Orivia Travel · Private tours of Vietnam

Phong Nha Caves & Hue: Jungle, Rivers and Royal Tombs

Four days in the karst forests of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, a UNESCO site with some of the largest caves on earth, then on to the old royal capital of Hue.

  • Duration: 4 days · 3 nights
  • Start: Dong Hoi · End: Hue
  • Route: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha – Paradise Cave – Hue
  • Departure: Daily, private tour
  • Meals: 3 breakfasts · 3 lunches · 1 dinner
  • Accommodation: 2 nights riverside lodge in Phong Nha, 1 night heritage hotel in Hue
  • Travel style: Nature & landscapes, Adventure & trekking, Culture & heritage
  • Price: from US$540 per person, based on two travellers sharing on a private tour
  • Tour code: EN-CEN-002

Tour overview

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is a vast limestone massif on the Lao border, covered in rainforest and riddled with caves. Some, like Paradise Cave, are lit by a wooden walkway and easy for anyone; others you reach by kayak or by swimming. This short trip mixes the two, with nights in a lodge by the Son river rather than a city hotel. It ends in Hue, two and a half hours away, where you can join the Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang tour or fly onward.

Highlights

  • Boat along the Son river into Phong Nha cave
  • Paradise Cave: 1 km of wooden boardwalk among huge stalagmites
  • Kayak and zipline at the Dark Cave on the Chay river
  • Cycling through farm villages around Phong Nha
  • Hue Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu pagoda on the last day

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dong Hoi – Phong Nha village

Meals: D

Getting around: private car, cycling

Pick-up at Dong Hoi airport or station and a 50 minute drive to Phong Nha village. In the late afternoon, cycle through rice fields and duck farms to a local family's house for a home-cooked dinner.

Day 2: Phong Nha cave and the Dark Cave

Meals: B, L

Getting around: boat, walking, private car

Take a dragon boat along the Son river straight into the mouth of Phong Nha cave, gliding past rock formations in the dark. After lunch, head to the Chay river for the Dark Cave: a zipline in, a swim through mud baths inside and a kayak back. Swimwear needed; non-swimmers can stay on the riverbank.

Day 3: Paradise Cave – drive to Hue

Meals: B, L

Getting around: private car, walking

Walk through Paradise Cave on a wooden boardwalk that goes a full kilometre inside, with chambers tall enough to hold a cathedral. After lunch, drive south along the coast to Hue, arriving in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Hue Imperial City – departure

Meals: B, L

Getting around: walking, boat, flight

Morning in the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, then a boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda. Transfer to Phu Bai airport, or continue to Hoi An by car if you are joining another tour.

What's included

  • Private English-speaking guide on every sightseeing day
  • Private air-conditioned car or van with driver for all transfers
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off on arrival and departure days
  • Hotels as listed, twin or double room with daily breakfast
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner)
  • Entrance fees and boat tickets for every visit in the itinerary
  • Bottled water and cold towels in the car every day
  • 24/7 hotline with the Orivia operations team in Hanoi
  • Phong Nha cave boat, Paradise Cave and Dark Cave tickets with safety gear

Not included

  • International flights and Vietnam visa fees
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Drinks with meals, personal expenses and laundry
  • Tips for guides and drivers (optional)
  • Single room supplement

Enquire about this tour or plan a tailor-made trip

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Most travellers can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries, can visit visa-free for a set number of days. Rules change from time to time, so check the official portal before you book flights. We are happy to look at your nationality and dates for you.

When is the best time to travel in Vietnam?

Vietnam is long, so the weather depends on the region. The North is cool and dry from October to April and hot from May to September. The centre around Hue and Hoi An is best from February to August, with heavy rain from October to December. The South is warm all year, with a dry season from December to April. A North to South trip works well in spring, from February to April.

Are the tours private or in a group?

Every tour on this site is private: you travel only with your own party, with your own guide and driver. That means you choose the start date, the pace and where to stop. Overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay are shared boats, but you have your own cabin.

What does the price per person include?

Prices are per person, based on two travellers sharing a twin or double room. They cover the guide, private transport, hotels with breakfast, the meals listed, entrance fees and boat tickets. Groups of three or more pay less per person; solo travellers pay a single supplement. Your quote will show the exact price for your party and travel dates.

Can you change an itinerary for us?

Yes, almost all of our travellers change something: an extra night on the beach, a cooking class, a slower day for children, or a different hotel. Tell us what you would like and we will send a revised plan and price, free of charge.

How do I book and pay?

Send an enquiry from any tour page or the tailor-made form. A travel designer replies within one working day with a plan and quote. Nothing is booked and nothing is paid until you confirm. To secure hotels and cruises we then ask for a deposit by bank transfer or card, with the balance due before arrival. The exact terms are written in your quote.