Overview

A hidden trek most of the tourist didn’t know, the Hang Pygmy Exploration has been undertaken by very few people. In fact, fewer people have been through these two caves than have stood on Everest.

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Phong Nha – Highway 20 Road – Hang Over – Hang Pygmy.

07:30: Start picking up in Phong Nha area to transfer to Headquarter for safety briefing.

09:00: After the briefing, we will make a 45-60-minute ride in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park to the trailhead.

10:00: Arrive at the starting point of the trail and exit the road to begin the jungle hike. While walking through the jungle on a small trail with challenging terrain, our guide will teach you about local fauna and flora, perhaps treat you some tasty wild jungle fruits and showcase aspects of the Ruc Ca Roong minority people’s culture – The people who survive off jungle.

12:00: Reach the top of Gio Slope, where you can get breezing fresh air. Lunch will be served at this peak

12:30: Keep walking mainly downhill toward Luon Slope which is quite steep and slippery.

14:00: Arrive at Luon Slope for a short break before passing this slope to head to Hang Over cave.

14:30: Arrive at the entrance of Hang Over cave. Gear up to start exploring this 3,2km-long cave.

Hang Over begins with a long narrow shaft with various cave formations, growing in size and beauty with each step. Eventually, the team will reach a massive section named Massive Attack, filled with amazing stalagmites and stalactites, speleothems (decorations), and beautiful pools.

Here in this section, the guide will choose an ideal location for lunch. After eating some cucumber salad and other snacks next to some amazing cave formations, you will proceed to the exit of Hang Over.

16:00: Exit Hang Over cave to reach the doline between Hang Over and Hang Pygmy. Hang Over and Hang Pygmy were once one large cave that experienced a ceiling collapse, creating 2 caves and a healthy unique jungle inside the cave system. After making the short jungle climb through the doline (the collapse), you will come to the massive chamber of Hang Pygmy.

Here, our guide and porter team will equip you with appropriate abseiling safety gear, brief you on safety procedures, and rig your harness with a fail-safe system.

Taking turns, one by one, everyone in the group will descend into the bottom of the cavern, an 80m descent, with 10m done via abseiling. Once everyone is safe on the floor of the chamber, the group will make a short walk, and turn around corner to the MASSIVE cathedral like entrance of Hang Pygmy.

17:00: Arrive at the main entrance of Hang Pygmy, the fourth largest cave in the world where you will set up the campsite at the mouth of the cave. While you are exploring this massive cave, our team of porters will prepare a hearty Vietnamese meal with rice, veggies, soup, and meat, vegetarian option also available.

18:30-21:30: Dinner at the campsite, chill and share stories.

21:30: Bedtime.

Day 2: Hang Pygmy – Jungle Trekking – Highway 20 Road – Phong Nha.

08:00: Breakfast at Hang Pygmy then wrap up.

09:00: Some last photoshoots of Hang Pygmy and the team.

09:30: Say goodbye to Hang Pygmy for the jungle trek. Start trekking out of Hang Pygmy entrance, through different valleys and mountains.
This will be a long trek out of the jungle with difficult terrain.

10:30: Arrive at Co Slope, a grass slope which is quite slippery and steep.
This hill will consume a lot of energy.
If it rains, you may have a chance to see some waterfalls on the way.

12:00: Some snacks will be provided during the trek.

14:00: Arrive at the Highway 20 road to enjoy cold drinks before the van arrives and transfers you back to Headquarter.

15:00: Arrive at Headquarter, clean up. Finish the journey.

INCLUDE

• Tour Guide & Porter Team

• VAT

• Transportation in Phong Nha

• Entrance fees

• Safety equipment & Camping gears

• All food, drinks & snacks

• Use of trekking shoes (Euro sizes 37-45)
(Feel free to bring your own shoes if these don’t suit you. We do not recommend Gore-Tex or waterproof boots as it takes a long time to dry)

• Use of towel

• 03kg of baggage carried by our porters

• Travel insurance

WHAT TO BRING

• 01 set of changing clothes for the night at basecamp

• Swimwear

• 02 pairs of long trousers & long-sleeved shirt to avoid poison ivy and mosquitoes

• 02 pairs of long socks

• Small backpack

• Sandals or flip-flops & extra clothes

• Dry bag (optional)

• Hiking shoes (optional)

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent