Da Lat: 3 Waterfalls Tour (Datanla – Elephant – Pongour)

Waterfalls are only half the story. This full-day outing combines Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant waterfalls with a silk factory, cricket farm, coffee plantation, pagoda, and bamboo workshop. I like the broad mix of scenery and local industries, and I like that an English-speaking guide such as Su, Vinh, Andy, Bao, or Ace can turn a long driving day into an informative one. The main caution is its packed schedule, plus the current notice that Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational problem.

At about $25.30 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want to see far more than you could manage easily by taxi. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, and most entrance fees. I would not choose it if you want long, quiet visits at each waterfall, since some stops last only 30 minutes and the minibus may feel cramped.

Five things to know before booking

• Three major waterfalls in one day: Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Falls form the natural core of the outing.
• Pongour is the scenic favorite: Its broad, seven-level cascade is often the most impressive stop.
• The cultural stops are genuine but sales-oriented: Silk, coffee, bamboo, and cricket visits add variety, though some places encourage purchases.
• Datanla has an optional alpine coaster: The ride costs extra, and you can walk toward the waterfall instead.
• The guide matters: Su, Andy, Ace, Vinh, Bao, Quy, and Tin Tin are praised for humor, clear English, and local knowledge.
• Check Elephant Waterfall before departure: The supplied tour details say it is temporarily closed, so the advertised experience may change.

What the $25.30 price really covers

This is a value tour built around transport. Da Lat’s waterfalls and countryside attractions spread well beyond the city center, and arranging separate rides to Datanla, Pongour, Elephant Falls, Linh An Pagoda, and the coffee area would take time and money. The tour bundles those transfers into a seven to eight-hour day.

The price includes pickup and drop-off, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and entrance fees except at Datanla. That last exception matters because Datanla’s alpine coaster is optional and paid separately. Lunch is also extra, although the schedule leaves room for a restaurant stop.

For me, the strongest value comes from the range of stops. You are not paying only to look at waterfalls for a few minutes. You also see how silk is processed, how crickets are raised, how coffee is grown and served, and how bamboo is shaped into useful goods.

There are limits. A small vehicle can mean little legroom and tight shoulder space, especially when the tour reaches its maximum of 15 people. At some commercial stops, coffee and other products cost more than they do in central Da Lat. Treat purchases as optional, not as part of the tour’s value.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional alpine coaster

Datanla sits about five kilometers south of Da Lat, in the Prenn Pass area. Its setting among thick greenery gives the first waterfall a quick hit of nature without a long drive from town.

The scheduled visit is about 40 minutes, which is enough to see the site and decide if you want the alpine coaster. The coaster is not included. It is the tour’s most obvious thrill ride, and some people choose it instead of walking down toward the falls.

You can also skip the ride and walk. One guide, Andy, reportedly walked with the group to the first waterfall, which is useful if you prefer scenery to machinery. I would ask the guide how much walking time is available before paying for the coaster, because a short stop can feel rushed if you try to do everything.

Datanla is a good opening stop because it is easy to reach and offers a choice between a calm walk and an amusement-style experience. If you want a slow forest visit, though, 40 minutes may not satisfy you.

Pongour’s seven cascading levels

Pongour Waterfall lies about 50 kilometers south of Da Lat in Duc Trong District. It takes more road time to reach, but the setting rewards the effort. The falls spread across seven broad cascades, giving you a wider and more powerful view than a single narrow drop.

The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes and admission is included. I would make Pongour a priority if you enjoy taking in the overall shape of a waterfall rather than chasing a ride or viewpoint. Several accounts of the day describe Pongour as the best of the three, and that judgment makes sense from the description of its broad, tiered flow.

The short visit is the drawback. You will have time to look around and take photographs, but not necessarily to linger beside the water. If your main goal is a quiet waterfall picnic, this tour is not designed for that.

Water levels and appearance can change with weather and season. The supplied information does not promise a particular flow, so keep expectations flexible. Even so, Pongour is the stop I would most want to protect if time becomes tight.

Elephant Waterfall and the closure warning

Elephant Waterfall, also called Thac Voi, is described as one of Da Lat’s most powerful falls. The attraction includes a windy cave beneath the waterfall, which gives it a more rugged feel than Datanla’s organized recreation area.

The important practical point is the closure notice. The current tour details say Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue, although the description still refers to enjoying the waterfall. That conflict means you should confirm the situation before booking or again before departure.

When open, the stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes and admission is free. The short time suggests a focused visit rather than a long walk. If the closure remains, the operator may alter what you see there, but no replacement is specified, so I would not assume another major attraction will be added.

This is the biggest uncertainty in the itinerary. The tour still has plenty of content without Elephant Falls, but the title promises three waterfalls. Ask Viet Challenge Tours for the latest condition if seeing all three is essential to you.

Linh An Pagoda and the giant Lady Buddha

Linh An Pagoda sits about 33 kilometers from Da Lat and is known here for its very large Lady Buddha statue. The scheduled visit lasts 30 minutes, and admission is included.

The pagoda gives the day a useful change of pace. After waterfalls and road travel, you get a religious site with a strong visual focal point. The statue is the reason to visit, while the pagoda adds a cultural setting that a waterfall-only trip would miss.

Do not expect a long temple visit. Thirty minutes allows time to see the main feature and walk around, but not to study every corner. One account found the temple less special than the waterfalls, so I would treat it as a worthwhile supporting stop rather than the main reason to book.

Dress and behave respectfully at the pagoda. The provided details do not set a dress code, but normal temple courtesy remains sensible.

