15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
Embark on an unparalleled and truly epic 13-day "Luang Prabang Cycling to Hanoi" adventure, a meticulously crafted expedition designed for intrepid explorers eager to experience the diverse landscapes, profound cultural depths, and vibrant living traditions of both Laos and Northern Vietnam in the most active, intimate, and comprehensive way possible. This extensive, cross-border journey uniquely blends the spiritual tranquility of Luang Prabang with the rugged beauty of northern Laos's mountains and the breathtaking vistas and rich history of Vietnam's Northwest, culminating in the bustling, ancient capital of Hanoi, all experienced from the intimate and invigorating perspective of a bicycle. This extended tour is ideal for those seeking a thorough, active exploration and a deep, unhurried connection with the unique heritage and resilient people of these two fascinating Southeast Asian nations.
Your grand adventure begins in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Laos, renowned for its golden temples, saffron-robed monks, and serene riverside charm. Here, you'll have ample opportunity to immerse yourself in its spiritual ambiance and cultural richness, perhaps participating in the alms-giving ceremony or visiting the Kuang Si Falls, providing a perfect cultural prelude before setting off. From this tranquil beginning, your meticulously planned cycling route will immediately lead you into the dramatic and often challenging mountain landscapes of Northern Laos. You'll pedal along winding roads that carve through lush, verdant valleys, past cascading waterfalls, and through remote, picturesque villages inhabited by diverse ethnic minority groups. This segment offers invaluable opportunities for authentic interactions with local communities, allowing you to witness their traditional ways of life, observe unique customs, and engage in friendly conversations, gaining genuine insights into the rich tapestry of Lao culture and experiencing the heartwarming hospitality of its people firsthand. The stunning scenery, with its karst formations and dense jungle, provides a spectacular backdrop to your ride, offering a new vista around every bend.
As your comprehensive journey progresses, you'll experience the unique thrill of crossing the land border from Laos into Vietnam, a truly memorable and often awe-inspiring transition that few travelers experience by bike. Once in Vietnam, the landscape transforms, welcoming you to the magnificent Northwest region. Your extended cycling routes will take you along well-maintained roads that weave through spectacular mountain passes, past terraced rice paddies that cling to hillsides, and into vibrant, bustling towns. You'll encounter more diverse ethnic minority communities, each with their own distinct costumes and traditions, adding another layer of cultural richness to your expedition and allowing for deeper cultural immersion. Highlights may include cycling through areas with distant views towards Sapa, renowned for its magnificent rice terraces, or exploring the historical significance of Dien Bien Phu, a pivotal site in Vietnamese history. The final leg of your journey will gradually descend from the mountainous terrain into the Red River Delta, leading you to Hanoi, Vietnam's ancient and dynamic capital. Here, you'll arrive with a profound sense of accomplishment and a unique, comprehensive perspective on the shared history and distinct cultures of Laos and Vietnam. This 13-day tour is expertly planned to offer a perfect blend of challenging yet rewarding active adventure, profound cultural immersion, extensive historical discovery, and stunning natural beauty. It promises not just physical activity but a deep, meaningful connection with the soul of these enchanting nations, leaving you with lasting memories and a profound appreciation for their people, their ancient heritage, and their evolving landscapes, all discovered from the unique vantage point of your bicycle.
Epic Cross-Border Cycling Odyssey (13 Days): Embark on an incredible and comprehensive cycling journey connecting the tranquil UNESCO city of Luang Prabang in Laos with Vietnam's vibrant capital Hanoi, traversing diverse and breathtaking landscapes across two nations over an extended period for deeper exploration.
Immersive Northern Laos Mountain Biking: Dedicate extensive time to challenging yet rewarding cycling through the dramatic and spectacular mountainous landscapes of Northern Laos. Pedal along winding roads through lush valleys, past waterfalls, and through remote, authentic villages, experiencing the true wilderness and beauty of this region.
Authentic Ethnic Minority Encounters: Gain profound cultural insights through genuine, extended interactions with diverse ethnic minority groups in both Laos and Vietnam. Witness their unique traditions, observe daily life, and experience firsthand the renowned warmth and hospitality of both cultures, fostering truly immersive cultural exchange.
Seamless Land Border Crossing by Bike: Enjoy the unique and memorable experience of cycling across the land border from Laos into Vietnam, providing an authentic and adventurous transition between countries that few travelers experience.
Spectacular Northwest Vietnam Scenery: Ride through the magnificent Northwest region of Vietnam, renowned for its spectacular mountain passes, majestic terraced rice paddies (with distant views towards Sapa), and stunning natural beauty, offering incredible photographic opportunities at every turn.
Historical Significance Exploration: Potentially visit or cycle near Dien Bien Phu, a site of immense historical importance in Vietnam, adding a fascinating dimension to your journey.
