These are just stunning. Vietnam hasn't really been on my travel radar, but maybe it should be. What a remarkable experience. I've just been checking out the Oxalis website--is that the company you went with? The website isn't terribly clear (or maybe I scanned it too quickly)--how long is the tour? And did you walk the 30 miles to get to the cave?
Your photos really are wonderful.
Thanks nbanjogal. Yeah Vietnam blew me away. Ill have to upload the non cave pics at some point. Ive been to Japan, Thailand, (live in) Korea, and China.... and Vietnam has been my favorite so far for its food, beauty, culture, people, affordability (its insane how far the dollar will go there). Highyl recomment it.
As far as Oxalis goes. Yeah, they are the only tour company allowed inside. Deb and Howard, the British caving experts who discovered Hang Son Doong, are two of the 4 caving experst that lead the expeditions along with 4 Vietnamese guides, 2 park rangers, and 20 porters. All the info is on the site, click on Son Doong Cave, then Son Doong tour, you should then see overview and itinerary. Its all there.
We didnt walk 30 miles to get there. In total from drop off point in the park, jungle trekking, cave trekking from start to finish is around 30 miles. Easily one of the most physically challenging things Ive ever done, definitely not a walk in the park, being in shape is very important. Oxalis is very adamant about respecting the park and leaving no trace, I have zero complaints.
Day 1 | Arrive in Phong Nha for evening safety briefing and tour preparation, overnight at local Phong Nha Hotel (D).
Day 2 | Depart Phong Nha village for the drop-off point located approximately 35km within the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Descend into the river valley passing a minority village and trek 6km to arrive at the camp inside Hang En (B/L/D).
Day 3 | In the early morning, travel through this enormous cave to reach its jaw-dropping exit and then follow the river through the jungle to the entrance of Hang Son Doong. Descend an 80m vertical drop to emerge into the first huge passage of Hang Son Doong. Cross the underground river twice and emerge in the gigantic main tunnel. Pass the Hand of Dog to first campsite close to the first underground doline (B/L/D).
Day 4 |On this day you will pass incredibly large boulders straddled by 200m cliffs to the first doline and small jungle within the cave. Visit the Garden of Edam and camp at beach camp, one of the best campsites in the world with superb views of the jungle from the camp. Huge 250m high cliffs are visible from the camp. Flying foxes, monkeys and hornbills are often seen in this section of the cave (B/L/D).
Day 5 | Leave camp and travel deeper into the cave to reach the Great Wall of Vietnam, and depending upon water levels a boat may be required to complete this final section. Return to camp 1 near the first doline and visit a newly discovered passage with excellent examples of 300,000,000-year-old fossils (B/L/D).
Day 6 | Spend one extra night in the jungle on the way back to Phong Nhacamping at the magnificent Hang En. Enjoy an evening celebration with your porter team (B/L/D)
Day 7 | Arise early and trek back to Phong Nha. Spend the evening at local Phong Nha Hotel and enjoy a welcome back celebration party (B/L/D).Option to depart in the late evening by bus or train from Dong Hoi. Otherwise, check out the following morning (Day 8) and transfer to Dong Hoi
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