Seeing silk go from cocoon to fabric

The Cuong Hoan Silk Factory offers one of the day’s most useful demonstrations. You can see the process from cocoon to finished fabric, including the older method of removing silk from cocoons.

This stop adds practical meaning to a product you might otherwise see only in a shop. I like visits that show the work behind a souvenir, and this one can help you judge silk products with a sharper eye.

The visit is scheduled for 30 minutes and admission is included. It is brief, but the process is distinctive enough to make the stop worthwhile. You might also encounter the pupae inside the cocoons. Some people find tasting them interesting, while others will prefer to pass.

The factory may encourage shopping. That does not cancel out the value of the demonstration, but keep your wallet closed unless you genuinely want silk. You can learn from the process without buying anything.

Cricket farming, bamboo, and local work

At Thien An Cricket Farm, the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. You may also see or taste dishes made from crickets. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and admission is included.

This is one of the more unusual stops, and it gives you a direct look at a small local food business. I would call it a curiosity stop rather than a must-see attraction. If you dislike insects, you can simply listen to the explanation and skip the tasting.

The schedule also includes bamboo knitting in Lam Ha District. This stop is free and lasts about 30 minutes. The appeal is watching a practical craft rather than visiting a polished tourist sight.

Together, the cricket farm and bamboo workshop make the day feel less like a string of viewpoints. You get a glimpse of work, food, and craft in the Da Lat countryside. The trade-off is time: each extra stop reduces the minutes available at the waterfalls.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and the price question

Me Linh Coffee Garden lies about 23 kilometers southwest of central Da Lat, reached via the winding Ta Nung Pass. The coffee plantation is one of the tour’s better countryside stops, especially if you want to understand Da Lat’s coffee culture beyond ordering a cup in town.

You can see coffee plants described as cherry, robusta, and arabica. The tour also offers original weasel coffee, but the coffee and tasting are self-funded. That distinction is important because prices at the plantation can be much higher than coffee in central Da Lat.

I like this stop for the setting and the chance to connect a drink with the plants that produce it. I would not buy an expensive cup simply because it is offered. Ask the price first, then decide if the tasting is worth it for you.

The winding pass adds scenic value, but road travel is part of the day. If you get carsick, bring any usual remedy and use the bottled water provided.

A guide can make or break this long day

The tour covers many subjects, so a good guide has a lot to do. The strongest guide comments focus on people who explain local details in clear English while keeping the mood relaxed.

Quy is praised for delivering a lot of information without making the day feel like a lecture. Su is described as dedicated and funny, with answers to almost every question. Andy is noted for excellent English and for giving people time to wander alone. Ace is praised for professionalism and friendliness, while Vinh, Bao, Joan, and Tin Tin also receive warm comments for humor, courtesy, or local insight.

Guides such as Tin Tin reportedly add legends and jokes to the stops, and one guide known as Boss Man was recognized around town. Those details matter because the vehicle time is substantial. A quiet or poorly prepared guide would make the transfers drag, while a good one turns the road into part of the experience.

Guide assignments are not guaranteed, so do not book solely to request one person. You can mention a preferred guide, but the tour’s actual strength is the general quality of its guiding team.

Timing, group size, and comfort

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts roughly seven to eight hours. Pickup is offered, and the group can reach a maximum of 15 people. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate.

The schedule is tightly arranged. Datanla receives about 40 minutes, while Pongour, Elephant Falls, Linh An Pagoda, the silk factory, the cricket farm, Me Linh Coffee Garden, and bamboo knitting each receive about 30 minutes. That rhythm lets you cover a great deal, but it leaves little room for delays or extended exploration.

The minibus is air-conditioned, which helps on a long day. Still, one account found it cramped, with limited leg and shoulder room. If you are tall or dislike close quarters, contact the operator before booking and ask what vehicle is planned.

Lunch is not included. The day may include a restaurant stop, but the meal cost is yours. Bring some cash for lunch, coffee, optional rides, and any products you may want to buy.

Children under 90 centimeters can join free with an infant ticket. Children from 90 to 110 centimeters use the child fare at 50 percent off, and children above 110 centimeters require an adult ticket. Use height rather than age when selecting the fare.

Who should book this Da Lat outing?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Da Lat and want a broad introduction to the countryside. It suits people who enjoy mixing nature with food, farming, crafts, religious sites, and a little adventure.

It is also a smart choice if you do not want to arrange multiple long taxi rides. The included vehicle, guide, water, and entrance fees make the $25.30 cost easy to justify, especially for solo visitors or small groups.

I would think twice if you want a slow, photography-focused waterfall day. The 30-minute stops are efficient, not leisurely. I would also hesitate if the Elephant Waterfall closure is still active and seeing three open waterfalls is your main reason for booking.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book it if you value variety and convenience over long visits. Three waterfall stops, a pagoda, silk production, coffee plants, crickets, and bamboo make this far more than a simple sightseeing shuttle.

Before paying, confirm the status of Elephant Waterfall and ask about the vehicle size. If those points work for you, the low price and strong guiding make this one of the more useful full-day ways to see Da Lat beyond the city center.

FAQ

How long does the Da Lat waterfall tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours and starts at 8:30 a.m.

Which waterfalls are included?

The tour is designed to visit Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall, also called Thac Voi. The supplied information says Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed, so confirm its current status before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price, and you should budget separately for the meal.

Is the alpine coaster included?

No. The alpine coaster at Datanla is optional and costs extra. You can choose to walk toward the waterfall instead.

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and entrance fees except for Datanla Waterfall are included.

What child ticket should I choose?

Children under 90 centimeters can use an infant ticket for free. Children from 90 to 110 centimeters use a child ticket at 50 percent off. Children above 110 centimeters use an adult ticket.