The Central Highlands, a majestic basalt land with vast primeval forests, cascading waterfalls, and unique cultural identity, has always been a dream destination for adventurous souls. If you’re seeking a journey through winding mountain passes, immersing yourself in wild nature, and experiencing new things, a Central Highlands jungle tour is the perfect choice. More than just a trip, it’s an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the hidden beauty of the mountains and forests, and discover the unique cultural and historical values of this land.
On a 5-day, 4-night journey, you will set foot in the most famous destinations of the Central Highlands, from Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Kon Tum to Gia Nghia. Each location possesses a unique beauty, promising unforgettable experiences. You will admire the majestic Dray Nur waterfall amidst the great forest, explore legendary Buon Don with its tradition of taming wild elephants, marvel at the poetic beauty of T’Nưng Lake (Bien Ho), or be amazed by the unique architecture of the Kon Tum Wooden Church. Moreover, the trip will take you to Mang Den – the “second Da Lat” of the Central Highlands, with its year-round cool climate and stunning natural landscapes, and Ta Dung Nature Reserve with its emerald green lake amidst pristine mountains and forests.
Discover Buon Ma Thuot – The Starting Point of Your Jungle Journey
The journey to explore the Central Highlands begins in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak province, known as the “coffee capital” of Vietnam. After being picked up by car and guide in Ho Chi Minh City, the trip starts on National Highway 13, through Dong Xoai town and National Highway 14, revealing magnificent mountain and forest scenery along the way. The first and unmissable stop is Dray Nur Waterfall, one of the most beautiful and majestic waterfalls in the Central Highlands.
Dray Nur Waterfall is not only a natural wonder but also part of the Dak Lak primeval forest. Here, you will be amazed by the waterfall cascading from a height of dozens of meters into the Serepok River, creating a white water curtain, spraying mist. Surrounding the waterfall are green, dense forest trees, creating a wild, mysterious space. The feeling of standing at the foot of the waterfall, listening to the roar of the water, and immersing yourself in the fresh mountain air will surely be an unforgettable experience.
Dray Nur Waterfall
Leaving Dray Nur Waterfall, the journey continues to Sac Tu Khai Doan Pagoda, an ancient pagoda with traditional Vietnamese architecture. This pagoda is not only a religious structure but also an important cultural and historical destination of Buon Ma Thuot. With its curved, soft roof tiles, harmonizing with the surrounding nature, Khai Doan Pagoda creates a peaceful, tranquil setting, helping visitors find balance in their souls after the hustle and bustle of life.
In the evening in Buon Ma Thuot, you can freely explore the mountain town at night, enjoy local specialties, and feel the slow, peaceful rhythm of life in this highland city.
Buon Don and Pleiku – Journey to Explore Culture and Nature
The second day of the Central Highlands jungle tour will take you to Buon Don and Pleiku, two famous destinations with their own unique features. In the morning, after breakfast and checking out of the hotel in Buon Ma Thuot, the group will move to Buon Don tourist area, known for the Serepok River flowing in reverse and the unique tradition of hunting and taming wild elephants.
Buon Don is not only famous for elephants but also a village with a rich cultural identity of the Central Highlands ethnic minorities. Here, you can visit the Buon Don suspension bridge, a bridge made of bamboo spanning the Serepok River, offering a sense of adventure but also very interesting. You can also learn about the cultural life and customs of the indigenous people, enjoy the famous Amakong wine, and experience elephant riding, a typical tourist activity of Buon Don (at your own expense). The pristine natural scenery, traditional stilt houses, and the echoing sounds of gongs in the space will bring you unique and memorable cultural experiences.
Trung Nguyen Coffee Village
Continuing the journey, the group will come to Trung Nguyen Coffee Village, an ideal destination for those who love coffee and want to learn about Central Highlands coffee culture. Here, you can enjoy delicious cups of coffee with the characteristic flavor of the basalt land, visit the unique architectural space, and learn about the coffee production process from cultivation to processing.
In the afternoon, the journey takes you to T’Nưng Lake (Bien Ho), also known as the “Eyes of Pleiku”, the most beautiful natural lake in the Central Highlands. T’Nưng Lake is likened to a jade gem amidst the mountains and forests, with year-round clear blue water and pristine, poetic natural scenery. Here, you can immerse yourself in the peaceful space, admire the calm lake surface, breathe in the fresh air, and feel the beauty of the Central Highlands mountains and forests.
Pleiku at night also has its own charm. You can freely explore the city, enjoy local cuisine, and experience the bustling atmosphere of the mountain town at night.
