Duration: 3 Days 2 Nights
Depature: Upon customer's request
Tour type: Join-in
Exclusive: Maximum 10 guests/group (6 - 70 years old)
Pick-up/Drop off: Thiso Mall - 10 Mai Chi Tho Street, An Khanh Ward, HCMC (Hoang The Thien Street front)
Accommodation: Tent (fully equiped)
Overview of Cat Tien Family Trekking - 3 Days 2 Nights
Escape the pace of Ho Chi Minh City and spend three days discovering the natural and cultural side of Cat Tien National Park with your family. Designed for families, this small-group experience combines gentle adventure, wildlife observation, conservation, and cultural discovery at a comfortable pace, making this an ideal choice for families looking to add a nature-filled escape to their Saigon tours.
The journey takes you through some of Cat Tien's most distinctive landscapes — from tropical rainforest and the open Ta Lai Rice Fields to the wetlands of Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake). Along the way, children and parents can learn about plants, wildlife, animal tracks and different forest ecosystems while exploring the park together. The experience is complemented by evening wildlife observation using thermal cameras, giving families a chance to discover how nocturnal animals move through the forest after dark.
Beyond nature, the journey introduces your family to the people and conservation efforts connected to Cat Tien. Visit the Cat Tien Nature Museum, explore the Wildlife Rescue Centre, meet local Ma artisans and share a traditional meal with a Ma family in Ta Lai Village.
For two nights, your family stays in fully equipped safari-style tents inside the national park, with mattresses, sleeping bags, insect screens, communal areas and restroom facilities. It is an opportunity to experience the rainforest more closely while still having the essentials for a comfortable family stay.
Why You'll Love This Tour
✧ Explore Cat Tien's Rainforest, Wetlands & Countryside in One Family Adventure
✧ Trek to Bau Sau, One of Cat Tien's Most Remarkable Natural Areas
✧ Discover Siamese Crocodile Conservation at Bau Sau
✧ See the Forest Come Alive After Dark with Thermal Cameras
✧ Spend Two Nights Camping Inside Cat Tien National Park
✧ Watch Sunset Over Ta Lai Rice Fields with a Local Sundowner Experience
✧ Meet the Ma Community Through Weaving & a Home-Cooked Meal
✧ Turn Nature Exploration into a Learning Experience for Children
Full Itinerary of Cat Tien Family Trekking - 3 Days 2 Nights
Journey from Saigon to Cat Tien
Your family adventure begins in the morning at the designated meeting point at Thiso Mall, 10 Mai Chi Tho Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, at the Hoang The Thien Street entrance.
Enjoy the approximately three-hour journey to Cat Tien National Park, watching the urban landscape gradually give way to greener surroundings and tropical forest.
On arrival, check in at your riverside campsite inside the national park before enjoying a leisurely lunch featuring local cuisine.
After lunch, take some time to settle into the campsite and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before your afternoon exploration begins.
Trek Through Ta Lai Forest
At around 2:00 PM, begin your family trek from Nui Tuong Ranger Station.
The trail follows the Dong Nai River and passes through different forest habitats, giving your guide plenty of opportunities to introduce the family to the ecology of Cat Tien.
Children can learn to recognise native plants, listen for forest birds and look for animal tracks and other signs of wildlife along the trail.
The route continues through Ta Lai Forest, a restored woodland that has been developing since 1996 as part of efforts to regenerate the buffer zone around Cat Tien National Park.
What was once a degraded landscape has gradually developed into a thriving forest habitat, offering a real-life example of ecological restoration and the resilience of nature.
Ta Lai Rice Fields & Sundowner
As you leave the forest, the landscape opens into the expansive Ta Lai Rice Fields, where local communities cultivate rice and seasonal crops.
Towering dipterocarp trees stand among the fields, creating one of the distinctive landscapes around Cat Tien.
As the afternoon light softens, settle down for a family Sundowner experience.
Enjoy refreshing drinks while watching the sunset across the rice fields and learning about the traditions, farming practices and connection to the forest of the local Ma and S'tieng communities.
After sunset, return to the riverside campsite for dinner.
