Dalat: 3 Waterfalls Day Tour — Datanla, Pongour & Elephant

Dalat’s best day trip is not just about waterfalls. It links three dramatic cascades with flower fields, a silk workshop, a coffee plantation, a cricket farm, and Linh An Pagoda’s huge Lady Buddha. The result is a full look at the countryside south and southwest of town, not simply a string of photo stops.

I like the mix of scenery and working local businesses. The silk-making process is especially worthwhile, and the optional Datanla alpine coaster adds a burst of fun to an otherwise educational day. Guides such as Su, Phat, Vinh, and Quy are repeatedly praised for clear English, humor, and good time management.

The trade-off is pace. Eight hours covers a lot, with roughly 30 to 40 minutes at many stops, plus road time. You may return tired, and lunch is extra. Also check waterfall conditions before booking: Elephant Waterfall is listed as temporarily closed, and Pongour has had short-term storm closures.

Quick take: what matters most

• Three very different waterfalls: Datanla is the easiest and most commercial, Pongour is the scenic favorite, and Elephant is viewed from nearby Linh An Pagoda while its own site is closed.
• Datanla’s coaster costs extra: Pay 80,000 VND for standard entry or 250,000 VND for the alpine coaster option.
• Local production is part of the day: See silk unwound from cocoons, coffee production, cricket raising, and seasonal bamboo knitting.
• The guides make a big difference: Su, Phat, Vinh, Quy, Andy, Ocean, and others are praised for warmth, humor, English, and keeping the day moving.
• Expect a packed schedule: Most visits last 30 to 40 minutes, so this suits you if you want variety more than a slow afternoon beside one waterfall.
• Good value at $22: Transport, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, entrance fees other than Datanla, rice wine, and cricket tasting are included. Lunch and Datanla are extra.

Why this $22 Dalat tour covers more than waterfalls

At $22 per person, this is priced as an efficient countryside sampler rather than a private sightseeing day. Your transport, guide, 500 ml of purified drinking water, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and most entrance fees are included. You pay separately for lunch and Datanla Waterfall.

That makes the price attractive if you have only one day in Dalat or do not want to arrange several out-of-town stops yourself. The tour reaches places that are spread across different roads south and southwest of the city, including Pongour, about 50 kilometers south of Dalat, and Linh An Pagoda, about 33 kilometers away.

The value comes from the range. You get scenery, food, farming, religion, and small-scale manufacturing in one outing. I would not choose it if your ideal day means lingering for hours at a single waterfall, but I would choose it if you want a strong first look at the area beyond Dalat’s center.

The excellent rating of 4.9 from 931 bookings fits the main strengths: friendly guides, skilled drivers, and a day that feels full for the money. Keep your expectations sensible. This is a shared van-style tour with a fixed route, not a quiet private tour with unlimited time at every stop.

Van Thanh Flower Village starts the countryside run

After hotel pickup in Dalat, the drive begins with a visit to Van Thanh Flower Village. The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes, with a guided visit through one of the area’s better-known agricultural spots.

This is a useful introduction to Dalat’s rural economy. The city is closely linked with flowers and farm production, and the stop gives you a quick sense of how the outskirts differ from the urban center.

It is also the stop most easily skipped if you prefer waterfalls and working craft sites. One guest felt the flower visit was less interesting than the rest of the day, so I would treat it as a pleasant opening rather than the main event.

Datanla Waterfall brings the first big choice

Datanla Waterfall sits in the pine forests of Prenn Pass, about five kilometers south of central Dalat. The scheduled visit is short, around 30 minutes, and includes a walk and time for photographs.

This is the most developed waterfall stop. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Paths and attractions make it easy to reach, and the setting combines moving water with pine trees and flowers. It is also the place to try the alpine coaster, described by the operator as the longest ride in Asia.

The coaster is optional and not included in the tour price. Standard waterfall entry is listed at 80,000 VND, while the coaster option is 250,000 VND. Several people considered the extra cost worthwhile, describing the ride as exciting without being too frightening.

