Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 266

Around Dalat
Waterfalls
Dalat's waterfalls are obviously at their gushing best in the wet season but still flow when
it's dry. Most tend to focus on commerce rather than nature - Prenn and Cam Ly Falls are
two to avoid.
An uneven and sometimes hazardous path heads down to Elephant Falls , which
are best seen from below. The falls are near Nam Ban village, 30km west of Dalat.
Datanla Falls (admission 10,000d, bobsled ride adult one-way/return 30,000/40,000d) are 7km south-
east of Dalat off Hwy 20. It's a nice walk through the rainforest and a steep hike downhill
to the falls. You can also take a bobsled ride down a winding elevated track. On weekends
expect crowds and loud music.
The largest waterfall in the Dalat area, Pongour Falls (admission 10,000d; 7am-4pm) are
about 55km in the direction of HCMC. The stepped falls are beautiful at any time, but
most spectacular during the wet season when they form a full semicircle.
Dambri Falls (admission 10,000d) , 75km from Dalat, are the tallest falls (90m) in the area -
walking down to feel the spray from the bottom is divine. You can trek your way down
and take the cable car back up.
You'll need your own wheels to access these waterfalls.
Bidoup Nui Ba National Park
Occupying a densely forested highland plateau, this national park ( 063-374 7449;
www.bidoupnuiba.gov.vn ) encompasses evergreen and coniferous woodlands, bamboo groves
and grasslands at altitudes between 650m and 2288m.
Bidoup Nui Ba has 96 endemic plants, including the Dalat pine, and nearly 300 species
of orchids. Yellow-cheeked gibbons can be heard in the early morning if you're fortunate,
while the national park is also home to black bears and the vampire flying frog (which
was only discovered in 2010).