The Tu Lan Cave System comprises around 25 caves, each boasting unique geological formations and vibrant stalactites.
The trekking tours to Tu Lan offer diverse itineraries, with 7 different options ranging from 1 to 6 days. The routes vary in difficulty and terrain—from easy walks to more challenging treks—making them suitable for families with children as well as adventure enthusiasts.
This article will introduce the itineraries and experiences of the Tu Lan expeditions, helping visitors choose the option that best matches their interests and fitness level.
Overview of the Location and Exploration of the Tu Lan Cave System
The Tu Lan cave system is located in Kim Phu Commune, Quang Tri Province, about 70 km from Phong Nha and approximately 106km northwest of Dong Hoi.
The Tu Lan area has about 25 caves and 9 valleys, dating back approximately 350–400 million years. It was formed through complex geological movements and the flow from branches of the Rao Nan River. Due to its low-lying terrain, surrounded on all sides by limestone mountain ranges, this area becomes a flood basin during the rainy season. Many caves here were discovered by locals hundreds of years ago and were used as shelters during floods.
Since 1992, experts from the British-Vietnamese cave exploration team have explored caves such as Hang Chuot, Hang Hung Ton, and Hang Tien. In 2009, Mr. Dinh Hong Nham discovered Tu Lan Cave, the Large Tomb Cave, and the Small Tomb Cave during a forest expedition.
Over the course of 30 years (from 1992 to 2022), locals and experts gradually discovered and surveyed additional caves such as Hang Ken, Hang Bi Mat, Hang Kim, and Hang Song, bringing the total number of caves in the Tu Lan system to 25. Experts believe that many more caves in this area are still waiting to be explored.
Unique Experiences on a Tu Lan Expedition
Conquer diverse trekking terrains
Thanks to the unique geology of the area, Tu Lan adventure tours combine a wide variety of terrains that constantly change along the journey. This requires visitors to have physical strength, flexibility, and adaptability. Visitors will trek along jungle trails, wade through rivers and streams, climb slopes, and scramble over sharp limestone rocks and cliffs.
Depending on the chosen itinerary, the total trekking distance ranges from 9 to 34 kilometers, with challenges increasing along the way. They may also experience climbing ladders, abseiling down cave walls, scaling rock cliffs to reach upper levels, and swimming across underground rivers to conquer the caves.
Explore the caves and their colorful stalactite world
A distinctive feature of the Tu Lan cave system is its complex geology, with many caves containing both dry and river passages. Some caves are structured with multiple levels, offering unique routes such as vertical rock walls, steep slopes covered with boulders, and narrow corridors running along deep gorges. These natural formations make every step of the cave exploration even more thrilling and adventurous.
The caves featured in Tu Lan tours are home to impressive stalactite formations with unique highlights such as:
- Deep red stalactites and sparkling golden and silver stalactites resemble a galaxy in Hang Tu Lan.
- A “valley” of stalactites and giant stalagmites in Hang Ken.
- A swirling ceiling, rock formations resembling rice terraces, and massive stalagmites inside Hang Tien.
- A heart-shaped ceiling in Hang Chuot.
- Green-colored stalagmites, flowstone walls, and curtain-like formations in Hang Hung Ton.
- Unique coral stalactites Hang Song.
- Mushroom-shaped stalagmites in Hang Fun.
- The intricate stalactite system in Hang Bi Mat, along with many other caves.
Swim through underground rivers
Because many caves in the Tu Lan system are “wet caves” or have both dry and river passages, most multi-day expeditions include swimming in underground rivers. In caves such as Hang Ken, Hang Kim, Hang Tu Lan, and Hang Hung Ton, visitors can swim from the cave entrance inward, or from the river passage inside out.
During the swimming sections, they are equipped with life jackets and accompanied by guides and safety assistants at all times. In caves with longer distances, stronger currents, or multiple passages, as in Hang Kim, safety ropes are installed to help swimmers navigate the route and hold on for rest when needed.
For those who cannot swim or feel uneasy in the water, a raft is available to help them cross the underground rivers. Visitors with only basic swimming skills can still join the activity with the support of guides and safety assistants.
Overnight camping in pristine valleys
As part of the Tu Lan cave exploration, visitors will trek through many valleys, such as Hung Ton, Hung Dung, Hung Run, Hung Nhai, and Hung Bop. Several of these valleys, thanks to their beautiful locations, have been set up as forest campsites, such as in Tu Lan Valley, La Ken, To Mo, Hang Tien, and Hung Dung.
The campsites are designed to be simple yet comfortable, equipped with personal tents, separate dining areas, flashlights, and eco-friendly Oxalis Composting Toilets. In the evening, after a long day of trekking, visitors can relax in the cool stream, enjoy a hot dinner, and fall asleep to the soothing sound of flowing water.
