Laos: Classic Laos Cycling Holiday

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• Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang, Laos

  Dinner

  

  Welcome to Laos!  Our meeting point is at our designated arrival hotel. As everyone is arriving at different times, you'll need to make your own way to the hotel, an easy process with regular taxis and shuttles (you may wish to book an extra day to soak up the laid back charm of Luang Prabang).  Our first group dinner will be scheduled for 7:00pm and we'll head out for a feast of local specialities at one of a favourite restaurants.  Prior to dinner, we'll organise a bike fitting and orientation ride around the UNESCO listed town centre, taking in local life and the colonial and Asian fusion architecture.  After dinner you’ll have time to wander the markets or grab a spot by the Mekong to while away the evening.

  Stay: Luang Prabang

• Day 2: Cycle to Kuang Si Waterfall - Hmong Village/ Buffalo Dairy Visit - 50km

  Breakfast & Lunch 50 km

  
  After breakfast, we’ll jump on the bikes and head out through town and into the picturesque countryside.  It’s an easy sealed road ride with one small climb through villages and rural landscapes.  We’ll stop by a Hmong village where you’ll have a chance to meet the locals and check out some locally made handicrafts.  After arriving at the waterfalls we’ll have a feast of local dishes before hiking up to Kuang Si waterfalls, via the Sun Bear rescue centre, a animal welfare initiative that seeks to rescue bears affected by wildlife poaching.  A short walk brings us to the falls: a long series of calcite cascades and turquoise water where we’ll stop for a swim.  Further exploring up stream brings you to the main falls and there are walks up to the top where it is also possible to swim.  We’ll jump back on the bikes for a leisurely ride back to the Buffalo Dairy where you’ll get a tour and a taste of this eco-business’s exquisite produce: delicious cakes, cheeses and ice cream (lemongrass flavour anyone?).  A short transfer takes us back to Luang Prabang.  The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to catch the sunset views from Mount Phousi, explore the bustling night markets and night life.

  Stay: Luang Prabang

• Day 3: Cycle to Kasi - 67km

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 67 km

  
  We hit the hills today, beginning with a two hour drive to get us up into the mountains.  We’ll be cycling at an altitude of between 1000m to 1400m so lots of mountain views to admire as we ride. We’ll stop for a delicious khao piak sen (rice noodles for lunch) before making a long spectacular descent with soaring karst mountains in the distance.  After crossing the Nam Kaen River, we have a short climb to a hot springs.  Grab a coffee or a cold beer and take a dip in the soothing natural spring.  The last riding section approaching Kasi, has wonderful village, rice fields and mountain views to admire.  We’ll be staying in a small family run guesthouse, eating in their restaurant in an out of the way small town. 
  
  Stay: Kasi

• Day 4: Cycle to Vang Vieng - 70km

  Breakfast & Lunch 70 km

  
  An early morning start on the bikes for a great day ahead see us cycling further into villages along the Kasi valley.  We make our way over a small pass as sheer limestone mountains rise in front of us.  We cycle downhill most of the way to Vang Vieng in the Nam Song river valley.  The towering mountains both sides of the valley make for an epic ride and a great backdrop for lunch along the way.  Once in Vang Vieng, we’ll check into our hotel for a freshen up and change into our swimming gear for dip in the Blue Lagoon a short drive away.  The evening is free to explore this busy little tourist town, grab some dinner at the local market or one of the many restaurants, grab a beer at a bar, or a cocktail by the hotel swimming pool.  Options are also there for a sunset balloon ride over the Nam Song River valley.

  Stay: Vang Vieng

• Day 5: Cycle to Ban Khune via Nam Ngum Lake Boat Ride - 48km

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 48 km

  
  On the bikes once more, and we head out of town for a leisurely 25km to Nam Ngum Lake, Laos’ largest reservoir.  We’ll load up the the boat with lunch supplies and local iced coffee and snacks for a cruise across the lake.  Sliding by will be views of fishing villages and scattered islands.  On arrival we’ll hop back on the bikes for a great 38km ride through dense tropical forest and farmland to the town of Ban Khune.  We’ll cycle through town onto small country roads leading into tiny villages and rice fields.  Our stay for the evening is in a local Laos style resort with an outdoor pool to refresh in, with bungalows over the rice fields for our evening meal.

