Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Trek - 6 Days. This expedition takes you to discover six incredible caves, including Dai Cao Cave, Maze Cave, Hang Ba Cave, Vinh Dai Cave, Light Cave, and Circle Cave. It is the best chance to catch a good view of the Milky Way and the Moon with your own eyes, enjoy the dark skies filled with stars and unpolluted by lights.This is a tour to the core zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, for those who are passionate about nature, conservation, wildlife and exploring caves in Vietnam. The area is home to many rare and protected animals, and plants. This unique limestone massif, covered by an ancient tropical forest thousands of years old, is home to many caves for those who are interested in cave exploration

Hang Ba tour itinerary may be changed due to weather conditions. The path can be quite muddy and slippery when it rains. The Hang Ba Jungle Expedition requires physical fitness and endurance. Participants must have previous trekking experience. On average, customers will have to complete 8-10 km of jungle trekking with difficult terrain, cave exploration and swimming in caves every day. Some of the climbing sections will be supported by safety assistants and using safety equipment provided by Us. When swimming in the cave, all guests and staff are required to wear life jackets. The activities on the tour are quite diverse, from early morning to late evening, and this is a proper expedition for trekking enthusiasts.

Day 1 : Safety Briefing – Phong Nha

Note: You need to be in Dong Hoi at the latest at 15:00 on this day. Our staff will pick you up from Dong Hoi airport/train station and take you to your hotel or homestay in Phong Nha.

At around 17:30 - 18:00: you will meet the tour guide and other members of the group at Phong Nha office or at the hotel’s lobby (where the group is staying) to have a safety briefing as well as receiving equipment for the tour. A safety briefing session is required before starting the Expedition to make sure that you completely understand the nature of the trip. Note that you need to carefully read and sign the "Release Form" following the safety briefing. We will provide you with a backpack and waterproof drum for valuables and electrical items.

19:30: The group has dinner together and then returns to the hotel.

Day 2 : Phong Nha - KM 23 Road 20 - Deep Jungle Trek - Dai Cao Cave - Dai Cao Campsite

You should pack your belongings into the dry bag provided by us and take it to the reception of your hotel before 7:30 am (maximum 7kg/person). The dry bags will be delivered to the porter team, who will take them directly to the campsite, which means you can not access these bags during the trek. If there is anything you need to use along the way, please put in your personal backpack (about 20L). The rest of your luggage and your valuables will be checked in at the Our Office.

The bus will arrive to pick everyone up at 09:00: guests should enjoy breakfast at the hotel before and be ready to depart at 9 am. You should prepare 2L of drinking water, as there is no water along the trail.

The bus will take the group to visit the information centre at the Botanical Gardens. Here you can see examples of rare animal and plant specimens from Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, as part of this nature discovery tour. After that, the bus will bring you to the drop-off point at KM23, on the Victory Road 20 deep inside the National Park to begin the expedition.

The journey to explore the jungle of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park starts with a steep uphill section, straight from the road. After 3km of generally uphill trekking, the route then goes downhill for most of the way. The entire path is covered by dense primaeval forest with rare and ancient trees hundreds of years old, and you may see some animal tracks. The group will stop for lunch along the way.

After lunch, the group will continue trekking to reach the exit of Dai Cao Cave in the mid-afternoon. Here the guide will show you the animal footprints on the floor inside the cave.

Donning life jackets the group will swim into Dai Cao Cave to reach the tall main passage of the cave. Here, you can see white fish and shrimp that are adapted to live in the total darkness of the cave. After that, the group will walk out of the cave for the first night at Dai Cao Campsite.

Having dinner at 18:00, relaxing, enjoying the quiet night or simply talking together and watching the night stars, the sound of the jungle will lull you to sleep.

Day 3 : Hang Ba – Circle Lake – Light Cave Campsite

Waking up at 5:00 a.m. everyone will sit together next to the stream at the campsite, and enjoy some tea and coffee. Observe the animal prints along the river bank, listen to the birds singing, and the calls of monkeys and other animals echoing throughout the mountains and jungle in the early morning (you can choose to stay at the campsite and not participate in this activity).

At 8:00 am, after having breakfast, guests will pack up their bags (the porter team will set off with the camp bags soon after) and prepare to explore Maze Cave - a beautiful cave with cave formations and amazing fossils. Trek and swim for around 30 minutes to reach the first entrance. In this cave, on a sunny day, you may see some sunbeams shining deep into the cave passage. The tour guide will identify the footprints of the wild animals.

