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

What it is

This is a guided day tour out of Da Lat that connects three distinct waterfalls spread across Lam Dong Province. You start at Datanla Waterfall, roughly 5 km south of the city center, where an optional alpine coaster — reportedly the longest in Southeast Asia at around 2.4 km — lets riders glide through pine forest to reach the falls at up to 40 km/h. Next, the route heads south about 50 km on National Highway 20 to Pongour Waterfall, a 40-meter-high, nearly 100-meter-wide natural staircase of seven terraced rock ledges nicknamed 'Nam Thien De Nhat' (Vietnam's most majestic waterfall) by Emperor Bao Dai. The final stop is Elephant Falls (Thac Voi) in Nam Ban Town, a 30-meter cascade flanked by Linh An Pagoda — a sprawling hilltop Buddhist temple with 20-meter dragon sculptures and a 71-meter Bodhisattva statue completed in 2020. Along the way, guides typically include countryside stops such as a cricket farm, bamboo weaving village, Me Linh coffee plantation, and a silk workshop, giving the tour a strong cultural dimension beyond the waterfalls themselves.

Highlights

• Datanla Alpine Coaster (optional): ride what is reportedly Southeast Asia's longest alpine slide — around 2.4 km through pine forest — to descend to Datanla Waterfall's 20-meter cascade at speeds up to 40 km/h.
• Pongour Waterfall — seven terraced tiers: the widest fall in the Central Highlands, spanning nearly 100 meters across layered basalt shelves; nicknamed Vietnam's most majestic waterfall by Emperor Bao Dai.
• Elephant Falls (Thac Voi): a thundering 30-meter-tall, 40-meter-wide drop in Nam Ban Town, accessible via a rocky path that takes you right to the misty base for close-up views.
• Linh An Pagoda: a hilltop Buddhist temple overlooking Elephant Falls, featuring twin 20-meter dragon sculptures and a towering 71-meter Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue — the largest of its kind in Vietnam.
• Scenic Central Highlands drive: the route winds through Da Lat's cool pine-forested plateau (typically 15–25°C year-round), with viewpoints and highland countryside en route.
• Cultural stops along the way: visits typically include a cricket farm, bamboo-knitting workshop, Cuong Hoan silk factory, and Me Linh coffee plantation — a fuller picture of highland rural life.

Good to know

• Duration: tours typically run around 8 hours, usually departing Da Lat city center in the morning and returning by late afternoon.
• What's usually included: round-trip transportation, English-speaking guide, bottled water, and often a small local tasting (rice wine, cricket snack); the alpine coaster at Datanla is generally an optional add-on paid separately.
• Best time to visit: the dry season from November to April offers the clearest skies and firm walking paths; the rainy season (May–October) dramatically increases water volume at Pongour and Elephant Falls but trails can be slippery.
• Climate: Da Lat sits at around 1,500 m elevation — expect cool temperatures (often 15–22°C) even in summer. Bring a light jacket regardless of the season.
• Footwear: wear closed-toe shoes with grip — paths near Elephant Falls in particular involve uneven rock surfaces and can be wet and slippery.
• Getting there: most tours depart from hotels or a central meeting point in Da Lat city; confirm your pickup location when booking. The round-trip is roughly 100 km by road, passing through lush highlands and tea plantations.