Dalat Countryside’s & 3 waterfalls Group Tour

Da Lat’s best day out may be the one that leaves the city behind. This small-group tour heads through Ta Nung, Nam Ban, Duc Trong, and nearby countryside, linking three waterfalls with coffee, silk, rice wine, flowers, and a cricket farm. It is part nature trip, part working-farm visit, and part cultural sampler.

I like the strong mix of stops, especially the contrast between the powerful falls and the hands-on visits to the silk factory and cricket farm. I also like the guides’ role in making a long day run smoothly. Alex, Tom, Cloe, Tai, and Porcupie are all praised by name for clear English, humor, and care with the group.

The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of ground, and not every stop will hold your attention equally. Datanla Waterfall is optional, its entrance and alpine coaster cost extra, and lunch is not included. Allow a full day, not a quick half-day outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Pongour and Elephant waterfalls are the main nature stops: Each receives about an hour, with entrance fees included.
• Datanla is an optional add-on: You pay separately for entry and the alpine coaster if you choose to ride.
• The tour is capped at 12 people: That keeps the group fairly small for a full-day road trip.
• The countryside visits are more than photo stops: You see silk production, cricket farming, rice wine making, and coffee processing.
• Guides make a real difference: Alex and Tom receive especially strong praise for their English, humor, and explanations.
• Lunch and drinks are extra: A meal can be arranged during the day, with one reported price of about 145,000 Vietnamese dong including a drink.

Why this Da Lat day trip works

At $21.02 per person, this is an unusually full package for a Da Lat outing. You get an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees for the main paid stops, and transport between scattered countryside sites.

The value comes from the variety. A private car could give you more control, but you would need to plan the route, arrange each stop, and find someone to explain what you are seeing. Here, the day is already linked together. You can watch the scenery pass by while your guide explains Da Lat and the surrounding areas.

The group size matters, too. With a maximum of 12 people, this is not an enormous coach tour. You still need to follow a shared timetable, but there is a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions. Pickups are offered, though you should confirm the exact meeting arrangement if your lodging is far outside central Da Lat. One unhappy account involved a late pickup and a drop-off issue connected to accommodation outside the city center, so clear communication here is sensible.

The day generally starts around 8:00 a.m. Some tour accounts describe pickup closer to 8:30 and a return around 6:00 p.m. That makes this a long day on the road, even though the advertised duration is 6 to 8 hours. Plan around the longer end of that range.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional coaster

Datanla Waterfall sits in Prenn Pass, about 5 kilometers south of Da Lat’s center. The setting is forested and the stop is designed for about an hour, but this visit is optional.

The important budget detail is that Datanla admission is not included. The alpine coaster also costs extra. If you want an active thrill and are happy to add another fee, the coaster gives this stop a different feel from the more natural waterfall visits.

If your priority is keeping the price low, you can skip the optional activity. That is also reasonable if you want more time at Pongour or Elephant Waterfalls. Ask your guide how the timing works on the day, since the listing includes Datanla as optional rather than a guaranteed part of the core route.

Pongour Falls, the grand outdoor stop

Pongour Falls is described as one of southern Vietnam’s finest waterfalls, and the tour gives you about an hour there. Its appeal is simple: this is one of the day’s major scenery stops, not just a quick roadside photo.

The entrance fee is included, which helps keep the advertised price honest. Wear shoes with a good grip and take care near wet ground. The supplied information does not promise a specific walking distance or trail condition, so you should be ready for uneven surfaces rather than expecting a paved attraction.

An hour is enough to see the falls and take photographs, but not enough for a long independent wander. That is the trade-off of a route with seven listed stops. You get a broad taste of the region instead of a slow, single-waterfall visit.

Elephant Waterfall beside Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Waterfall, or Thác Voi, lies about 25 kilometers from Da Lat on the Cam Ly River. The tour allows another hour here, and the stop pairs naturally with nearby Linh An Pagoda.

The waterfall is one of the emotional high points of the day. You get the sound and force of falling water, then a change of mood at the pagoda. Linh An was built in 1993 and sits with pine trees behind it and Elephant Falls in front. Long stone dragons line the entrance steps, and the site includes bonsai gardens and a large Lady Buddha image.

The pagoda entrance is free. You should treat it as a place of worship rather than just another sightseeing stop. Dress and behave respectfully, and let the guide explain what you are seeing. The supplied details do not specify a formal dress code, so simple, modest clothing is the safe choice.

Several people rate the three-waterfall portion as the strongest part of the tour. I understand why. The falls provide the day’s clearest sense of Da Lat’s natural setting, while the pagoda adds visual detail and a quieter cultural pause.

Nam Ban’s silk factory, where the process matters

The silk factory in Nam Ban gives you a look at how silk is produced by traditional methods. You do not just see finished products in a shop. You see the process and learn how much work is involved before silk becomes fabric.

This is a valuable stop for anyone who likes to understand the object in front of them. Silk can seem like a simple souvenir until you see the stages needed to produce it. The visit is scheduled for about an hour and admission is free.

Still, this is not a shopping-free guarantee. The tour description focuses on production, not on whether you will be encouraged to buy silk. If you are not interested in textiles, you may find this stop less exciting than the waterfalls. That is part of the honest picture: the day is designed to show how the countryside works, not to provide nonstop scenic viewpoints.

Cricket farming and Da Lat’s rice wine

At Thien An Cricket Farm, you see how crickets are raised for food. The stop also includes a demonstration of making rice wine, sometimes called happy water in the tour material.

