15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
Embark on an unparalleled and truly epic 15-day "Luang Prabang Cycling to Chiang Mai" 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 Thailand 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, the majestic Mekong River, and the captivating charm of Thailand's Golden Triangle region, culminating in the cultural hub of Chiang Mai, 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, exploring its bustling night market, or visiting the stunning 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 extensive 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 cycling alongside and eventually crossing the mighty Mekong River from Laos into Thailand, a truly memorable and often awe-inspiring transition that few travelers experience by bike. Once in Thailand, the landscape transforms, welcoming you to the magnificent Golden Triangle region, an area rich in history and natural beauty. Your extended cycling routes will take you along well-maintained roads that weave through spectacular mountain passes, past lush tea plantations, and into vibrant, bustling towns. You'll continue to encounter 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 a visit to the Golden Triangle viewpoint, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, offering a unique geographical and historical perspective. The final leg of your journey will gradually lead you to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand's vibrant cultural and historical 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 Thailand. This 15-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.
Ultimate Cross-Border Cycling Odyssey (15 Days): Embark on an incredible and comprehensive cycling expedition connecting the tranquil UNESCO city of Luang Prabang in Laos with the vibrant cultural hub of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, 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 Thailand. Witness their unique traditions, observe daily life, and experience firsthand the renowned warmth and hospitality of both cultures, fostering truly immersive cultural exchange.
Mighty Mekong River Cycling & Crossing: Experience the unique thrill of cycling alongside and crossing the majestic Mekong River from Laos into Thailand by local ferry, providing an authentic and adventurous transition between countries that few travelers experience.
Explore Thailand's Golden Triangle: Venture into the fascinating Golden Triangle region in Northern Thailand, an area rich in history and culture, with opportunities to visit viewpoints where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
Scenic Northern Thailand Cycling: Continue your adventure cycling through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of Northern Thailand, with awe-inspiring views of impressive mountains, lush tea plantations, and charming rural communities as you approach Chiang Mai.
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 & Chiang Mai: 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, vibrant markets, and cultural richness of Chiang Mai.
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 & Thailand: Savor a wide array of delicious and authentic Lao and Thai 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.
Upon arrival into the Luang Prabang International Airport you will be met by our local guide and transferred to a comfortable hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free to explore this historic and quaint UNESCO World Heritage city that is located alongside the Mekong River. Be sure to wander through the bustling night market to experience the local handicrafts. We'll meet for dinner for an orientation of the next week in Laos.
Summary:
Activities:Picking up and transferring
Accommodations: Luang Prabang Hotel***
Meals:D
Cycling distance:No
Luang Prabang is known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Witness the morning ritual by hundreds of monks from the various monasteries as they walk through the streets collecting alms.,After breakfast, we cycle to Kuangsi waterfall, on the way visit villages, see the local people work in the rice fields and local activities. After 30 km riding enjoy swimming at the waterfall then we have lunch at the local restaurant. Optional driving or cycling back to town.,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.
Summary:
Activity: Cycling to Kuangsi waterfall
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Hotel***
Meals B/L/D
Cycling distance: 65 Km
For those interested, we wake up before dawn to participate in the early morning alm giving to the monks. Tangerine-robed monks walk the streets barefoot, collecting sticky rice, biscuits and other food donations from the Buddhist community. We return to our hotel for breakfast and then hit Route 13 north by vehicle venturing into the mountains where we'll experience the authentic Laos with the ethnic communities of Lao, Hmong, Khmu and Thai Luel. This is where our adventure truly begins. The first part of the road is busy with traffic, which is why we transfer by vehicle for this leg.,The traffic eventually ebbs out and the road becomes quite scenic and it is here that we'll jump on our bikes. We'll follow the Nam Ou River for much of our journey riding past mountain slopes of teak and rubber plantations with steep and sharp limestone cliffs. We'll pass a number of untouched “ethnic” villages where many of the traditional wooden homes are standing on stilts. If we're lucky we'll stumble across locals weaving, distilling liquor or basket weaving. We'll ride a total of 60km/40mi on a undulating dirt and paved roads. We end our ride in bungalows are on the bank of the Nam Ou River amidst of some of the most breathtaking limestone landscapes in Laos.
Summary:
Activities:Transferring and cycling
Accommodations:Pakxang Resort****
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:60 Km
Today we cycle 20 km / 13 mi on dirt roads without our support vehicle to a village near Muang Ngoy. The ride today is into a much more remote area than yesterday. This area is inhabited by the ethnic Lue, Hmong, Khmu and Lao people and they are always thrilled to encounter us cycling past them. Children run after us in the streets with welcoming hellos in Laotian, sabai dee, sabai dee. The landscape is very scenic with a mixture of forested mountains, traditional villages and terraced rice paddies. We end our ride in Sop Khan village where we'll board a boat and travel upriver for the last bit of the journey. On arrival to Muang Ngoy we check in at Lattanavongsa, a small guesthouse with bamboo huts. The rest of the day is free to hang out in this tranquil village or we can hit some of the small roads on our bicycles in the outback of the village.
Summary:
Activities:Transferring and Boat trip and Cycling
Accommodations:Guest House
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:20 km
After a hearty breakfast we board a traditional slow boat journeying along the Nam Ou River for 4-5 hours to Muang Khua. Along the river’s banks, locals thrash rice, wash their clothing, and take baths. This river trip is where we get into the most remote areas of the entire trip. These villages have no road access, nor electricity and haven't been impacted by development. They live organically off of the land. This region is populated by Akha, Hani and some obscure tribes that are not seen in other parts of the country. Once in Muang Khua we'll encounter quite a few ethnic people who dress in traditional clothing, especially the elders. On arrival we check in our basic hotel for the night. Our altitude is 2500ft here so the temperatures will be a little fresher here then the rest of the destinations on our itinerary.
