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

Three waterfalls plus farm life, all in one day. This Da Lat circuit mixes Datanla, Pongour, and Elephant views with hands-on countryside stops, so you do not just hop between pretty photos. Guides like Phat and Su are especially good at keeping the day fun and on schedule, and the Alpine coaster at Datanla is a welcome extra if you like thrills.

What I like most is the balance: you get waterfall scenery in the morning, then you shift into real local production and food culture in the afternoon. I also like the practical inclusions for a day tour like this, like purified water, a cup of rice wine, and cricket tasting, plus entrance fees are covered except for Datanla.

One thing to consider is that the day is packed, and at times one or two waterfalls may be closed due to weather or operations. Pongour can be shut during storms, and Elephant may be inaccessible, with viewpoints handled from nearby spots instead.

Key highlights worth aiming for

• Datanla Waterfall in Prenn Pass: a forested stop about 5 km south of Da Lat with the option to add the Alpine coaster.
• Pongour Waterfall (7 cascading falls): often the star for its dramatic multi-level drops, located about 50 km south on National Highway 20.
• Elephant Waterfall views from Linh An Pagoda: even when Elephant has operational issues, you still get a close viewing angle nearby.
• Cuong Hoan silk factory: you see how cocoons become threads and patterned fabric using an old method.
• Me Linh coffee and Thien An cricket farm: two fun tastings that explain local agriculture instead of just selling souvenirs.

Why this Da Lat waterfalls loop feels efficient

Da Lat sits in the Central Highlands, so roads are curvy and distances add up fast. This tour earns its value by bundling the main waterfall corridor with agriculture and craft stops, so you are not stuck doing one long, boring commute at a time.

The pacing is active, not leisurely. You will do short walks, photo stops, and guided visits back-to-back, which is ideal if you have limited time in town and want the countryside experience without planning everything.

It also helps that the day includes the “small comfort” stuff. You get 500 ml of purified water per guest, and you even get a cup of rice wine. Those touches matter on a warm, outdoor day where you might otherwise forget snacks or drink.

Morning warm-up: Van Thanh Flower Village and the countryside start

Your day starts with pickup in Da Lat, then a van ride of about 30 minutes. After that, you visit Van Thanh Flower Village for roughly 30 minutes.

This stop is a good buffer before you hit the waterfalls. You get an easy introduction to Da Lat’s agriculture vibe, and it helps you get out of city mode before the scenery turns more wild and mountainous.

The only caution here is crowd energy. One stop early in the day can feel a little busy depending on timing, so I suggest being ready to move quickly, take your photos, and enjoy the guided context rather than expecting a quiet stroll.

Datanla Waterfall: forest views plus optional Alpine coaster thrills

Next comes Datanla Waterfall, located in the middle of Prenn Pass, about 5 km south of Da Lat center. The stop includes time for photos and a walk, around 30 minutes.

I like Datanla because it mixes nature with built-for-visitors viewpoints. You get wild-looking forest surroundings, and the route gives you that “I am in the hills” feeling without needing any serious hiking gear.

There is also pine forest and flowers in the area, which makes Datanla feel softer than some harsher cliff-style waterfalls. If you want to add extra fun, the big bonus is the Alpine coaster experience that runs through the pine scenery.

Datanla fees you should plan for

Datanla entrance fees are not included. You will pay:

• 80,000 VND for entry, or
• 250,000 VND if you use the Alpine coaster

If you are tempted by the coaster, I recommend planning for it. It is the part of the day that turns scenery time into actual adrenaline, and many people consider it worth the extra cost.

What to watch for

This is an outdoor stop with stairs and walking. Bring a light layer, and wear shoes with grip. You do not want sore feet when the rest of the itinerary keeps moving.

Cuong Hoan silk factory: see the process, not just the product

After Datanla, you visit Cuong Hoan silk for about 30 minutes. This is a silk weaving factory stop, and the point is the whole workflow, from cocoon to finished fabric.