Kon Tum and Mang Den – The Second Da Lat of the Central Highlands
The third day of the Central Highlands jungle tour will take you to Kon Tum and Mang Den, two destinations offering unique cultural and natural experiences. In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel in Pleiku, the group will move to Kon Tum Cathedral, also known as Kon Tum Wooden Church.
Kon Tum Wooden Church is a unique architectural work, built in 1913 using manual methods, combining Romanesque style and the stilt house architecture of the Bana people. With over 100 years of age, Kon Tum Wooden Church is not only a religious structure but also a cultural and historical symbol of Kon Tum city. The unique architecture, sophisticated carvings, and ancient space of the church will surely impress and admire you.
Kon Tum Wooden Church
Near Kon Tum Wooden Church is Konklor Suspension Bridge, a cable-stayed suspension bridge spanning the Dak Bla River. Konklor Suspension Bridge is not only a transportation project but also a tourist symbol of Kon Tum. From the bridge, you can admire the panoramic view of the poetic Dak Bla River and Konklor village with its traditional Rong houses.
The next destination of the day is Mang Den, known as the “second Da Lat” of the Central Highlands. Mang Den boasts a year-round cool climate and stunning natural landscapes, with green pine forests, clear lakes, and majestic waterfalls. In Mang Den, you will visit Our Lady of Mang Den statue, a famous spiritual site, and explore Dak Ke Lake, a beautiful natural lake amidst the pine forest.
In particular, lunch in Mang Den will be an opportunity for you to enjoy sturgeon specialties, the famous sturgeon hotpot cooked with sour bamboo shoots unique to this place. Mang Den sturgeon is raised in a cold water environment, with firm, sweet, and nutritious meat, combined with the mild sourness of forest bamboo shoots, creating an attractive, unforgettable dish.
In the afternoon, on the way back to Pleiku, the group will visit Pleiku ancient pine tree row and Bien Ho Tea Hill. Pleiku ancient pine tree row is likened to the “Korean road” of the Central Highlands, with tall, straight pine trees, creating a romantic, poetic setting. Bien Ho Tea Hill is a green tea hill stretching across the hills, creating a beautiful, peaceful natural picture. These are ideal locations for you to take “check-in” photos and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Gia Nghia and Ta Dung – Discovering the “Ha Long Bay on Land”
The fourth day of the Central Highlands jungle tour will take you to Gia Nghia and Ta Dung, newly nổi but attractive destinations of Dak Nong province. In the morning, after breakfast and checking out of the hotel in Pleiku, the group will move to Buon Ma Thuot to visit “Prosperity Twin Elephants”, the new symbol of the 5 Central Highlands provinces’ capital.
“Prosperity Twin Elephants” is a unique architectural work, depicting the image of a herd of elephants, a typical symbol of Central Highlands culture. The image of the mighty leader elephant stepping towards a new, fertile, prosperous, and happy land by the headwaters signifies the bestowal of mountain and forest essences to the local people.
After lunch in Buon Ma Thuot, the group will depart for Gia Nghia, the capital of Dak Nong province, and check into a hotel for rest.
On the last day of the journey, you will explore Ta Dung Nature Reserve, known as the “Ha Long Bay on Land” of the Central Highlands.
Ta Dung Lake
Arriving at Ta Dung, you will be amazed by the majestic and poetic beauty of the emerald green lake, surrounded by hundreds of large and small islands rising amidst the mountains and forests. You can experience “cloud hunting” on the top of Ta Dung mountain, admire the panoramic view of the lake from above, and feel the vastness and majesty of nature. Ta Dung Lake, like a brilliant blue pearl standing out amidst the pristine, majestic Central Highlands mountains and forests, will surely captivate any visitor who sets foot here.
Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City, the group will visit Soc Bom Bo historical site, an important historical site associated with the nation’s resistance war against the US for national salvation. Here, you will learn about heroic historical anecdotes and listen to the famous song “The Sound of Pestles Pounding in Soc Bom Bo”, recreating the life and fighting spirit of the people of Soc Bom Bo during the resistance war.
Ending the 5-day, 4-night journey to explore the Central Highlands, you will bring back unforgettable memories of the majestic basalt land, vast primeval forests, majestic waterfalls, and unique cultural experiences. The Central Highlands jungle tour is not just a trip but also a journey of self-discovery, connecting with nature, and learning about the unique cultural and historical values of this land. Come and feel the pristine, majestic beauty of the Central Highlands, you will definitely not be disappointed.