Dalat Countryside’s & 3 waterfalls Group Tour

Waterfalls are only half the story. This Da Lat countryside trip pairs three waterfall stops with flower farms, coffee, silk, rice wine, and a cricket farm, giving you a broad look at life beyond the city. I like the mix of nature and working farms, and I especially like that guides such as Alex and Tom are praised for clear English, humor, and useful local explanations.

The main catch is the pace. You spend about an hour at each stop, and some visits, especially the silk factory, cricket farm, and coffee plantation, may feel less essential if waterfalls are your only goal. Datanla is also optional, with its entrance and alpine coaster charged separately.

Quick takeaways from the Da Lat countryside tour

• Three waterfall stops: Pongour and Elephant Waterfalls are included, while Datanla is optional and costs extra.
• A small group of up to 12: The limited group size should make boarding, listening, and moving between stops easier.
• Seven different stops: You see a silk factory, cricket farm, rice wine process, coffee plantation, and weasel coffee farm.
• Strong guide feedback: Alex, Tom, Andy, Tai, Cloe, and Porcupie are praised for friendly service, clear English, and good group spirit.
• Good value at $21.02: Transport, guide, taxes, and listed entrance fees are included, but lunch, drinks, Datanla, and the coaster are not.
• A long day outside Da Lat: Plan on roughly six to eight hours, with many road sections between countryside stops.

Why this $21.02 trip works well

At $21.02 per person, this is a useful way to cover a lot of ground without arranging several separate rides. An air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guide, taxes, and listed entrance fees are included. That matters in Da Lat, where the waterfalls and farms are spread across the countryside rather than grouped around the center.

I see the best value in the range of experiences. You are not paying only for a drive to one viewpoint. You get waterfalls, a pagoda, silk production, crickets raised for food, rice wine, coffee, and farm country around Ta Nung, Nam Ban, Duc Trong, and Da Lat.

The tour also keeps the group to a maximum of 12 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel, though it is not a private outing. Pickup begins around 8:00 a.m., and the day can run until late afternoon. One person reported an 8:30 a.m. pickup and a return around 6:00 p.m., so you should keep your evening flexible.

Lunch is not included. In practice, that gives you some choice, but you need to budget for food and drinks. One useful detail from the day is that lunch can sometimes be arranged in advance, with one meal reported at about 145,000 Vietnamese dong including a drink. Treat that as a guide rather than a fixed tour price.

The road into Da Lat’s working countryside

The road is part of the appeal. You move through flower farms, vegetable gardens, pine forests, and coffee-growing areas rather than staying in the city streets. Da Lat is well known for its cool climate and agricultural output, and this trip gives you a quick look at how much of the surrounding region depends on farming.

Your guide is important here. Several guides receive warm praise, with Alex repeatedly described as friendly and clear in English. Tom is praised for humor and a smooth day, while Andy is noted for keeping the group interested and explaining what you are seeing. Porcupie is described as warm and able to speak English and Chinese.

That consistency matters because the stops are not all self-explanatory. A coffee plant, silk cocoon, or cricket tray becomes much more interesting when someone explains how it fits into local food and trade.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional coaster

Datanla Waterfall is about 5 kilometers south of central Da Lat, in Prenn Pass. It is the optional first stop, so you need to check whether your departure includes it and be ready to pay separately if you want to enter.

The waterfall is set in a forested area and is tied to an alpine coaster attraction. Some people enjoy adding the coaster for a little speed and fun. Others may prefer to save money and spend more time at the natural viewpoints later in the day.

The admission fee is not included, and neither is the alpine coaster ticket. This is the first place where the advertised low price can rise, so ask your guide about the current cost before committing. If you are mainly interested in scenery and do not care about rides, Datanla is easy to treat as an optional extra.

Pongour Falls, the grand natural stop

Pongour Falls is included and receives one hour in the schedule. It is described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in southern Vietnam, and it is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip.

You should expect a scenic stop rather than a quick roadside photo. The hour gives you time to look at the falls, take pictures, and enjoy the surrounding setting without rushing through in a few minutes. Still, the tour covers a wide area, so this is not a slow hiking day. The appeal is seeing a major waterfall as part of a larger countryside circuit.

If waterfalls are your priority, pay close attention to how much time your guide allows here. The fixed schedule means you will not have unlimited time, but the stop is long enough to feel worthwhile.

Elephant Waterfall and Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Waterfall, or Thac Voi, lies about 25 kilometers from Da Lat on the Cam Ly River. It is another included one-hour stop and pairs naturally with nearby Linh An Pagoda.

The waterfall area gives you a more rugged countryside experience. The name comes from the rock formations and falling water, and the setting feels more dramatic than a simple city park attraction. Be careful on wet or uneven ground, since waterfall areas can require more attention than a paved viewpoint.

Linh An Pagoda was built in 1993. Its setting includes a pine-covered hill behind the pagoda and Elephant Falls in front. Long stone dragons line the steps toward the entrance, and the complex includes large Buddhist imagery, including a Lady Buddha visit noted in the tour feedback.

This is a good cultural pause after the noise and movement of the waterfall. Give yourself time to notice the details rather than treating the pagoda as another fast photograph. It is also a free stop, so there is no extra admission to weigh against the schedule.

