Dalat Countryside’s & 3 waterfalls Group Tour

The best part of this Da Lat tour is its mix of three waterfalls and working countryside stops. In one long day, you move from pine-covered roads and flower farms to Pongour Falls, Elephant Falls, a silk workshop, a cricket farm, and a coffee plantation. It gives you a much broader look at the area than a simple waterfall outing.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which makes a long day easier to manage, and I like the range of guides who have led it, including Alex, Tom, Andy, Tai, and Porcupie. The main drawback is the pace: seven listed stops, plus driving and lunch, make this a full day. Some people will find the silk, cricket, and coffee stops fascinating; others will consider them sales-oriented or less important than the waterfalls.

Key points to know before booking

• Three waterfall options: Pongour and Elephant Falls are included, while Datanla is optional and requires separate payment.
• A full countryside circuit: The route covers Ta Nung, Nam Ban, Duc Trong, and areas around Da Lat.
• Small group travel: The vehicle carries no more than 12 people.
• Good guide reports: Alex, Tom, Andy, Tai, and Porcupie are praised for clear English, humor, and local explanations.
• Food is separate: Lunch and drinks are not included, though one group arranged an inexpensive meal for about 145,000 Vietnamese dong.
• Plan for a long day: The tour begins around 8 a.m. and usually lasts 6 to 8 hours, sometimes returning around 6 p.m.

Why this route works for a first day outside Da Lat

Da Lat is easy to enjoy from the center, but its best countryside sights are spread well beyond town. This tour connects them by air-conditioned vehicle, saving you the trouble of arranging separate rides to waterfalls, farms, and Nam Ban.

I like the way the day combines scenery with working rural businesses. You see flower farms, vegetable gardens, forests, and coffee fields from the road, then stop to learn how silk, rice wine, and coffee are produced. It is not a quiet nature tour. It is a broad introduction to the region, with plenty of movement and several short visits.

The group limit matters here. A large bus would make a schedule this busy tiring. With up to 12 people, the guide can explain things, help with translation, and keep the day moving without turning every stop into a long queue.

The route is also guide-dependent. Alex is praised for helping Spanish-speaking guests with phone translation, while Tom is described as funny and easy to understand. Andy, Tai, and Porcupie also receive strong praise for their manner and English. Your guide will shape the experience, but the operator has clearly used several guides who can handle an international group.

Datanla Waterfall: an optional opening stop

Datanla Waterfall sits about 5 kilometers south of Da Lat in Prenn Pass. It is surrounded by forest and is known for its alpine coaster option, which can add a bit of excitement to the visit.

This stop is optional, and the admission fee is not included. The alpine coaster also costs extra, so ask about the current price before deciding. If you mainly want nature, you can treat Datanla as an add-on. If you enjoy rides, it may be one of the more memorable parts of the morning.

There is a practical catch. The day already includes two major waterfalls later, so paying extra here may not be worthwhile for everyone. I would choose the coaster if you enjoy amusement rides, not simply because it is part of the route.

Pongour Falls: the grandest waterfall stop

Pongour Falls is described as one of the finest waterfalls in southern Vietnam, and it is one of the main reasons to book this tour. You have about an hour here, with admission included.

The stop gives you time to take photographs and appreciate the broad setting rather than rushing through a quick roadside viewpoint. Water levels can affect the look of any waterfall, and the tour requires good weather, so conditions will influence how impressive the visit feels.

Pongour is also one of the points that makes this tour useful for people without their own transport. It is far enough from Da Lat that visiting independently requires more planning. Here, the entrance fee is covered and the route is already arranged.

Elephant Falls and Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Falls, or Thác Voi, lies roughly 25 kilometers from Da Lat on the Cam Ly River. You get about an hour at the falls, and admission is included.

Expect a more rugged stop than a polished city attraction. Water, rocks, and uneven ground can make the visit feel close to nature, but you should take care with your footing. The information provided does not promise a particular walking route or access level, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

Linh An Pagoda is next to Elephant Falls and was built in 1993. The site includes long stone dragons along the entrance steps, bonsai gardens, pine trees behind the pagoda, and a large Lady Buddha figure. The pagoda gives the waterfall stop a cultural side, so you are not simply moving from one scenic viewpoint to the next.

I find this pairing especially useful. You can see a natural attraction and a religious site in the same area, with no separate transport needed. Dress and behave respectfully at the pagoda, and allow the guide to explain the symbols and layout.

Nam Ban silk factory: seeing the work behind the fabric

The silk factory in Nam Ban shows how silk is produced in the traditional way. You see the process rather than only the finished scarves and garments.

This is one of the most educational parts of the day. Silk looks simple when it is hanging in a shop, but the production process involves several careful stages. Watching the work helps you understand why handmade silk takes time and why quality varies.

You have about an hour here, and there is no separate admission fee. The main question is how interested you are in craft production. If you enjoy seeing local work close up, this stop adds real value. If waterfalls are your only priority, an hour here may feel long.

As with many craft-factory visits, you may encounter products for sale. You do not need to buy anything to benefit from the demonstration. I would treat shopping as optional and focus first on understanding the process.

