Highlights
• A 2,000-hectare wilderness — no crowds, no phone signal. Trek through Moc Nam’s licensed operating area of 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 a crystal-clear 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.
• Photography — free of charge. The Moc Nam team took photos throughout the trip. Video recording was also supported using the tourist’s equipment.
• 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,…
• One of the few 1-day cave tours 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.
- 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. See our full packing guide.
- 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 2-15 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?
+
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. More in
Phong Nha caves for non-swimmers.
Does the tour run in the rain?
+
Yes. The tour runs daily all year, including the rainy season (September to December). Rain alone does not cancel it. Moc Nam postpones only when storms, floods or other severe weather make the route unsafe for guests and staff, and we message you on WhatsApp as early as we can. You can then move to another date free of charge, or take a full refund if no new date works for you.
What is E Cave like in the rainy season?
+
For most of the season the water turns a deep jade green, similar to Trang An in Ninh Binh or the Nho Que River in Ha Giang. After a very heavy downpour it can run brown for 3 to 5 days before it clears. Either way, the tour runs and SUP paddling inside the cave works as normal. Expect wet rock and mud on the trail; we lend jungle trekking sandals if your shoes lack grip. From September to March the minimum age is 10. More in our guide to
Phong Nha in the rainy season.
What age is suitable for this tour?
+
This is one of the few 1-day cave tours in Phong Nha that accept 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?
+
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?
+
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
★★★★★ 5.0 · 790+ reviews on Google and 230+ on Tripadvisor
“They did everything to make sure everyone enjoyed the trip, they even carried children on their backs when they got too tired during the trek to the cave. My daughter and I really enjoyed going into the cave with the paddle board and the swimming.”
Ariane · ★★★★★ · Google · July 2026
“The route was beautiful and slightly challenging, but definitely manageable. The cave was really impressive, and swimming and paddling on the SUP boards inside was a very cool and unique experience. The food was also excellent – fresh, tasty, and there was more than enough for everyone.”
Marek A. · ★★★★★ · Google · June 2026
Read more reviews of the E Cave day tour