At the campsite in Hang Tien Valley, there is even a natural “infinity pool” surrounded by jungle, and thanks to its wide-open landscape, it is also one of the best spots for stargazing.
Enjoy dinner at a local home
On overnight and multi-day trekking tours, visitors will also have the chance to enjoy dinner with local families alongside their guides. Before the meal, visitors can cycle through the peaceful countryside at dusk and listen to stories about daily life in flood-prone villages. They will also learn about the unique floating houses that help locals withstand the rainy season.
Dinner features authentic regional dishes such as Com Poi (traditional rice dish). Friendly hosts often invite guests to join in the cooking process, showing them how to prepare Com Poi and muoi cheo – two specialties deeply rooted in local culture and everyday life.
Stay at rural homestay and Tu Lan Lodge
On multi-day Tu Lan expeditions, visitors will spend one night relaxing at either Tu Lan Lodge or a Rural Homestay in Tan Hoa Village.
For Tu Lan trekking tours lasting 4 to 6 days, as well as the 2-day-1-night Hang Tien – Tu Lan tour, visitors will stay in Mountain or River Bungalows at Tu Lan Lodge. These rooms are built along the hillside, offering comfortable amenities and private balconies with stunning views of majestic mountains, vast rice fields, or the poetic Rao Nan River.
The Rural Homestay offers a closer connection to local culture, where visitors can stay overnight in floating houses located right within a family’s property.
In the morning, visitors can cycle around the village or join the Countryside cycling: Explore Tan Hoa Farms tour to learn about the local garden–pond–livestock model (VAC) and explore family-run farms in the area.
Best time to explore Tu Lan cave system
From November to the end of August is considered the best time for visitors to explore the Tu Lan cave system, with each season offering its own unique weather characteristics:
From mid-November to the end of mid-September is the ideal time to explore the Tu Lan cave system, with each season having specific weather characteristics as follows:
- From March to the end of May is springtime, when the weather becomes warmer. Wildflowers bloom across the jungle, and forest butterflies can often be seen along the trekking paths.
- From June to the end of August is summertime, with sunny weather and higher humidity. The temperature ranges from 27°C to 37°C. However, most of the trekking routes are shaded under the forest canopy, where it stays pleasantly cool at around 22°C to 25°C. Inside the caves, the temperature remains steady at about 23°C to 24°C.
- From September to the end of November is autumn, with relatively cool weather but possible rainfall. Some caves, such as Hang Tien, are not affected by heavy rain and trekking tours can still operate.
- From December to the end of February, it is winter, with temperatures ranging from 19–23°C. If the temperature drops below 18°C, visitors will take a raft to cross the underground rivers.
Tu Lan cave system tours from Oxalis
Tu Lan Family Experience Tour (TF1)
The Tu Lan Family Experience Tour (TF1) is ideal for families with children from 6 years old who want to enjoy a light trekking trip combined with survival skill training for kids in just one day.
This 6 km journey takes visitors through two beautiful valleys, Rao Nan and Laken, explores Hang Chuot, enjoys a forest picnic, and crosses cool streams. Along the way, visitors will admire the majestic nature of the vast cave system while learning how to set up a hammock, make cheo salt (a local dipping spice), and play fun water games.
The Tu Lan Family Experience Tour is rated Level 1 – Introductory.
Tu Lan Family Adventure Tour (TF2)
The Tu Lan Family Adventure Tour (TF2) is a 2-day, 1-night journey, perfect for families with children from 8 years old who enjoy outdoor activities.
Over a 13 km route, visitors will wade through streams, trek across two valleys, and explore four caves: Hang Bi Mat, Hang Hung Ton, Hang Chuot, and Hang Chuot Nhat. A highlight of the tour is that children get to set up camp for an overnight stay in the jungle and join local chefs in cooking meals. This tour is rated Level 2 – Easy.
Tu Lan Experience Tour (TL1)
The Tu Lan Experience Tour (TL1) is perfect for visitors who only have one day but still want to challenge themselves in Tu Lan’s wilderness and enjoy the unique experience of swimming in underground rivers.
Visitors will trek 9 km through the jungle, cross the Rao Nan River, climb mountains, and explore the impressive rock formations and stunning stalactites of Hang Chuot and Hang Hung Ton. They will descend a 10-meter ladder into the water passage of Hang Hung Ton and swim about 150 meters out to To Mo Valley at the cave entrance.
Although the route is not too challenging, it still includes sections with sharp limestone cliffs and two mountains around 60 meters high to climb.
Hang Tien – Tu Lan Discovery Tour (HTL)
The Hang Tien – Tu Lan Discovery Tour (HTL) is perfect for visitors who want to admire the swirling dome ceiling and magnificent stalactite system of Hang Tien, while also experiencing underground river swimming inside the water caves.
