Three Waterfalls Small Group Day Tour Dalat

Datanla Waterfall and the Alpine Coaster

Datanla Waterfall sits a few kilometres south of central Dalat, tucked into a pine-covered valley where a stream drops over a series of rocky steps. It is the easiest of the three falls to reach, so it makes a gentle start to the day. Paved paths and stairs lead down to the water, and the walk back up takes a few minutes of steady climbing.

The main draw for many visitors is the Alpine Coaster, a rail-mounted toboggan that you control yourself as it glides through the forest towards the falls. On the vehicle tour, the Datanla Waterfall entry and the coaster ride are paid separately on the day, so keep a little cash ready; the Easy Rider option includes a stop at the coaster, so check the option you choose. Allow about an hour here and go early for shorter queues.

Pongour Waterfall, the highlight of the route

Pongour Waterfall lies in Duc Trong district, roughly an hour's drive south of Dalat, and it is one of the most impressive falls in the province. Rather than a single drop, it spreads across a broad rock shelf in several tiers, and the water fans out like a curtain over dark basalt. Steps lead from the car park to viewpoints at different heights, with shaded spots for photos.

Is Pongour Waterfall worth visiting? On a day trip from Dalat, yes: it is the scenic high point of the journey, and the road passes vegetable terraces, pine hills and farm villages. The falls are fullest in the rainy season, roughly May to November, while the drier months bring clearer skies and easier footing. Entry to Pongour is included in the vehicle tour, and we usually spend about an hour here.

Elephant Waterfall and Linh An Pagoda

Elephant Waterfall, known locally as Gougah, is a wide, powerful fall west of Dalat, named after a mossy boulder said to resemble an elephant's head. Reaching the base means a steep and often slippery stairway, and the route is sometimes closed after heavy rain or for repairs. When that happens, our guide takes you to a nearby viewpoint instead, so you still see the falls and the day keeps its rhythm.

Close by, Linh An Pagoda is a calm hillside temple known for its laughing Buddha and a very large white Lady Buddha statue that can be seen across the valley. Visitors stroll through the gardens, light incense if they wish and enjoy the views over farmland. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and allow about half an hour. Because the pagoda is out in the countryside and hard to reach by public transport, a guided day tour is the simplest way to fit it in.

Silk workshop and cricket farm in the countryside

The road between the falls crosses the countryside around Nam Ban, Ta Nung and Duc Trong, where vegetable terraces, greenhouses and forested hills line the way. At a traditional silk workshop you see how cocoons are turned into thread and woven on looms, a craft with a long history in the Lam Dong highlands. Handwoven scarves and fabrics are on sale if you want a keepsake, with no pressure to buy.

The tour also stops at a cricket farm, where the family running it explains how crickets are raised as a local source of protein and sold across the region; entry is included in the vehicle tour. Along the way our guide talks about the K'ho people, the highland community whose weaving and handicraft traditions shape the area's culture. These stops give the day a human side beyond the scenery.

A hillside coffee plantation near Dalat

The Dalat coffee plantation visit takes place at a hillside garden outside the city. Dalat's cool climate and altitude of about 1,500 metres suit Arabica, and your guide explains how the cherries are picked, dried, roasted and ground, with time to walk between the plants and enjoy the view over the valley.

A cup of coffee at the viewpoint cafe is not included, so you can order whatever you like, from strong local coffee to tea or a cold drink. The stop is also a handy place to rest and buy roasted beans as a souvenir. Dalat is often called the City of Eternal Spring, and the fresh mountain air makes lingering here a pleasant way to end the tour before the drive back to your hotel.