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

Da Lat packs a lot into one day. This $25.30 tour links Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant waterfalls with a silk factory, cricket farm, coffee plantation, pagoda, and bamboo workshop. I like the mix of big natural sights and ordinary local industries, and I especially like that an English-speaking guide handles the long countryside route.

The strongest part is the guiding. Names praised in the feedback include Quy, Su, Andy, Ace, Bao, Joan, Tin Tin, and Vinh, with repeated approval for their humor, English, local knowledge, and willingness to give people time to wander. The main drawback is the packed schedule, plus the fact that Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed, so you should confirm its status before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major waterfalls: Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant are the day’s headline sights, though Elephant’s current closure may limit what you can see there.
• Much more than waterfalls: You also visit Linh An Pagoda, a silk factory, cricket farm, coffee plantation, and bamboo-knitting workshop.
• Strong value at $25.30: Pickup, drop-off, transport, bottled water, guide, and most entrance fees are included.
• Optional thrills: Datanla offers an alpine coaster, but the ride costs extra and is not part of the tour price.
• Small by coach-tour standards: The maximum group size is 15, though a compact minibus can feel tight when full.
• Expect a long, busy day: The advertised duration is about seven to eight hours, with an 8:30 am start.

Why this Da Lat tour works

Da Lat is not only a cool mountain town with gardens and colonial-era streets. Its surrounding hills produce coffee, flowers, silk, and other farm goods, while steep roads lead to some of the Central Highlands’ best waterfalls. This tour gives you a useful look at both sides of the area.

You get scenery, food, religious art, rural work, and a few mildly daring activities in one outing. That makes it a good choice if you have limited time in Da Lat or prefer not to arrange several separate taxi rides.

The price is unusually reasonable for the amount of ground covered. For $25.30 per person, you receive hotel pickup and drop-off service, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and entrance fees except at Datanla. Lunch is not included, and coffee at Me Linh is self-paid.

This is not a slow nature walk. It is a sightseeing circuit. You will stop, look around, take photographs, hear an explanation, and move on. If that rhythm suits you, the day gives you a lot for your money. If you want long quiet stretches beside a waterfall, the schedule may feel rushed.

The current score of 4.9 from 1,840 ratings, with 99 percent recommending the experience, reflects the tour’s strongest feature: good guides can turn a crowded itinerary into a lively day. The guide matters here because several stops need context, especially the silk-making process, coffee production, cricket farming, and local legends connected with Linh An Pagoda.

Datanla Waterfall and the alpine coaster

Datanla lies about 5 kilometers south of central Da Lat, in the Prenn Pass area. It is the easiest waterfall to add to a Da Lat day because it is relatively close to town, yet the wooded setting gives you a quick break from traffic and buildings.

The scheduled visit lasts about 40 minutes. You can pay separately for the entrance ticket, which is not included in the tour price. The alpine coaster is also optional and costs extra.

The coaster is one of the tour’s practical choices. Some people on the excursion chose the ride, while others walked to the waterfall. That means you can decide based on your budget and comfort rather than feeling forced into an activity. If you enjoy rides, the coaster adds a burst of fun. If you would rather save money, walking is the sensible choice.

Do not expect a long independent visit. One person specifically wished for more time at Datanla, so photographers and anyone who likes to sit beside moving water should keep an eye on the schedule. The stop is best treated as an introduction to Da Lat’s waterfall country, not as a full half-day visit.

Pongour, the waterfall many people prefer

Pongour Waterfall is about 50 kilometers south of Da Lat in Duc Trong District. The drive is part of the experience, taking you out into the wider Central Highlands rather than keeping you near the city.

Pongour is known for its seven cascading levels. Instead of a single narrow drop, water spreads across broad rock shelves, creating a more layered and powerful scene. Several comments singled it out as the best waterfall of the day, so I would save room on your camera and expect this to be the natural high point.

The planned stop is 30 minutes, and admission is listed as free. Thirty minutes is enough for a look and photographs, but not for a leisurely exploration. Wear shoes with a secure grip if you plan to walk around, and keep your phone protected near the spray.

The condition of the site may not match the beauty of the water. One account noted plastic bottles, cans, and bags scattered around the falls. You can still enjoy Pongour, but do not arrive expecting a perfectly maintained nature park. Bring your own bottle if possible, use the supplied water responsibly, and carry your rubbish until you find a bin.

Elephant Waterfall and the important closure warning

Elephant Waterfall, or Thac Voi, is described as one of the most powerful waterfalls near Da Lat. Its appeal includes the force of the water and a windy cave beneath the falls.

At present, the attraction is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. That detail matters more than the tour title. The schedule still includes a 30-minute stop, but you should not assume you will have normal access to the waterfall, cave, or paths.

The available information indicates that the group can still enjoy something in the area, but the exact alternative is not fully specified. Ask the operator about current access before you pay, particularly if seeing all three waterfalls is your main reason for booking.

When Elephant is open, it adds variety to the day because it feels more forceful and enclosed than Pongour’s broad cascade. When it is closed, Datanla and Pongour carry most of the nature portion. The tour can remain worthwhile because of the farms and cultural stops, but the three-waterfall promise becomes conditional.

Linh An Pagoda and the giant Lady Buddha

Linh An Pagoda is about 33 kilometers from Da Lat and gives the day a cultural pause. The main feature highlighted here is a huge Lady Buddha statue, described as the largest in Vietnam.

