Overview

The gorgeous expanse of Da Nang, situated between jungle and coast and firmly in the tropics of Vietnam, is best viewed from above. Beautiful vistas abound on the Mountains of Da Nang Day Trip from Hoi An, taking you to three of Da Nang’s most gorgeous peaks and enjoying the rolling mix of nature and urbanization that stretch out from their foothills.

We begin at the five religious spires of the Marble Mountains, exploring the various Buddhist pagodas and shrines to be found inside, reaching here by open-top Jeep from Hoi An. We also pay a visit to one of the country’s newest Buddhist temples atop Son Tra Mountain, a rocky outcrop rising 642 meters above the coastline and sometimes referred to as Monkey Mountain for the creatures that swing in the trees around here.

Our final stop is the magnificent Hai Van Pass, consistently voted one of the most beautiful roads in the world, lying between Da Nang and Hue and translating to the Ocean Cloud Pass, hinting at some of the incredible scenery to be found here.

Returning to Hoi An, the Mountains of Da Nang Day Trip from Hoi An will end in the late afternoon at your hotel. Contact Incredible Asia Journeys now to schedule your planned trip!

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Places you’ll see

Hoi An

Da Nang

Highlights

Exploring the religious enclave atop the Marble Mountains to the north of Hoi An
Ascending the steep roads of Son Tra Mountain, where we will enjoy stunning views from the Linh Ung Pagoda and the old American helipad
Tucking into a picnic lunch in the hills of Son Tra Peninsula
Enjoying the vistas from the peak of the Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful roads in the world

Itinerary

Activities: Exploring the pagodas of the Marble Mountains, the natural beauty of Son Tra Mountain and the engineering masterpiece of the Hai Van Pass from its peak, before returning to Hoi An.

08.30: After meeting the guide at your hotel lobby in Hoi An, we will head north via Jeep for half an hour to the Marble Mountains.

09.00: The five peaks of the Marble Mountains are named for the five elements of metal, fire, wood, earth, and water. We will head to the last of these (Thuy Son) for a great panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the delightfully rustic homes that inhabit it. We will also explore some of the caves with their inbuilt pagodas as well as tunnels and the option of an abseil into the ominously named Hell’s Cave.

10.00: Descending the steps back to the Jeep, we will take the drive to Son Tra Mountain (also known as Monkey Mountain), stopping at a small fishing village on the way to see how locals operate the traditional coracle boats from which they fish.

10.30: The Jeep begins its ascent up the steep, winding path of Son Tra Mountain, giving us great views of Da Nang’s curved beach and the urban sprawl that stretches from here up to the bottoms of mountains behind it. We stop at a helipad used by the Americans during the war to learn of its history and enjoy more unfettered views of Da Nang’s beautiful surroundings.

12.00: A picnic lunch will be served in full view of the gorgeous scenery.

13.00: After lunch, we arrive at Linh Ung Pagoda, a 21st-century progression of Buddhism evidenced in the mix of both modern and traditional Buddhist architecture to be found here. Its statue of the Goddess of Mercy stands 67 metres tall on a platform of a lotus flower.

14.00: We climb back aboard the Jeep and head north to the Hai Van Pass. This 21km-long mountain road crosses the border between Da Nang and Hue and features some of the most celebrated scenery throughout the country.

15.00: We stop at the peak of the pass to enjoy the breathtaking views, which can stretch as far back as the Cham Islands of Hoi An on a clear day. Tien Sa Port and Son Tra Mountain, along with wild beaches and dense jungle are other features of the viewpoint. We finish at the Hai Van Gate, a defensive structure built by Emperor Ming Mang (1791 – 1841) to protect the capital of Hue.

15.30: We begin our return to Hoi An, passing various villages and scenes of farmers tilling rice paddies as we do so.

17.00: Reaching Hoi An in the late afternoon, we drop you off at your hotel and the Mountains of Da Nang Day Trip from Hoi An comes to a close. We thank you kindly for joining us on this tour; we very much hope to serve you again!

Meals: Lunch