The tour lasts 2 days and 1 night, taking visitors to explore Hang Tien, Hang Chuot, and Hang Hung Ton – where they can swim through the underground river. The journey includes trekking across rugged rocky trails, admiring terrace-shaped stalactites, and the swirling ceiling of Hang Tien.
In the evening, visitors will enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home, learn about the culture and daily life of the Nguon ethnic community in the tourism village, and spend the night at Tu Lan Lodge.
The Hang Tien – Tu Lan Discovery Tour (HTL) is rated at Adventure Level 2 – Easy. The route is moderately challenging with a total distance of 18 km, including 2.3 km of cave exploration. It is suitable for visitors aged 16 to 70 who are in good physical condition.
Tu Lan Cave Encounter Tour (TL2)
For visitors with little trekking experience but who still want to explore multiple caves, conquer various terrains, climb rocky slopes, and navigate underground rivers like a true explorer, the Tu Lan Cave Encounter Tour (TL2) is the perfect choice.
The 3-day, 2-night journey will take visitors to four caves: Hang Ken, Tu Lan Cave, Hang Kim, and Hang Hung Ton. Participants will trek 14.5km, including 2km of cave exploration, and swim 1km through underground rivers intermittently from Hang Ken and Hang Kim to the cave exits.
These caves feature massive and magnificent stalactite systems, with each cave having its own unique geological characteristics. Visitors can climb narrow, enclosed rock walls like a skylight to reach upper levels in Tu Lan Cave, scale stalactite-covered walls in Hang Hung Ton using ladders over 10 meters high, and more.
After 2 days of exploration and 1 night of camping in the forest, visitors will return to Tan Hoa village, enjoy dinner at a local home, and rest at the Rural Homestay. In the morning, before leaving Tan Hoa, participants can join the Countryside Cycling: Explore Tan Hoa Farms tour to visit bee farms, deer and porcupine farms, and the VAC integrated farming system (Garden – Pond – Livestock).
The Tu Lan Cave Encounter Tour (TL2) is rated as Adventure Level 2 – Easy.
Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour (TL3)
Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour (TL3) takes visitors to six caves: Hang Chuot, Hang Ken, Tu Lan Cave, Hang Kim, Hang Hung Ton, and Hang Song Oxalis. This is the only tour that explores Hang Song, which boasts the most remarkable stalactite system among the more than 20 caves in the Tu Lan area. It is an ideal choice for visitors passionate about exploring intricate geological formations and conquering challenging cave terrains.
The journey lasts 4 days and 3 nights, covering a total distance of 18 km, including 4 km inside caves and 1 km of intermittent underground river swimming. Visitors will camp for 2 nights in the forest valleys of Tu Lan and To Mo.
On the third night, participants will enjoy dinner at a local home in Tan Hoa village, hear stories about life in the floodplain, and rest at Tu Lan Lodge.
Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer Tour (TL3) rated Adventure Level 3 – Moderate.
Tu Lan Cave Expedition Tour (TL4)
This is a challenging journey that allows adventure enthusiasts to conquer nearly the entire Tu Lan cave system.
The expedition itinerary covers seven caves: Hang Bi Mat, Hang Ken, Tu Lan Cave, Hang Hung Ton, Hang Kim, Hang Tien 1, and Hang Tien 2. Along the way, visitors will trek through six stunning valleys: Tu Lan, To Mo, Laken, Hung Dung, Hung Nhai, and Hang Tien.
Participants will trek 34km, including 5km inside caves and 1km of intermittent underground river swimming. Notably, in Tu Lan Cave, visitors will experience abseiling down to the underground river and swimming through Hang Kim. Over 4 days of forest trekking, they will climb numerous hills and slopes, with a total elevation gain of 1,400 meters, the highest peak reaching 300 meters. On the evening of the fourth day, participants will return to Tan Hoa village, have dinner at a local home, and rest at Tu Lan Lodge.
The Tu Lan Cave Expedition tour (TL4) is one of Oxalis’ three most challenging tours and is rated Adventure Level 5 – Demanding. The tour requires participants to be between 18 and 70 years old, in good physical condition, and regularly engage in sports. Within the past 12 months, participants should have experience in at least one overnight trekking tour and 1–2 day trekking tours.
Tu Lan trekking tours are designed with various routes and levels of difficulty, suitable for a wide range of visitors. From families with young children and beginner trekkers to professional adventure enthusiasts, everyone can explore the majestic mountains and marvel at the millions-of-years-old geological wonders inside the caves.
For detailed information on Tu Lan cave exploration tours (1–6 days), visit the Oxalis Adventure website or contact a specialist for direct consultation.