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

Waterfalls are only half the story. This full-day outing links Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Waterfalls with a silk workshop, coffee plantation, cricket farm, bamboo craft stop, and Linh An Pagoda. For $25.30 per person, it gives you a practical way to reach scattered sights south and southwest of Da Lat without arranging several separate rides.

I especially like the wide mix of stops and the guides, who are often praised for friendly humor and useful local detail. Guides named Quy, Vinh, Su, Andy, Ace, Bao, Joan, and Tin Tin have all received warm praise, with Ace and Su singled out for making the day feel easy and personal. The main drawback is the pace: seven to eight hours is packed, and the small vehicle may feel cramped when the group reaches its maximum of 15 people.

Another point needs attention before you pay. Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue, although the surrounding views and nearby Linh An Pagoda can still be visited. Datanla also charges an extra entrance fee, and its alpine coaster is optional rather than included.

Key things to know before booking

• Three major waterfalls in one day: Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant Waterfall form the natural heart of the trip.
• Pongour gets the strongest praise: Its seven cascading levels are often considered the prettiest stop.
• The tour goes far beyond waterfalls: You also visit a silk factory, cricket farm, coffee garden, bamboo workshop, and Buddhist pagoda.
• Guides make a real difference: Su, Andy, Ace, Quy, and others are praised for humor, English, local stories, and allowing free time.
• Budget carefully for extras: Datanla admission, the alpine coaster, lunch, and coffee at Me Linh are not included.
• Expect a full and sometimes tight day: The vehicle is air-conditioned, but space can be limited with a full group.

Why this $25.30 tour offers good value

At $25.30, this is a strong value if you want variety rather than a slow day at one waterfall. The price covers pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and entrance fees at most stops. It also takes you to places spread across several districts, which would be harder to connect by casual taxi rides.

The value comes from the driving as much as the sightseeing. Datanla is about 5 kilometers south of central Da Lat, Pongour is about 50 kilometers south, Elephant Waterfall is farther into the countryside, and Me Linh Coffee Garden is about 23 kilometers southwest of town. You are paying for a route that would take planning, bargaining, and several separate transfers to reproduce alone.

Still, do not treat $25.30 as the final spending figure. Lunch is extra. Datanla admission is extra. The alpine coaster is extra, and coffee at Me Linh costs more than a normal cup in Da Lat, according to one detailed account. That is not a problem if you know it ahead of time, but it can change the feel of a bargain tour.

The tour runs from an 8:30 a.m. start for roughly seven to eight hours. That means you should expect a full day with plenty of road time, short visits, and little room to linger. If you want long walks, quiet photography, or a relaxed lunch, this schedule may feel rushed.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional alpine coaster

Datanla is the most convenient waterfall on the route, sitting in the Prenn Pass area about 5 kilometers south of Da Lat. The stop is scheduled for about 40 minutes, making it a quick introduction to the day’s main theme.

The attraction combines forest scenery with an alpine coaster. The ride is optional and not included in the tour price. You can choose it for a dose of speed, or walk toward the waterfall instead. One guide, Andy, reportedly walked with those who preferred not to ride, which is useful if your group splits between thrill seekers and walkers.

Your time here may feel short. One person specifically wished for a longer stay at Datanla, so you should not expect an extended hike or a leisurely stretch beside the water. Admission is also not included, unlike most of the other entrance fees.

Datanla works best as a quick first stop. You get a taste of Da Lat’s wooded mountain setting, then move on before the day’s longer countryside sections.

Pongour Waterfall, the scenic centerpiece

Pongour is the stop I would prioritize most. It is known locally as a series of seven cascading sections and is described as one of the finest waterfalls in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The tour allows about 30 minutes, with no separate admission fee listed.

That half hour is enough to see the main cascade, take photographs, and walk around the viewing area. It is not enough for a long exploration of the surrounding grounds, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s meeting time.

The waterfall’s broad, layered shape gives it a different character from the more forceful drops at the other sites. Several accounts place Pongour at the top of the day, while others describe all three waterfalls as beautiful in different ways. I would treat Pongour as the visual highlight, especially if you prefer a wide cascade to a single narrow plunge.

The approach also helps break up the day. After the shorter Datanla stop, Pongour offers a more open rural setting and a stronger sense of being outside Da Lat proper. The tradeoff is distance. The drive south is a major reason the tour takes most of a day.

Elephant Waterfall and the current closure

Elephant Waterfall, also called Thac Voi, is described as one of the most powerful falls near Da Lat. The original attraction includes a windy cave beneath the waterfall, and the site is close to Linh An Pagoda.

The important practical issue is that Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational problem. The tour information says you can still enjoy the surrounding views, but you should not book this outing expecting the full waterfall access or the cave experience.

That closure changes the balance of the day. If seeing all three waterfalls up close is your main reason for booking, check the status before departure. If you mainly want a countryside route with several sights, the closure is less serious because the tour includes the pagoda and several craft and farming stops nearby.

The scheduled time is about 30 minutes. That is enough for photos and a look around, but not a long walk. Wear shoes with a good grip, since waterfall areas can be damp, though the supplied details do not promise a particular trail or hiking route.

Linh An Pagoda and its enormous Lady Buddha

Linh An Pagoda sits about 33 kilometers from Da Lat and is one of the more memorable cultural stops. Its main visual draw is a huge Lady Buddha statue, described as the largest in Vietnam.

The pagoda adds needed variety after several waterfall visits. You get a chance to slow down, look at the religious setting, and hear local context from the guide. The entrance fee is included, and the scheduled visit lasts around 30 minutes.

Do not expect a long temple visit. Thirty minutes is a short window, but it works well in a packed route. The pagoda is also close to Elephant Waterfall, so combining the two makes practical sense even while the waterfall access is limited.

