Ma Da and Abandoned Valleys 2 days 1 night is a great well-rounded tour. It’s kind of a new mix and also one of the most affordable. This tour represents a great opportunity to experience authentic Vietnam whilst working with the local porters, supporting employment for local people, under the guidance of an internationally qualified local tour guide. Don’t miss it!

Ma Da valley  & Abandoned Valley 2 days 1 night locate in a remote area of the world heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. The Ma Da Valley was opened to tourism in August 2016. And both are traversed by part of the famous Ho Chi Minh trail.

Ma Da and Abandoned Valleys 2 days 1-night tour requires a total of 20km of primary jungle hiking on a small trail to explore the untouched jungle, swim in the crystal lake of Ma Da, enjoy jungle BBQ prepared by our local team, and swim into Tra Ang cave, explore the other end of the now-famous Dark cave, and swim into hanging E crystal river cave.

Trang An Cave

The Ma Da Valley combined with the Abandoned Valley makes a great 2-day tour, seeing 3 caves and camping in the jungle in a tent or hammock in the world heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Enjoy the jungle life!

* Activities: 20 km of jungle hiking, Swim in Ma Da crystal lake, Jungle BBQ, Swim into Tra Ang cave, Jungle side of Dark cave, Hang E cave.
* Adventure level: High – fitness for the challenging terrain of the 20km hike, 600m of swimming in Tra Ang cave, 300 of swimming in hang E cave, exploring Dark cave with rock climb. Not suitable for children under 15 years of age and people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Dark Cave

– 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: Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, Walking shoes or hiking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and insect repellent, Swimwear and a travel towel or Sarong, Dry cloth to change at a campsite, and flip-flops.

* Detailed time plan: 

– First day:

• 08:00 am: Pick up at the hotel in Phong Nha center and transfer to Jungle Boss Homestay.
• 08:30 am Team meeting to plan the trip and 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. Bring socks and perhaps blister band-aids, since shoes may rub against the skin after 6 hours of hiking.
• 08:45 am: Depart for Abandoned valley by van.

Abandoned Valley

• 09:15 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.

• 11:00 am: Reach the E cave. The highlight is Hang E water cave, it’s water source a freshwater spring deep within the cave that forms a beautiful turquoise pool around the cave’s mouth. You can swim 300m in the crystal clear spring from hang E, and explore the hang E river cave. As we swam deep into Hang E, you will be mesmerized by the acoustics inside. 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.
• 13:00 pm: Go ahead and reach the entrance of the Dark Cave. Break for Jungle BBQ lunch.

• 15:00 pm: Explore 500m inside the Dark Cave with the headlight. The trek through the back end of the dark cave is very difficult. You are climbing over large rocks and boulders, something exciting for intrepid travelers, but not for the faint of heart.

• 17:00 pm: Set up camp in front of the Dark Cave and have dinner.

– Second day:

• 07:00 am: Have to breakfast in the morning. Then continue the journey with new energy.
• 09:00 am: Do the next trekking through the jungle to get to the Ho Chi Minh road a different trail and transfer to Ma Da Valley. On this site, let’s wear sneakers cause the rocks are sometimes really sharp and slippery. Also, take a full bottle of mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves. There are many river crossings.

Ma Da Lake

• 10:00 am: Reach Ma Da Lake – swim into Ma Da crystal lake. You can swim in an utterly beautiful little lagoon. The natural pool is really wonderful and blue. And you can also dive from rocks into the water.
• 11:00 am: Start trekking to Tra Ang Cave. Some of the rocks outside Trang An felt particularly tricky. So you will need the guide’s help all the way. Your guide and porter always look out for how you are doing.

• 12:00 pm: Have lunch near Tra Ang Cave. Enjoy the jungle BBQ lunch that our porters prepared for you. Particular mention has to be made of the food – a huge amount of barbecue pork and tofu laid out on bamboo leaves with all the accompaniments to make your very own fresh spring rolls. What a delicious meal!

Ma Da and Abandoned Valleys 2 days 1-night

• 13:00 pm: Explore 600m into Tra Ang Cave with life jackets and head torches. It is an optional option depending on your health.
• 15:30 pm: Start trekking to be back to Ho Chi Minh road.
• 16:30 pm: Arrive at Ho Chi Minh Road, and enjoy a cold drink on the road. It’s a happy ending to a brilliant day!

• 17:00 pm: Transfer back to your hotel.

PRICE: 5,550,000 VND/pax – Group size from 2 to 14 people

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

Tour includes:

• Snacks on the trail and cold drinks by end of the tour
• Jungle BBQ, drink, and bottled water
• National Park Entrance fees and Park Ranger
• Trekking and caving gear
• Internationally qualified local tour guide speaking fluently English
• Porter team
• Transportation

Excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Tips (discretionary)