Leaving Maze Cave guests will return to the campsite for lunch. After lunch, trek through the forest for about 2 km, admiring the many ancient and beautiful trees. Clamber over the rocks to reach the impressive entrance of Hang Ba - a cave with 3 cave exits and a beautiful green underground river. You won’t be able to stop taking pictures when you see these spectacular views. When you exit Hang Ba, the beautiful scenery of Circle Lake surrounded by limestone mountains and cliffs is revealed. Crossing this lake you will arrive at the second day’s campsite.

The camp is located in the middle of Light Cave, a short but beautiful cave with 2 magnificent cave arches.

Dinner will be served at 18:00, the group then take a break, enjoy the night in the cave or just quietly watch the starry sky and the milky way. It will guarantee to be an experience you won’t easily forget.

Day 4 : Morning Nature Concert - Circle Lake Cave – Vinh Dai Cave and Campsite

On day three of the journey, you will wake up at 5:00 am before dawn and paddle to Circle Lake to have some tea/coffee and listen to a special jungle concert. The sounds create a unique symphony. Don’t forget to check for animal footprints left on the sand during the night. To make the most of this nature and wildlife tour, be prepared to get up early and stay up late.

After enjoying breakfast at 8:00 am, customers can spend some time relaxing at Light Cave camp. The early morning sun illuminating both cave entrances will make you reach for your camera or phone.

After leaving Light Cave camp, the group will climb the steep hill above Circle Lake to explore Circle Lake Cave. The Circle Cave entrance is about 90 m wide and it is home to many animals. Camera traps are set up here and often capture some wildlife activity. Explore further into Circle Cave packed with endless cave formations and maybe see the sunbeams shining into this cave. Return to the campsite, take a rest and have lunch.

In the afternoon, carefully clamber over the rocky exit passage, before walking or swimming along the river to reach Vinh Dai Cave. Settle in at the campsite just inside Vinh Dai Cave and have a rest for tea and coffee before going to collect the memory card from the camera traps and reviewing the data from the previous days. Explore the main passage in Vinh Dai Cave, which also promises customers even more inspiring photo opportunities.

Return to the campsite and enjoy a delicious dinner at 18:00. After finishing dinner, move just outside the cave to relax and listen to the sounds of the jungle, look up to the stars above and make the most of your last night of the journey.

Day 5 : Vinh Dai Campsite - KM23 - Phong Nha

Guests can wake up a little later than normal and have breakfast at 9:00 am. Then pack your bags and prepare for the challenging trek to the pick-up point at Km 23 on Road 20. You should prepare 2L of drinking water, as there is no water along the trail. The day starts with a long and steep hike from the campsite. For the first hour or so the trek involves sharp rocky terrain and lots of climbing and scrambling. In some difficult sections, you will need to use safety harnesses and ropes fully supported and assisted by the guide and safety assistant team.

From the top of the rocky section, the route continues uphill in some way, but the terrain is much easier. The group will stop for a light lunch along the way, before the final downhill section. Depending on the speed of the group, guests will reach KM23, Victory Road 20 between 15:00 - 16:00. There will be an Our bus waiting to take you to Chay Lap Farmstay. After checking in, you can take your time to try some activities at Chay Lap such as:foot bath in Lot leaves, a herbal sauna or even a massage to restore your energy after a long jungle expedition.

At 18:00, at Chay Lap Farmstay's restaurant, the group members will receive a medal and enjoy dinner together.

Day 6 : Chay Lap Farmstay - Dong Hoi

You will have time to enjoy breakfast and take a rest at Chay Lap Farmstay until the driver picks you up for the transfer to the airport or train station.

If you have more time, do not forget to experience more of the peaceful landscape in this mountainous area through some easy tours or just cycling to explore Phong Nha - Ke Bang.

There are many places to visit around Chay Lap Farmstay such as Chay Lap Riverside Water Sports Center, Paradise Cave, Moọc Water Spring, Phong Nha Cave…etc.

Check-out time is 12:00 noon. Please let us know in advance if you would like to stay a few more nights at the farmstay.

If you still have the energy and enthusiasm for more adventure trips, Our' one-day to two-day tours to Tu Lan Cave System would be a great choice. This cave system is home to the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island. Experience the amazing landscape and have the feeling of being part of the legendary King Kong! 