This is one of the more unusual visits. You can learn about two food traditions that may be unfamiliar, and some participants choose to taste the crickets. If you are adventurous with food, this could be a memorable part of the day. If insects make you uneasy, you can simply observe.

The rice wine demonstration adds another layer because it connects the visit to household production rather than a polished tourist display. The tour includes the entrance fee, and the stop lasts about an hour.

I would keep your expectations practical. This is a working farm visit, not a museum with a long interpretive program. Your guide’s explanations will shape how much you get from it. Tai, Tom, and Alex are among the guides praised for making these stops entertaining and easy to follow.

Me Linh coffee plantation and weasel coffee

The Me Linh stop covers a coffee plantation and weasel coffee farm. Da Lat is strongly associated with coffee, so this is a useful chance to connect the drink in your cup with the plants and production around the city.

The visit is free and planned for about an hour. You will see coffee-growing country and learn about the weasel coffee operation. The information provided does not state that a tasting is included, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed coffee flight or a specific amount of time at a café.

This stop works best for curious drinkers and anyone interested in Vietnamese coffee culture. It may feel less essential if you have already visited several coffee farms. Paired with the silk and cricket visits, however, it gives the day a clear purpose: you are not only looking at Da Lat, you are seeing what the region produces.

The ride between Ta Nung, Nam Ban, and Duc Trong

The road time is not filler. The route passes flower farms, vegetable gardens, forests, and coffee plantations around Ta Nung, Nam Ban, Duc Trong, and Da Lat. Those views help explain why the city is known for farming as much as for cool weather and waterfalls.

You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, a welcome feature on a long day with repeated outdoor stops. The exact vehicle type is not specified, so do not assume luxury seating. The small maximum group of 12 is the more meaningful comfort point.

A good guide can turn the drives into part of the visit. Alex is praised for explaining the route in detail and for helping Spanish-speaking participants by translating with a phone when needed. Porcupie is described as a Da Lat native who speaks English and Chinese. Tom is repeatedly praised for humor and strong English. Guides can vary, but these names give you a useful sense of the standard to hope for.

Lunch, timing, and what to pack

Lunch is not included, and drinks are also your responsibility. One account describes a meal arranged in advance for around 145,000 Vietnamese dong, including a drink. That is a useful working estimate, but the tour information does not promise a fixed menu or price.

If you need breakfast, eat before pickup or ask for a short stop. One Spanish-speaking participant asked Alex to stop for a banh mi after missing breakfast, and the request was handled. That does not guarantee the same arrangement every day, but it is worth asking early rather than waiting until you are hungry.

Bring water, sun protection, and shoes suited to wet or uneven ground. A light rain layer is sensible because the experience requires good weather and includes several outdoor stops. Keep a little cash for lunch, drinks, Datanla, the alpine coaster, and any optional purchases.

The schedule can feel full. Each listed stop is about an hour, but pickup, road time, lunch, and group movement add up. One account describes leaving around 8:30 a.m. and returning close to 6:00 p.m. If you have an evening bus, train, or fixed dinner plan, leave a generous buffer.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you have only one free day around Da Lat and want more than a waterfall transfer. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the countryside, especially if you enjoy food production, farming, and short cultural visits.

It also suits solo visitors and couples who prefer a social small group to arranging a private driver. The 12-person limit keeps the outing personal enough without pushing up the price.

You may want another option if you dislike long road days or prefer to spend several hours at one waterfall. The silk factory, cricket farm, and coffee stop are not optional in the same way Datanla is, so you should accept the full mix before booking.

Most people can participate, but the waterfall areas may include uneven footing. The supplied information does not give detailed mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if you have specific access needs.

Booking, cancellation, and final decision

The tour has a 5.0 rating from 298 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation figure, with repeated praise for the organization, the waterfall stops, and guides such as Alex and Tom. One poor account raises concerns about a late pickup and drop-off outside central Da Lat, so confirm your hotel location and pickup time in advance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Bad weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety for a low price and are happy to spend most of a day on the road. The three waterfall stops, Linh An Pagoda, silk production, cricket farming, rice wine, and coffee make a satisfying introduction to Da Lat beyond the city center.

Skip it if your ideal day means slow pacing, private transport, or no commercial farm visits. For everyone else, the combination is hard to beat at $21.02, provided you budget for lunch, Datanla, and the coaster and confirm pickup details before departure.

FAQ

How long does the Da Lat countryside tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately 6 to 8 hours. Some accounts describe pickup around 8:30 a.m. and return close to 6:00 p.m., so you should allow most of the day.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. Pickup timing can vary, so confirm the exact time and meeting point after booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. If your accommodation is far outside central Da Lat, confirm whether pickup and drop-off at your exact address are included.

Which waterfalls are visited?

The route lists Datanla Waterfall as optional, plus Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall. The tour is promoted as a three-waterfall outing, but Datanla requires separate payment.

Are waterfall entrance fees included?

Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall entrance fees are included. Datanla admission is not included.

Is the alpine coaster included?

No. The alpine coaster at Datanla requires a separate ticket.

Is lunch included?

No. You pay for your own lunch and drinks. One reported meal cost was about 145,000 Vietnamese dong including a drink.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. An English-speaking guide is included. Guides named in the tour information and feedback include Alex, Tom, Cloe, Tai, and Porcupie.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and poor weather or an unmet minimum group size may result in a different date or a full refund.