I would decide based on your energy and budget. If you want a little action and do not mind paying more, this is the obvious add-on. If you are saving money or prefer natural sights, use the short visit for photographs and forest scenery instead.

Datanla can also be busy. A smart guide may change the order of stops to reduce waiting, as Andy did for one group. Since the schedule can shift, keep your phone and camera ready and follow the guide’s timing.

Silk weaving shows an old method still in use

Cuong Hoan Silk offers a much better look at local work than a simple shop stop. In about 30 minutes, you can see the silk process from cocoon to cloth.

The cocoons are placed in hot water, and the fine thread is drawn out onto a machine. It is then wound onto a reel before being fed into a large loom, where it becomes patterned fabric. The factory is described as the only one in Vietnam still maintaining this older method of removing silk from cocoons.

This stop gives the day some substance. You are not merely looking at finished souvenirs. You are seeing the labor and equipment behind them, which makes the region’s craft economy easier to understand.

If you want to buy something, take your time and compare items before spending. The point of the stop is the process, but it also functions as a shopping opportunity. You can enjoy the demonstration without feeling obliged to purchase.

Pongour is the scenic highlight

Pongour Waterfall is known as the Seven Cascading Waterfalls and is located in Duc Trong district, roughly 50 kilometers south of Dalat along National Highway 20. The visit lasts about 40 minutes, giving you more time than at Datanla.

This is likely the strongest waterfall stop on the route. Its broad, stepped flow gives you a different view from Datanla’s more developed forest setting. The extra drive is what makes the day feel like a countryside trip rather than a quick circuit near town.

You will want shoes suited to walking and a little patience with the schedule. Forty minutes is enough for views and pictures, but not for a long, unhurried wander.

There is one important condition note. The supplied information says Pongour was closed from November 20 through November 24, 2025, because of a storm. That closure period has passed, but waterfall access can change after bad weather. Confirm the status for your date before setting your expectations around Pongour.

Me Linh Coffee Garden explains Dalat’s coffee culture

The route then reaches Me Linh Coffee Plantation, about 23 kilometers southwest of Dalat after crossing the winding Ta Nung Pass. The scheduled visit lasts around 40 minutes.

This is one of the more useful stops for anyone curious about Vietnamese coffee. You can learn about the plantation and try original weasel coffee at your own expense. The self-funded tasting matters because the tour includes the visit, not the coffee itself.

I would ask the price before ordering. One person found the coffee far too expensive, even though the production visit was interesting. That is a fair way to approach it: enjoy the setting and explanation, then decide if the tasting suits your budget.

The plantation also breaks up the waterfall visits. After several walks and photo stops, sitting down with a drink can be welcome. Just remember that 40 minutes passes quickly on a full-day route.

Lunch is simple, local, and extra

Lunch takes place at a local restaurant for about 30 minutes. It is not included in the $22 price, and the supplied details do not specify a fixed menu.

The cost and quality can vary. Some diners found the meal tasty and reasonably priced, while another found the food disappointing. That mixed picture means you should see lunch as practical fuel rather than a major food experience.

Thirty minutes is a short meal break, so listen carefully when the guide gives the departure time. Bring some extra water if you prefer to drink more than the included 500 ml bottle.

Linh An Pagoda pairs religion with a waterfall view

Linh An Pagoda is a major stop near Elephant Waterfall, about 33 kilometers from Dalat. The temple is known for its very large Lady Buddha statue, described as the biggest of its kind in Vietnam.

The pagoda adds cultural weight to the day. After waterfalls and farm visits, you get a chance to see a religious site and learn how it fits into local life. The statue is also an easy landmark to appreciate even if you are not deeply interested in Buddhist architecture.

The nearby view is especially important at present. Elephant Waterfall is listed as temporarily closed because of an operational issue, but you can still see the full waterfall from Linh An Pagoda at close range.

That means the tour remains worthwhile, but you should not book it expecting to walk around the Elephant Waterfall site itself. Conditions can change, so ask for the latest update before departure.

Elephant Waterfall remains impressive from the pagoda

Elephant Waterfall is described as one of the most powerful waterfalls around Dalat. Under normal conditions, it would be one of the day’s three main natural attractions.

