15 Days Luang Prabang Cycling To Chieng Mai

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.