DAK LAK – During the flood season, visitors can still experience waterfall viewing, trekking, and SUP at Dray Nur and Dray Sap, twin waterfalls considered symbols of Dak Lak.
The Serepok River is an important tributary of the Mekong River, originating from Dak Lak province, passing through Dak Nong in Vietnam and flowing to Cambodia. The river divides into two large branches forming two waterfalls Dray Nur and Dray Sap, known as the famous twin waterfalls of the Central Highlands. Located far from tourist routes, the number of visitors here is not much so the two waterfalls still retain their wild look.
Dray Nur Waterfall is a midstream waterfall located in a system of 3 waterfalls: Gia Long – Dray Nur – Dray Sap of the Serepok river system. The waterfall is about 250 m long, more than 30 m high, connecting the banks of Dak Lak and Dak Nong. Dray Sap waterfall is about 50 m high, 100 m long, known as “the first waterfall in the Central Highlands”, located a suspension bridge across the river from Dray Nur waterfall.
During a business trip to Dak Lak on September 20, Dinh Quang Hai (27 years old, Thanh Hoa) went to the twin waterfalls Dray Nur and Dray Sap. Starting from the center of Buon Ma Thuot city, the first place he visited was Dray Nur waterfall. There are activities for tourists here such as archery and off-road vehicle tours. But because he didn’t have much time, he just took pictures, then moved to Dray Sap waterfall.
To reach the foot of the waterfall, Hai crossed two suspension bridges leading to a long corridor with steps covered with shade from trees. From the suspension bridge, you can see Dray Sap waterfall like a giant wall of water. Through the stone corridor is a path through the forest, then along the cliffs leading to the top of the waterfall about 50 meters away, visitors will see the lake is clearer and quieter than the raging water outside. Here, visitors can swim, SUP, kayak, take check-in photos, and there is an area to order food and accommodations for visitors, Hai said.
According to Mr. Hoang Long (38 years old), currently working in tourism at Dray Nur and Dray Sap waterfall tourist areas, the waterfall flows to form three lakes. The first lake’s water level is low, visitors are allowed to swim. The second lake has a higher water level and many slippery rocks with sharp edges. Visitors need to follow the instructions of lifeguards. The third lake has the deepest water level, about 10 m. Visitors are limited to accessing areas with warning signs.
Due to arriving at a time of high water, kayaking activities at the foot of the waterfall are temporarily suspended. Hai experienced SUP paddling in the clear water stream area. “Immersing yourself in the majestic nature and fresh air here is like psychological therapy after tiring working days,” he said. According to Hai, the experience of rowing in this vast landscape is “really wonderful and everyone should try it once”.
After finishing the experience, he moved back to Dray Nur to leave.
“If you come to the waterfall on hydroelectric flood discharge days (there will be information every morning) or days with high water flow, visitors will not be able to experience the boat tour to see the waterfall,” Mr. Long said. Although the tour is sold all year round, on unsafe days, the tour will be temporarily closed.
Starting the tour, visitors will cycle from Dray Nur waterfall to Gia Long waterfall, the largest and most majestic waterfall in the waterfall cluster, then take a boat from here to Dray Nur waterfall.
On the way, visitors can admire giant trees that are thousands of years old, tree roots clinging around rocks or strangely shaped dark gray lava rocks that are millions of years old. Hidden behind the white water flowing down Dray Nur waterfall is a cave of more than 3,000 square meters with many caves and stalactites for visitors to explore. On the way, visitors can stop to enjoy green tea, sweet potatoes, and grilled corn along the way.
A tour usually lasts about 2 – 3 hours, the price for groups of two guests is about 1.7 million VND including lunch with typical dishes of the Central Highlands mountains such as grilled chicken with bamboo-tube rice, bitter eggplant and fish. dried, wild vegetable salad, yellow ant beef.
However, because there are not many tourists, tourism services here are limited. Hai advises visitors to prepare some snacks and drinks in advance, and bring clothing and sun protection. Pay attention to safety when crossing the suspension bridge, avoid approaching areas with danger warning signs in the falls. He also suggests that visitors should bring a camera or flycam to capture the majestic scenery of the twin waterfalls.
The cost of the trip includes: entrance ticket to Dray Nur waterfall 30,000 VND; Ticket to Dray Sap waterfall 80,000 VND; Kayaking service in the waterfall 100,000 VND; A meal of grilled chicken and lam rice for 3 people costs 500,000 VND. Tourists can rent hotels and rooms in Buon Me Thuot City with prices ranging from 350,000 – 600,000 VND per room per night.
View of the waterfall in the dry season with clear, blue water. Photo: Thuy Ai.
Clear water lake area for visitors to rest, swim, and SUP. Photo: Dinh Quang Hai
A large, muddy stream of water from the top of the waterfall falls strongly into the river bed. Photo: Dinh Quang Hai
Around the base of the waterfall, there are many places to admire the scenery. Photo: Dinh Quang Hai
View of the waterfall in the dry season with clear, blue water. Photo: Thuy Ai.
Clear water lake area for visitors to rest, swim, and SUP. Photo: Dinh Quang Hai
The best time to visit the two waterfalls is around December – June every year. If you come here at the end of the year, you will admire the yellow color of wild sunflowers. Around February to March is the coffee flower season, attracting butterflies, creating a poetic scene amidst the vast Central Highlands.
Coming to the waterfall during the rainy season, around July – November, “even if you can’t take a boat trip at the foot of the waterfall, seeing the majestic and fierce scenery of the waterfall is still worth it,” Hai said. Large, muddy streams of water rush down the stone shelf blocking the river, about 70 m wide, about 8 m high, creating sounds that echo through the mountains and forests.
Located about 30 km from Buon Ma Thuot City and about 11 km from the center of Dak Mam town, Krong No district, visitors can combine exploring the twin waterfalls Dray Nur and Dray Sap with the largest volcanic cave cluster in the Southeast. Ah – Chu Bluk.
($1=24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)