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

Waterfalls are only half the story here. This $22 day tour pairs Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Falls with flower gardens, silk production, coffee, crickets, and Linh An Pagoda, giving you a broad look at life outside Dalat. I especially like the mix of scenery and working local businesses, and I like that transport, an English-speaking guide, water, entrance fees, rice wine, and cricket tasting are included.

The main tradeoff is pace. You cover a lot in eight hours, with most stops lasting 30 to 40 minutes. Also, Datanla’s coaster costs extra, and Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed according to the supplied information, so you currently view it from nearby Linh An Pagoda rather than walk to its base.

Key points to know before booking

• Three waterfalls, with two important access cautions: Datanla is open with optional coaster rides, Pongour may close during storm conditions, and Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed.
• A full countryside sampler: You visit a flower village, silk factory, coffee plantation, cricket farm, pagoda, and seasonal bamboo-weaving site.
• Excellent guide service: Guides named Su, Phat, Quy, Vinh, Andy, Ocean, Minh, Ryan, and Duyen receive repeated praise for humor, clear English, and care with the group.
• Good value at $22: Transport, guide, purified water, rice wine, cricket tasting, and most entry fees are covered. Lunch and Datanla are extra.
• The Alpine coaster is optional: Pay 80,000 VND for waterfall entry, or 250,000 VND for the coaster option.
• Expect a busy day: Walking, stairs, long van rides, and many short visits make this best for active sightseers who want variety.

What the $22 price really buys you

At $22 per person, this is priced as an easy way to see a wide slice of the Dalat area without arranging several separate rides. You get hotel pickup in Dalat, a van, an English-speaking guide, 500 milliliters of purified drinking water, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and entrance fees except for Datanla.

Lunch is not included, but the stop is at a local restaurant, and the meal is described as tasty and reasonably priced by several people. One person found the restaurant disappointing, so I would treat lunch as convenient rather than a major culinary stop.

Datanla is the one clear extra expense. Basic entry is 80,000 VND, while the option using the Alpine coaster is 250,000 VND. The coaster runs through pine forest and is a major reason many people choose the add-on, but you do not need to pay for it to see the waterfall.

The value is strongest if you have only one day in Dalat or want an introduction to the countryside. You see several attractions, and the guide adds context about local industries and daily life. The value is weaker if you prefer long, quiet visits at one or two natural sites.

Starting in Dalat and heading into the countryside

Pickup is included from Dalat hotels. You are asked to wait in the lobby 10 minutes before pickup, and the guide contacts you before arriving. The first van ride lasts about 30 minutes, giving the group time to meet and settle in.

Transport received a 94 percent perfect score, and the driver is an important part of the experience. One detailed account praised the driver’s skill on Dalat’s streets, while another praised the coordination between guide and driver. That matters on a packed day, because late starts or slow transfers would quickly shorten your time at the waterfalls.

The vehicle is used for repeated hops rather than one long journey. You should expect a day of getting out, walking, taking pictures, getting back in, and moving on. Bring water beyond the included bottle if you drink often, since the stops include stairs and uneven walking.

Van Thanh Flower Village: a brief first look

The first sightseeing stop is Van Thanh Flower Village, with about 30 minutes for a guided visit. Dalat is well known for flower growing, and this stop places the city’s agricultural identity at the beginning of the day.

Thirty minutes is enough for a look and a few photos, but not for a slow visit. One person felt this stop could be skipped, while others enjoyed the mix of local production and countryside scenery. I would keep expectations modest: this is an orientation stop, not the centerpiece of the tour.

If you like gardens, farming, and photographs, you will probably enjoy it. If waterfalls are your only goal, this is one of the easier stops to treat as optional in your own mind.

Datanla Waterfall and the Alpine coaster

Datanla Waterfall sits about 5 kilometers south of Dalat city center, in the pine forest of Prenn Pass. The setting combines flowing water, trees, and flowers, so it offers a quick change from city streets to a wooded recreation area.

The planned visit includes a photo stop and about 30 minutes of walking. The waterfall entry fee is not included. You pay 80,000 VND for standard entry or 250,000 VND if you choose the Alpine coaster.