What makes it interesting is the method. This is described as the only silk factory in Vietnam that keeps an old-style process for unwinding silk threads. You will see cocoons soaked in hot water, then threads wound onto a machine, then onto a reel, before weaving into patterned cloth.

If you like watching crafts with real steps and tools, this stop tends to pay off. It is not only about textiles as an end product, it is about how local materials turn into something you can recognize in daily life.

A practical note

Factory stops can move at a quick tempo, because the tour is built as a full-day loop. If you care a lot about details, use your guided time to ask what you are seeing, then take a few focused photos rather than trying to capture everything.

Pongour Waterfall (7 cascading waterfalls): dramatic multi-level drops

Then it is on to Pongour Waterfall, also known as 7 cascading waterfalls. You travel about 50 km south of Da Lat toward Duc Trong district, along National Highway 20, and you get about 40 minutes there.

Pongour is often the most scenic “wow” stop in the wider Central Highlands. The reason is the cascading structure, it is not just one fall, it is layered drops that create a wider visual scene.

Important closure update

There is a note that Pongour Waterfall can be closed due to storms, with closure listed until 24 November 2025. If you are traveling around that period, you should treat this stop as weather-dependent and confirm the operating status before you go.

How to enjoy it

Give yourself time for viewing points and photos. Waterfalls can look different from different angles, especially when the cascade spreads across multiple levels. Also, bring a dry bag or keep your phone protected if misty conditions hit.

Me Linh coffee garden: Ta Nung pass views and weasel coffee

In the afternoon, you visit Me Linh coffee garden, around 40 minutes. It is about 23 km from the center of Da Lat to the southwest, and you cross the winding Ta Nung pass to get there.

This is a good contrast to the waterfalls. Instead of water sound and stone textures, you get plant rows, production explanations, and a taste tied to a specific local coffee story.

One of the featured coffees is original weasel coffee (luwak coffee), described as self-sufficient. If you enjoy food culture, coffee is a great angle here because it connects agriculture, local processes, and a taste that feels tied to the region.

Best way to approach coffee stops

Go in with curiosity. Ask what makes the coffee local, and be patient with the explanation portion, since this stop works best when you understand what you are sampling, not just where you can buy a bag.

Linh An Pagoda: the big lady Buddha plus Elephant area viewpoints

Next is Linh An pagoda, about 33 km from Da Lat city. This is a major sightseeing stop because you can see the huge lady buddha in Vietnam.

This is also the pivot point of the day. It is where the itinerary can flex depending on whether the Elephant Waterfall is operating normally.

There is a specific update here: Elephant Waterfall may be temporarily closed due to operational issues, but you can still enjoy the full view of this breath-taking waterfall from Linh An pagoda because the locations are close.

So if you were worried that the “Elephant” name would turn into disappointment, Linh An pagoda is there to keep you from missing the visual payoff.

Elephant Waterfalls: powerful, and sometimes view-based

After Linh An pagoda, your tour continues to Elephant Waterfalls for about 30 minutes. It is described as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Da Lat.

If Elephant is open, you will get the full experience. If it is not, the plan is still set up so you get the view from the nearby pagoda area, which is a smart workaround when access is limited.

How to maximize the Elephant time

Even if the waterfall is not fully accessible, treat the viewing portion as your main event. Check angles, watch how water changes as you move slightly, and plan to spend a few extra minutes soaking in the scale rather than rushing a photo.

Thien An cricket farm: how crickets get raised and why people eat them

Your final stops include Thien An cricket farm, around 30 minutes. You get guided explanations from the farm owner on raising, caring for, and breeding crickets.

The tour does not stop at theory. Cricket tasting is included, and dishes made from crickets are part of the experience at the farm. You might also spot how the feeding and care process supports the final culinary product.

I like this stop because it challenges the usual idea that insects are only street snacks. Here, it is framed as an agricultural system, and the guide-led walkthrough helps it feel less random and more understandable.

