Dalat – Cat Tien
Distance: 220 kms
If staying at Saphir Hotel whilst I like the rooms and location the breakfast is ordinary at best. One More Cafe, has great coffee and a quality menu.
The winding ride off the Plateau is fantastic. Good hotmix and most corners on camber. Watch for the local boy racers and also heavy vehicles on this stretch though.
(A), (C) & (E) on this map are simply way points to get the best riding experience out of your day. Follow Google today and its a train wreck.
(B) Elephant falls aren’t that accessible and the water always dirty off the surrounding farmland but an impressive Buddhist temple. You can climb into the main statue if you’re feeling fit and view the surrounding countryside through her eyes. Great coffee stop.
These Falls are impressive especially in the wet season.
Admission is 200k per person and they’ll hit you up another 30k for the bike. Not for everyone but worth it especially if with a partner. With a reasonably early start you have time to spend the necessary two hours to do it properly with lunch.
Toboggan ride to the first falls are included and loads of cafes, restaurants and activities. A great lunch spot.
A short stretch of dirt after the falls but nothing too tricky. Once back to the hard top it’s an exceptional mountain ride most of the way to your night stop.
(F) & (G) are just way points to take you over a bridge that makes this a better ride and keeps you off the highway.
(H) is one of many accommodation options these days in and around Cat Tien. Nothing special but i use it because the food is okay, cabins over the river and a short walk to the ferry across the river into the National Park.
Cat Tien is a lovely village and for old growth forest, floral and fauna the National Park has no equal in South Vietnam. It covers 720 square kilometers over three provinces so multiple visits are required to even scratch the surface.
