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

Da Lat’s best day trips do not stop at waterfalls. This one links Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Waterfall with coffee, silk, crickets, bamboo work, and a towering Buddha statue. You get a broad look at the countryside without arranging several rides yourself.

I like the variety and the low $25.30 price. I also like the guides’ personal style: Su, Vinh, Bao, Ace, Andy, Tin Tin, and Quy are all praised for humor, clear English, and local stories. The main caution is time. Seven or eight hours is packed, and Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational problem.

Key points to know before booking

• Three waterfalls in one day: Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Waterfall anchor the outing, though Elephant may remain closed.
• Pongour is the star for many visitors: Its broad, seven-level cascade gets about 30 minutes on the schedule.
• The countryside stops are part of the value: You visit a silk factory, cricket farm, coffee garden, pagoda, and bamboo workshop.
• The alpine coaster costs extra: Datanla’s ride is optional, and its admission is not included.
• Guides make a real difference: Su, Vinh, Bao, Ace, Andy, Tin Tin, and Quy are praised for warmth, humor, and useful local detail.
• Expect a full minibus day: Pickup and bottled water are included, but one report found the vehicle cramped.

Why this Da Lat tour is more than a waterfall run

The simple version of this outing is three waterfalls south and southwest of Da Lat. The better description is a countryside sampler, with waterfalls used as the main thread.

You begin around 8:30 a.m. and spend roughly 7 to 8 hours on the road. Along the way, you see how the area earns its living: coffee growing, silk production, cricket raising, and bamboo weaving. That mix gives the day more meaning than a quick series of viewpoints.

I especially like this format if you have only a short stay in Da Lat. You can see natural sights and local industries in one organized trip, with pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, entrance fees at most stops, and an English-speaking guide included.

The tradeoff is that this is not a slow nature walk. Most stops are scheduled for about 30 minutes, with Datanla receiving 40 minutes. If you want long hikes, quiet time beside the water, or careful photography, the schedule may feel tight.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional alpine coaster

Datanla sits in the Prenn Pass area, about 5 kilometers south of central Da Lat. It is the most convenient waterfall on the route and the place where you can add an alpine coaster ride if you want a burst of speed.

The waterfall is set among thick natural surroundings, and the coaster is the main extra attraction. Some people choose the ride, while others walk toward the falls. The tour allows about 40 minutes here, so you need to decide quickly if the coaster is worth your time.

The alpine coaster is not included in the price, and the Datanla entrance ticket is also excluded. That matters when you compare the advertised fare with your likely final spending. The base price remains reasonable, but a ride, food, drinks, and optional purchases at later stops will add to it.

I would treat Datanla as a choice point. If you enjoy amusement rides, pay for the coaster and accept less wandering time. If you prefer scenery, skip the ride and use the time to walk toward the waterfall.

Pongour’s seven cascades

Pongour Waterfall lies in Duc Trong District, about 50 kilometers south of Da Lat. It is described as a series of seven cascades, with water spreading across a broad rock formation rather than dropping in one narrow stream.

This is the waterfall I would most want to see on the route. The scale makes it feel different from Datanla, and the setting gives you a strong sense of the Central Highlands outside the city.

The scheduled visit is only 30 minutes. That is enough to see the falls and take photographs, but it is not generous if you want to walk around at an easy pace. Wear shoes with a good grip, since waterfall areas can be damp and uneven. The tour information does not promise a long hike, so you should think of this as a scenic stop rather than a full trail outing.

Pongour is included without an extra admission charge. That helps the tour’s value, particularly when combined with the other included sites.

Elephant Waterfall and the current closure

Elephant Waterfall, also called Thac Voi, is known for its force and for the windy cave beneath the falls. Under normal conditions, this would be one of the day’s major natural stops.

At present, the waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. The itinerary still includes the stop, but you should not book this day expecting access to the main waterfall area or the cave. The available information says you can still enjoy the surrounding view, but it does not promise a full visit.

This is the most important condition to check before you pay. The tour is marketed around three waterfalls, yet the experience may effectively become two accessible waterfalls plus a view near Elephant Waterfall.

The nearby Linh An Pagoda helps make the stop worthwhile even with the closure. If the waterfall has reopened by your date, you may get a stronger visit than expected. If not, the pagoda and countryside views still provide part of the day’s cultural interest.

Linh An Pagoda and the giant Lady Buddha

Linh An Pagoda is about 33 kilometers from Da Lat and is known for its very large Lady Buddha statue. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and admission is included.

This is not a long temple visit. You get time to look around, take in the statue, and listen to the guide explain the site. Guides such as Tin Tin are praised for adding legends and local stories with humor, which can make a short stop feel more substantial.

The pagoda also changes the rhythm of the day. After several road and waterfall stops, a religious site offers a quieter pause. Keep your expectations sensible: the scheduled half hour is enough for an introduction, not a detailed temple study.

From cocoon to cloth at Cuong Hoan Silk Factory

At Cuong Hoan Silk Factory, you can see the silk process from cocoon to finished fabric. The factory maintains an older method of removing silk from cocoons, making the visit more about production than shopping alone.

I find this kind of stop useful because it shows the work behind a familiar souvenir. You see that silk is not simply a finished scarf on a shelf. The guide can explain the stages, while the factory demonstrates the practical process.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes and is included. Some visitors are comfortable seeing the pupae inside the cocoons, while others are not. If you are sensitive to food or insect-related displays, keep that in mind. The stop is educational, but it may not suit everyone’s stomach.

Cricket farming, tasting, and a local surprise

The Thien An cricket farm offers a look at how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. The owner guides you through the process, and the farm may offer cricket dishes for tasting.

