This expedition offers a rare opportunity to explore Cat Tien National Park in depth, one of Vietnam’s most important and least understood biodiversity landscapes. Designed for adventurers, the journey moves across forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, revealing how each environment shifts, connects, and comes alive in its own way.
Ho Chi Minh - Vietnam’s largest economic center and cultural capital, Ho Chi Minh City boasts soaring skyscrapers that tower over charming French colonial structures and traditional pagodas from Saigon’s yesteryear. Past the bustling streets and dizzying traffic
Optional tour: Saigon by night and street food by motorbike
This is the real street-food tour of Saigon. You’ll strap on your helmet and hit the streets by motorbike, just like the locals do, scouting the city for truly fresh flavor. Stopping in some of the city’s most diverse districts, you’ll sit down to banh mi, bun bo, banh xeo, Vietnamese barbecue, and more. Those words might not mean much now, but your tastebuds will absolutely remember them.
Optional tour: Cu Chi tunnels half day tour
Explore one of Vietnam’s most iconic historical sites on this half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to the vast underground network used by Vietnamese fighters during the war, and learn about their daily life, strategies, and resilience. Crawl through sections of the tunnels, see hidden trapdoors and wartime facilities, and gain insight into a powerful chapter of Vietnam’s history—all within a convenient half-day excursion.
Night 1: Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh
07.00-7:30, Our driver will pick you up from your hotel for a scenic three-hour drive to Cat Tien National Park. Upon arrival, settle into the National Park Guest House before enjoying a fresh, local lunch.
The afternoon is dedicated to true exploration. At 2:00 PM, after a comprehensive safety briefing and outfitting, you’ll head into the brush with an expert ranger and our tour guide. This 6-kilometer hike showcases the jungle’s dramatic evolution from the shadows of ancient, towering giants to the whisper of bamboo groves. Your efforts are rewarded at the Ta Lai Rice Fields, where you’ll toast the day with a cold drink and a spectacular sunset.
A safari vehicle will whisk you back to the National Park Guest House by 17:30, leaving you plenty of time to freshen up before a multi-course dinner at 19:00.
Night 2: Overnight in Nam Cat Tien
This is the most active part of the journey, centered around an extended hike to Bau Sau, also known as Crocodile Lake. You will follow a forest trail of approximately 10 kilometers through varied jungle terrain, including dense jungle sections, large old-growth trees, and historical remnants - bomb craters from the American War.
As you move deeper into the forest, you are stepping directly into the natural habitat of wildlife. Along the way, there are opportunities to encounter species unique to Cat Tien, such as monitor lizards or Germain's peacock pheasant, while also observing tracks and signs left by larger animals including gaur, wild boar, and deer. The forest is constantly alive with sound, from the calls of common birds to the distant songs of rarer species, offering a rich and immersive sensory experience.
Upon reaching Bau Sau in the afternoon, the group will take time to rest and recharge after the journey. Right from the ranger station, you can enjoy a panoramic view of this unique Ramsar site. This offers a wonderful opportunity to closely observe rare water birds and freshwater crocodiles in their natural habitat, while listening to inspiring stories about the dedicated conservation and reintroduction efforts for these rare crocodiles.
An early dinner prepared by rangers is enjoyed as the sun sets over the lake. The return is a unique experience: a five-kilometer guided night hike beginning at 18:30, specifically designed to spot rare species active only after dark, before our vehicle pickup at 20.30 transfers everyone back to the Guest House.
*This night watch is affected by the weather, it can be changed based on actual weather condition
Night 3: Overnight in Nam Cat Tien
Following breakfast, immerse yourself in a morning of meaningful conservation. You’ll visit the park’s rescue and rehabilitation centers for an intimate look at the Yellow-cheeked Gibbons and other protected species, followed by an off-road safari across the sweeping open grasslands, where larger wildlife may be observed.
The vehicle will take the group back to the Guest House for check-out. The next stop on our journey is the traditional brocade weaving house of the ethnic community in Ta Lai village. Here, you will discover the beauty of local culture through intricately handcrafted brocade patterns and learn about the unique lifestyle and customs of the Ma people.
As lunchtime arrives, you will enjoy a cozy, rustic meal right at a local’s home. Afterward, the vehicle will depart to bring the group back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Night 4: Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
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