For now, the pagoda viewpoint is the practical substitute. You can still appreciate the force and scale of the water from nearby, then combine the view with the Lady Buddha visit. It is not the same as reaching the waterfall’s own paths, but it prevents the closure from removing the stop altogether.

This is a good example of why the tour’s flexibility matters. A guide who explains the change clearly can help you get something worthwhile from an altered plan. Still, if direct access to all three waterfalls is essential, check operating conditions first.

The cricket farm is unusual and hands-on

At Thien An Cricket Farm, the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and includes a taste of cricket dishes.

You can approach this as a small food challenge or simply an unusual lesson in local farming. Cricket tasting is included, along with a cup of rice wine. Several people enjoyed trying fried crickets, while the guide encouraged participation without pressuring anyone.

I like this stop because it feels less polished than a standard attraction. You get a look at a niche farm business and a chance to decide for yourself about a food that may be new to you. If you do not want to eat the sample, you can still listen to the explanation.

Bamboo knitting may also be included when it is in season. Since it is seasonal, do not count on seeing it every time.

What the guides add to a very full day

The guide can make or break this route. The schedule asks one person to explain nature, religion, farming, craft, food, and local life while keeping everyone on time.

The most frequently praised guides in the supplied comments include Su, Phat, Vinh, Quy, Andy, Ocean, and Duyen. Su is described as funny, clear in English, and good at answering questions. Phat is praised for energy, storytelling, and time management. Vinh and Quy are noted for taking photographs, including everyone, and making cultural information easy to follow.

The driver matters too. The route includes Dalat streets, passes, and countryside roads, and one account specifically praised the driver’s skill. You will spend substantial time in the van, so competent driving and a cheerful guide have real practical value.

Pickup is from your Dalat hotel. Wait in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and expect the guide to contact you before arrival. The full outing lasts about eight hours and often returns around late afternoon, with one recent account arriving at about 5:30 p.m.

Who should book this Dalat day trip

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors, short-stay visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants countryside sights without arranging several separate trips.

It suits you if you enjoy changing subjects often. One hour may involve a waterfall, the next a silk loom, then coffee, lunch, a pagoda, and crickets. The route gives you plenty of conversation and context, rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

It is less suitable if you dislike commercial stops, have difficulty with walking and stairs, or want a slow pace. Some waterfall visits involve walking up and down steps, and the schedule leaves little room to linger. Children’s tickets are based on height: under 90 cm is free with an infant ticket, 90 to 110 cm receives the child fare, and above 110 cm requires an adult ticket.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That flexibility is useful while checking waterfall access and weather conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most varied use of one day in Dalat. At $22, the combination of transport, guide, several included admissions, water, rice wine, and cricket tasting is strong value, even after adding lunch and any Datanla coaster fee.

Choose it with the understanding that it is busy. The biggest rewards are Pongour’s broad cascades, the silk-making demonstration, Me Linh’s coffee stop, Linh An Pagoda, and the human touch of guides such as Su, Phat, Vinh, and Quy.

Before paying, confirm the current condition of Elephant Waterfall and Pongour Waterfall. If you accept a fast-moving day and enjoy a little local food, farming, and culture alongside your scenery, this is one of Dalat’s best all-round outings.

FAQ

How long does the Dalat waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, with pickup and return in Dalat.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall. Elephant Waterfall is currently listed as temporarily closed, but you can view it from nearby Linh An Pagoda.

Is the Datanla alpine coaster included?

No. Datanla entry costs 80,000 VND, or 250,000 VND when using the alpine coaster.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant and must be paid for separately.

What is included in the tour price?

Transportation, an English-speaking guide, 500 ml of purified drinking water per guest, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and all entrance fees except Datanla are included.

What languages are available?

The tour provides a live English-speaking guide.

What are the child ticket rules?

Children under 90 cm use a free infant ticket. Children from 90 to 110 cm use a child ticket at 50 percent off. Children above 110 cm require an adult ticket.