2 days Hang En Cave Adventure

Hang En Cave is one of the largest caves in the world, located in the core zone of Quang Binh’s cave kingdom, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. During the trip we will discover En Cave and experience an exciting night camping inside this majestic cave, which is 3 million years old.

Discovered and reported in 1994, impressive images of Hang En quickly became well-known and attracted global attention. The cave has been praised by major travel publications such as National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, and Lonely Planet. On November 26, 2023, Hang Son Doong, Hang En, and Hang Va were featured in Episode 6 - "EXTREMES" of the acclaimed documentary series Planet Earth III, produced by the BBC.

The Hang En discovery tour is also part of the world-famous Son Doong Expedition. On the first night of the Son Doong tour, the cave camp is set up inside Hang En. Both domestic and international travelers highly praise the Hang En trekking tour in Quang Binh, with some considering it one of the most attractive adventure tours. The unique features of this trip include:
 

• World's Most Unique Campsite: Hang En's campsite is situated in the middle of the cave, featuring an entrance overhead. The floor is a wide sandy beach with a stunning emerald lake, part of the Rao Thuong River flowing through it. The campsite receives natural light from the cave entrance. Particularly from December to the end of February, during sunny weather, sunbeams shine deep into the cave in the morning, brightening up the entire cave and creating a spectacular scene.

• Swim in the Unique Emerald-Colored Underground Pool: The campsite features cool water flowing from an underground cave, with the lake's temperature ranging from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius (63F - 77F). The water is warm in winter and cool in summer. Additionally, water flowing next to the lake from the entrance brings warm water from the outside valley into the cave.

• Giant Cave: Hang En stretches nearly 1.6 km long. The Rao Thuong River passes through Hang En on its journey to Son Doong Cave. The cave has three entrances: the river entrance, the high main entrance, and the large exit. At the campsite, the passage is around 200m wide, with the highest point in the ceiling reaching 140m. Hang En is currently one of the largest natural caves in the world.

• Trekking Through Primeval Jungle: Hang En is located in the core zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, home to ancient trees thousands of years old. On this adventure trek, visitors spend 70% of the time hiking under the shade of the primary forest.

• Experience Doong Village: Visitors on the Hang En caving tour will have a short stop in Doong Village, home to the Bru Van Kieu people. In this village, visitors can learn about the lifestyle and culture of the villagers, visit the village's school and stilt houses, and have lunch at one of the residents' homes.

Day 1: Phong Nha - Doong Village - En Cave

You need to arrive in Phong Nha before 7:00 am on the morning of the cave adventure departure. Please ensure you are on time for the start of this adventure trip to Hang En.

On the morning of departure, a car will pick you up from your hotel in Phong Nha between 7:30 and 8:00 am and take you to the Oxalis office. There, you will listen to a safety briefing, sign the release form, pack your bag, and receive the necessary safety equipment.

After leaving the Oxalis Phong Nha office, the group will begin with a jungle trek, descending a steep hill to reach a branch of the Rao Thuong Stream, leading to the only village in the core zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

After about 1.5 hours of walking and wading through streams, the group will arrive at Doong Village, home to a minority ethnic community living deep in the jungle. The group will stop for lunch in the village and learn about the villagers' lifestyle before continuing the trek to the Hang En campsite.

Continuing through the jungle and crossing the river multiple times, the group will reach Hang En after about 3 hours. Here, everyone will be equipped with helmets, turn on their headlamps, and start climbing the rocky section to explore the cave.

Standing atop the rocky slope, you will see the entire Hang En Cave camp and the mesmerizing surrounding scenery. After receiving your tent, you can enjoy swimming in the turquoise lake next to the camp, followed by a delicious meal right in the cave. That concludes the first day of camping! (Lunch and dinner are included)

Day 2: En Cave - Phong Nha

After breakfast, the group will continue the adventure by climbing the rocks behind the camp inside the cave. You'll explore and learn more fascinating facts about this natural masterpiece in Quang Binh Province, admiring the impressive stalagmites and stalactites. As you reach the back of the cave, a new view of the Hang En campsite opens up, perfect for capturing precious memories of this unique place.

After wading through underground streams, you'll reach the large sandy floor of the enormous cave exit. The group will then return through the cave to the underground camp for lunch and a short break. Following the break, the group will leave the cave and face the final challenge of wading through numerous streams and climbing a steep hill about 450 meters high.

At the top of the hill, you'll find a road and a bus with cold beverages, ready to welcome you back after the challenges of your caving adventure in Hang En. The bus will take the group back to Phong Nha, arriving around 6:00 pm. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

The trip cost: $450USD per person

The trip cost includes:
 

The trip cost does not include:
 

• Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal spending

What to Bring:
 

• Trekking clothes (quick-dry, bright, long-sleeved shirts and trekking pants, waterproof jacket)
• Campsite clothing sets (Warm clothes for winter from December to March, shorts and T-shirts for summer from April to September)
   
• 1 pair of good gripping trekking shoes (drainable); *Waterproof/Gore Tex shoes are not recommended
• 1 medium size backpack (20L-25L) to carry stuff that you need while trekking
   
• 1 pair of sandals/slides using at the campsite
• Personal dry bag/box for electronic devices
   
• Swimwear using at the campsite
• Mosquito repellent
   
• Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
• Hand fan for summer (April to August)
   
• 1 medium towel
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, nature-friendly shampoo & soap, …)
   
• Power banks
• Personal medication
   
• Antifungal foot powder
• Passport
   

Have a great trip!!!