14 Days Vientiane Cycling To Northern Laos Loop Tour

After breakfast we start riding from our hotel, we turn left from main road No. 13 south head east in the direction to Vietnam along the main road in remote area, on the way we’ll pass a small town of Muang Bolikhan and villages almost they are Lao low landers. Picnic lunch will be brought from restaurant in Paksan and we will find the good place when we are hungry. We stay overnight at Thasi village, dinner at local restaurant

Attitude:  m above sea level

Distance: 80 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Guesthouse

Our guide will prepare breakfast for the group, after breakfast, we continue our journey to our destination of Muangkhoun, the road at the first section is gentle and surrounded by beautiful scenery, we pass the paddy fields and dry rice field (slash and burn cultivation) and villages at remote area some are Kmu (up lander people). We find lunch stop by the road when we are hungry. The last section of 30 km is hilly, we start climbing up to 1200 m on top of the highest point for today, optional drive to the top or transfer to last section to our destination depending on the time.  Overnight at the guesthouse in Muang Khoun, Muang Khoun the old capital of Xiengkhouang which was heavily damaged during the Indochina war all houses and temples were bombed and burned in 1963 - 1973.

Attitude: 300 m – 1200 m above sea level

Distance: 110 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Guesthouse

Today is short day, after breakfast we continue riding to the capital district of Xiangkhuang province (Phonsavan). On the way we turn from the main road to visit the plain of jars form site 2 and site 1. We stop for lunch at the local restaurant before cycle to the town and after check in hotel free to explore the small town on your own, we recommend visit the UXO center (unexploded ordnance), we stay overnight at the hotel in town. ,The history of the stone jars (ancient stone jars) remain a mystery today, there are more than 60 sites, scattered in different group all across the plateau. Only three groups have been surveyed and assigned registration. The other groups have not yet been surveyed because the locations are covered with thick bushes and contaminated by many remaining UXOs (Unexploded ordinances) leftover from the Indo-China war. The highest jar is more than 3 meters. There are several difference theories as to the purpose of the jars, which are estimated to be 2500 – 3000 years old. According to local legend, King Khoun Chuang had them constructed in order to store wine for the big celebration of his victory in the 6th century. Phonsavanh used to be the battled field between Lao communist government and royal government in 1964 – 1973.

Attitude: 1060 m – 1100 m above sea level

Distance: 40 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Favanmai hotel

Today is short day so we don’t have to start early; we turn right on direction to Vietnam border, on the way we stop at Hmong villages (high lander) and stop for photo of rice fields, riding today is not very hard, the road is up and down hills, we reach our destination a small town of Muangkham in the afternoon, optional cycle to visit the cave, local people hid during Indochina war, it was shot by the rocket from the royal Lao air force, more than 300 villagers were killed in the cave because of Napalm bomb. Overnight at the guesthouse and dinner at the local restaurant.

Attitude: 1100 m – 650 m above sea level

Distance: 51 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Guesthouse

After breakfast at the local restaurant, we head north at the junction to Vietnam border, the road today is quiet, after 5 km undulating road from our guesthouse we start the big climb of 15 km at 1500 m above sea level on the top, after water stop we cycle downhill and the next climb is shorter. Picnic lunch will be brought by our guide and we stop for lunch on the way when we fell hungry. The last section of 20 km we cycle downhill from the attitude of 1400 m – 500 m above sea level to Namneuan village where we stay overnight.

Attitude: 600 m – 1500 m above sea level

Distance: 86 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Guesthouse

Breakfast today is prepared by our guide at the local restaurant, today is short day but big climb, after breakfast we leave Namnuean and start the first big climb of 7 km from 600 – 1000 m to the junction to Vietnam border and we turn left to Viengthong, we cycle through the hill tribe villages on the quiet road, we stop at the villages to see the local life style and see they work in the rice fields, it is very strange for local to see Fa Lang (foreigner) ride the bicycle on the long distance. After the top we cycle long downhill to the bottom, from the bottom we continue riding up and down hill before the top and the last 18 km from the top we cycle downhill to the to the Viengthong where we stay overnight. ,After arrival in Viengthong, freshen up before walking to nearby hot springs to douse worn legs before exploring the small town set on the Nam Khan River and largely inhabited by a collection of hill tribes particularly Hmong and "lowland" Lao. Dinner at the local restaurant and overnight at guesthouse.

