Dark Cave is one of caves in cave system in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, Vietnam. Same to other famous caves in the area, Dark Cave is a limestone cave which was formed by water from millions years ago. As a result, it is so wet and slippery inside for a great explore with headlamps in the dark. Exploring Dark Cave is not a family activity with kids because it is quite hard inside the cave. Therefore, my trip to Dark Cave was a part of company trip in the summer. That was a great time with my team in my company.
On the way to Paradise cave, there is a big sign of Dark Cave on our left and it is the welcome headquarter of a Dark Cave. To explore the Dark Cave, we had to wear swimsuit and have a waterproof bag for our phones. Therefore, you should bring your swimsuits or rent them at the facility. Waterproof bags are sold in shop there as well. Entrance fee for full activities is $23 each which including exploring Dark Cave, kayaking, zipline, swimming and games on Chay river.
Different from Phong Nha Cave with nice and cool ride of boat, we had to use zipline to go to the gate of the cave. Before the ride, we all needed to be in swimsuits, lifevests, helmets with headlamps and eager in our mood.
After a short walk to the zipline departure tower, we could enjoy the view of Chay river. The water in summer is so green and cool air excited our hearts. We had a short safety briefing from the instructor and we were ready to go. We were one by one on our turn to have a long ride of zipline to the landing zone in front of the cave.
It was fun that I got stuck about 5 meters away from landing zone. The man there had to throw me a ball attaching to a rope to pull me in. Everyone joked me that I was in a baby size and not big enough to get in. Indeed, only adults and kids over 1.3m are allowed to join the activity.
After everyone finish the 400m zipline, we walked in water to the gate where the instructor was waiting for us. We were told some information of the cave. Then an real explore into the earth started!
When we got inside the cave, it looks amazing with limestone ceiling and some stalagmites and stalactites. I was no surprised by the beauty of limestone as in Phong Nha cave but the adventurous atmosphere here. The feeling of wild and mystery from the Dark Cave gave me a strong press.
Most of pictures were taken after from phones in waterproof bag so they were a bit blurry. However, our excitement to a great adventure were not blurry at all.
The deeper we went inside, the darker it was, until all dark covered us on a wet and slippery road. We were allowed to take off our life vests. There were some part were sandy and I could see the underground river flowing from deep of the cave. We were not alone but with many other tourists. We were all in great mood.
Photo credit
Photo credit
I got one problem here was that I could not wear my glasses. Therefore I could not see well in the dark and I could not take good photos inside. After walking, climbing in the mud, turning right to a very narrow tube of muddy path, we arrived a mud bath. It is also the very end of the Dark Cave. The mud bath is big enough for about 50 people at the same time. I slipped couples of time but it was okay.
Here was what it looked inside the mud bath. I think that the joy was the walk inside the dark rather than a treat in this mud. However, the mud is very clean and fine. After coming home, my swimsuit was still red after washing couples of times.
We was in there about 15 minutes and the walking out by ourselves. Some more could stay longer if they wanted but my team decided to get out for more activities.
Getting to the gate of Dark Cave, we got on kayaks or boats for a race. I swam with life vests again along my teammates on inflatable boats. I loved this! We had a great time on water together. Chay river was so green an cool. We even felt cold in water flowing from rocky mountain.
When we were back to the headquarter, we were starved and it was great to have lunch right away. Although the food look tasty, it was not good as we expected. The food was pretty cold. However, we were so hungry and it was not too bad. I think food is a minus for the overall of this explore.
After taking a rest, more games on Chay river welcomed us with ride and jump to the water. We had so much fun in this trip and that was a great time for us to be closer.
Nature gives Phong Nha, Quang Binh a great cave system that treats your adventurous mind so well. The beautiful nature of Chay river, Mooc Spring are always perfect destinations in summer time for people to live closer to mother nature. Clean and cool water, wild beauty and safe services are all the great things for great days in a great journey. Come enjoy Phong Nha more and more.
Photo credit to me and my friends
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