This activity was part of my 7 day journey in Vietnam, which included 3 days in Da Lat.

About the Activity

If you're all for adventure, then this is one activity you must do in Da Lat - Waterfall canyoning. It was my first time too and I didn't know what to expect, but it was nothing short successive bursts of adrenaline rush.

I made my booking through Dalat Canyoning Tours, and got the Special Canyoning package - The option that allows you to canyon down Datanla Waterfalls. As of 2024, the package costs $82 per person and comes with:

• Pickup from Da Lat town (8:30AM)
• Professionally-trained english-speaking guides
• Picnic lunch
• All safety equipment (Including a wet suit)
• Professionally-shot photos

The package does not include insurance, so be mindful of that. Alternatively, this activity is offered via Klook as well which includes an option for hotel pickup.

Day of Activity

Upon arrival at Datanla falls, we were given lockers to put our valuables - I wouldn't suggest bringing your phone along unless you have a waterproof cover. Be ready to get soaked, so come in comfortable clothes (including water shoes or sports sandals), and slap on that sunscreen before starting the activity.

The tour operator offers pick up from your hotel, but you can make your own way there as well if you have your own transport. It takes around 25 mins from the city center and free on-site parking is available too.

Safety Brief

The activity kicked off with a safety briefing on the proper use of equipment, followed by a dry abseil down a 18-meter wall. You'll learn how to control your rate of descent and gain confidence on land before advancing to the actual abseil.

Once everyone has gone, it's another 15 min walk down with all the gear to the start point of the waterfall.

Start of Activity

The first abseil features a 17m descent down a relatively dry rock face into the water below. The descent starts off a gradual gradient but soon drops off into a vertical wall. Put that practice from the dry wall to use! You get to enjoy a quick swim in the cold water while waddling your way to get out.

After you conquered the first abseil, the next station is simple - All you have to do is let the instructor hook you up a zipline, then leap off to traverse down to the next checkpoint.

The adventure continues with water sliding down a mini waterfall. Just lie down, get into position while letting the guide push you forward, then relax and you'll slide down naturally.

We stopped for a quick lunch break, where the guides set up a delicious picnic to satisfy our hunger. There was an assortment of food available like Bánh mì and fruits.

The upcoming segment was one of the highlights as you go through a thrilling 20-meter descent down a towering waterfall, a true test of your skills! Watch your step though - Losing your footing means you'll get pummelled in your face by the relentless waterfall, like the participant below:

Once around 5 - 7m from the surface, your guide will shout at you to let go and jump off the rock face - To which I gladly did, sending myself down a short free fall before landing back-first into the water (It hurt).

Next up was a 7-meter mini cliff jump into the water. Pull your best stunts here and let gravity take you along.

The Washing Machine

Moving along to the final and most challenging obstacle - A 13-meter waterfall abseil. The challenge here lies not in the height of the waterfall (We already conquered 20m before this!), but the ferocity of it. This segment is famously described as "The Washing Machine". You start the abseil over a very narrow edge. From the onset, the cliff face is extremely uneven, so getting your footing wasn't easy. Our guides pre-empted us that losing your sense of direction during this section is expected, and I soon found out why. Past a certain point and you'll be abseiling in mid air, relying completely on your hands to control your descent. The velocity of the waterfall here is the most intense, so expect water to be slamming into your face. Now you can't see, and because the sound of the water is so loud, you don't hear your guides screaming instructions at you anymore - You're quite literally on your own.

Here comes the real washing machine part. Once you've descended low enough, let go of the the abseil to fall into a narrow crevice - Hold your breath! The force of the waterfall is so strong that it will push you down, then outwards, carrying you underwater for a brief 5 seconds (which feels like forever when you're disoriented) before your life jacket brings you back up to the surface.

End of Activity

The activity ends with a 40 min trek uphill (Legs were still recovering from climbing Langbiang mountain the day before) to the road side where a van picks you up and transports you back to the start point where you can shower and get changed. By the time we arrived, it was well around 430PM.

And that's the end of my canyoning journey! For the adrenaline junkie, this activity wouldn't disappoint. As long as you're unafraid of heights (and water), you'll enjoy yourself for sure.