Cog railway: Krong Pha – Da Lat

Hike along abandoned French railway tracks, through stunning mountain landscapes, and listen the stories from the old train worker man about this legend cog railway.
Historical cog railway that connect Krong Pha and Da Lat is one of only two cog railway in the world (one in Vietnam and other in Switzerland). Approved by the French administration in 1898, and construction began on the Thap Cham – Krong Pha section in 1908 as Doumer’s ambitious plan. The first trains began to use this portion of the line in 1916. The rest of the Thap Cham – Krong Pha section opened in 1919, completing the first phase of construction.The second phase took comparatively more time to complete, due to the mountainous terrain inland from Krong Pha. Although the following section, from Krong Pha to Eo Gio (Bellevue), was only 10 km (6.2 mi) long on a map, its steep grade required the use of a rack and pinion system. The Krong Pha – Eo Gio section was completed in 1928. The next section, from Eo Gio to D’Ran, was relatively flat, and was completed in 1929. From Đơn Dương to Tram Hanh (Arbre Broyé), another length of rack rails was laid, was completed in 1930. The railway tracks finally reached Da Lat in 1932. The section linking Krong Pha to Da Lat was only 43 km (27 mi) long, but rose almost 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) along a winding route with three rack rail sections and five tunnels. Da Lat Railway Station, one of the first colonial-style buildings to be built in the area, was completed in 1938. The railway of Krong Pha – Da Lat has played an important role in the strategy of building Indochina nursing station and the capital of French colonialism at Da Lat.

$132

1 TRIP = 10,000 VND is contributed to our community development fund

Description
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DISTANCE: 20 km

DURATION: 2 days 1 night

TYPE: Trekking

LEVEL: Basic

AGE: From 11 to 60

The tour departs every Friday evening with the group of minimum 9 pax and maximum 15 pax. In case you need a private tour, Simple Backpackers are pleased to serve all your needs with the demand of flexible time.

Departure (at night)

20h30 Pick-up at the East Bus Station (address: 292 Dinh Bo Linh, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City). Tour guides help you find your seats and arrange your luggage
21h00 Departure to Phan Rang

Customers will be advised and guide how to travel in other areas.

Pick-up information will be updated directly 3 days before departure by email and phone.

1^st day

MORNING

Arrive Phan Rang bus station, transit to Krong Pha
Breakfast and ready to start journey
Start at Krong Pha old Railway station, follow the track of cog railway

AFTERNOON

Go through tunnel #1 and #2 is abandoned in jungle
See by eyes remnants which were proof of history for a golden age
Arrive Eo Gio (Bellevue) Railway station and transfer to Cau Dat

EVENING

Check-in homestay and enjoy dinner
Take a deep rest.

2^ndday

MORNING

Wake up and catch the stunning dawn with cloud in Cau Dat Farm
Have breakfast and sip morning tea | coffee
Continue the journey. Go through tunnel #3, #4 and #5 and stations along the track. Tunnel #3 is the longest and wet in almost time of the year

AFTERNOON

The journey is end at Trai Mat railway station
Transfer to Da Lat city and enjoy small party

EVENING

Free and easy at Da Lat city
Catch night bus and back to HCMC

The bus will arrive at Saigon around midnight, depending on the actual traffic situation.

Congratulations! You have completed the journey.

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ALL-INCLUSIVE SERVICES

Tour Inclusions

Transportation: Round-trip bus from Ho Chi Minh City and all local shuttle transfers during the itinerary.
Meals: All meals included throughout the tour. Specialized menus are available for vegetarians or those with specific dietary requirements.
Drinking Water: 1.5 liters per day, with daily refills provided at the campsites.
Accommodation: Safe stays with essential amenities: well-lit tents or lodges, equipped with restroom
Expert Tour Leaders: Professional and highly experienced. Local Guides: Our "heart of the tour" – indigenous experts with profound local knowledge and professional expertise.
Specialized Support Team: Dedicated staff ensuring high-quality meals, medical support, and overall safety for the entire journey.
Porter Service: Porters to carry tour equipment and guest luggage (up to 5kg per guest).
Tour Equipment: Guests are provided with flashlights, snacks, trekking poles, and sleeping bags.
Travel Insurance: Domestic travel insurance with a maximum coverage of 100,000,000 VND per person per incident.
Recognition: Tour completion certificate and Loyalty Points for future rewards.

Tour Exclusions

Personal expenses outside the itinerary: Airfare, train tickets, shopping, individual entertainment, etc.
Tips for the tour guides and support team
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Surcharges for Public Holidays and New Year periods

Preparation Checklist

Personal Documents: National ID/Passport, Health Insurance card, and ATM card.
Clothing: Sports attire that is stretchable and offers good moisture-wicking properties.t
Footwear: Athletic shoes or hiking boots with deep treads for excellent ground grip. Note: It is recommended to choose a shoe size at least 1 size larger than your usual fit.
Backpack: Equipped with hip and shoulder support straps. A rain cover for the backpack is highly recommended.
Sun Protection: Hat, multi-purpose bandana/buff, sun sleeves, etc.
Socks: Soft, moisture-wicking material. Please bring at least 2 pairs.
Outerwear: A jacket that is windproof and warm (water-resistant material is preferred).
Raincoat: (Seasonal) – We encourage the use of reusable raincoats instead of single-use plastics to help minimize our carbon footprint.
Footwear for Camp: Lightweight sandals or flip-flops for use around the campsite.
Personal Medical Kit: Especially any specific medications prescribed by your doctor.
Personal Care: Sunscreen, moisturizer, toiletries, and electronic devices (power banks, cameras, etc.)