This is one of the tour’s more unusual moments. You can also encounter rice wine during the visit, giving the stop a distinctly local and informal feel. The experience is not just a photo opportunity. It introduces a small-scale food business and a source of protein that may be new to you.

You are not required to enjoy the tasting. If eating insects is outside your comfort zone, you can simply watch the demonstration and move on. The half-hour schedule keeps the visit short enough for curious newcomers.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and weasel coffee

Me Linh Coffee Garden is around 23 kilometers southwest of central Da Lat, reached by the winding Ta Nung Pass. The setting is part of the appeal, since the drive gives you a look at the countryside beyond the city.

The garden grows several types of coffee, including cherry, robusta, and arabica. You can also learn about original weasel coffee and see a weasel at the farm. Coffee tasting is self-paid, so it is not included in the tour fare.

This is where you need to watch your spending. Coffee at the plantation can cost about three times the price of a cup in central Da Lat, according to one detailed account. I would visit for the growing information and setting first, then decide if the tasting is worth the premium.

For coffee fans, this may be one of the most memorable stops. For anyone focused only on waterfalls, it can feel like a sales-oriented pause. You have the choice to enjoy the garden without buying a drink.

Bamboo knitting in Lam Ha District

The bamboo craft stop in Lam Ha District lasts about 30 minutes and is free. It adds another working-countryside detail to a day already covering silk and coffee.

You can see how bamboo becomes useful household or decorative goods through handwork. The stop is brief, but it gives you a different kind of local contact than a formal attraction.

As with the silk factory, the value is in seeing a process. You are not only passing through scenic country. You are seeing materials, skills, and small businesses connected to daily life in the Da Lat area.

The guides can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is the human one. Guides named Su, Vinh, Bao, Ace, Andy, Tin Tin, and Quy receive especially warm praise for humor, strong English, patience, and local knowledge. That does not mean you can request a particular guide with certainty, but it shows the company has several guides who add character to the route.

Andy, for example, is praised for explaining the stops while still giving people time to wander alone. Su is described as dedicated and able to answer questions, while Ace is credited with making the day memorable and even helping arrange a taxi to the airport afterward.

That balance matters. A guide who talks constantly can make a busy tour tiring. A guide who explains nothing leaves you with a series of pretty pictures. The best reports point to a useful middle ground: stories on the road, then personal time at the falls.

The tour has a maximum of 15 people. That is small enough for a more personal guide experience than a large coach, though the minibus can feel cramped. One account specifically notes limited leg and shoulder room, so tall people may want to keep this in mind.

What the $25.30 price really covers

At $25.30 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want transport and a wide range of stops. Pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and most entrance fees are included.

The exclusions are important:

• Datanla entrance is not included.
• The alpine coaster is optional and costs extra.
• Lunch is not included.
• Coffee at Me Linh is self-paid.

The itinerary includes a restaurant stop according to one account, but the meal itself is not part of the fare. Bring cash for food, drinks, the coaster, coffee, and any purchases at the silk or craft stops.

I see the price as especially good for solo visitors or couples who would otherwise need to hire a private car. It is less attractive if you already have a driver, dislike commercial stops, or want to spend most of the day at only one or two waterfalls.

Who should book this full-day route

I would recommend it to you if you want a busy but varied day outside Da Lat. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families who can manage a long day, and anyone curious about coffee, silk, food traditions, and local crafts.

Children’s pricing is based on height:

• Under 90 centimeters: choose the infant ticket for free entry.
• From 90 to 110 centimeters: choose the child ticket at 50 percent off.
• Above 110 centimeters: choose the adult ticket.

Most people can participate, but the schedule includes uneven waterfall areas, vehicle transfers, and a possible coaster ride. The tour does not present itself as a dedicated hiking trip, so you should not expect long trails or much unstructured time.

Book with care if you dislike organized excursions. The day includes several commercial or tasting stops, and some may encourage you to buy products. You can still enjoy the educational side, but the format is not purely scenic.

Practical details that affect your day

Pickup is offered, and the listed start time is 8:30 a.m. Confirmation arrives when you book, and you receive a mobile ticket. The tour runs in most weather conditions but can be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Wear shoes suitable for wet, uneven ground, and carry money for lunch and optional extras. A light layer may also be useful because you move between open waterfall areas, countryside roads, and the air-conditioned vehicle.

Should you book the Da Lat Three Waterfalls Tour?

Book it if your priority is getting a broad taste of Da Lat’s southern countryside for a modest price. The waterfalls are the headline, but the coffee garden, silk factory, cricket farm, pagoda, and bamboo work give the day its real range.

Do not book it expecting a relaxed waterfall hike or guaranteed access to Elephant Waterfall. Confirm its reopening status, budget for Datanla and coffee, and accept that the minibus and schedule may feel tight.

For most first-time visitors with one free day, I think the value is strong. You see far more than you could manage easily on foot, and a good guide such as Su, Ace, Andy, or Tin Tin can turn a packed route into an enjoyable introduction to Da Lat.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours and starts at 8:30 a.m.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off service is included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is Elephant Waterfall open?

Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. You may still be able to enjoy views around the area, but full access is not currently promised.

Is the alpine coaster included?

No. The alpine coaster at Datanla is optional and costs extra. Admission to Datanla Waterfall is also not included.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch is not included. Coffee at Me Linh Coffee Garden is also self-paid.

How are children’s tickets priced?

Children under 90 centimeters can enter free with an infant ticket. Children from 90 to 110 centimeters use the child ticket at 50 percent off. Anyone above 110 centimeters needs an adult ticket.