Waterfalls and everyday life in one tight day.

I like how this tour mixes major waterfalls with hands-on stops like silk making and a cricket farm. You also get that classic Dalat rhythm: cool air, plantation views, and a guide who talks through culture as you go.

I especially love the way guides like Su or Phat keep things funny while still explaining why things work the way they do in Vietnam. You’ll also get real variety for $22, from Me Linh coffee to Cuong Hoan silk, not just another waterfall loop.

One thing to keep in mind: Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed, so you won’t walk up to the falls itself—you’ll enjoy the big view from nearby Linh An pagoda instead.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Pongour Waterfall with the famous 7-cascade feel and an hour to actually enjoy it
• Linh An pagoda offering a close view of Elephant Falls even while access is closed
• Cuong Hoan silk showing the older cocoon-to-thread method, not a staged demo
• Thien An cricket farm with a real farming lesson plus a cricket-based dish tasting
• Me Linh coffee plantation plus the Ta Nung winding pass scenery
• Pick-up, admissions, English guide, bottled water wrapped into one low price

Value and time: why $22 makes sense in Dalat

For $22, you’re not paying just for “a nice drive.” You’re paying for an entire day structure: pick-up and drop-off in Dalat, admissions to the stops, an English-speaking guide, and bottled water. Lunch is the only big missing piece—so budget for food on your own.

Eight hours also matters. Dalat sights are scattered, and local roads can take longer than you expect. This tour saves you from stitching together buses, taxis, and timed entrances. Even if you’re not rushing, you’ll likely appreciate having the route planned.

Transport quality gets a strong nod too. In practice, you want two things in Dalat: comfort for the hours on the van and a driver who knows how to handle the roads without drama. The tour’s transport rating is high, and multiple guides (like Su and Hoang) are praised for keeping the pace steady.

First stop: Me Linh coffee garden and the Ta Nung pass views

After pick-up in Dalat, you’ll head out by van and then arrive at the Me Linh Coffee Garden for a guided visit. The tour time here is about 30 minutes, which is enough to get oriented without turning the day into a lecture.

What makes this stop more than a quick photo moment is the focus on coffee as a local product. You’ll see the plantation setting and learn about the coffee story in this region. The tour also includes mention of original weasel coffee as part of the experience, linked to how the farm works self-sufficiently.

Practical tip: coffee gardens can be cool but bright. If you’re sensitive to sun, bring a hat and sunglasses. One useful note from the day-experience side: keep a small snack on you if you tend to run low energy between stops, since lunch isn’t included.

Thanh Flower Village: quick photos, real Dalat mood

Next comes Thanh Flower Village, with time set aside for photos and a guided visit (also around 30 minutes). This is where the tour leans into Dalat’s signature look—color, greenhouse-like beauty, and the kind of scenery that makes you slow down for a few pictures.

This stop is also a good “reset” between longer travel blocks. You’re not stuck in a showroom. It’s outdoors, and you get a sense of how flowers and agriculture shape life in the area.

Drawback to expect: if you’re chasing big wow-factor like waterfalls, this is more of a visual palate cleanser than a headline attraction. Still, it’s a nice way to understand why Dalat became the kind of place people come back to.

Pongour Waterfall: the 7-cascade star of the trip

Then the day pivots to water—and Pongour Waterfall is the main act. You’ll visit for about an hour with a guided focus. Pongour is also known as the “7 cascading waterfalls,” and that description matters once you’re there. You’re not seeing one thin ribbon. You’re seeing layers.

What I like about this timing is that one hour gives you room for both the big viewpoints and the quieter moments between them. If you only rush through, you miss the cascading rhythm. If you slow down, you get that sense of constant movement and sound.

The practical side: wear shoes with grip. You’re near wet rock and misty areas. Also expect humidity near the falls even in Dalat’s cooler weather—your clothes may feel damp.

If you love waterfalls but hate feeling rushed, Pongour hits the sweet spot: long enough to enjoy, short enough to keep the rest of the day enjoyable.

Lunch in Dalat: tasty break, but plan your budget

Lunch is scheduled with about one hour in Dalat. The tour includes lunch access as a stop, but it does not include your meal cost. So you’ll need to pay directly at the restaurant.

That said, the lunch setup has a real advantage. You’re not scrambling to find “something open nearby” after a long waterfall walk. The guide helps you choose, and the meals reported are generally described as tasty with reasonable options.

One more tip: bring a little cash. Even when card is sometimes accepted, extra activities can pop up depending on time and conditions. People have reported spending around 1,000,000 VND for optional add-ons when they chose to, and that includes activities not always listed in the core plan.

Elephant Waterfalls: the big view from Linh An pagoda

Here’s the key operational reality. Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed, so you won’t get the full on-site experience people imagine—no wandering right up under it.

Instead, the tour takes you to Linh An pagoda (about 33 km from Dalat). From there, you get a close view of Elephant Falls. You also get a major sightseeing moment of your own: a huge lady Buddha statue in Vietnam.

Why this works, even with the closure: the pagoda viewpoint still gives you the scale. You see the fall system and feel the power from a safer, accessible spot. It doesn’t pretend to replace the original experience; it just gives you the “wow” without the operational hassle.