The scheduled visit is 30 minutes, with admission included. You will not have time for a detailed religious-site visit, but the stop adds scale and quiet to a day otherwise filled with waterfalls, roads, machinery, and food tastings.

A guide is particularly useful here. Good explanations can help you understand what you are seeing without turning the visit into a lecture. Dress and behave respectfully at the pagoda, and remember that this is an active religious place rather than only a photo stop.

One piece of feedback found the temple less special than the waterfalls. That is a fair expectation. Visit Linh An for the statue, the setting, and a change of pace, not as the main attraction of the day.

Silk from cocoon to cloth

At Cuong Hoan Silk Factory, you see the old method of removing silk from cocoons and turning it into fabric. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and admission is included.

This is one of the more useful stops because it shows a production process that is easy to miss when you only buy finished goods in a shop. You can see how much work sits behind a piece of silk clothing or fabric.

The stop is not just a shopping detour, though sales pressure can vary on organized countryside routes. Look first, ask questions, and buy only if you genuinely want something. One person enjoyed the silk processing but did not care for tasting the pupa inside the cocoon. That is optional in spirit, and you should not feel obliged to sample it.

Cricket farming and the limits of food adventure

At Thien An Cricket Farm, the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. The stop lasts 30 minutes, and admission is included.

You may also see or taste dishes made from crickets. Some people enjoy the novelty, while others prefer to watch. The point is not simply the snack. It is a brief look at a small local enterprise and a food tradition that may be unfamiliar to you.

A tasting of stir-fried crickets and rice wine was a memorable part of the day for some participants. If you are curious about food, this can be one of the tour’s best stories to take home. If you have dietary concerns, the supplied information does not promise alternatives, so ask your guide before accepting anything.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and the price of a cup

Me Linh Coffee Garden sits about 23 kilometers southwest of Da Lat, reached by the winding Ta Nung Pass. The route itself is attractive, and the stop gives you a look at coffee growing rather than only a café menu.

The plantation features three coffee types: cherry, robusta, and arabica. You can also see a weasel and learn about weasel coffee. A cup is not included, so you pay separately.

This is where the tour’s low price needs a small footnote. Coffee at the plantation can cost about three times as much as a cup in Da Lat city. You are paying for the setting, the farm visit, and the novelty, not simply for the drink.

I would treat the coffee as optional. If you care about production and want to try the local specialty, it is a reasonable extra. If you only need caffeine, wait until you return to town.

Bamboo knitting in Lam Ha District

The final listed stop is a bamboo-knitting workshop in Lam Ha District. Admission is free, and the visit takes about 30 minutes.

This is a modest but worthwhile addition because it shows another practical rural craft. Unlike a major attraction, it offers a glimpse of work that supports local households and keeps traditional skills in use.

The stop may appeal most to visitors who enjoy handmade goods and demonstrations. It may feel less important if you are already tired after the waterfalls and farm visits. Since the day is so full, your enjoyment here will depend heavily on the guide and the pace of the group.

Transport, timing, and comfort

Pickup and drop-off are offered, with an 8:30 am start. An air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included, which matters on a route involving several separate countryside stops.

The group can reach a maximum of 15 people. That is smaller than a large sightseeing bus, but it is not a private tour. One person found the minibus cramped, with limited leg and shoulder room. If you are tall or dislike close seating, ask what vehicle is being used when you book.

The driving links the whole experience. You are not only moving between three waterfalls. You are crossing mountain roads and rural districts to reach coffee, silk, bamboo, and the pagoda. The payoff is variety, but the cost is time in the vehicle.

The guides are the clearest reason to choose this shared tour instead of simply hiring a driver. Quy was praised for giving a great deal of information in a relaxed way. Su was described as funny and dedicated, while Andy allowed independent wandering and walked with the group. Ace was praised for professionalism and friendliness, and Tin Tin added local legends and humor to his explanations.

Guide quality can vary by departure, so you cannot guarantee one particular person unless the company confirms it. Still, the repeated pattern is encouraging. This is a tour where a good guide can make the road time pass quickly.

Who should book it?

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Da Lat’s surrounding area. It suits couples, friends, and families who like mixing scenery with food, crafts, and local production.

Families should use the height-based child fares carefully:

• Children under 90 centimeters use the infant ticket free of charge.
• Children from 90 to 110 centimeters use the child ticket at 50 percent off.
• Children above 110 centimeters use the adult ticket.

The tour also suits curious eaters and coffee fans. It is less suitable if you need step-free access, a slow pace, or a quiet nature day, since the available information does not provide detailed accessibility information and the schedule includes many short stops.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book this $25.30 day out?

Book it if you want maximum variety for a low price and are happy with a busy shared outing. The included transport, guide, water, and most entrance fees make the cost excellent, especially when separate taxis and admissions would quickly add up.

Book with caution if your priority is seeing three fully open waterfalls. Elephant Waterfall’s temporary closure changes the calculation, and Datanla’s 40-minute visit may feel short. Confirm the latest Elephant access before booking.

My practical verdict: this is a strong value tour because it connects Da Lat’s waterfalls with the working countryside around them. Go for the guide, Pongour, the coffee and silk stops, and the chance to see several sides of the region in one day. Do not go expecting a relaxed walk or a guaranteed full visit to all three falls.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking professional guide, and entrance fees except for Datanla Waterfall are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Does the tour include the Datanla alpine coaster?

No. The alpine coaster is an optional activity and costs extra.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Is Elephant Waterfall open?

Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. Ask the operator about current access and what will be available at that stop.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $25.30 per person.

What are the child ticket rules?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.