Trekking to Hidden Waterfall & Sturgeon Farm for dog-lovers

The best part of this Dalat day trip is the private waterfall, reached by a forest walk and kept away from the usual sightseeing circuit. You may have the pool and rushing water almost entirely to yourself, with Twin Beans Farm’s friendly dogs padding along beside you.

I like the mix of hands-on local life: a sturgeon farm that is not normally open to the public, followed by coffee grown, roasted, and served on the same property. I also like the $10 price, which covers the guide, water, entrance fees, and coffee plantation tour. The catch is simple: Twin Beans Farm is about 20 kilometers from central Dalat, and finding the turnoff can take some care.

Key points to know before you book

• A private waterfall in the forest: Walk roughly 30 minutes before reaching a quiet waterfall where swimming and paddling are possible.
• A rare sturgeon farm visit: See large fish and learn how sturgeon are raised for caviar production at a farm not open to ordinary public visits.
• Six farm dogs may join the walk: This is a real highlight for dog-lovers, though it is worth knowing that the dogs are part of the experience rather than a formal dog-handling activity.
• A working coffee farm: The visit includes a coffee plantation and roastery tour, with beans available to buy as a souvenir.
• A strong $10 value: Your guide, water, welcome drink, and entrance fees are included, but coffee-shop drinks, lunch, and transport are extra.
• Easy to pair with another activity: Add the coffee workshop or scented candle workshop in the afternoon.

Why this walk feels different from a standard Dalat tour

Dalat has no shortage of waterfalls, coffee farms, and countryside excursions. What makes this one appealing is the way several small experiences fit together without feeling like a rushed checklist.

You begin at Twin Beans Farm in Da Sar commune, in the hills outside town. From there, the route moves through forest to a sturgeon farm, then onward to the waterfall. You return to the farm for coffee and a rest. The day has a clear rhythm: walk, learn, swim, then sit down.

I especially like that the sturgeon stop is not simply a photo opportunity. You get an explanation of the farming process and see the fish themselves. Several visitors noted seeing very large sturgeon, and the visit gives you a look at an unusual part of Vietnamese agriculture that most Dalat day trips skip.

The dog element adds warmth and a little comic relief. The farm dogs may escort you along the route, turning an ordinary forest walk into something more personal. If you love dogs, this detail may be enough to put the experience high on your Dalat list. If you prefer a quiet walk without animals around you, keep it in mind before booking.

Starting at Twin Beans Farm in Da Sar

Twin Beans Farm is around 20 kilometers from Dalat’s center, with the drive taking about 40 minutes. That distance matters more than it might appear on a map. You are leaving the city and heading into a rural area, so transport takes planning.

You can arrive by your own motorbike, private car, or taxi. A Grab taxi costs about 300,000 Vietnamese dong each way according to the supplied information, though app-based drivers may have trouble locating the farm or completing the return trip. One useful detail is that there may be no mobile service at the drop-off point, so save directions before leaving Dalat.

The final stretch has been described as a little rocky for roughly 100 meters. It is not a reason to avoid the trip, but it is another reason to allow time and avoid arriving in a hurry.

If you need a taxi back to Dalat, ask the farm staff in advance. It may take about 45 minutes for a car to arrive. I would not book a tight onward connection after the activity. The walk itself can run longer than expected when you stop for a swim or remain at the cafe for a drink.

The staff can help organize a return taxi, which is useful because local transport is not as easy to arrange from this rural setting. Still, you should confirm the price and waiting time before setting off.

The first 30 minutes through the forest

The trek begins at Twin Beans Farm and reaches the sturgeon farm after about 30 minutes. The full walk has been described as roughly 5 kilometers, although the activity is listed as lasting anywhere from three to six hours depending on the schedule and time spent at the waterfall or cafe.

This is not a bus tour with a short photo stop. You walk through a forested area, so comfortable shoes are essential. The route also includes an approach to the waterfall that some people describe as an adventure, with climbing and paddling around the water.