Guides are often the difference between a quick photo stop and a worthwhile cultural visit. Tin Tin, in particular, has been praised for sharing local legends with humor and affection for the region. That sort of explanation can make the pagoda feel less like a box to check.

Cuong Hoan Silk Factory, from cocoon to cloth

The silk factory is one of the most unusual stops. You can see the process from cocoon to finished fabric, including the older method of removing silk from cocoons. The visit lasts about 30 minutes, and admission is included.

This is not a polished museum presentation. Its value is in seeing production at close range and understanding how much work sits behind a simple silk item. You may also encounter the pupae inside the cocoons, and one account specifically disliked tasting one. You are not required to make that taste test the centerpiece of your visit.

The stop suits anyone interested in local production, textiles, or small-scale industry. It also gives your legs a break from waterfall paths. The commercial side is worth keeping in mind, since factory visits can encourage purchases, but you can simply watch the process if you are not shopping.

The cricket farm and a very local snack

At Thien An Cricket Farm, the owner explains how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. You may also see or taste dishes made from crickets, and some versions of the stop include stir-fried crickets with rice wine.

This is an authentic, slightly odd, and memorable part of the route. It is not designed for every appetite. If eating insects makes you uneasy, you can still learn about the farm without treating the tasting as a challenge.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes and admission is included. The guide’s role matters here because a clear explanation turns an unfamiliar food into a look at local farming and eating habits. It also gives the tour a bit of humor, which several guides are praised for bringing to the day.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and weasel coffee

Me Linh Coffee Garden lies about 23 kilometers southwest of Da Lat, reached by the winding Ta Nung Pass. The plantation grows several types of coffee, including cherry, robusta, and arabica, and offers weasel coffee for an additional charge.

You can see the coffee plants and have a cup while looking over the farm setting. The coffee tasting is self-funded, and it costs more than coffee in Da Lat city, so decide before ordering if you are watching your budget.

The stop is valuable because coffee is a major part of the Central Highlands’ identity. Rather than simply drinking a cup in town, you get some context about the plant and the production setting. The weasel coffee element may interest curious food lovers, though the higher price means it is best viewed as an optional experience, not part of the tour’s basic value.

Me Linh also provides one of the more scenic road sections. The Ta Nung Pass is winding, so if you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you normally feel most comfortable and keep the bottled water close.

Bamboo knitting in Lam Ha District

The bamboo craft stop takes about 30 minutes and has no additional admission fee. It offers a look at local handwork and gives the day another change of pace.

This is a modest stop rather than a major attraction. Its appeal depends on your interest in practical crafts and rural life. I would not book the tour mainly for bamboo knitting, but I appreciate that it shows something other than waterfalls, temples, and coffee sales.

Together, the craft, silk, and cricket visits make the route feel connected to ordinary work in the Da Lat area. They also explain why the tour can appeal to someone who wants more than scenery.

Guides, transport, and the pace of the day

The guide is the strongest part of this experience. Quy is praised for delivering a large amount of information in a relaxed way. Vinh is described as the ideal guide for Da Lat. Su receives praise for answering questions and adding useful details, while Andy is valued for giving people time to wander independently.

Ace is also singled out for professionalism and warmth, and Bao, Joan, and Tin Tin receive similar praise for humor, English, and care. You cannot choose a particular guide with certainty, but the repeated pattern is clear: the guide can turn a tightly scheduled day into an enjoyable one.

Pickup and drop-off are included, and the air-conditioned vehicle matters on a route with substantial driving. The group can reach 15 people, though one account describes a cramped minibus with limited leg and shoulder room. If you dislike close quarters, that is the main comfort issue to consider.

The day’s timing requires flexibility. Each stop generally lasts 30 minutes, with Datanla receiving about 40 minutes. You will see many places, but you will not have long at any single one. That is the bargain: broad coverage instead of slow exploration.

Who should book this Da Lat day trip?

I would recommend this tour if you have one full day in Da Lat and want to see the countryside without arranging transport yourself. It fits first-time visitors, couples, families who can manage a long day, and anyone interested in mixing nature with coffee, crafts, food, and local religion.

It also suits people who enjoy guided context. The strongest experiences here come from explanations at the pagoda, silk factory, cricket farm, and coffee garden, not just from taking photos at waterfalls.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet nature outing, dislike shopping-oriented stops, need generous walking time, or expect all three waterfalls to be fully open. The route includes several commercial or paid extras, and the vehicle may be tight when full.

Children are priced by height. Those under 90 centimeters can use a free infant ticket. Children from 90 to 110 centimeters receive the child rate, listed as 50 percent off. Anyone above 110 centimeters requires an adult ticket.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the required minimum number of participants can lead to a changed date or full refund.

Should you book the three-waterfall tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety for a low price and accept a quick-moving schedule. Pongour is likely to be the day’s strongest waterfall, while the silk factory, Me Linh Coffee Garden, cricket farm, and Linh An Pagoda keep the outing from becoming repetitive.

Before booking, confirm the status of Elephant Waterfall, budget for lunch and optional activities, and prepare for a potentially cramped vehicle. If those limits are fair to you, this is a practical and entertaining way to see far more of the Da Lat area than you could easily cover on foot.

FAQ

How long does the Da Lat waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours and starts at 8:30 a.m.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall, also known as Thac Voi.

Is Elephant Waterfall open?

The tour information says Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. You can still enjoy the surrounding views, but access to the full attraction may not be available.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is the alpine coaster included?

No. The alpine coaster at Datanla is optional and costs extra.

What is included in the price?

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

How are children’s tickets priced?

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