Food note for picky eaters

This is an included tasting. If you are not into trying unusual foods, you still get the guided explanation, but you should mentally prep for the fact that tasting is part of the experience.

Bamboo knitting (seasonal): a cultural extra when it’s on

There is also bamboo knitting (seasonal) listed as part of the broader tour highlight set. When it is operating, it is the kind of add-on that turns your day from sightseeing into something closer to local craft learning.

Because it is seasonal, it may not appear on every departure. If bamboo knitting matters to you, ask your guide on pickup if it is scheduled for your day.

Lunch break: included time, not included cost

Lunch is in a local restaurant with about 30 minutes for the meal. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you will pay for it separately.

Quality can vary the way restaurant meals often do on day tours. Still, the stop is there for a proper sit-down pause before the later viewpoints and farm timing.

Bring cash or a payment method you know works in local places, and do not plan to stretch lunch into a long break, because the rest of the itinerary keeps moving.

Price and value: why $22 can work here

At $22 per person for an 8-hour day, the best value comes from what you get for that money.

You are paying for:

• transport by van
• a live English guide
• purified water
• guided visits at multiple stops
• a cup of rice wine
• cricket tasting
• entrance fees for nearly everything, except Datanla

That is a lot of logistics taken off your shoulders. If you tried to DIY three waterfalls plus silk plus coffee plus a cricket farm, you would spend time figuring out routes, paying for individual guides, and coordinating transport.

The main add-on costs to plan for are:

• Datanla entrance fees
• lunch
• and the optional Alpine coaster upgrade (bundled with the higher Datanla fee)

If you want maximum value, I suggest deciding early whether you are doing the coaster. If you are, build the budget around the 250,000 VND option. If you are not, the standard entry fee keeps costs lower.

Who this tour suits best

This day trip is a smart fit if you:

• want a full countryside sample in one day
• like guided explanations more than aimless wandering
• are curious about local production, like silk and coffee
• want waterfall scenery without renting multiple scooters

It may feel like a lot if you prefer slow travel, lots of downtime, or minimal walking. The itinerary is designed for momentum.

If you are traveling as a couple, it is still easy to enjoy because the stops are varied and structured. Families can do it too, but plan for uneven terrain and stair sections at waterfall areas.

Book it or skip it: my straight advice

I would book this tour if you want one efficient day that combines Da Lat waterfalls with practical culture stops. The silk factory, coffee garden, and cricket farm are not filler. They add context for how the region earns money and feeds itself.

I would pause and check before booking if you are visiting during storm risk windows or right around the listed Pongour closure period, because waterfalls can change access. Also, if you hate stairs or want a slow day, this itinerary is not built for that.

If you can handle a busy schedule, bring comfortable shoes, and plan your Datanla budget in advance, this is a strong way to get more than just postcards from Da Lat.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation, a guide, 500 ml of purified drinking water per guest, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and entrance fees (except Datanla Waterfall). Lunch is not included.

Is Datanla Waterfall entry included?

No. Datanla Waterfall entry is not included, and you pay on site: 80,000 VND for entry, or 250,000 VND if you use the Alpine coaster.

Is the Alpine coaster included?

No. The Alpine coaster at Datanla is optional and not included in the base tour price. It is included only if you choose the higher Datanla fee option.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. There is time for lunch at a local restaurant during the tour.

Are Pongour and Elephant Waterfalls always open?

Not always. Pongour Waterfall can be closed due to storms, and Elephant Waterfall can be temporarily closed due to operational issues. When Elephant is closed, the tour still allows you to enjoy the view from Linh An pagoda.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included, and you should wait in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. The guide will contact you before coming.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide provides English.

How do child ticket fares work?

Child ticket pricing depends on height:

• Under 90 cm: Infant ticket for free
• 90 cm to 110 cm: Child ticket for 50 percent off
• Above 110 cm: Adults ticket