Travel to the famous double waterfalls of the Central Highlands during flood season

Dak Lak During the flood season, visitors can still experience waterfall viewing, trekking, and SUP rowing at Dray Nur and Dray Sap, the 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 Province of Vietnam and flowing into Cambodia. The river divides into two large branches, forming the 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 beauty.

Dray Nur waterfall is a midstream waterfall in the 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 two 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.

Dray Sap waterfall scene in the rainy season, September 20. Photo *: Dinh Quang Hai*

During a business trip to Dak Lak on September 20, Dinh Quang Hai (27 years old, Thanh Hoa) visited the Dray Nur and Dray Sap waterfalls. Starting from the center of Buon Ma Thuot City, the first place he visited was Dray Nur waterfall. There are activities for tourists such as archery and participating in off-road vehicle tours. However, due to lack of time, he only took pictures and then moved to Dray Sap waterfall.

To reach the foot of the waterfall, Hai crossed two suspension bridges leading to a long corridor with tree-shaded steps. From the suspension bridge, you can see Dray Sap waterfall like a giant wall of water. Through the stone corridor is a trail through the forest, then following the cliffs leading to the top of the waterfall about 50 meters away, visitors will see a lake that is clearer and calmer than the raging water outside. Here, visitors can swim, SUP, kayak, take photos and check in, there is an area to order food and accommodation for visitors, Hai said.

According to Mr. Hoang Long (38 years old), currently working in tourism at the Dray Nur and Dray Sap waterfall tourist areas, the waterfall flows into three lakes. The first lake has a low water level, 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 the lifeguards. The third lake has the deepest water level, about 10 meters, visitors should limit their access to areas with warning signs.

Due to the high tide, kayaking at the foot of the waterfall was temporarily suspended. Hai experienced SUP paddling in the clear stream area. "Immersing yourself in the majestic nature and fresh air here is like a psychological therapy after tiring working days," he said. According to Hai, the experience of paddling in this vast landscape "is truly wonderful and everyone should try it once."

After finishing the experience, he moved back to Dray Nur to leave.

Mr. Hai experiences SUP paddling in the clear lake area next to Dray Sap waterfall. — Hai experiences SUP paddling in the clear lake area next to Dray Sap waterfall. Photo *: Dinh Quang Hai*

"If you come to the waterfall on days when the hydroelectric plant releases floodwaters (there will be information every morning) or on days when the water flow is high, you will not be able to experience the boat tour to see the waterfall," said Mr. Long. Although the tour is sold year-round, on unsafe days, the tour will be temporarily suspended.

To start 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.

Along the way, visitors can see thousands of years old tree roots, tree roots clinging to rocks or millions of years old gray-black lava rocks with strange shapes. Hidden behind the white water flowing down the Dray Nur waterfall is a cave of more than 3,000 m2 with many caves and stalactites for visitors to explore. Along 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 is for a group of two people, about 1.7 million VND, including lunch with typical dishes of the Central Highlands such as grilled chicken with bamboo rice, bitter eggplant and dried fish, wild vegetable salad, and yellow ant beef.

However, due to the lack of tourists, tourism services here are limited. Hai advises visitors to prepare some snacks and drinks in advance, bring clothes and sunscreen. Pay attention to safety when crossing the suspension bridge, avoid approaching areas with warning signs of danger in the waterfall. He also suggests visitors bring a camera or flycam to record the majestic scenery of the double waterfall.

The cost of the trip includes: entrance ticket to Dray Nur waterfall 30,000 VND; entrance ticket to Dray Sap waterfall 80,000 VND; kayaking service in the waterfall 100,000 VND; a grilled chicken and bamboo rice meal for 3 people costs 500,000 VND. Tourists can rent hotels and rooms in Buon Ma Thuot City with prices ranging from 350,000 - 600,000 VND per room per night.

The best time to visit the two waterfalls is from December to June every year. If you come here at the end of the year, you will be able to admire the yellow color of wild sunflowers. From February to March is the season of coffee flowers, attracting butterflies, creating a poetic scene in the middle of the Central Highlands.

Coming to the waterfall during the rainy season, around July - November, "even if you don't get to take a boat ride at the foot of the waterfall, the majestic and fierce scenery of the waterfall is worth it", Hai said. Large, muddy streams of water rush down the rocky platform 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 double waterfalls of Dray Nur, Dray Sap and the largest volcanic cave cluster in Southeast Asia - Chu Bluk.

Quynh Mai

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