Da Lat goes rural in one packed day. This small group tour mixes countryside farms with classic waterfalls, plus stops at a silk workshop, a cricket farm, and a weasel coffee area. It is built for an easy day where the drive is part of the show, not just a commute.

I love how much you get for the money, especially Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall, where entrance fees are included. I also like the hands-on feel of the craft stops, from watching silk production at Nam Ban to seeing crickets bred for food and a rice wine making demonstration.

One drawback to plan around is food, since lunch is not included and you will cover your own drinks. Also, the optional Datanla Waterfall stop has an extra entrance fee, and the alpine coaster ticket is not included if you want to ride.

Key Points Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Mostly included entrances: Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall are ticketed and covered, while a few stops are free.
• Working farms, not just photos: silk making at Nam Ban, cricket breeding and rice wine making, plus a coffee plantation and weasel coffee area.
• Three waterfall focus, plus scenery drives: the day is built around waterfall time, with countryside stretches between stops.
• Small group size up to 12: easier conversations, fewer delays, and a more personal feel in the van.
• English speaking guide: several guides get high praise for clear English and keeping the day moving.

Price and Value: What $21.02 Actually Buys You

At about $21.02 per person, this tour is good value for Da Lat, mainly because so many costs are handled up front. You get an air-conditioned vehicle, an English speaking guide, and entrance fees that cover several key stops. The day is also timed as a full outing, typically 6 to 8 hours, so you are not paying just to sit in traffic for a couple photo stops.

Here is the practical breakdown: Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall include entrance fees, and the Linh An Pagoda, Nam Ban silk factory, and Me Linh coffee plantation areas are listed as free stops. The cricket farm stop includes its entrance fee and wraps in demonstrations too.

What is not included is equally important. Lunch is on you, and Datanla Waterfall is optional with its entrance fee not included. If you are the type who likes to add extras like the alpine coaster, you will also need to budget that separately.

8:00am Pickup to Drop-Off: How the Day Feels

The tour starts at 8:00am and runs most days into the late afternoon. In the feedback, people described being back around 6pm, which fits the 6 to 8 hour range. The structure matters because you are packing a lot into one day: farms, craft stops, pagoda time, then three waterfall stops.

Because the group size maxes out at 12 travelers, the schedule typically stays under control. You will ride in an air-conditioned vehicle between countryside areas, which helps on longer drives. A mobile ticket is included, and pickup is offered, so you are not juggling paperwork.

One thing to watch is pickup accuracy. There is at least one negative experience in the shared feedback that complained about late arrival and a mismatch around where they were expected to be dropped off, especially when the accommodation was outside the city center. My advice is simple: double-check your pickup address details before the morning starts, and be ready a bit early so you do not get caught in any confusion.

Datanla Waterfall on Prenn Pass: Optional, Nice, and Not Free

Datanla Waterfall is positioned about 5 km south of Da Lat city center, in the Prenn Pass area. In this day plan it is listed as an optional stop, about 1 hour, with its admission ticket not included. If you already feel your day is full, you can skip it and still have plenty of waterfall time.

When you do go, the setting is the point. This is described as wild nature, and the location on a pass gives you that “fresh air, cooler weather” feeling that Da Lat is known for. It is also a practical stretch if you want a warm-up waterfall before the bigger names later in the route.

Two add-on notes matter. First, the alpine coaster is mentioned as a separate ticket not included. Second, because this is an optional stop, your exact timing can shift slightly depending on how the group chooses. If you are traveling with anyone who gets tired easily, you might want to decide in advance whether you want the extra Datanla hour.

Comfort tip: wear shoes with grip. Waterfalls plus pathways often means slick steps, even when the day looks calm.

Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall: The Main Attraction Time

If the goal is waterfall photos plus real atmosphere, this tour does the heavy lifting with Pongour Falls and Elephant Waterfall.

Pongour Falls is labeled as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in south Vietnam, with about 1 hour on site and the entrance fee included. Expect the usual waterfall experience: a short walk, photo angles, and the “hear it before you see it” moment as you get closer. This is also one of the cleaner ways to experience Da Lat’s waterfall culture without needing to hire separate transport.

Then comes Elephant Waterfall (Thác Voi), about 25 km from Da Lat on the Cam Ly River, also allotted 1 hour with entrance included. This is a classic stop that pairs well with Linh An Pagoda later in the day, because the pagoda area is described as having views toward Elephant Falls.

The time split matters. You are not stuck in a single spot for hours. Instead, you move through different waterfall “moods” across the day, which is why people rate the day so highly for feeling full but not chaotic.

If you want the best photos, give yourself a little extra time at the edges of the main viewpoints. Waterfall crowds can shuffle quickly when groups move in and out.

Linh An Pagoda and Nam Ban Silk: Faith, Craft, and Local Detail

After the waterfalls, the day shifts from nature to culture and making things by hand.