Cricket farm and rice wine demonstration

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

This is a more unusual stop than the waterfalls. You are shown a food tradition that may be unfamiliar, and you may have the chance to taste crickets. Several positive accounts describe trying them, with one Spanish-speaking guest calling them surprisingly tasty. If you dislike insects, you can simply watch and skip the tasting.

The rice wine demonstration gives you another look at rural production. It is not presented as a formal cooking class, so expect an explanation and demonstration rather than hands-on instruction.

This stop may divide the group. Some people will remember it as the most distinctive part of the day. Others will find it less appealing than the waterfalls. That difference is worth considering before you book. The tour is designed to show daily production and food culture, not just scenic places.

Me Linh coffee plantation and weasel coffee

The Me Linh stop focuses on coffee production, including a weasel coffee farm. You learn about the beans and the local coffee trade while seeing the plantation setting.

Coffee is closely tied to the Central Highlands, so this visit adds useful context to the countryside you pass during the day. The stop is also a chance to pause after several active attractions and enjoy a drink, though any purchases or tastings should be confirmed with the guide.

Weasel coffee can be a point of curiosity, but the tour description does not promise a particular tasting menu or animal-welfare presentation. I would ask questions if that matters to you, and I would not assume that every coffee product is included in the tour price.

The coffee stop works best for people who like food production, farming, or local products. If you are not interested in coffee, it may feel like another commercial stop at the end of an already packed day.

Timing, transport, and lunch

The stated start time is 8 a.m., with pickup offered. Actual pickup times can vary by accommodation and group arrangements, so confirm the time and meeting point carefully. One account describes an 8:30 pickup and a return around 6 p.m., which shows how the advertised 6 to 8 hours can stretch toward a full day.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a welcome feature. Da Lat’s surrounding roads connect several distant areas, and an enclosed vehicle is more comfortable than arranging multiple taxis. The tour covers all fees and taxes and includes the listed entrance fees, but Datanla admission and the alpine coaster are exceptions.

Lunch and drinks are not included. In practice, the guide may help arrange a meal. One group paid about 145,000 Vietnamese dong for a menu with a drink and found the food both inexpensive and good. That price is a useful guide, but it is not guaranteed as part of the tour.

Bring water, some cash, and a little patience. The schedule has many stops, and the group must keep to its timing. The long driving sections are part of the bargain for seeing sites spread around the countryside.

Is $21.02 a good value?

At $21.02 per person, this is strong value if you want variety. The price covers an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, entrance fees listed as included, and a route that would be difficult to arrange independently in one day.

The cost is especially reasonable for a first visit to Da Lat. You get waterfalls, a pagoda, silk, rice wine, crickets, and coffee without paying separate taxi fares or finding each location yourself. The small group also gives the price more weight than a large coach tour.

The value drops if you only care about waterfalls. You spend time at the silk factory, cricket farm, and coffee plantation, and those visits are central to the day. You might prefer a shorter nature-focused outing if cultural production stops do not interest you.

You should also budget for lunch, drinks, and optional Datanla activities. The headline price is low, but the final cost depends on what you eat and whether you choose the coaster.

Who should book this Da Lat countryside tour?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first time in Da Lat and you want a broad view of the area in one day. It suits people who enjoy changing subjects, asking questions, taking photos, and sampling unusual local foods.

It is also a good fit if you do not have a motorbike or do not want to navigate rural roads yourself. The air-conditioned vehicle and small group remove much of the planning work.

You should think twice if you want a slow, quiet day. Seven major stops create a busy schedule, and the waterfalls share the day with several production visits. People who prefer independent exploration may also find the fixed timing restrictive.

Most people can participate, but the information does not provide a detailed accessibility assessment. Since waterfalls and pagoda entrances may involve uneven ground or steps, ask the operator about your specific needs before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can also lead to a new date or full refund. Confirm pickup and drop-off if your accommodation is far outside central Da Lat, since this has caused confusion for at least one booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety for a modest price and are happy to give a full day to the countryside. The strongest reasons are the three-waterfall focus, the manageable group size, and guides such as Alex and Tom, who are known for clear explanations and good humor.

Skip it if you want only scenic stops or dislike factory and food demonstrations. For everyone else, it is a practical way to connect Da Lat’s forests, farms, waterfalls, religious sites, and rural industries without spending the day arranging transport.

FAQ

How long does the Da Lat countryside tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours. It begins around 8 a.m., and one reported schedule returned around 6 p.m.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $21.02 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup time and location, especially if your accommodation is outside central Da Lat.

Which waterfall entrance fees are included?

Pongour Falls and Elephant Falls include admission. Datanla Waterfall is optional, and its entrance fee is not included.

Is the alpine coaster at Datanla included?

No. The alpine coaster ticket is separate from the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. You pay for your own lunch and drinks. A meal may be arranged during the day, but it is not part of the included package.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. The tour includes an English-speaking guide. Guides who have led this route include Alex, Tom, Andy, Tai, and Porcupie.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and bad-weather cancellations may result in a new date or full refund.