If you’re the type who likes spiritual sites for the setting (not just photos), this stop adds a different texture to the day. It’s not only a view. It’s a quiet pause between wet and busy parts of the route.

Cuong Hoan silk factory: cocoon to cloth the old way

Next up is Cuong Hoan silk, a silk weaving factory where you can see the full process. The tour focuses on how silk moves from cocoon to fabric.

What makes this stop especially interesting is that it highlights the older method of removing silk from cocoons. The cocoons are soaked in hot water, threads are unwound and then wound onto reels, and the weaving process turns those threads into patterned fabric. It’s not just “look at silk.” You’re watching how raw material becomes something you can hold.

This is also where the guide’s role matters. Guides often explain the cultural and economic context—why this craft survives, what it takes to make it, and what customers are really buying when they buy silk in Vietnam.

If you like crafts, textiles, or just understanding local work, this stop is one of the best uses of your time. If you’re only here for scenery, you might find it slower than the waterfall portion, but it gives you a grounding “how people live” angle.

Thien An cricket farm: the lesson plus the tasting

Then comes one of the most unusual experiences on the route: Thien An cricket farm.

You’ll get a guided explanation of how crickets are raised, cared for, and bred. The owner is described as enthusiastic, and that energy matters here because you’re learning something that most visitors never see up close.

The day doesn’t stop at education, either. The tour includes a tasting element: a cup of rice wine and a cricket-based dish. It’s part “food curiosity,” part “taste the local economy,” and it’s one of the easiest ways to understand how agricultural businesses can be built from surprising inputs.

Practical note: if you’re squeamish about insects, be honest with yourself before you sit down. The experience is guided and cultural, but it still involves cricket-based food.

Also, this stop is a great conversation starter later in Dalat. You’ll have a real story, not just another photo.

Bamboo knitting and flower time: craft meets Dalat style

The tour also includes bamboo knitting and more flower village time. Bamboo craft in Vietnam tends to be practical and skill-heavy, and knitting bamboo typically means you’ll see how flexible material becomes structured objects through technique, not magic.

The flower element ties back to Dalat’s identity. It’s part agriculture, part tourism, and part local pride. You’ll get more chances to see how plants and blossoms are used—both in the landscape and in how people earn a living around it.

If you’re trying to pack in a lot while you’re short on days, this section helps. It keeps the day from feeling like only nature stops. Instead, you get a blend: water, faith/viewpoints, farm food, and craft.

Group size and guide style: what to expect on the van

Even with the small-group label, one caution comes from real day experiences: the group can feel “bigger than you expect.” That doesn’t automatically ruin the day, but it changes how interactive things feel.

The good news: guides are praised for managing attention and making sure people can see and touch where appropriate. Many guides keep the mood upbeat—people mention humor and strong English, and names like Su, Bao, Hoang, Duyen, Phat, and Vinh show up in positive accounts. If you get one of the more animated guides, you’ll leave with better context for what you saw.

Timing-wise, you won’t feel dumped at a random place with no direction. The structure is built to keep moving while still giving real visit time at the main stops.

Should you book this Dalat countryside & Pongour tour?

Book it if you:

• Want a full 8-hour overview of Dalat countryside without arranging transport on your own
• Care about more than waterfalls—coffee, silk, and the cricket farm add real variety
• Like guides who explain culture while keeping the day light and fun

Consider skipping or choosing a different option if you:

• Only want waterfalls and really want access to Elephant Waterfall at the site (it’s closed, so you’ll get the pagoda view instead)
• Hate insect-based food and worry the cricket tasting will feel like a forced moment

My call: for $22, this tour is built for value. You’re buying a day that covers big scenery and everyday production. The only major trade-off is Elephant Falls access—so if that’s your #1 goal, plan around it. If not, this is a strong way to see a lot of Dalat’s character in one go.

FAQ

How long is the Dalat Countryside & Pongour Waterfall tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What does the $22 price include?

Pick-up and drop-off in Dalat, admission to all attractions, an English-speaking friendly guide, bottled water, and a cup of rice wine plus a tasting of a cricket-based dish.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch isn’t included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It includes pick-up and drop-off service in Dalat, and you return back to Dalat at the end of the day.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Pongour Waterfall and the Elephant Waterfalls area. Elephant Waterfall is temporarily closed to the public, but you still get to enjoy the view from Linh An pagoda.

What do you do at Linh An pagoda?

You visit Linh An pagoda with a guided tour, including views of the giant lady Buddha statue and a close viewpoint of Elephant Falls.

What happens at the Me Linh coffee plantation?

You visit the Me Linh Coffee Garden with a guided tour (about 30 minutes) and enjoy coffee plantation scenery, with mention of original weasel coffee.

What happens at the Cuong Hoan silk factory?

You tour the silk weaving factory and see the process from cocoon to fabric, including the older method of silk extraction.

What is the cricket farm experience like?

You get guided explanations about raising and breeding crickets, and you also get to try a cricket-made dish as part of the included tastings.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and do child ticket prices depend on height?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Child fares depend on height: under 90 cm is FREE, 90–110 cm is 50% off, and above 110 cm is an adult ticket.

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