Diverse & Challenging Cycling Terrains: Experience a wide variety of surfaces, from paved mountain roads with challenging ascents and exhilarating descents to scenic village paths and rugged rural tracks, ensuring an engaging and dynamic biking experience suitable for active and adventurous riders seeking a comprehensive challenge.
Cultural Exploration in Luang Prabang & Hanoi: Begin your journey by experiencing the spiritual ambiance, golden temples, and charming riverside life of Luang Prabang, and conclude it by delving into the rich history and bustling energy of Hanoi.
Stunning Photography Opportunities: Capture breathtaking moments from serene riverine landscapes, majestic mountain passes, vibrant ethnic markets, and iconic cultural landmarks, creating a vivid and extensive photo diary of your extraordinary cross-border adventure.
Culinary Journey through Laos & Vietnam: Savor a wide array of delicious and authentic Lao and Vietnamese dishes throughout your journey, from flavorful street food and local delicacies to traditional home-cooked meals, enriching your cultural experience through extensive culinary exploration of both nations.
Fully Supported & Comprehensive Expedition: Travel with absolute confidence and comfort, benefiting from comprehensive inclusions such as a dedicated support vehicle for assistance (always nearby), highly experienced English-speaking local cycling guides who offer deep cultural insights and ensure safety, quality bikes and equipment, comfortable accommodation, most meals, and all necessary entrance fees, ensuring a seamless, safe, and profoundly enjoyable expedition.
HOTELS
Economy 2*+ Hotels
Superior 3* Hotels
First Class 4* Hotels
Deluxe 5* Hotels
Luxury 5*++ Hotels
Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request
Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian speaking guide can be arranged with on request.
Things to be prepared:
1. Hat
2. Small backpack
3. Shoes and shorts for cycling
4. Sunglasses
5. Gloves
Your Perfect Cycling Adventure, Crafted Just for You Across Asia
At Golden Trail Travel, we believe every journey should be as unique as the traveler. As Asia's premier bike tour operator, we specialize in creating bespoke cycling experiences that perfectly match your desires and budget, wherever your wanderlust takes you.
Our dedicated team—comprising experienced biking guides, skilled mechanics, reliable drivers, insightful tour consultants, and passionate bicycle specialists—is committed to ensuring your adventure is seamless, safe, and truly unforgettable.
Whether you're exploring solo, enjoying a family getaway, or embarking on a group expedition, we're here to design a trip that's exclusively yours. The itineraries you see are just a starting point; consider them a canvas upon which we'll paint your ideal Asian biking tour. We invite you to share your ideas, tell us your preferences, and let us know your budget. We'll meticulously customize an existing itinerary or craft a brand-new program from the ground up, adding or excluding elements until it's absolutely perfect for you.
Ready to start planning your dream biking adventure across Asia? Share your requirements with us today, and let's create memories that will last a lifetime.
UXO education, family life and homestay
8:30 AM Pick up from your hotel in Luang Prabang - We’ll cycle via the UXO Education Centre to get an incredible insight into the horrific bombings endured by the Lao people and the effect it still has today. The UXO centre is an amazing NGO that does fantastic work, yet just scratches the surface of this little known issue. Some 35km out of Luang Prabang is Nong Khuay Village. A very remote community, home to 80 families of both Hmong and Khummu origin. Fairtrek initiative is working extensively within the village to create new streams of revenue to boost the village economy through tourism. We’ll have the opportunity to spend time with the local families and engage in some traditional handicraft masterclasses. We will stay the night with the community and experience real village life and eat with our new host families.
Inc. Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Cycling: Optional 30km | easy | +402 m / -291 m
Transit: 30km
Hotel: My Lao Home Boutique Hotel
Cycling through remote villages
We cycle out of the village on dirt roads for 37km and when we reach the city transfer north for 3 hours towards the Nam Ou Dam and then on to Pak Mong, from here it is a further 30km through little villages nestled in between spectacular Karst peaks.
The small town of Nong Khiaw is a favourite and the rustic charm of this quiet enclave is intoxicating.. relax poolside in the shadow of elephant head mountain.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Cycling: 67km (30km + 37km) | moderate |
Transit: 2 hours
Hotel: Local guest house
River cruising in a long tail boat
Today we transfer to the river to board a traditional long boat for the cruise up the Nam Ou river to the entrance to Phongsaly district. We call in at the sleepy town of Muang Ngoi on the way to stretch our legs, visit the temple and the cave complex used as shelter during the 2nd Indochina war.
We’ll enjoy a pre-packed picnic lunch along the way, arriving into Muang Khua around 5pm.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Cycling: None
Transit: All day boat
Hotel: New Chaleunsouk Guesthouse
Crossing into Vietnam
Leaving Laos today, but not before an epic 65km ride to the border from Muang Khua. This tarmac road will take you on 2 climbs, one just over 600m (10km) and the last over 800m (15km).
