World’s largest cave, Son Doong offers the once-in-a-life-time experience
Put into operation in the form of adventure tourism since 2013, Son Doong Cave, also currently the largest cave in the world, quickly draws flocks of tourists to the heart of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, Quang Binh. Son Doong is amazingly majestic, mystic, and pure, taking explorers through different levels of challenges and beauties: wild jungle paths, deep caves, natural skylights, sandy camping sites, the towering stalagmite wall, with wide numbers of self-supporting aquatic eco-systems – primeval forests, animals, plants, and ancient fossils.
Somewhere you will hear birds chirping under the trees as well as the sound of water flowing by the ravine. Still, to participate in this beyond-the-realm journey, you need to have good trekking skills and meet the health requirements.
I. About Son Doong Cave
Son Doong Cave in the core zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province is a new cave discovered by the Royal British Cave Research Association and also part of an underground system connected to more than 150 caves near the Vietnam – Laos border. It was announced as the world’s largest cave in 2009-2010, with a length of about 9km and an estimated volume of 36.8 million m3.
Son Doong formed beneath the limestone mountains on a fault section of Truong Son Range and was eroded by Rao Thuong River. The analysis of fossil sediment samples determined that the cave dates back to 3 million years ago. The cracks in the ceiling were corroded and subsided, creating large sinkholes that opened to the outside. Meanwhile, drops of water falling from the ceiling also shape into baseball-sized pearls. Inside this magnificent space is a separate world with a rare natural wonder. To explore Son Doong Cave, you have to walk more than 50km on a forest path, climb a 400m high slope, cross about 40 underground rivers with a width of 10-15m, swing rope, etc.
Read more: DISCOVER PHONG NHA – KE BANG
1. Best time to visit Son Doong Cave
The time to explore Son Doong cave is from January to August every year. In the remaining months, the area is closed to ensure safety and restore the ecosystem.
– January – March: The air in Phong Nha is still chilly, helping you lose strength when walking through the forest all day long. This is the time when the natural mountains and forests sprout, the trees are green.
– April – May: Phong Nha is now in the middle of the season, with light but not harsh sunshine, little rain, is a great time for you to trek without having to worry too much about weather conditions.
– June – August: You will see flying clouds floating at eye level in the cave wall and comfortably immerse yourself in the cool water when wading in the stream or swimming in the underground river inside the cave.
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2. Highlights inside Son Doong Cave
– Ban Doong Village – En Cave
Before getting to the entrance of Son Doong cave, tourists need to walk through the forest passing Ban Doong – a small village of Bru-Van Kieu people with more than 40 households living isolated in the core area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Their life is still difficult as the terrain is completely remote from the outside world. The villagers here have earned extra income from working as porters and protecting the Son Doong cave ecosystem as well as the whole area.
From Ban Doong, you will continue to the deep jungle path to En Cave – the third largest cave in the world and also the entrance of Son Doong. After passing En Cave, jump down the back door and go about 3 km to approach the main mouth of Son Doong cave which dropped 80m below. As soon as you climb down, you will feel the wind blowing and the echo of the underground river from deep inside. There is also a blue lake, which you have to climb about 90m to reach. During the climbing part, some sections require using ropes and safety equipment, along with the support of the guide and the safety team, so always pay attention and follow their instructions.
– Ho Sut 1 (Doline 1)
Ho Sut 1 is the part of the cave ceiling that collapsed due to different impacts, creating skylights where natural light shines down, creating conditions for the development of dense vegetation and a special tropical forest. The vegetation in the first sinkhole is mainly herbaceous plants and ferns. Looking from a distance towards Ho Sut 1, you can see the silhouette of a natural stalactite block, Hand of Dog, more than 70m high. The road into this area is wide enough for a Boeing 747 to pass through. From the top of the Hand of Dog, you can admire the panoramic view of Son Doong Cave.
– Son Doong Camp 1
This campsite is located nearby Ho Sut 1, on a flat surface near a river, where you can rest and bathe. On the way to Son Doong Camp 1, you will pass many large stalactites, the most impressive of which is “Wedding Cake” named by tourists. On the other side of this area is the Fossil Corridor, an area with numerous cave walls containing coral fossils over 300 million years old.
