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

Waterfalls are only half the story. This eight-hour Da Lat countryside tour links Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant waterfalls with flower farms, silk production, coffee, crickets, and Linh An Pagoda. For $22, it gives you a fast but wide look at life beyond Da Lat’s city center.

I especially like the mix of dramatic scenery and working local businesses, plus the lively guides who bring the day to life. Guides named Su, Phat, Quy, Vinh, Andy, and Ocean have earned praise for clear English, humor, helpfulness, and keeping the group on time. The tradeoff is a packed schedule, with some stops lasting only 30 or 40 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different waterfalls: Datanla is the easiest and most commercial, Pongour spreads across seven cascades, and Elephant is viewed from nearby Linh An Pagoda while its main access is closed.
• The alpine coaster costs extra: The Datanla entry fee is 80,000 VND, or 250,000 VND with the coaster.
• Local production is part of the appeal: You see silk pulled from cocoons, coffee processing, cricket farming, and sometimes seasonal bamboo knitting.
• Linh An Pagoda adds a cultural stop: Its huge Lady Buddha statue is one of the day’s most memorable sights.
• Lunch is separate: You stop at a local restaurant, but food is not included in the $22 price.
• Expect a full day on the road: Hotel pickup, transportation, guide, water, rice wine, and cricket tasting are included.

What this $22 Da Lat day tour really offers

The best way to understand this experience is not as a simple waterfall outing. It is a countryside sampler. You move through pine forests, winding roads, farms, religious sites, and small production centers while your guide explains how people in the area make a living.

At $22 per person, the value is strong if you want to see a lot without arranging several separate rides. Transportation, an English-speaking guide, 500 milliliters of purified water, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and most entrance fees are included. Lunch and the Datanla fee are the main extras.

The low price does come with a compromise: this is a group tour with a tight timetable. You will not have a whole afternoon at one waterfall. Instead, you get a useful first look at several places around Da Lat, then decide which ones deserve a longer return visit.

The many positive ratings make sense, especially because the guides are repeatedly praised for energy and personal attention. Su is often described as funny and easy to understand. Phat receives praise for explaining clearly and helping keep the day moving. Quy, Vinh, Andy, Ocean, and Duyen are also singled out for kindness, cultural explanations, and good organization.

Starting with flowers and the road to Datanla

Pickup is in Da Lat, with instructions to wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The guide contacts you before arriving, which is useful in a city where hotel entrances and small streets can make meeting points confusing.

The first listed stop is Van Thanh Flower Village, with about 30 minutes for a guided visit. Da Lat is closely tied to flower growing, so this stop helps explain one of the region’s important local industries. It is also a gentle start before the waterfalls and longer drives.

One person felt the flower stop could be skipped, while other people enjoyed the countryside and farming side of the day. That tells you what to expect: it may be less exciting if you have already seen flower farms elsewhere, but it gives the tour a local setting rather than rushing straight to the headline sights.

Datanla Waterfall sits about 5 kilometers south of central Da Lat, in the pine-covered Prenn Pass area. You get around 30 minutes for a walk and photos. The setting combines forest, flowers, and a developed visitor area, so it is the most polished and activity-focused waterfall on the route.

The optional alpine coaster is the big draw here. It runs through the pine forest and is described as the longest ride of its type in Asia. It is not included in the tour price. Regular waterfall entry costs 80,000 VND, while entry with the coaster costs 250,000 VND.

I would budget for the coaster if you enjoy mild thrills and want more than a short waterfall visit. It has been called fun rather than frightening, but the extra fee is substantial compared with the tour itself. If you prefer quiet scenery, use the time for photos and a forest walk instead.

Silk making at Cuong Hoan

The stop at Cuong Hoan silk gives the day more substance than a series of photo stops. A guide explains the process from cocoon to finished cloth, including the older method of unwinding silk thread.

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 woven on a large loom into patterned fabric. Seeing the whole chain helps you understand that the silk is not simply a shop product waiting for tourists. There is a real production method behind it.

This is one of the stops I would pay attention to, even if you are not planning to buy anything. The tour schedule allows about 30 minutes, so you get an introduction rather than a long technical lesson. It is also a good place to ask your guide questions about local work and traditional methods.

Pongour, the best waterfall stop for many people

Pongour Waterfall is about 50 kilometers south of Da Lat in Duc Trong District, reached along National Highway 20. It is known as a seven-cascade waterfall, with water spreading across broad rock shelves instead of dropping in one narrow plunge.

The allotted visit is about 40 minutes. That is enough for a look, photos, and a short walk, but not enough for a slow picnic or a long exploration. Several people found Pongour the most beautiful waterfall of the day, and one person called it the best waterfall they had seen in Southeast Asia.

The character of Pongour is different from Datanla. Datanla is linked to a paid ride and a more organized attraction area. Pongour feels more like the grand natural centerpiece of the route. Water levels can affect how powerful the cascades appear, so the exact view will depend on recent weather.

There is an important seasonal warning. The supplied information says Pongour was temporarily closed after a storm until November 24, 2025. Since conditions can change, confirm its status before departure, especially during wet weather. If it is closed, the operator may need to adjust the plan.

Coffee, lunch, and the taste of the countryside

Me Linh Coffee Garden lies about 23 kilometers southwest of Da Lat, across the winding Ta Nung Pass. The ride itself is part of the countryside experience, with changing views and roads that require a skilled driver.

