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Golden Cave & E Cave Tour Phong Nha – 1-Day, 2 Caves

★ 5/5 · 500+ reviews · Daily departures
2 caves in 1 day — the only gold stalactites in Phong Nha, then SUP paddle through the most stunning turquoise water cave in Abandoned Valley.

time

DURATION
1 Day

Level 3

RISK LEVEL
Challenging

7Age

AGE LIMIT
7-65 years old

People

QUANTITY
10-15 Pax

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.
  • Golden Cave — the only gold stalactites in Phong Nha Climb through karst terrain to reach Golden Cave, a 3-million-year-old fossil cave unlike anything else in the region. Moss-covered stalactites at the entrance give way to sparkling cave pearls, flowstone terraces, and a golden hall filled with rare gold stalactites — found nowhere else in Phong Nha.
  • SUP paddle inside the most beautiful turquoise water cave in Phong Nha After Golden Cave, 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. Swimming is optional — no experience needed.
  • Photos taken— included, no extra charge The Moc Nam team photographs you throughout the entire journey.
  • Suitable for children from age 7 (dry season) Dry season (April–August): open from age 7. Outside dry season: from age 12. If travelling with young children or guests with health conditions, please contact us in advance for a personalised assessment.

BASIC INFORMATION

  • Total distance: 9km
    + Trekking in the forest: 5km
    + Swimming / SUP: 2-3km
    + Climbing Karst terrian: 1km
    + Exploring Golden Cave: 600m
    + Swimming/SUP total: 2-3km
  • Total Schedule: 8 hours
  • Elevation terrain: 494m
  • 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 2-4 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 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: Afternoon snack — 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 stalactites in Phong Nha.
  • 1:15 PM: Lunch at the basecamp.
  • 1:45–3:30 PM: Swim or SUP paddle 1.2–1.5km into E Cave — the most beautiful turquoise water cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Outdoor activities at the cave entrance: SUP, snorkeling, volleyball,…
  • 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

Map AB GE

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?
+
Yes. 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.
Does the tour run in the rain?
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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?
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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 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 does the price include?
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Included: National Park fees, tour guide + safety team, all exploration equipment, return transport from Phong Nha, snack + lunch + 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

“We started with a medium hard trek and got to the Golden Cave — it was so intact and untouched, it was amazing. After this we had a delicious lunch and then did paddle boarding inside E Cave, which was amazing as well. The crew kept a great mood on the trip, it almost felt like a party.”

Lena K. · ★★★★★ · Tripadvisor

“It was amazing discovering the beauty of Golden Cave in a small group. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. After that, a nice fresh lunch at the camp — then supping through E Cave with its emerald blue water. Epic! A very adventurous and challenging day, but the team made sure everything went smoothly.”

Mark T. · ★★★★★ · Google

“We had an amazing tour to the Abandoned Valley, E Cave, and Golden Cave. They took care of everything, guided us through the trails, and were the nicest people we met. Honestly one of the best days I’ve had in Vietnam. Highly recommend!”

Sophie R. · ★★★★★ · Google


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✅ Daily departures — flexible date selection
✅ Free cancellation if notified 24 hours in advance
✅ Quick confirmation after payment
✅ Travel insurance up to VND 50,000,000 per person

Price / person: $81.90
Quantity: 1
Total: $81.90

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