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📍 waterfall · da lat

Elephant Waterfall

Elephant Waterfall is the most dramatic waterfall near Đà Lạt - a powerful 30-metre cascade surrounded by volcanic rock formations resembling an elephant, with a narrow path that leads behind the falling water through a cave at the base.

🐘 Elephant Rock Formation💧 Powerful Cascade🥾 Cave Walk Behind Falls📸 Photography
🧭 Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
📅 Jun – Oct (rainy season, full power); accessible year-round
Entry Fee
🎟️ ~20,000 VND
Opening Hours
🕐 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address
📌 Lát, Lạc Dương, Lâm Đồng

Things to Know

🥾Difficulty
Steep, rugged path down with around 100 steps. Muddy conditions possible. Use handrails and take it slow.
⚠️Safety
Main entrance closed as of February 2026 with no reopening date announced. Unofficial paid access available via security guards and Elephant Coffee.
🚶Accessibility
Cave behind waterfall closed to public. Lower access temporarily closed. Best free views from Chùa Linh An pagoda platform.
ABOUT THIS PLACE

What Makes Elephant Waterfall Special

Elephant Waterfall - Thác Voi - is located 25km southwest of Đà Lạt city in Lạc Dương District, where the Đa Dâng River drops 30 metres over volcanic basalt into a wide pool surrounded by dense jungle. The name refers to a large rock formation at the base of the falls that resembles a crouching elephant in profile. What makes Elephant Waterfall distinctive from the other falls near Đà Lạt is the path: a narrow, wet trail that descends the cliff face beside the cascade and leads behind the waterfall through a natural cave at the base - from inside the cave, the full curtain of water is visible falling in front of the cave mouth, with the pool beyond. The K'Ho minority community lives in the village at the entrance and has managed the site for generations.

How to Get There

🚗 Getting There

Elephant Waterfall is 25km southwest of Đà Lạt city, accessible by motorbike in about 35–40 minutes on the road toward Lạc Dương. The entrance is in the K'Ho village - the path to the falls begins at the village gate. Most visitors combine with Langbiang Mountain or Pongour Waterfall on the same day.

What to Expect

👀 On the Ground

The path from the village descends steeply to the river level beside the falls, then narrows to a ledge behind the cascade - helmets are available at the entrance for the cave section. The cave behind the falls is 5–10 metres deep, wide enough for a single person, and constantly misted. The sound of the falls from inside the cave is overwhelming. The exit from the cave brings visitors out below the pool looking back up at the cascade. The surrounding jungle is dense and the basalt rock formations are distinctive - the volcanic geology of this area contrasts with the limestone karst of northern Vietnam.

Travel Tips

🧳 Tips

Elephant Waterfall is the most physically engaging waterfall near Đà Lạt - the cave path behind the falls is the kind of experience that most visitors remember specifically. The falls are good in dry season for the cave path but best in rainy season for water volume. Combine with Pongour Waterfall (30km south) for a full southern Đà Lạt waterfall day.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Access the waterfall via Elephant Coffee shop (50,000 VND fee) if main entrance closed
View falls free from Chùa Linh An pagoda platform near giant Buddha statue, no shoe removal needed outside temple
Bring appropriate footwear for steep, muddy paths. Watch your step and use handrails when descending
The path behind the waterfall through the cave is the highlight - it's narrow, wet, and slippery, but the view of the falls from inside the cave looking out is extraordinary
Wear shoes with grip and clothes you don't mind getting wet - the cave path is misted constantly and some sections require ducking
The elephant-shaped rock formation that gives the falls their name is most visible from the upper viewing area on the left side of the falls
Visit in the morning - the light falls directly on the cascade from the east until about 10 AM
The K'Ho village at the entrance sells traditional handicrafts and coffee - the local robusta grown here is worth trying

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

Is the main entrance open?›
Main entrance closed as of February 2026 with no announced reopening date. Access available via Elephant Coffee shop or free viewing from Chùa Linh An pagoda.
How much does it cost to visit?›
Chùa Linh An pagoda is free. Elephant Coffee charges 30,000-60,000 VND for waterfall access. Unofficial gate fees also reported.
How difficult is the walk to the waterfall?›
Steep path with approximately 100 steps down. Muddy conditions possible. Use handrails, wear appropriate footwear, and take it slow.

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