CUSTOMER INCENTIVES

GROUP JOIN-IN TOURS – MAXIMUM 15 GUESTS

Loyalty Program

5% OFF for Returning Explorers

Groups of 5 or More

3% discount on the total tour price.

Groups of 9 or More

5% discount on the total tour price

PRIVATE & BESPOKE TOURS - EXCLUSIVE INCENTIVES

Xanh Travel is a premier specialist in organizing, Team Building, and Bespoke Private Tours. We deliver unique, high-quality, and reliable travel experiences for organizations and corporations.
Our high-quality journeys are defined by professionalism and safety, featuring:

Expert Guide & Leadership Teams
Seamless Transportation throughout the itinerary
Curated Accommodation and essential amenities
Nutritious Meals and hydration
Comprehensive Medical and Safety protocols
Domestic Travel Insurance (with coverage up to 100 million VND)

Simply pack your essentials—we will handle the rest.

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CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

A 100% upfront payment is required to guarantee your booking and facilitate all necessary preparations for your journey. Once payment is received, you will receive a Confirmation Email including comprehensive details to help you prepare for the upcoming tour. Please review this information carefully and contact us immediately if you have any questions or require any changes to your booking.

Cancellation & Refund Policy (Calculated backwards from the departure date)

At least 10 days before departure: 100% Refund.
7 days before departure: 50% Refund.
5 days before departure: 10% Refund.
From 4 days before departure until the departure date: Non-refundable.

Rescheduling & Tour Transfer Policy (Calculated backwards from the departure date)

At least 10 days before departure: No fee applies.
7 days before departure: 40% surcharge of the tour cost.
5 days before departure: 70% surcharge of the tour cost.
From 4 days before departure until the departure date: Categorized as a "Cancellation and New Booking." 100% of the tour cost applies.

Note: For tour transfers, guests will be refunded or charged the price difference between the two tours.

Our Advantages

Expertise

10 years in nature-based adventure tourism (trekking, hiking and camping)

Professional

Seasoned outdoor experts with decades of experience in the mountains.

Trustworthy

+50,000 customers
4,91/5 is the Guest Testimonials

Indigenous Communities

Local communities are the cornerstone of our excursions, serving as the primary guardians of cultural heritage and historical legacies.

Corporate social responsibility

1 TRIP = 10,000 VND is donated to community development projects

Corporate social responsibility

1 TRIP = 10,000 VND is donated to community development projects

FAQ

What is the maximum group size for your join-in tours?

Each of our group-joining tours is limited to a maximum of 15 guests. Drawing from our extensive experience in organizing tours for solo travelers and small groups, we believe that a group size of 10 to 15 participants delivers the ultimate experience. This ideal scale ensures high flexibility, personalized attention, and fosters deeper connections among fellow adventurers.

Can I join the tour if I am traveling alone?

Absolutely! Many of our guests are solo adventurers. Our group-joining tours are specifically designed to bring like-minded people together. With our intimate group size (maximum 15 guests), you will never feel left out. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy your personal journey while forging new friendships with fellow nature lovers and culture enthusiasts.

I’m concerned about my fitness level. Will I be able to keep up with the tour itinerary?

"A Great Preparation is 80% of a Great Experience." Before every tour, Xanh Travel provides detailed guidelines on physical health and essential gear to ensure our guests are fully prepared.

Fun Fact: Most healthy adults—even those who don't exercise regularly—can comfortably walk up to 15km in a single day. With the right mindset and our guidance, you are more capable than you think!

Hygiene, Restrooms & Bathing Facilities

At our campsites, we provide private, portable restroom and changing tents for your convenience. Due to the nature of wilderness exploration, bathing options depend on the location:

Riverside Campsites: You can enjoy refreshing baths in natural streams.
Other Locations: Water supplies may be limited. In these cases, we provide sufficient water for basic hygiene, and we recommend using "dry bath" methods (wet wipes or specialized dry shampoos) to stay refreshed.

How is waste managed during the tour?

Waste is sorted and processed appropriately at our campsites. Throughout the trek, we kindly ask that you do not litter and keep all non-biodegradable waste with you. You can hand this over to the Xanh Travel team at the campsite or at the end of the journey for proper disposal. We are committed to keeping the wilderness pristine.

What is the minimum age for children to join the tour?

Our tours involve long-distance trekking throughout the day; therefore, the minimum age for children to participate is 6 years old. It is mandatory for children to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and all participants must strictly follow the instructions provided by the tour leader at all times.

Will there be mobile phone reception?

Most of our jungle tours take place in areas with little to no mobile reception, or a very weak signal. We encourage you to embrace this as a gift to yourself—a chance to "disconnect to reconnect" and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of nature!

Is there electricity available to charge mobile phones?

Most of our campsites are located deep within the forest and do not have power sources. Therefore, we recommend bringing a portable power bank to recharge your electronic devices if needed. Rest assured, we provide sufficient night-time lighting at the campsite using our pre-installed LED systems.

I am a vegetarian. What will my meals be like?

We offer a dedicated menu for vegetarians and those with specific dietary requirements. Please inform our customer service team or note your preferences in your tour confirmation email regarding your vegetarian diet or any food allergies/restrictions you may have.

Other Q&A

Visit this link: https://xanhtravel.vn/elements/pages/faq/