Your guide gives context about the forest, the farm, and Vietnamese life along the way. Hieu, also referred to as Hue in some bookings, has guided many of the outings and speaks strong English. Jessie has also led the morning trek and the coffee workshop. The guide names may depend on the date, but English and Vietnamese guiding are available.

The pace appears flexible when the group is small. That gives you a chance to ask questions instead of simply following a flag through the countryside. You should still tell the guide if you need a slower pace or want to spend more time by the water.

The dogs often follow the group from the farm. They are one of the most memorable parts of the walk, especially for anyone who misses their own dog while traveling. Do not expect a structured animal encounter, though. They are farm dogs accompanying the route, not a scheduled activity with handling instructions.

A look inside Dalat’s sturgeon farming

The sturgeon farm is the most unusual stop. It is described as one of the largest in Dalat and is not normally open to the public, so access through this tour gives you something beyond the standard coffee-and-waterfall route.

Your guide explains how the fish are raised and how caviar production works. You can see the sturgeon in the water and ask questions about the farming process. The stop is educational without requiring a long lecture, and it gives you a better sense of the agricultural work happening outside Dalat.

For me, this is where the tour gains substance. A waterfall is pleasant, but a working farm adds local detail. Sturgeon may seem unexpected in the Central Highlands, and that contrast makes the stop memorable.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a farm visit, not a polished museum or a caviar tasting. The main value is seeing the fish and learning about production from the guide. Lunch is not included, and there is no stated caviar tasting included in the $10 price.

After the sturgeon visit, the group continues toward the waterfall. The dogs may remain with you, creating a small procession through the countryside.

Reaching the private waterfall

The waterfall is not publicly accessible, which is the main reason this outing feels special. Instead of joining a crowd at a well-known Dalat attraction, you reach a quieter spot where you may be the only people there.

The water is suitable for a swim according to the supplied details, and several people enjoyed paddling around and climbing up toward the waterfall. Bring swimwear, not just a towel, if you want to get in. Water is included, but you should still carry enough for the walk.

The waterfall stop can last around 40 minutes, though you may spend longer there if the group agrees. This is the natural pause in the day. You can cool off, sit beside the water, and enjoy the forest without a shop-lined viewing platform or a tightly managed schedule.

The route to the water is not described as a flat stroll. Expect a short hike and some climbing near the waterfall. Comfortable shoes with a good grip are more useful than sandals. If you are bringing a camera or phone, use a waterproof pouch or keep it secure around the water.

The private setting is a major advantage, but it also means you should not expect the facilities of a developed attraction. Bring what you need for swimming and changing, and listen carefully to the guide around wet or uneven sections.

Returning to the coffee plantation

After the waterfall, you walk back to Twin Beans Farm. The return gives you another chance to ask about the plants, the local area, and daily farm life. Once back, you can rest at the cafe in the middle of the coffee plantation.

The coffee stop is included as a plantation and roastery tour, along with a welcome drink. Drinks ordered at the coffee shop are not included, so budget extra if you want to sit with a cup after the trek. The setting is one of the tour’s strongest features: you are drinking coffee among the plants where the process begins, rather than in a city cafe detached from production.

Beans are available to buy as a souvenir. That makes more sense than purchasing another generic item from a market. You can take home something tied directly to the farm and the place you visited.

The coffee experience also gives the day a gentler finish. After forest walking and swimming, sitting down with a drink is welcome. One practical note: cafe time can add roughly 45 minutes to the overall outing if the group chooses to linger. I would treat the listed three to six hours as a flexible range, not a promise of a precise finish.

Adding lunch or an afternoon workshop

Lunch can be arranged for an additional cost. The farm also offers a coffee workshop and a scented candle workshop, both of which can be combined with the morning trek.

The coffee workshop is the most natural pairing. You can learn more about the beans after seeing the plantation and roastery, then spend the afternoon making your own coffee. Jessie has guided this part of the experience, and the activity can turn a short morning excursion into a full day at the farm.