Linh An Pagoda is about 1 hour and listed as free. It is described as built in 1993, and the surroundings are part of the appeal: a green pine tree hill behind the pagoda, and Elephant Falls in front. The steps are noted for long stone dragons, and there are also bonsai features mentioned in the description. Translation: you get a calm temple stop with interesting visual details, not just a quick photo and go.

Next is Nam Ban, the silk factory area, also about 1 hour with admission marked free. This is one of the most “you can see how it works” stops in the day. You watch the process of silk production the traditional way, which is exactly the kind of activity that makes this tour feel more than a waterfall chase. Silk processing is detailed and usually takes steps that look simple only after you have seen them.

If you are the curious type who likes understanding how a product goes from raw material to something you can hold, you will probably enjoy Nam Ban more than you expect. It also gives your legs a break after slippery waterfall paths.

Thien An Cricket Farm and Happi Water Rice Wine Demo

This stop is for the bold eater and the curious learner. Thien An Cricket Farm is about 1 hour with the entrance fee included.

The main thing you do here is watch how crickets are bred for food. That matters because it makes the food conversation real, not just a weird novelty. Then the stop also includes a rice wine making demonstration, described as Happi water.

A lot of Da Lat’s rural side is about what people produce locally. This is one of the more unusual examples on the route, so it tends to stick with people. Even if you do not want to try anything, seeing the process helps you understand why cricket and rice wine are part of the local food culture.

Practical note: if you have any strong aversion to insects, this is the one stop where you should think twice before joining the close-up parts. You can still watch from a comfortable distance, but the theme is clear when you arrive.

Me Linh Coffee Plantation and Weasel Coffee Area

The day finishes with a countryside food stop that is easier to stomach for most people: coffee.

Me Linh is about 1 hour, listed as free, and focuses on a coffee plantation plus a weasel coffee farm area. In practice, this kind of stop is usually where you learn how coffee is grown and how processing works before tasting or browsing, depending on what the site is doing that day.

Why this is a smart add-on in the middle of a long itinerary: you get a slower pace after waterfalls and craft workshops. It also ties into a broader Da Lat theme, where farms and processing are part of everyday life in the hills.

A small practical tip: bring a light layer. Even in a single day, cooler hill air can surprise you, and coffee plantations are sometimes more outdoors than you expect.

Food, Timing, and What to Wear in the Da Lat Hills

You cover lunch and drinks yourself, so plan like a local. Eat breakfast before pickup if you can, because the day starts early at 8:00am. If you are running late, you may miss the easiest time to find food before the van leaves town.

Wear comfortable shoes with grip. Waterfall areas tend to have uneven ground and steps. Also bring a rain layer. Weather can shift in the Highlands, and you do not want a drizzle to ruin your footing or comfort.

If you like snacks, bring a small bag. The route is packed, and you might not always have time for long stops. A short bite in your day pack can make the difference between feeling energized or rushed.

On guide quality, the feedback is consistent: people mention guides who speak very good English and keep the day funny and moving. You might meet guides named Tom, Alex, Andy, Cloe, Tai, or Porcupie in different runs, and the common thread is friendly explanations during the drive and at each stop.

Who Should Book This Da Lat Countryside and 3 Waterfalls Day?

This tour fits you best if you want a single-day overview of Da Lat’s rural side. It is ideal for couples, solo travelers, and small groups who like structure. You get three waterfall experiences plus a handful of farm and craft stops that explain how local products are made.

Choose it if:

• You want mostly included entrances and a value-focused price.
• You like doing active sightseeing without planning routes yourself.
• You enjoy learning at craft and food stops, not only taking photos.

Consider a different option if:

• You hate insect-focused content. The cricket farm is a central stop.
• You want a long lunch break. This is a full schedule and lunch is on your own.
• You prefer total freedom. This day is guided and time-packed, with a maximum group size of 12.

Should You Book It? My Honest Take

I think this is a strong pick for most visitors because it balances big scenery moments with hands-on rural stops, all in a small group with included entrances that make the price feel fair. The waterfalls are clearly the anchor, and the silk, cricket, and coffee stops keep the day from feeling repetitive.

Book it if you are comfortable with a full day, bring snacks, and are willing to pay extra only for the optional Datanla stop and your lunch. Skip or reconsider if insects and demos are a hard no for you, or if you need lots of downtime.

If you do book, do one proactive thing: confirm your pickup details carefully, especially if you are staying outside the city center. That small check helps you avoid the one complaint type that shows up in the negative feedback.

FAQ

What time does the Da Lat countryside and 3 waterfalls tour start?

The start time is 8:00am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 6 to 8 hours (approx.).

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes, entrance fees, and an English speaking guide. A mobile ticket is also provided, and pickup is offered.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you cover your own food and drinks.

Do I need to pay extra for Datanla Waterfall?

Yes. Datanla Waterfall is optional, and its entrance fee is not included. The alpine coaster ticket is also not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.