– Ho Sut 2 (Doline 2)
Son Doong’s second doline 2 is also known as the “Garden of Eden”. Its formation allows sunlight to enter the cave and creates a small forest with lush vegetation and an endemic ecosystem. To get to this location, visitors will have to climb a rocky hill with natural steps rising, looking like steps leading to the Garden of Eden. The path is covered with ferns and small plants whose branches and leaves reach out towards the crater to catch the rare sun rays. The core of Ho Sut 2 has many taller trees such as banana trees and forest trees. The wildness of the forest can make you feel clearly the uncharacteristic wildness of this place, making you anxious without any idea of what awaits you at the next step.
– Son Doong Camp 2
30 minutes from Ho Sut 2, the second campsite is also known as a beach camping area because it is situated on a sandy beach-like floor, however, this is actually a smooth and soft clay floor. This is also considered the most majestic camping site in the world.
– Wall of Vietnam
The final conquest point is the highest stalactite wall at the end of Son Doong, where the ceiling is about 200 meters high. To get here, you need to go through a rather muddy cave. If the water is high enough to fill this part, there will be a beautiful blue lake where visitors can go rafting to reach the foot of the wall. After that, start climbing a metal ladder up to the top of the wall with ropes and safety belts.
The entire process of climbing this 90m high Wall of Vietnam requires protective equipment and has to be guaranteed by a professional safety team. This is also an important milestone of the journey to conquer Son Doong Cave.
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3. Remarkable experiences at Son Doong Cave
– Swimming in underground rivers
With numerous underground rivers and lakes, swimming in Son Doong cave is an interesting opportunity. Due to the continuous flow, the water here is super clean and cool; however, the flow in some areas is quite fast, so you must follow the instructions.
– Taking exceptional photos of nature
Photographs of sun rays from the light windows and fog inside the cave have created a signature for the Son Doong tour. To capture these beautiful moments, you should come here in spring. The fog spreading throughout the cave also makes the scene more magical and dreamy.
– Camping at unique sites
The two campsites in Son Doong Cave are undoubtedly unlike anywhere in the world. Both areas are located at the edge of sinkholes, therefore, you can see the starry sky on a clear night.
II. How to explore Son Doong Cave
Currently, Son Doong Cave tourism is exploited to limit the number of participants. The number of people conquering Son Doong is even much less than that of people standing on Mount Everest. You will not be able to explore the cave on your own but must book a tour through the agency called Oxalis.
A health check before the journey is also a required part. When registering for the tour, you will have to answer a health-related questionnaire, such as whether you have any medical conditions – high blood pressure, heart attack, asthma, or joint disease. The fact that you give honest answers will help the experts and service forces get all needed information, and at the same time to ensure your safety during the trip.
Each Son Doong Cave tour costs 3,000 USD/person, including all prices of airport pick-up and drop-off, accommodation, meals, operating costs, administration, entrance fees, and forest environment services. Although the guest number is limited to 10 per tour, it requires 30 attendants, including 5 safety assistants, an international guide, a British cave expert, two chefs, a ranger, and 22 porters carrying luggage and food throughout the journey. After each tour, everything you brought in must be taken out of the cave, including human waste.
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III. What to prepare for a Son Doong Cave tour
– Health: This is the utmost requirement for this journey because the discovery tour in Son Doong Cave is rated at a fairly difficult level with dangers expected. To ensure safety, medical professionals will survey to check your health to assess your eligibility for the trip. In addition, before the trip, you must practice walking about 10km/day and be able to cross at least one hill about 200-300m high. Persistence in training for 3 – 6 months before the trip is enough to join this wonderful exploration.
– Clothing: As the travel distance is quite long, you need to prepare well in terms of personal belongings and clothes. Light, airy climbing shoes are a must, you should pick the pair that grip the rocks and slope well. Dress appropriately for the weather, preferably in breathable, sweat-wicking, and easy-to-move clothing. Bear in mind to bring warm clothes because the temperature in the cave at night is quite cold.
– Personal belongings: Sunscreen and insect repellent are two very important things you can’t forget to bring on the trip. And for stunning vista photos, don’t forget your camera, tripod, or GoPro.
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