This combination works best if you are interested in the production side of coffee, not just drinking it. It also solves the transport problem because you do not need to return to Dalat between activities.

A lunch stop makes the same practical sense. The farm has a restaurant area, and the setting gives you a place to wait if your return taxi has not arrived. Because lunch is extra, ask about the menu and price when arranging it.

Is $10 good value?

At $10 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a guided outing that includes several separate elements. You get an English or Vietnamese speaking guide, entrance to the sturgeon farm and waterfall, water, a welcome drink, and the plantation and roastery tour.

Transport is the main additional cost. A taxi from Dalat may cost around 300,000 Vietnamese dong each way, and coffee-shop drinks or lunch cost extra. Even after adding transport, the activity can be good value for a private or small-group day outside the city, especially if two or more people share a car.

The price does not mean the day is basic in a negative sense. It means the focus is on the farm, guide, forest route, and waterfall rather than a large commercial operation with extensive facilities. You are paying for access and local explanation, not luxury transport.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Dalat plans depend on weather or transport.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you enjoy outdoor walks, working farms, swimming, coffee, and small-scale local experiences. It is especially well suited to dog-lovers who want something different from Dalat’s central attractions.

It also works for people who have already seen the city and want a half-day or full-day escape. The forest, sturgeon farm, waterfall, and plantation offer more variety than a single-stop excursion.

You should think twice if you dislike uneven walking, wet conditions, or rural transport. The route includes a forest trek, and reaching the waterfall may involve climbing. The activity is also not ideal for anyone who needs a tightly timed return to Dalat.

Families and mixed-interest groups may find the variety useful, but the supplied information does not specify an age limit or accessibility arrangements. Ask the provider directly if you have mobility concerns or need details about the route surface.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, and water. Water is included, but carrying your own bottle is still sensible for a forest walk. A towel, sun protection, and a waterproof phone pouch are practical additions, though only the first three items are specifically required by the provider.

Plan to arrive on time. The farm can be difficult to find, and the activity starts from Twin Beans Farm rather than central Dalat. Save the location and allow extra driving time, particularly if you are using a scooter or taxi.

If you are using Grab, check that the driver understands the destination before setting off. Make a plan for the return journey while you still have a signal. The farm can arrange a taxi, but it may take about 45 minutes to arrive.

I would book the morning trek and leave the afternoon open for lunch, coffee, or a workshop. That gives you room for a swim and avoids turning a pleasant countryside visit into a race back to town.

Should you book the Twin Beans Farm trek?

Book it if you want a low-cost, personal way to see a different side of Dalat. The private waterfall, unusual sturgeon farm, coffee plantation, and friendly farm dogs make this more than a routine nature walk.

The main tradeoff is transport and flexibility. You need to reach a rural meeting point, arrange your own ride, and allow extra time for the cafe or return taxi. If you accept that, the $10 tour offers a lot: a guide, access to places you cannot normally visit, a swim, and a real farm setting.

I would choose this over a standard city excursion if you have a free half-day and like active, informal experiences. Add the coffee workshop if you want a full day. Skip it only if you need a polished, tightly scheduled tour with easy hotel pickup.

FAQ

Where does the trek begin?

The activity begins at Twin Beans Farm in Da Sar commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province, around 20 kilometers or 40 minutes from central Dalat.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is three to six hours. The forest walk, waterfall stop, cafe break, and optional workshop can affect the total time.

How do I reach Twin Beans Farm?

You can travel by your own motorbike, car, or taxi. A taxi or Grab ride costs about 300,000 Vietnamese dong each way, according to the provided information.

Is swimming allowed at the waterfall?

Yes. You can swim at the waterfall, and swimwear is listed among the recommended things to bring.

Are the farm dogs part of the experience?

The Twin Beans Farm dogs may accompany you on the forest walk. Their presence is a notable part of the outing for dog-lovers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but it can be arranged for an additional cost at the farm.

Can I combine the trek with another activity?

Yes. You can combine it with a coffee workshop or scented candle workshop in the afternoon.