  Stay: Ban Khune

• Day 6: Cycle to Vientiane - Final Dinner - 50km

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 50 km

  
  Our Last day is a busy one!  We’ll head out early and back track for a few kilometres to the Laos Conservation Trust.  Here we’ll visit what was once the Laos zoo.  It has been repurposed by the trust to take care of animals that have been rescued from poachers or from he illegal private pet trade.  Here you’ll see many endangered species and learn about the impact of these illegal activities on Laos wildlife. Back on the bikes and we have a fine ride to the outskirts of Vientiane over 40km of sealed roads with views of the Phou Khao mountain range in the distance.  We’ll stop at Thangon for lunch on a floating restaurant on the Nam Ngum River before packing up the bikes and driving the last busy section to Vientiane.  We’ll have some free time to relax before our final meal together.  You may wish to head to the Laos’ “Arch de Triumph”, Putaxai, which was built ironically in the French style (with Laos characteristics) to commemorate independence from France.  A climb to the top will give you fine views of the city.  In the evening we’ll meet for our final dinner and head out for a celebratory drink by the Mekong River once again. 

  Stay: Vientiane

• Day 7: Departure Day

  Breakfast

  
  Today is departure day and we will arrange a transfer to Vientiane airport (around 20min).   See tour info for flight and train options for arriving and departing Laos.  Bon Voyage!

• Can we change the itinerary or customise the tour?

  Not for publicly listed dates, but if you have your own group or date in mind, Yes.  If you want to make a private booking we can help design a tour that suits you.  You may have ideas based on any of our tours or something in mind that you can't find on our website.  Just get in contact with us and let us know what you have in mind and we'll try our best to make it happen!

• Do you cater for vegetarians?

  Yes we do!  If you have any dietery requirements just let us know when you book in the space provided (Additional Requests).  For any severe alergies or other conditions it is best that you let us know in advance so that we can prepare and/ or advise you on what we can provide or what you might need to bring so that are well catered for.

• What about Covid 19?

  Covid restrictions have passed for most countries and it is now possible to obtain tourist visas for China. For China you may need to provide a personal Covid test within taken 24 hours before your departure, these are only checked randomly, and can also be taken on arrival.

  During all our tours we take care to avoid any transferring of any viruses, such as Covid, through providing hand sanitisers and minimising exposure.  As with any illness, all care will be made for the participants well being during the tour and we will help with any arrangements that need to be made if the participant needs to leave the tour (this will be at the cost of the participant).  Costs for unused segments of tours cannot be refunded, for any reason, as all tour costs are paid in advance.

• How to I make a booking and payment?

  Simply go to the "Dates" section of the tour page and click on the "book now" button, or click on "book" on the website header and select your preferred tour and departure date.  If you are booking onto an on demand tour and have your own dates in mind there will be an facility for you book here too.

  Before you book, we recommend that you read through the tour details and our booking terms and conditions. You can contact us about the trip if you have any questions at info@bikeasia.com or set up a time to chat about the tour.  

  Upon completion of your booking form we’ll send you an acknowledgement email and invoice for a deposit. All long trips (7 days or more) require a deposit of 300USD to guarantee your place. Trips departing within 60 days at booking will require full payment. Once your deposit is received, we’ll also send you a pre-trip information pack that will give you added information about the tour, the region you’ll be travelling through, a checklist of things to prepare, suggestions for packing, training tips and more.  For shorter trips and day tours we require full payment 30 days prior to the commencement of the tour or as soon as convenient if booking within 30 days of departure.

  Payments can be made on credit card via Paypal or through a direct bank transfer in most currencies. Information on payments will be present on your initial deposit invoice. Paypal payments will incur a 4% fee.