Da Lat: waterfalls, the alpine coaster and the Crazy House

How to choose a tour

Da Lat (Đà Lạt, Dalat) is a city at a height of about 1,500 metres, where by day it is +20–25 °C and at night noticeably colder, and for that reason it is considered Vietnam’s country-retreat resort. It is searched for with queries such as “Da Lat excursion”, “Elephant waterfall”, “Pongour”, “Crazy House Da Lat”, “alpine coaster Da Lat” and “cloud hunting”.

How to choose a tour: waterfalls, the coaster or sunrise

The tour of three waterfalls and local culture takes about 5.5 hours: Elephant (Thác Voi) and Pongour are outside the city, about 30–50 km away, and the road runs through the mountains. The tour of the alpine coaster together with the rainbow slide, the clay tunnel, go-karting and the Crazy House takes 6.7 hours. In 3.5 hours you can fit a morning: the programme has the Crazy House (Hang Nga Crazy House) and the city’s main places. Sunrise and cloud hunting leave early, around 4:00–5:00, and return by 10–11 in the morning.

What is worth seeing and how to avoid the crush

The Crazy House is a hotel and museum in the style of Gaudí, with winding staircases and “trees” of concrete; by 10–11 hours groups gather at the entrance, so go at opening. The Elephant waterfall is majestic and noisy, especially in the rainy season, while Pongour is wider and quieter. The alpine coaster and the rainbow slide are for children and lovers of speed. The clay tunnel is the subject of a separate article the clay tunnel in Da Lat. At sunrise the clouds usually hold on the hills and tea plantations near Cau Dat (Cầu Đất) from November to March.

How to get to Da Lat from Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City

• From Nha Trang. About 135 km via the Khanh Le pass, 3.5–4 hours by limousine bus or car. Departure from the centre of Nha Trang in the morning.
• From Ho Chi Minh City. About 300 km, 6–7 hours by bus or 1 hour by plane to Lien Khuong airport, from where it is about another 40 minutes to the city.
• In the city itself. The sights are spread out, so a taxi, Grab or a tour with a guide is more convenient.

How to plan two days in Da Lat

It is sensible to give the first day to the city: in the morning the Crazy House before the influx of groups, in the afternoon Xuan Huong lake and the market, in the evening the night market and local dishes: a hot soy milk drink, fried banh xeo pancakes, beef soup. Give the second day to nature: at dawn cloud hunting on the hills, then breakfast and a tour to the Elephant and Pongour waterfalls. If you have only one day, take the 6.7-hour tour with the coaster and the clay tunnel, and leave the waterfalls for the next trip. Remember the distances: from the city to Pongour is about an hour, and it is worth going there only for a whole day.

Which tickets and tours there are

Prices are as of 10 October 2026. Check the contents, language and conditions on the page of the offer you choose.

How to get there

See the Nha Trang — Da Lat limousines on the page transfers, buses and ferries.

Restrictions and tips

• Clothing. Da Lat is cooler than by the sea: bring a sweatshirt, and a jacket is better for sunrise. An umbrella or raincoat will not hurt.
• Season. The best time is November to April, dry and clear. From May to October there are downpours, and the roads to the waterfalls are slippery.
• Sunrise. Departure at 4–5 in the morning. Clouds do not appear every day, so check the forecast and do not plan the sunrise for your last day.
• What is not allowed. Drones are banned. In the Crazy House do not climb on the structures beyond the barrier.
• Passport. Needed for booking a limousine and a tour.
• If you are short of time. Take the 3.5-hour morning tour; for a day combine the waterfalls and the coaster.

The description is based on Trip.com cards; opening hours and the contents of offers may change.