Abandoned valley and E cave trek is an amazing tour and a must-do for anyone traveling to Vietnam. You will have a chance to explore the Vietnamese tropical forest. And also experience the history of the Vietnam – American war as you trek along the narrow track. It’s definitely worth the journey!

ABANDONED VALLEY AND E CAVE TREK

The Abandoned Valley is a remote area of the world heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. It is traversed by part of the famous Ho Chi Minh trail. Additionally, under the guidance of an internationally qualified local tour guide, with the support of a team of local porters. Hence, this tour represents a great opportunity to get into the jungle and experience authentic Vietnam whilst supporting employment for local people.

Abandoned Valley and E cave trek

Abandoned Valley and E cave trek includes four hours’ worth of jungle trekking, a 300-meters foray into the front end of Dark Cave, and a barbecue. Then, we swim into E Cave – one of the most accessible river caves in the area. After visiting the Abandoned Valley and E cave trek, you will realize that it’s one of the best tours around.

E cave

* Activities: 12km of Jungle Trekking, Explore Dark cave, Jungle BBQ, Swim in hang E cave
* Adventure level: Medium-high – fitness for the challenging terrain of the 12km hike. Thus, it is not suitable for children under 15 years of age and people has been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

– Gear provided: Vietnamese soldier trekking boots if required (we suggest bringing your trekking shoes just in case our boots don’t suit you), headlight, helmet, gloves, and life jacket.
– Gear to bring: Trekking clothes (long trousers and shirt), personal toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, and swimming gear.

* Detailed time plan: 

• 07:30 am: Pick up at the hotel and transfer to Jungle Boss Homestay.
• 08:00 am: Team meeting to plan the trip, clarify rules and regulations in the National Park. Water trekking shoes, lunch, and water provided. Definitely use the water trekking shoes provide, otherwise, your nice shoes will be soaked for days. In addition, bring socks and perhaps blister band-aids, since shoes may rub against the skin after 6 hours of hiking.
• 08:30 am: Depart for Abandoned valley by motorbike or car (dependant on weather and group size).

Visitors swim at the lake

• 09:00 am: Arrive at the trek departure point and start trekking through the jungle to the abandoned valley. As we trekked through the unpaved Ho Chi Minh trail, you will find yourselves deep in the lush Phong Nha forest. Plus, the sun may shining on everything that day, and butterflies beach on the river fluttered all around us each time we passed through a little stream.

Abandoned Valley and E cave trek-Phong Nha private car

• 11:00 am: Arrive at the Dark cave exit.

• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Explore 500m inside a Dark cave. The trek through the back end of the dark cave is very difficult. Besides, you are climbing over large rocks and boulders, something exciting for intrepid travelers, but not for the faint of heart. If this is scary for you, you can hang out outside the cave with one of the guides.
• 12:30 pm: Start trekking along the river to E cave.

E cave

• 13:30 pm: Arrive at the entrance of E cave, BBQ lunch, swim in the crystal clear spring from E cave, and explore hang En river cave. The highlight was Hang E water cave, it’s a water source that is a freshwater spring deep within the cave that forms a beautiful turquoise pool around the cave’s mouth. Moreover, as we swam deep into E cave, you will be mesmerized by the acoustics inside. Plus, every whisper and drop of water echoed deep within the wall chambers, setting a strangely beautiful tone as you swam deeper into the darkness of the cave.  It is a truly magical day.

E cave trek tour

• 15:30 pm: Start trekking on a different trail in the abandoned valley to Ho Chi Minh road.
• 17:30 pm: Arrive at the Ho Chi Minh road, enjoy cold drinks on the road.

• 17:45 pm: Drive back to Phong Nha village and to your hotel.
• 18:15 pm: Arrive at your hotel in Phong Nha area. Tour ends!

PRICE: 1,740,000 VND/pax – Group size is from 2 to 14 people.

Note: If your hotel is in Dong Hoi city, the surcharge is 30 USD.

Tour includes:

• Snacks on the trail and cold drinks by end of the tour
• BBQ lunch
• National Park Entrance fees and Park Ranger
• Trekking and caving gear
• Internationally qualified local tour guide speaking fluently English
• Porter team
• Transportation by easy rider or car (during the tour at Phong Nha)

Excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Tips (discretionary)