Nocturnal Wildlife Discovery
Once darkness falls, the forest takes on a completely different character.
Join your guide for a guided wildlife observation experience using professional thermal cameras. The technology detects heat rather than relying on bright lights, allowing animals to be observed with minimal disturbance.
With some luck, you may spot Sambar deer, muntjacs, civets, porcupines or other nocturnal animals beginning their nightly activities.
For children, this can be one of the most memorable parts of the journey — listening to the rainforest at night and discovering wildlife that is rarely visible during the day.
Overnight: Safari-style campsite, Cat Tien National Park.
Into the Rainforest
Wake up to birdsong and the fresh air of Cat Tien before enjoying breakfast at the campsite.
At around 9:00 AM, depart from Nui Tuong Ranger Station and travel to the trailhead leading towards Bau Sau.
From here, begin an approximately 5-kilometre rainforest trek beneath towering old-growth trees.
The trail provides opportunities to learn about Cat Tien's forest ecology, from identifying animal tracks and bird calls to observing the changing vegetation as you move deeper into the park.
Discover Bau Sau
Arrive at Bau Sau Ranger Station and enjoy lunch before taking time to relax beside the wetland.
Bau Sau is recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and is an important habitat for Siamese crocodiles.
According to the tour programme, the wetland supports more than 600 Siamese crocodiles, making it an important site for the conservation of this rare species.
Rangers will share the story of the species' recovery and the ongoing conservation work taking place in the area.
Families may also have the opportunity to observe waterbirds and other wildlife around the wetland.
Take some time to enjoy the peaceful landscape before beginning the return journey.
Return Through the Forest
At approximately 2:00 PM, begin the 5-kilometre trek back through the rainforest.
The trail passes beneath a dense tropical canopy where giant lianas connect the ancient trees.
One of the notable landmarks along the route is the 400-year-old Tung Tree, one of Cat Tien's iconic natural features.
Return to the campsite by approximately 4:30 PM.
Another Night in the Forest
After dinner, there is another opportunity to join a guided thermal-camera wildlife observation around the campsite.
Every night can bring different sights and sounds, from the movement of a deer or civet to the calls of nocturnal creatures hidden among the trees.
Return to your tent for a peaceful second night surrounded by the rainforest.
Overnight: Safari-style campsite, Cat Tien National Park.
A Slow Start in the Rainforest
Enjoy a relaxed final morning at the campsite.
Have a coffee by the riverside, take a gentle walk around the surroundings and listen to the sounds of the rainforest before breakfast.
With some luck, you may see Green Peafowl, Sambar deer or native bird species around the campsite.
Discover Cat Tien's Natural Heritage
After breakfast, visit the Cat Tien Nature Museum.
Explore exhibits covering the park's geological history, ecosystems, plants and wildlife. The visit provides both parents and children with a broader understanding of the biodiversity they have encountered during the previous two days.
Wildlife Rescue & Conservation
Continue to the Cat Tien Wildlife Rescue Centre, where injured, trapped and rescued wild animals are rehabilitated with the aim of returning them to their natural habitats whenever possible.
Your tour leader will explain some of the challenges facing Vietnam's wildlife and the conservation work taking place within Cat Tien.
For children, the visit provides an opportunity to see that protecting wildlife involves much more than observing animals in the forest — it also requires dedicated rescue, rehabilitation and habitat protection.
Traditional Ma Weaving in Ta Lai Village
Continue to the Ta Lai weaving house, where local artisans demonstrate traditional hand-weaving techniques.
Families can watch the looms at work, see naturally dyed threads and discover the stories and meanings behind the intricate brocade patterns.
The experience provides a closer look at the cultural heritage of the Ma community and its long relationship with the forest.
Lunch with a Local Ma Family
At midday, visit the home of a local Ma family for a traditional home-cooked lunch.
Sharing a meal with your hosts offers a more personal glimpse into local customs, daily life and the community's enduring connection with Cat Tien.
After lunch, begin the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrival at the original meeting point is expected at approximately 6:00 PM, bringing your three-day family adventure to an end.
Tour Inclusions:
- Service team: Each group (maximum 10 guests) is accompanied by 1 experienced guide and local porter. The team ensures a safe, well-organized, and immersive experience throughout the journey.