Nam Ban’s silk factory

The silk factory is one of the more unusual stops. You can see how silk is produced using traditional methods, from the raw material through the processing stages.

I think this visit works best for people who like seeing how everyday goods are made. Silk looks simple in a shop, but the production process is more involved than most visitors realize. The factory turns an abstract product into a visible chain of work.

The stop is free and planned for about an hour. That is enough time to follow the process and ask questions, but it may feel long if you have little interest in textiles or manufacturing. One useful approach is to treat it as a window into local work rather than a shopping stop.

Crickets, rice wine, and the less familiar side of local food

At Thien An Cricket Farm, you see how crickets are raised for food. You can also watch a demonstration of rice wine production, sometimes called happy water in the tour description.

This is the stop most likely to push you outside your usual sightseeing habits. You may be offered the chance to try crickets, and one Spanish-speaking participant described them as surprisingly tasty. You do not have to pretend that every food experience is for you, but seeing the farm helps explain how local diets can differ from what you expect.

The rice wine demonstration adds another practical piece of rural life. It is not just a tasting stop. You get a look at how a familiar local drink is made. Entrance is included, and the visit takes about an hour.

If you are traveling with children or anyone sensitive to food-production settings, it is worth knowing what to expect. The stop is educational, but it may not appeal to everyone.

Me Linh coffee and weasel coffee

The Me Linh stop brings you to a coffee plantation and weasel coffee farm. Da Lat and the Central Highlands are important coffee-growing areas, so this gives you useful context for one of Vietnam’s most famous exports.

You can see the coffee-growing setting and learn about weasel coffee, a specialty product made through a distinctive processing method involving civets. The visit is free, though coffee purchases or tastings may not be part of the included package, so ask before ordering anything.

This is another stop where your interests matter. Coffee drinkers will likely enjoy it more than someone who has already visited several plantations. Even so, it fits the route well because it connects the countryside scenery with the products sold throughout Vietnam.

Guides, language, and the feel of the group

The guide can make or break a full day in a vehicle. The strongest part of this experience is the repeated praise for guides who keep the mood friendly while explaining the route.

Alex is singled out for detailed explanations, patience, and helping people who do not speak much English. One Spanish-speaking participant said Alex used a phone to translate when needed and even helped stop for a banh mi after breakfast had been missed. That is the sort of small practical help that makes a long day easier.

Tom is praised for humor and for keeping the schedule moving smoothly. Andy is described as expressive and well informed, while Cloe is noted as friendly and informative. Tai and Porcupie also receive positive comments.

The tour can include people from several countries, and the guide may need to repeat or translate information. That can slow things slightly, but it also creates a friendly shared atmosphere. The maximum of 12 keeps it from becoming a large coach outing.

What the pace feels like in real use

The schedule gives about an hour to each listed stop, but driving between sites takes a meaningful part of the day. You should expect a full outing with frequent changes of scene rather than a relaxed stay at one waterfall.

That pace suits you if you want to see as much of the Da Lat countryside as possible in one day. It is less suitable if you prefer long walks, quiet photography, or extended time at each attraction.

One person felt the silk factory, cricket farm, and coffee plantation were less important than the waterfalls. That is a fair criticism, but it also points to the tour’s purpose. This is a variety tour. It is designed to show you several sides of the region, not to give you a full day at three falls.

Wear practical shoes and bring water. The tour covers outdoor waterfall areas and countryside sites, and weather can affect the experience. The operator requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this Da Lat day tour

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Da Lat and want one organized day outside the center. It suits first-time visitors, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes mixing scenery with food and agriculture.

It is especially useful if you want a guide to handle the driving and explain the less obvious stops. The price is low for a day with transport, a guide, and included entrance fees, even after allowing for lunch and optional Datanla costs.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private vehicle, a slow photography trip, or a waterfall-only outing. The group can include up to 12 people, and the schedule is full. You should also confirm pickup if your accommodation is far outside central Da Lat. One poor experience involved confusion over pickup and drop-off for accommodation outside the city center, although the operator explained that distance was the issue.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and weather or minimum-group cancellations can result in another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-priced overview of Da Lat’s countryside, with waterfalls plus working farms rather than scenery alone. The strongest reasons are the small group, helpful guides, broad route, and included transport.

Before paying, check three points: the exact pickup location, the current Datanla and coaster costs, and how lunch will be handled. If you accept a busy day and enjoy trying unfamiliar things such as crickets or weasel coffee, this is a smart use of one day in Da Lat. If your heart is set only on waterfalls, choose a shorter nature-focused trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour operates around Da Lat and the countryside areas of Ta Nung, Nam Ban, Duc Trong, and Da Lat.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately six to eight hours. Pickup begins around 8:00 a.m., and one reported schedule returned around 6:00 p.m.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact pickup point, especially if your accommodation is outside central Da Lat.

Are entrance fees included?

Listed entrance fees and taxes are included, including admission for Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall. 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. Lunch may sometimes be ordered in advance, but the cost is not part of the tour price.

Which waterfalls are included?

Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall are included. Datanla Waterfall is optional and has a separate entrance fee.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. An English-speaking guide is included. Specific guides associated with the tour include Alex, Tom, Andy, Cloe, Tai, and Porcupie.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.