor
“This was unreal — the caves are new and not over commercialised, and it was an amazing experience. A day fully packed with adventure. If you are after a reasonable level of adventure and want to get off the beaten track, I highly recommend this tour.”
Emma T. · ★★★★★ · Tripadvisor
See all reviews on Google →
See all reviews on Tripadvisor →