Attitude: 600 m – 1550 m above sea level

Distance: 66 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation:  Guesthouse 

Today is long day over the "Laotian Alps," rising early from the noise at sunrise from the hill tribe market directly in front of our hotel. After browsing the market, we'll begin biking after breakfast. Today we ride National route No 1c between Viengthong and Viengkham passing through the beautiful jungle and forest scenery of two National Parks with lush green mountains over three passes. After departing Viengthong, cycling on flats until reaching our first challenge, a 500 m climb, before descending to a winding river valley road for about 10 km to the bottom, from the bottom the road is gentle, we stop for lunch under the tree by the road, the last climb is about 15 km to the top before descending to Viengthong where we stop riding and transfer the rest to our destination of Nongkiaw. Muang Ngoi (Nongkiaw) was controlled by the communist before 1975 and the province was under control of Pathet Lao. During Vietnam War, people in this area hid in the caves in the day times and worked at night because of continuous bombing (land mines remain in the area).

Attitude: 700 m – 1300 m above sea level

Distance: 168 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation: Phaxang bungalows

Today we'll ride the initial, quiet and scenic section out of Luang Prabang which after 30 km, joins a larger road with traffic coming in from China, mostly flat with short rollers. After 80 km riding on undulating road or drive some section to Mekong River, we have lunch at the local restaurant at the confluence of Nam Ou River, after lunch we cross the Mekong River to the other side to visit the renowned Pak Ou caves. Located beside the river, the cave is filled with Buddha images and is a sacred place of worship for locals. ,     After the caves, optional riding or drive the rest 30 km to LuangPrabang. In the late afternoon we arrive Luang Prabang

Attitude: 400 m – 300 m above sea level

Distance: 140 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation: villa Chitladda or simila

Today is your free day to explore the world heritage town. We recommend to get up at 6:00 AM to view traditional alms procession of monks passing slowly through town, and afterwards visit local market before get back to your hotel for breakfast before visit other sites in town such as former royal temple of Vat Xiangthong and former royal palace (museum) Late afternoon climb up Phousi mount to see panoramic view of town and sunset. Or you can do elephant riding outside town, visit waterfall and other activities ,    Luangprabang is the oldest city in Laos, and before the 16th century it was the capital city of the land of million elephants (Laos). The town is a beautifully preserved and in 1995 it was added to UNESCO`s World heritage list.

Meal: B

Accommodation: Villa Chitlatda or similar

We drive out of town along route 13 heading south to Phoukhoun town and cycle to the restaurant with the best panoramic view on top of mountain. After having lunch we will continue down route 13 ,this 25 km descent is one of the best in southeast Asia, we will enjoy a most excellent after noon ride. We then have a short climb before a flat ride into Kasi where we stay over nigh.

Elevation: Phoukhoun = 1340 m. Kasi = 405 m

Distance: transfer 130 km, ride 50 km

Meal: B, L, D

Accommodation: Somchit guesthouse

We should be able to do today’s ride in a single morning leaving extra relaxation time in Vanvieng. We continue along route 13 and although there are some short climbs most of the ride is downhill or flat. The scenery is just beautiful and you should really enjoy stretching your legs. We will stop for refreshments a few times along the way, but we make a main stop after 50 km at a big village of Ban Phatang. The last 18 km is a fast flat ride among the spectacular limestone mountains. We will reach the hotel in time to enjoy lunch overlooking the river. The afternoon is free to explore the town or take a swim in the river. Vangvieng has a lively traveler’s scene with all the usual accompanying facilities: e-mail, pubs, pizza and many young foreigners.

Elevation: Kasi = 405 m. Vangvieng = 280 m

Distance: 55 km

Meal:  B

Accommodation: Vansana hotel or similar

\After breakfast we continue riding along the route 13 and stop for refreshment every 20 or 25 km. The rest of the morning is along undulating roads to Hinherb village. After 69 km we reach a long bridge, we stop for lunch in a restaurant. The afternoon ride is along fast flat roads. After 83 km before we get into a small town of Phonhon we stop cycling and load our bike in the van and drive the rest to our destination Vientiane capital where we stay overnight.

Altitude: Vangvieng = 280 m. Phonhon = 190 m

Ride: 83 km, transfer = 70 km

Meal: B / L

Accommodation: Sengtawan hotel or similar

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure

Meal: B

End of service.