The coaster is the tour’s most playful feature. It runs through the pine forest and is promoted as the longest ride in Asia. Several people said it was worth the added cost, and one person described it as fun without being too frightening. I would choose it if you enjoy rides and want more than a standard waterfall viewpoint.

Datanla can be busy, especially in the morning. A smart guide may change the order of the day to avoid a queue. One guide did exactly that when the area was crowded, saving the group from waiting. This flexibility is useful, though you should understand that the order of stops may change.

Cuong Hoan Silk: from cocoon to fabric

Cuong Hoan Silk gives the tour a useful local-industry stop. You see the silk process from cocoon to finished fabric, including cocoons placed in hot water, thread wound onto a machine, reels, and large looms.

The factory is described as maintaining an older method of removing silk from cocoons. That makes the visit more than a shopping stop. You can see how a delicate fabric begins as a raw material and passes through several practical stages before becoming patterned cloth.

The guided visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is short, but enough to understand the process and browse if you want a souvenir. Several people singled out the silk factory as one of the most interesting parts of the day, sometimes ranking it alongside Pongour Waterfall and the coaster.

Pongour Waterfall, Dalat’s big natural highlight

Pongour is about 50 kilometers south of Dalat, in Duc Trong district along National Highway 20. It is also called the Seven-Cascading Waterfalls because water spreads across several rock levels rather than dropping in one narrow ribbon.

This stop lasts about 40 minutes, making it one of the longer visits. Bring shoes that are comfortable for walking, and expect some exercise at the waterfall sites. A December account specifically noted stairs and walking, so do not plan this day in delicate footwear.

Pongour often becomes the favorite waterfall because it feels broad, powerful, and more open than the shorter city-side stop. One person called it the best waterfall they had seen in Southeast Asia. That is a high bar, but it explains why this stop carries much of the tour’s natural appeal.

There is a serious seasonal caution. The supplied information says Pongour was closed until November 24, 2025, because of storm conditions. Check the current operating status before you book and again before departure. If it is closed, the tour may not deliver all three waterfall visits as advertised.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and the cost of a cup

Me Linh Coffee Garden is about 23 kilometers southwest of Dalat, reached by the winding Ta Nung Pass. The drive adds countryside scenery, while the plantation introduces you to one of the region’s best-known products.

You can try original weasel coffee, but it is self-funded. One person found the coffee prices much too high, even though the production visit was interesting. That is useful advice: enjoy the explanation and views, but do not feel obliged to purchase a drink or coffee product.

The stop lasts around 40 minutes. For many people, it is more interesting than expected because the tour connects a familiar drink with local farming and business. If you are curious about food production, it is worth keeping. If you dislike sales-oriented stops, be prepared for a short commercial element.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Lunch lasts about 30 minutes and is paid separately. The restaurant is described as local, inexpensive, and convenient for a group moving on a strict schedule.

The feedback is mixed. Some people found the food good and fairly priced, while one person thought it did not match the standard of the rest of the day. I would see lunch as fuel rather than a destination meal.

Because the schedule is full, a long restaurant break would not fit the tour’s design. If you have dietary needs, ask the guide before ordering. The supplied information does not specify a set menu or dietary arrangements.

Linh An Pagoda and the huge Lady Buddha

Linh An Pagoda is about 33 kilometers from Dalat and is one of the more memorable cultural stops. Its main visual draw is a very large Lady Buddha statue, described as the biggest in Vietnam.

The pagoda also provides the current viewing point for Elephant Waterfall. Since Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue, you can see the full view from the pagoda at close range, but you cannot count on walking down to the waterfall itself.

This stop gives the day a needed change of rhythm. After several outdoor and production visits, the pagoda offers a place for quiet observation and photography. One person especially loved the Lady Buddha, and another saw monkeys nearby, though monkeys are not guaranteed and should not be treated as a scheduled feature.

Allow about 30 minutes. Dress and behave respectfully at the religious site, and follow the guide’s instructions about where photography is suitable.

Elephant Waterfall, with access limited

Elephant Waterfall is described as one of Dalat’s most powerful waterfalls. Under normal conditions, it would be one of the tour’s main natural stops, but the supplied operating note says it is temporarily closed.