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Tour price: Contact  us

Group size: 2 to 15 pax

Join in group tour departure date: Monthly

What to expect

Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Tour is a nature discovery tour, to explore the tropical forest of the core zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. We has designed this wildlife conservation tour for nature enthusiasts, devoted to conservation and passionate about adventure and exploring caves. This area is currently home to many rare and precious animal and plant species.

There are ancient forests which have existed for thousands of years and many species of birds. The National Park is also home to many unique caves, exciting for those who enjoy cave expiration.

Located in a remote area with difficult terrain, services are quite limited. Guests will be provided with tents, sleeping bags, and inflatable mattresses. More minimalistic than other Our tours, as the focus is on conservation and reducing our impact. 

The highlight of this tour focuses on wildlife conservation, whilst at the same time showing customers the activities and kinds of animals living in the National Park, without disturbing them or their activities. We has also learnt that ecotourism activities will deter local hunters and loggers, creating even more protection for these endangered species.

Guests who book the Hang Ba tour will be advised to exercise, gain physical fitness, and participate in outdoor trekking/hiking/camping activities in order to be fully prepared for the expedition. Good fitness will enhance the enjoyment of the tour. Whilst the tour is physically challenging that is not the aim of the trek. Guests participating in the tour must be nature enthusiasts as they will spend a lot of time contemplating nature, temporarily disconnected from computers, the internet and phone calls.

Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Tour is designed so that the duration and difficulty of each day is more or less the same. Guests are expected to be fit and capable enough to carry out most activities without assistance.

Preparation for the Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition

In order for you to have a great trip, We recommends you to have appropriate experience, and good physical fitness. Furthermore, take time to prepare the items you need for the Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition including trekking clothing, sun protection, trekking shoes and a backpack. Anything extra can be stored in Our’ Phong Nha Office.

Fitness preparation

Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Tour is rated as level 6 (Difficult) in Our Adventure’s tour levels. The tour is designed for all who enjoy outdoor activities and like to experience nature in general. The difficulty of the tour is based on the physical fitness and health of average, active people, not runners or athletes or intensively active people. To join a level 6 tour guests must exercise regularly and have trekking experience. You can learn more about "the Physical Activities" that Our Adventure advises visitors to complete before the trek here.

Items to bring on tour

Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Tour is a lengthy trekking tour in Quang Binh with many different terrains, so you must prepare for the trip properly. Customers will be asked to prepare suitable clothing for safety and comfort. Clothing should be good for trekking in the jungle, river crossings, or exploring the cave as well as avoiding dangers and risks from sharp rocks, snakes, insects, or poison ivy. Trekking shoes are very important for Hang Ba tour, therefore, visitors need to choose a good, well-fitting pair of shoes for steep rocky terrain and they should not be waterproof, as during river crossings they will hold water inside. Besides, they also need to prepare personal items for 4 days and 3 nights camping in the jungle and in the cave. The Our tour consultant will give you helpful advice before joining the Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Tour.

Provided by you (required)

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

  • 3-4 quick-dry, dark long-sleeved T-shirts
  • 2-3 quick-dry trekking pant
  • 1 waterproof jacket (in winter)
  • 1 pair of trekking shoes with good drainage
  • 4-5 pairs of calf-length, densely-woven socks
  • 1-2 campsite clothing set
  • 1 pair of sandals/slides for campsite
  • Swimwear

ACCESSORIES

  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
  • Mini fan

PERSONAL ITEMS

  • Towel
  • Underwear
  • Nature-friendly shampoo & soap
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Power banks
  • Passport
  • Antifungal foot powder

Provided by Us

  • Essential gear: camping, caving, and safety
  • PVC backpack
  • Basic trekking shoes (size 36-46)
  • Meals included
  • Water bottle (1L) and filter
  • Compost toilet, toilet paper, hand cleaner
  • Guided tour with chef and porter team
  • Shared dry box and semi-dry bag (15L)
  • First aid and medical rescue equipment
  • Night vision binoculars
  • Satellite phone
  • Secure storage at office

Optional

  • Arm cover if wearing short-sleeved T-shirts
  • Camera & Tripod
  • Ear plugs
  • Bandana or headband
  • Rehydration tablets
  • Blister prevention tape
  • Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Trek - 6 Days 1
  • Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Trek - 6 Days 1
  • Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Trek - 6 Days 2
  • Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition Trek - 6 Days 3
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