- Food & Drinks: All meals are provided during the tour, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Drinking water and soft drinks are included. Vegetarian options can be arranged upon request.
- Accommodation: 2 nights at the campsite, located within the forest, offering a simple yet comfortable stay immersed in nature.
- Transportation: Round-trip transportation between Saigon and Cat Tien National Park is included, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
- Activities & Entrance Fees: All guided activities, including jungle trekking and visits to Center for Rescue and Conservation of Species, as well as park entrance fees.
- Equipment: Essential equipment for trekking such as gloves, headlight, and other necessary items will be provided.
- Travel insurance: Basic travel insurance is included for all guests during the tour. Guests are encouraged to arrange additional personal travel insurance for extended coverage.
Important Information Before You Book This Tour
This is a genuine family trekking and camping experience in a protected natural environment. Although the itinerary is designed for families, the Bau Sau section involves extended trekking and should not be considered a purely leisurely sightseeing tour.
Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable. Thermal cameras can help the guide locate nocturnal animals, but encounters with specific species cannot be guaranteed.
The camping experience takes place inside the national park, so guests should be comfortable with natural surroundings, insects, forest sounds and changing weather conditions.
Children should remain with their parent or guardian and follow the guide's instructions throughout the journey.
Cat Tien National Park has two main seasons, each offering a different atmosphere and experience.
Dry Season: December – May
Temperatures generally range from 25°C to 35°C, with plenty of sunshine and generally pleasant conditions. Midday temperatures can be hot, particularly during outdoor activities.
Rainy Season: June – November
Higher humidity and frequent rain showers transform the forest into a lush, vibrant environment.
Rain can make forest trails wetter and more challenging, so lightweight waterproof clothing and appropriate trekking shoes are particularly important during this season.
For the latest conditions, check a reliable weather forecast before departure.
As this is an extended trekking experience, packing appropriately is important for your comfort and safety.
Essential Clothing
- 1 medium-sized backpack for personal belongings
- 2 quick-dry, bright-coloured long-sleeved shirts
- 2 pairs of quick-dry long trekking trousers
- 1 lightweight waterproof jacket
- 2 sets of clothes for staying at the campsite
- 1–2 additional sets of clothes
- 1 pair of good-grip trekking shoes
- 2 pairs of calf-length, thick socks
Personal Items
- Camera or mobile phone
- Power bank
- Personal medication
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Passport
Equipment Provided
The tour team provides:
- Safety gloves
- Water bottle
- Water filter
- First-aid kit and medical rescue equipment
- Thermal camera
- Hand fan
- Secure storage at the office
This itinerary is designed for families with children aged 6 and above who are in good health and accompanied by a parent or guardian. The activities combine family-friendly trekking, nature exploration and cultural experiences at a carefully paced rhythm.
The Bau Sau section includes approximately 5 km of trekking each way, so families should be comfortable with extended walking on natural forest trails.
Parents should consider their children's individual fitness and ability to walk for several hours on uneven terrain before booking.
Experienced guides and porters accompany the group throughout the journey and provide support when required.
For safety reasons, guides may adjust the itinerary, shorten activities or arrange an early return if a guest experiences significant difficulties.
In such cases, refunds or rescheduling will not be applicable.
Safety is a priority throughout the experience.
All activities are led by experienced guides who understand the terrain, wildlife behaviour and operating conditions within Cat Tien National Park.
The team is trained in first aid, field safety and responsible wildlife practices.
Because the tour takes place in a remote forest environment, weather and trail conditions can change, while access to medical facilities may be limited.
Guests are required to follow all instructions from guides and porters throughout the journey to protect both personal safety and the natural environment.
Mobile phone signal is generally available within Cat Tien National Park, although it can become inconsistent beneath the dense forest canopy.
The tour team maintains communication using walkie-talkies throughout the journey for coordination and safety.
The itinerary remains within accessible areas, allowing evacuation to the nearest access point to be arranged if necessary.
Guiding and communication are provided in English and Vietnamese.
Happy Moments of Customers in Cat Tien Family Trekking - 3 Days 2 Nights
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