Once you cross over to Vietnam, you’ll be transferred to the historical city of Dien Bien Phu to relax and explore. If possible, we may be able to meet the program coordinators of SOS to learn about their community development programs.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Cycling: 65km | hard | +2219m / -1404m
Transit: 1 hour
Hotel: Him Lam Resort (pool)
Sightseeing day around DienBienPhu former battlefields: Eliane – A 1 hill, Military museum, Gabriel – DocLap hill and bunker of Decartes etc….Riding up to the hill for panorama view of DienBienPhu with memory of General Giap !
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Cycling: 25km | easy
Transit: None
Hotel: Him Lam Resort (pool)
Valleys, rivers and a lost city
Today we cycle along windy valleys on a paved road that snakes through the beautiful countryside. We are surrounded by rice fields and jungles. We climb to an elevation of over 1000m and are rewarded once again with stunning views before descending (20km) to Muong Lay town.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling: 110km | hard | +1,718m / -2,387m
Transit: None
Hotel: Hoa Binh Hotel
The mountain challenge
Get up early to capture pristine nature and picturesque scenery over the Black river. After breakfast at the hotel, we will cycle the first 25km on a tarmac road to Chan Nura. A vast landscape opens up beneath you: endless mountains stretching into the distance and craterous valleys dotted with stilt-home villages clustered around clear streams. Today is a hard day’s cycling, but definitely worth it. The reward at the end of it is some of the best views in the whole region.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Cycling: 90km | hard | +1,718m / -2,387m
Transit: None
Hotel: Muong Thanh Lai Chau Hotel (pool)
Epic mountains, incredible valleys
Today is another great day as we conquer the O Quy Ho Pass. These 38km make for the longest pass of Northwest Vietnam. It is located in the system of four mountain passes of the North West. This climb takes you to an elevation of over 2000m, with the lowest point of the day at 700m. The views and stunning scenery will provide lifelong memories and will forever be ingrained as some of the most majestic and spectacular natural imagery on the planet.Expore dinner by your own .
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Cycling: 85km | hard | +2291m / -1700m
Transit: None
Hotel: Sapa Green Hotel
8:30 AM pick up from Sapa hotel and cycling along the newly built dirt road, which will bring you to the Black Hmong village of Su Pan. After a short break here, you will pass through the Black Hmong village to the Tay ethnic minority village of Thanh Phu. While your cook is preparing a delicious lunch, you will have time to explore the village and soon you will find out that things are not done in the way you are used to know. In the afternoon, your adventure continues into the Red Dao village of Sin Chai, where you will your tasteful dinner in a local house and stay overnight in homestay.
Distance: 40 Km,Up / straight / down: 6 km / 20 km / 14 km
You will start the easy morning with a bike ride to the Tay village of Ban Ho. Upon arrival, you will take a short walk to the nearby river, where you will be able to have a swim. You will then enjoy your lunch on the river bank, listening to the wonderful sound of the nearby waterfall. Following lunch you will return to Sapa .
Distance: 43 Km Up/ straight/ down: 14km / 19km / 10km,Note: This trip is on dirt road. Therefore, good weather conditions are essential, Hotel: Sapa Green Hotel
8:00 Pick up from your hotel in Sapa and ride from Sapa to Luc Yen is quite easy and enjoyable. We can start the day at 8Am, hit the 30 km road down to Lao Cai where we can see China from Vietnam, and then keep riding on the beautiful and quiet big road No 70. And then make a turn to small country road to Luc Yen – a nice village of the Tay people who live in stilted-houses between green palm trees.
Dinner and stay with the Tay- Home stay.
Biking Distance : 80 -100 km
The road from Luc Yen to Vu Linh is quite flat. The beautiful ride today should be the most enjoyable, after saying good bye to the family, we will ride slowly on the small country road with the green mountain and rice paddy fields on two sides. We can stop somewhere to visit several nice villages of the Dzao and Tay on the way. Vu Linh – the village located on the bank of Thac Ba lake .
Dinner and stay with the Dzao people – Home stay.
Biking Distance : 80 km
We will do the best to avoid the main busy road for as long as possible . we will ride longer to get to road No2B which there is less traffics on. Then hit the road down to Red River Delta. A mixture of both challenging track and glorious sealed road all the way back to Hanoi.
Be at Hanoi before rush hours and end the best cycling tour in north Vietnam safely!
Biking Distance : 80 km
Answer: Golden Trail Travel specializes in offering a wide range of travel packages to Vietnam and other Indochina countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. We offer themed tours including Classic Highlights, Cycling, Trekking, Beach Holidays, Luxury Honeymoon, Short Trips, Family, Off The Beaten Track, Multi-Country, Motorbiking, Veteran, Food, Students, Luxury, Golf, Photography, Cooking Class, Bird Watching, Indochina Cruises, Kayaking, Muslim-friendly tours, Offroad 4x4WD, Indochina MICE Travel, Cave Expedition, and Helicopter tours.
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