Elephant Falls (That Voi) are aptly named after a giant rock that is supposed to resemble the head of an elephant. The falls are located in a valley at the bottom of a scenic mountain pass outside of Nam Ban village, about 30 kilometres from Da Lat’s city centre. Getting there is pretty straightforward. Every 40 minutes between 06:00 to 18:00, local buses leave Da Lat for Nam Ban, which takes just over 30 minutes and costs VND 20,000 each way. The falls are impressive because you can get up close and personal to their thunderous flow, which is a delight for all the senses.
(Image via Ian/Flickr)
Elephant Falls Highlights
Getting to Elephant Falls, however, can be a bit tricky, but it’s certainly worth your while. Visitors must descend a steep, often slippery and uneven path made up of stone steps, which only takes a few minutes. Railings intermittently offer support. Because the falls are a popular destination, the path can become quite trampled and congested, so take caution when climbing. Make sure to bring a decent pair of hiking shoes for good traction.
For a more adventurous route, there’s a small cave you squeeze through to get underneath the falls. Prepare to be splashed from misty waters surging from the cascades, which is all part of fun in getting there. You may not get wet in dry season, but pack that poncho during the wet season. There are some moss-covered boulders laying midstream at the bottom of the falls, that, when climbed on top of, offer the perfect shot of the raging falls.
There are other great (and drier) photo ops all along the way. A lookout behind a fence at the top right of the waterfalls, just before the water drops, offers a beautiful view. Elephant Falls in Da Lat are no Niagara, but they are a spectacle in their own right, especially when viewed from below.
(Image via Ian/Flickr)
Elephant Falls
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00
- Location: Ba Dinh, Nam Ban town, Lam Ha district, Lam Dong province
- Tel: +84 42 738 5694
- Price Range: VND 10,000
