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

Dalat’s best countryside day is not only about waterfalls. This $22 tour links three dramatic falls with silk making, coffee growing, cricket farming, a giant Lady Buddha, and a little rice wine. I like that it shows how people around Dalat live and work, not just where to take a photograph.

I also like the variety. Pongour Waterfall gets the most time and often feels like the day’s scenic prize, while guides such as Su, Phat, Vinh, Quy, and Andy add stories and humor. The main drawback is pace: eight hours with many stops can leave you tired, and lunch and Datanla’s entrance fee are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Pongour’s seven cascades are the scenic highlight, with time to walk and take photographs.
• Datanla’s alpine coaster is optional and costs extra, but it adds a fun, fast ride through the pine forest.
• Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed, so you view it from nearby Linh An Pagoda rather than walk to its base.
• Silk, coffee, and cricket stops give the tour a useful look at local work and food.
• The day is tightly packed, which is good for a short stay but less suited to slow sightseeing.
• Lunch is not included, and the Datanla fee is either 80,000 VND for entry or 250,000 VND with the alpine coaster.

Why this $22 Dalat tour offers good value

At $22 per person, this is a strong value if you want to see several outlying sights without arranging separate rides. Transport, an English-speaking guide, 500 ml of purified water, a cup of rice wine, cricket tasting, and most entrance fees are included.

You still need to budget for lunch and Datanla. Standard Datanla entry is listed at 80,000 VND, while the alpine coaster option is 250,000 VND. Coffee purchases, souvenirs, and any products at the farms are also your own expense.

The value comes from the distance covered. Pongour Waterfall is about 50 kilometers south of Dalat, while Linh An Pagoda is about 33 kilometers from the city. Me Linh Coffee Garden is roughly 23 kilometers from central Dalat, reached by the winding Ta Nung Pass. A private car for all of this would usually require more planning and cost more than the tour price.

You should think of the day as a sampler rather than a slow nature outing. You get a broad look at Dalat’s countryside and small industries, but each scheduled stop is fairly brief. That tradeoff works well if you have only one or two days in Dalat.

Leaving Dalat for Van Thanh Flower Village

The day begins with hotel pickup in Dalat. You are asked to wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the guide contacts you before arrival. The ride out takes about 30 minutes.

The first listed stop is Van Thanh Flower Village, with about 30 minutes for a guided visit. Dalat is well known for flowers, and this stop gives you an early look at one of the crops that shapes the local economy.

This is also the least essential stop for some people. If your main goal is waterfalls and countryside, you may find the flower visit modest compared with Pongour or the coffee plantation. Still, it helps frame Dalat as a farming center rather than only a cool-weather resort town.

The schedule can change when conditions call for it. One guide, Andy, moved Datanla later when the site was crowded, avoiding a long wait. That kind of adjustment matters on a packed day, though the exact order of stops can vary.

Datanla Waterfall and the optional alpine coaster

Datanla Waterfall sits in the pine-covered Prenn Pass, about 5 kilometers south of Dalat’s center. It is the easiest waterfall to reach from town and the most developed stop of the three.

You get about 30 minutes for a photo stop and walk. The setting combines rushing water, forest, flowers, and visitor facilities. It is attractive, but it can be busy, especially earlier in the day.

The extra attraction here is the alpine coaster. The ride runs through the pine forest and is promoted as the longest in Asia. It is not included in the tour price, so you pay 80,000 VND for regular entry or 250,000 VND for the coaster option, according to the supplied details.

I would choose the coaster if you enjoy a bit of speed and do not mind paying extra. It is not described as frightening, and several people found it fun rather than extreme. If you prefer to save money or want more time for photographs, the regular waterfall visit is enough.

You should expect some walking and stairs during the day. Bring comfortable shoes and keep your water bottle handy. The supplied water is welcome, but 500 ml may not be enough for everyone during a warm, active day.

Pongour Waterfall, Dalat’s strongest nature stop

Pongour is the farthest major waterfall on the route and often the day’s biggest payoff. It is known as the Seven Cascading Waterfalls, with water spreading over a broad series of rocky steps.

The tour allows about 40 minutes here, enough for a guided visit, photographs, and a short walk. You will want to listen to the guide first so you know where to go, then use the remaining time for views and pictures.

Pongour feels different from Datanla. Datanla is close to town and built around an amusement feature, while Pongour offers a wider natural setting and a stronger sense of being out in the countryside. If you care most about scenery, this is the stop I would prioritize.

Weather and water levels matter. The provided information notes that Pongour was closed from November 20 through November 24, 2025, because of a storm. Conditions can affect waterfall access, so check the status before booking if your visit falls during unsettled weather.

A close view of Elephant Waterfall from Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Waterfall is described as one of Dalat’s most powerful falls. Under normal conditions, it would be a major stop. At the time covered by this information, however, the waterfall itself was temporarily closed because of an operational issue.

The tour still takes you to the area, but you view the falls from Linh An Pagoda, a short distance away. This is an important detail. Do not book expecting to walk down to Elephant Waterfall or stand beside its main flow.

Linh An Pagoda has its own reason to visit. It is known for a huge Lady Buddha statue, described here as the largest in Vietnam. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and adds a religious and cultural stop to a day otherwise built around nature and farming.

The pagoda also gives you the best available view of Elephant Waterfall while access remains restricted. The combination makes this stop worthwhile, but your expectations should be clear: it is a viewpoint visit, not a full waterfall walk.

Inside Cuong Hoan’s old-style silk workshop

The Cuong Hoan silk stop takes about 30 minutes and explains the process from cocoon to cloth. This is one of the more useful stops because you see the work rather than simply browse finished products.

The cocoons are soaked in hot water. The fine thread is then drawn out, wound onto a machine, placed on reels, and worked on a large loom to make patterned fabric. The workshop is said to maintain an old method of removing silk from cocoons.

You may find this stop especially interesting if you want a clearer picture of how local goods are made. It also gives context to any silk shopping you do later in Vietnam. As with many factory visits, products may be available for purchase, so take your time and buy only if something suits you.

Me Linh Coffee Garden and the cost of weasel coffee

The route continues to Me Linh Coffee Garden, about 23 kilometers southwest of Dalat. Reaching it means crossing the winding Ta Nung Pass, which is part of the appeal.

The guided visit lasts around 40 minutes. You learn about coffee growing and can try original weasel coffee for an additional charge. The coffee is self-funded, so check the price before ordering.

This stop gets a lot right for curious visitors. Dalat’s coffee culture is more than a café trend, and the plantation helps you understand the crop, the setting, and the way specialty coffee is sold. It is also a pleasant change from the waterfalls.

But the coffee can be expensive. One person specifically found the prices far too high, while still considering the visit interesting. My advice is simple: enjoy the explanation and scenery, then choose a tasting only if the price feels reasonable.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Lunch is scheduled for about 30 minutes at a local restaurant. It is not included, so you pay for your own meal.

A half-hour lunch is practical, not leisurely. You will have time to eat, but this is not the place to linger over several dishes. The supplied feedback is generally positive about the price and food, though one meal was judged disappointing. That tells you what to expect: lunch is a convenient break, with quality depending on the restaurant and the day.

Bring some cash in Vietnamese dong if possible. The tour information does not specify a set lunch menu or restaurant, so you should not plan around a particular dish.

Cricket farming and a taste of local food

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

This is one of the tour’s more unusual stops. You do not need to eat the crickets, but the tasting is included and the guide can help you understand what you are being offered. Some people find fried crickets surprisingly good, while others may prefer to watch.

The stop is valuable because it shows a small local food business rather than a polished tourist attraction. It also makes the day social. Guides such as Su and Andy were praised for encouraging people to try the food without pushing them.

The included cup of rice wine adds another local touch. Drink cautiously, especially if you still have a long ride and more walking ahead.

The guides make a big difference

The guide is a major part of this experience. Names assigned to this route include Su, Phat, Vinh, Quy, Andy, Ocean, Duyen, and others, so you may not receive a specific person unless the booking process confirms one.

The strongest pattern is clear: guides keep the day lively while explaining Dalat, Vietnamese life, farming, and the stops along the road. Su is often described as funny, friendly, and easy to understand. Phat is noted for clear English, good organization, and a warm personality. Vinh is praised for taking photographs and making people feel included. Quy is known for humor and strong English.

That matters because the schedule is busy. A quiet or disorganized guide could make the day feel like a checklist. A good one helps you understand why the silk workshop, coffee farm, pagoda, and cricket farm belong together.

The driver also matters on Dalat’s winding roads. Bing and other drivers received praise for handling the routes well. You are in a van for much of the day, so smooth driving and good timing make a real difference.

Who should book this day out

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Dalat and want a broad look at the area. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like a full schedule and do not want to arrange several separate trips.

It is also a good choice if you want more than scenery. The silk, coffee, and cricket stops offer a useful look at work and food in the region. The Lady Buddha adds a cultural stop, and the waterfalls keep the day scenic.

You may want a different plan if you dislike group tours, long van rides, or frequent stops. The day is active, and some walking includes stairs and uneven ground. It is not ideal for someone seeking a quiet waterfall picnic or a slow morning at one site.

Children are priced by height. Under 90 centimeters, select the infant ticket for free. Children from 90 to 110 centimeters receive the child rate, listed as 50 percent off. Anyone above 110 centimeters uses the adult ticket.

The tour is offered in English, with hotel pickup in Dalat. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are uncertain.

Should you book the three-waterfall tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety for a low price and accept a busy eight-hour schedule. Pongour is the strongest waterfall stop, Datanla offers the optional coaster, and Elephant still works as a viewpoint visit through Linh An Pagoda while access is restricted.

The best reason to choose this tour is the mix. You leave Dalat’s center, see farms and mountain roads, learn how silk is made, taste crickets, visit a coffee plantation, and return with a much broader sense of the region.

Skip it if your priority is a relaxed day or direct access to Elephant Waterfall. Before paying, confirm the current status of Pongour and Elephant, decide if you want the Datanla coaster, and set aside money for lunch and coffee. For most short stays, this is an efficient and entertaining way to see Dalat beyond its city streets.

FAQ

How long does the Dalat three-waterfall tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, with pickup and return in Dalat.

What waterfalls does the tour visit?

It visits Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall. Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed according to the supplied information, so the view is enjoyed from nearby Linh An Pagoda.

Is the Datanla alpine coaster included?

No. Datanla entry costs 80,000 VND, or 250,000 VND when using the alpine coaster.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant and is paid for separately.

What is included in the tour price?

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

Can I try coffee at Me Linh Coffee Garden?

Yes. You can try original weasel coffee at Me Linh Coffee Garden, but the coffee is self-funded and is not included in the tour price.

Is Elephant Waterfall open?

The supplied information says Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed because of an operational issue. You can view the waterfall from Linh An Pagoda nearby.

What ticket should I choose for a child?

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

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.