Hang En Tour

13th and 14th January.

We joined an Oxalis (the company we are working for) run, two day tour to Hang En, along with eight clients, our guide, Kien, and six (I think) porters. After a briefing and equipment issue at Oxalis we were driven into the National Park and our drop off point for the start of the walk-in.
The first part is easy downhill to the Doong Village where we stopped for tea before continuing to a river crossing and our lunch stop.

Picnic Spot

After lunch there was a bit more walking through the forest before hitting a major river and the first of many crossings as we followed the river all the way to the entrance of Hang En. The water levels were still fairly high after the recent rain, just above knee height with a strong current and the porters provided welcome assistance for this first crossing. After about five hours of leisurely walking we arrived at the entrance to Hang En.

Hang En

We entered the cave through the lower of the two entrances, then climbed up over a boulder slope to where there was a good view back up to the higher entrance and down to the campsite, a good photo opportunity that was much appreciated by all. Finally, all pictures had been taken and we descended the slope to the campsite where we could leave our gear, and have a cup of tea before going through the cave.


From the camp site there was a short 'low' section through the stream then it was up a boulder slope and a short section of high level passage to an awesome view out to the exit. Many more pictures taken here before we all descended to look at some mud towers before returning to camp via a low level (with the stream) route. Back at camp the porters had cooked up a fantastic multi-dish evening meal for us all. And so to bed.

Hang En Exit

Most of us woke early and by about 8.30 there were shafts of light shining onto the camp site, apparently we were lucky to see this as the sun is only in the correct position for about two months of the year. Watto, who was here all of last year, has never seen this and was quite annoyed that we saw this on our first trip.

Hang En Campsite

After breakfast, it was a leisurely walk back to the road, stopping for lunch just before the walk back up the big hill to the road and our lift back to Phong Nha.

Three days of rest now (time to get our washing done and hopefully sort out our internet connection) before our next trip which will be a day trip to Son Doong Exit, followed immediately by a three day trip to Tu Lan.