Summary:
Activities:Boat Trip on Nam Ou River
Accommodations:Sanaly Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:No
We're back on bikes today, with a big day of more than 100 km / 60 mi. A good part of our ride is along a road that follows the Nam Ou River, making the terrain fairly flat until the last 25 km / 15 mi before approaching Udom Xai. Here the road becomes undulating. It is a beautiful and rewarding ride today through a mountainous and lush landscape. We'll ride past many friendly locals working in the fields today and will certainly have many warm greetings along the way. You'll feel the Chinese influence here in Udom Xai, as our proximity to China is very near. We'll arrive in Udom Xai late afternoon and have a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in a traditional Lao Hotel.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Charming Laos Hotel****
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:100 Km,
With tonight's hotel awaiting us 144 km / 89 mi away, today is set to be an epic day of riding! If some people aren’t up for the whole ride, we will make transfers as necessary to cover the distance. We set off on our bikes from Udom Xai along broken road and dirt tracks, coming into contact with locals along the way. The population here is made up of an astonishing 23 ethnic groups. Sharing the trail with colourful vehicles and livestock, we’ll get a glimpse of real rural life in Asia. We’ll have a picnic lunch before heading south to Pakbeng along the Beng River.
Summary :
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge***
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:144 Km
Today we get a chance to relax and recover from our long ride the day before. We will board another slow boat and cruise upstream along the Mekong River from Pakbeng to Huai Xai, stopping to visit riverside villages along the way. The Mekong is the biggest river in Laos and there is a great deal of life that occurs along the river. If we're lucky we'll see elephants bathing along the riverbank, as well as fishermen casting lines wrapped around water bottles. Women and children can be seen washing clothes and playing in the water. Late afternoon we'll arrive in Huai Xai and check in to our hotel for our last night in Laos.
Summary:
Activities:Boat Trip
Accommodations:Guest House
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:NO
After breakfast we'll cross the border into Thailand via a bridge. We'll say goodbye to our Laotian guide and hello to our Thai guide and driver. We'll get equipped with a new set of bicycles and set off riding along the Mekong River and through the tropical Thai countryside. We finish with a long climb to our lodge in the middle of a Hmong village with spectacular views of the pristine valley. After we get settled, we’ll have tea with the shaman and learn some Hmong customs. There is free time in the evening to relax or wander through the village experiencing the local daily life of villagers in this community; children playing soccer and their parents physically working off of the land. Our first Thai dinner will be served on the deck of our lodge. Cycling 53 km / 33 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Siem Tara Resort
Meals:B/l/D
Cycling distance:53 km
We start today with a short transfer by vehicle to Chiang Saen, located in the south of the Golden Triangle. We'll stop at one of the ancient temples here for a quick look before getting back on our bikes for the day. The terrain today is a mixture of dirt and paved undulating roads with some flat sections. We'll cycle past plantations of rubber, terraced rice paddies where water buffalo plow through the fields with sowing seeds into the earth. We'll get to our hotel in Chiang Rai mid afternoon and highly suggested this evening is taking a tuktuk to the Night Market and pampering yourself with a wonderful Thai massage. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Huai Khum Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:70 Km
We start with a big breakfast this morning, refueling for today's ride. We leave the provincial capital of Chiang Rai and follow the Mae Kok River through remote countryside. After stopping at a hot spring, we ride off-road jeep tracks along the river through small villages and a wide variety of crops. We'll make a stop at Wat Run Khun, Thailand's white temple, which is likely the most unique temple in the country. We continue by bike and end at Mae Salak, a small town with a traditional resort by a river. The rooms have a splendid view of the river and the lodge is situated next to a Lahu village. Here the local children will perform traditional music and dance. Cycling 70 km / 40 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Simoonburi Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:70 Km
Today’s ride is flat compared to the previous day and we will complete the distance fairly quickly. After an early breakfast we ride on back roads through small villages before arriving in Fang to stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue riding, catching sights of farmers working their fields and orchards. We overnight in a comfortable Thai-style inn. 91 km / 57 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Angkhang nature Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:91 Km
Today’s ride is a real treat for mountain bikers as we tackle some outstanding mountain trails cut by local hill tribes. From the trailhead, we ride dirt roads through rice fields and soaring limestone cliffs. Along the way we will meet Akha, Lisu, Lau, and Palaung people. The colourful Palaung are recent migrants and we will see their women adorned with heavy brass waistbands working the fields. After lunch at a Forestry Camp we continue our ride to the Chiang Dao caves and temple retreat. Cycling 75 km / 47 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Chiang Kham Luang Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:75 Km
Today we cycle away from our resort on an elephant trail through the forest. We will then travel along nice country roads to our scenic lunch spot at a refreshing waterfall. Next we enjoy some great singletrack riding through a scenic teak forest. When we come out of the reservoir again, we’ll hop on a boat for an afternoon cruise. From here, it’s a short transfer to Chiang Mai where we have earned a well deserved rest. Cycling 40 km / 25 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Empress Hotel****
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:40 Km
After breakfast you will be transferred to Chiang Mai International Airport to catch your flight home.
Summary:
Activities:Transferring to Airport
Accommodations:Onward
Meals:B
Cycling distance:No
Note: Hotels are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent accommodation,Meals: if you have any specific food requirements ( vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide, our partners so that they can server you better. If you are a food lover, we can be your culinary guide and provide you opportunity to savor tempting local food and world famous – dishes.
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