That changes the experience in an important way. You still get the overall view from Linh An Pagoda, which is nearby, but you do not receive the full waterfall visit advertised by the title. Confirm the situation before booking if seeing Elephant Waterfall up close is a priority.

This is also why I would not book the tour solely for the promise of three active waterfall stops. Book it for the wider combination of nature, culture, farming, and local production. The waterfalls are the backbone, but the tour has enough other material to remain worthwhile if one access point is restricted.

Thien An Cricket Farm and a memorable tasting

The final major stop is Thien An Cricket Farm, where the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. You can also taste dishes made from crickets, and the tour includes a cricket tasting.

This is one of the day’s best chances to encounter an ordinary local business rather than a polished sightseeing site. The guide helps explain what you are seeing, and several people enjoyed trying fried crickets for the first time. Rice wine is also included, which adds a lighthearted finish, but you never need to eat or drink anything you do not want.

The farm visit lasts about 30 minutes. It is educational, unusual, and easy to remember. Families should decide in advance how children feel about insects and unfamiliar food. The child ticket is based on height: under 90 centimeters is free with an infant ticket, 90 to 110 centimeters receives 50 percent off with a child ticket, and over 110 centimeters requires an adult ticket.

Bamboo weaving and other seasonal changes

Bamboo knitting is listed as seasonal, so it may not be available on every departure. The tour can also include local countryside stops beyond the central waterfall route, depending on operating conditions.

This is worth keeping in mind when you compare the tour with a fixed private itinerary. A group tour has a set framework, but weather, closures, crowds, and seasonal work can affect the exact order or availability of some stops.

The best guides adjust well. Su, Phat, Quy, Vinh, Andy, Ocean, Minh, Ryan, and Duyen are repeatedly praised for humor, organization, clear English, and personal attention. One guide even arranged a small group photo as a souvenir. Those details can make a packed day feel friendly instead of mechanical.

The pace, walking, and practical comfort

Eight hours is enough time to see a lot, but not enough time to linger everywhere. Most visits last 30 minutes, with Pongour and Me Linh receiving about 40 minutes. You will spend a fair amount of time in the van, especially on the road south of Dalat.

The tour involves walking and stairs around waterfall areas. You should bring comfortable shoes, extra water, sun protection, and a light layer for changing conditions in the highlands. The included 500-milliliter bottle is helpful, but many people will want more.

The day generally finishes in the late afternoon. One person reported returning around 5:30 p.m., though exact timing can change with traffic, weather, queues, and the order of stops.

Who should choose this Dalat tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in Dalat and want an efficient introduction to the area beyond the city center. It suits curious people who like mixing scenery with food, farming, crafts, religion, and a bit of adventure.

It is also a good choice for families and mixed-age groups, provided everyone is comfortable with walking and a fast schedule. The coaster gives children and thrill-seekers something exciting, while the pagoda, silk factory, coffee garden, and waterfall viewpoints give quieter travelers plenty to enjoy.

I would skip it if you want a slow photographic day, a private schedule, or long hikes at each waterfall. I would also postpone booking if Elephant Waterfall is your main reason for coming until you confirm that access has reopened.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want strong variety for a low price. The tour’s most praised features are the guides, the broad mix of stops, the beautiful Pongour setting, and the unexpected interest of the silk, coffee, and cricket visits.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are buying a busy countryside sampler, not a peaceful waterfall retreat. Check Pongour and Elephant Waterfall conditions, budget for lunch and Datanla, and choose the Alpine coaster if you enjoy rides. With those points clear, this is one of the better-value ways to see Dalat’s surrounding countryside in a single day.

FAQ

How long is the Dalat three-waterfall tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including transportation between Dalat and the countryside stops.

What waterfalls does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall. Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed according to the supplied information, but you can view it from nearby Linh An Pagoda.

Is the Alpine coaster included?

No. Datanla entry costs 80,000 VND, or 250,000 VND if you choose the Alpine coaster option.

Is lunch included?

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

What is included in the tour price?

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

Are children charged the same fare?

Child fares are based on height. Children under 90 centimeters are free with an infant ticket, children from 90 to 110 centimeters receive 50 percent off with a child ticket, and children above 110 centimeters use an adult ticket.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.