The stop focuses on coffee production and the chance to try original weasel coffee, also called civet coffee, at your own expense. The coffee is not included, and one person felt the prices were much too high. Keep that in mind before ordering. You can still learn from the visit without buying a cup.

The coffee stop lasts around 40 minutes. It works best if you treat it as a chance to understand a regional product, not as a bargain tasting. Several people found the farm more interesting than expected, and the stop adds useful context to the local economy.

Lunch follows at a local restaurant and lasts about 30 minutes. You pay separately, and the information does not specify a fixed menu or price. Several people found the food good and reasonably priced, though one person was disappointed with the meal. A short lunch break also means this is not a leisurely dining experience.

Linh An Pagoda and the closed Elephant Waterfall

Linh An Pagoda is about 33 kilometers from Da Lat and is one of the most striking cultural stops. The main visual highlight is a huge Lady Buddha statue, described as the largest in Vietnam. The pagoda also gives you a nearby view of Elephant Waterfall.

Elephant Waterfall is known as one of the most powerful waterfalls around Da Lat. At present, the information says the waterfall itself is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. You can still see the waterfall from Linh An Pagoda at close range, but you should not expect normal access to the main waterfall site.

That distinction matters. The tour title promises three waterfalls, but the Elephant portion currently means a viewpoint rather than a full visit. You still get the rushing water and the pagoda, yet people booking mainly for waterfall access should check the latest condition.

The pagoda is more than a substitute stop. Its statue, religious setting, and view toward the falls give the middle of the day a different mood. One person also saw monkeys nearby, though that should be treated as a lucky possibility rather than a planned feature.

Crickets, rice wine, and a hands-on finish

At Thien An cricket farm, the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes a tasting.

Fried crickets may not be on your usual holiday menu, but this is a low-pressure way to try a local food. The tour includes cricket tasting and a small cup of rice wine. Some people enjoyed the combination, while others may prefer to watch rather than eat. Your guide can encourage you, but the experience is not presented as something you must do.

This stop works because it is practical and slightly unusual. You are not just looking at scenery. You are seeing another small business and learning about a food source that many visitors would otherwise miss.

Bamboo knitting may also be available, but it is seasonal. Do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed bamboo demonstration. The silk, coffee, and cricket visits are the more dependable production stops listed for the day.

Transport, timing, and the effort involved

The outing lasts about eight hours and returns to Da Lat after the final stop. The van ride takes up a fair part of the day because Pongour and the other countryside sites are spread around the region.

The schedule gives you roughly 30 to 40 minutes at most stops. That is enough to see the main feature, hear an explanation, and take photos. It is not enough if you like lingering, wandering without a guide, or setting up careful photography.

You should expect some walking and stairs around the waterfalls and pagoda. One person specifically advised bringing water because the day involved repeated walking up and down stairs. The tour provides 500 milliliters of water, but carrying extra water may be sensible if you drink often.

The driver matters on this route. The roads around Da Lat include winding passes, and the driver has to manage a long day with multiple stops. Several people praised the driving, including a specific mention of Bing. The guide and driver also need to coordinate timing, and that seems to be one of the tour’s strengths.

The group atmosphere can shape your day. With an upbeat guide such as Su, Phat, Quy, Vinh, Andy, or Ocean, the long schedule feels more social and easier to follow. If you prefer to explore alone and set your own pace, a private car would give you more freedom, but likely at a higher cost.

Who should book this Da Lat tour?

I would choose this tour if you have only one day in Da Lat and want to cover the major countryside sights. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, and anyone who likes mixing nature with food, farming, craft, and culture.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy lively guides. The strongest praise is directed at the English-speaking guides, who are described as funny, attentive, organized, and generous with local information. Some even take group photos or help with tickets and timing.

You may want a different plan if your priority is hiking, quiet time beside a waterfall, or high-end food. The day moves quickly, lunch is basic and separate, and some stops have a shopping element. The coffee can be expensive, and the flower village may feel less important than the waterfalls.

Book with two checks in mind: confirm the current condition of Pongour and Elephant Waterfalls, and set aside extra money for lunch, coffee if desired, and the Datanla coaster. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option also make the booking fairly flexible.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety for a low price and do not mind a busy day. The waterfalls are attractive, Pongour may be the star, and the visits to silk, coffee, flowers, and crickets give you a better sense of Da Lat than a waterfall-only outing.

Skip it if you want a slow, private day or if Elephant Waterfall access is the main reason for booking. For most first-time visitors with limited time, though, the combination of scenery, local work, a pagoda, a rice-wine toast, and the optional alpine coaster makes this a strong-value introduction to the area.

FAQ

How long does the Da Lat waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transportation, sightseeing, local visits, lunch, and the return to Da Lat.

What waterfalls are included?

The route includes Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall. Elephant Waterfall is currently temporarily closed for operational reasons, but you can view it from nearby Linh An Pagoda. Pongour was also temporarily closed until November 24, 2025 because of storm conditions, so confirm current access.

Is the Datanla alpine coaster included?

No. Datanla entry costs 80,000 VND, or 250,000 VND when using the alpine coaster. The coaster and Datanla entrance fee are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch takes place at a local restaurant, but you pay for your own meal.

What is included in the $22 price?

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

What languages are available?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.

How are child tickets priced?

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