Cycling Tour From North Thailand Through Laos and North Vietnam 28 Days

Overview
Our 28 Day North Thai Land – Laos – Vietnam bicycle Journey cycling route; Chiang Mai – Chiang Dao – Chiang Saen – Chiang Khong – Boat Ride – Pakbeng – Uodoumxay – Nong khiaw – Luang Prabang – Kiew Ka Cham – Kasi – Vang Vieng – Nam Ngum – Vientiane – Paksan – Thasi – Muang Khuon – Phosavanh – Muang Kham – Sam Nuea – Vieng Xai – Crossing Border to Na Meo ( Vietnam) Quan Son – Pu Luong – Mai Chau- Hanoi.

letting yourself get lost in cycling through the stunning beauty of Northern Thailand's stunning landscapes or the fascinating historical city of Chiang Mai.An independent cycling journey through an interesting area. You truly can experience a place on two wheels. Enjoy the feel of the sun and wind on your face. The sounds and scents hit you right away. You feel a part of the environment and are surrounded by it all. And just ahead is the next breathtaking scene that will stay with you forever: a mist-covered temple with the sun rising over the mountains, or a group of birds emerging from a river in a shimmering cloud.
Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, and Vietnam are the neighbors that landlock Laos in the meantime. Fishing, irrigation, and lush agriculture are all made possible by the powerful Mekong River, which flows the whole length of the nation. Six million people live there, split between contemporary cities, rural communities, and remote, ethnic mountain tribes.
Meeting the Lao people is greeted with friendship and warmth because of the pervasive influence of Buddhism on Lao culture. The nation is dotted with temples, pagodas, and stupas. As the sun rises over the mountains and the cities fill with saffron-robed monks for the early morning alms-giving rites, glimpses of golden rooftops can be seen.
The Lao way of life is inextricably linked to the Mekong River and its numerous tributaries. They supply water for irrigation, playing, fishing, cooking, washing, and traveling. You will see Laos as a genuinely fascinating country where the leisurely pace of life beckons visitors through your service and vacation alternatives.
The hub of northern Lao arts and culture is Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, which is located on the Mekong River, one of the major river systems in the world. The town's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-deserved. The Seuang River Valley's scenic surroundings and Luang Prabang's convenient daily flights make it the ideal location for community service organizations.
Our 28-day cycling vacation across North Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam begins in Chaing Mai and ends in Chiang Rai before crossing the border into landlocked Laos.
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, is another place we visit. Explore and unwind in this enchanting historic royal city, rich with stunning Buddhist temples where time seems to stand still. We proceed to the Southeast. We're going to ride on a hilly route while taking in the surreal Jars Plain.
Ride a bicycle through picturesque roads and undeveloped villages to Muang Kham and Vieng Xai to explore and discover Phathet Laos's past. During Laos's covert conflict, around twenty thousand communist fighters from Pathet Lao called these enormous caves home. The US was not meant to be fighting in neutral Laos, which is why this conflict was kept secret. It was all a part of the greater geopolitical events and shifts that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. The CIA-funded Hmong Army was using these caves as a base of operations while the communist forces, replete with underground towns, a hospital, and a school, were being attacked from the air. We will bid our Laos crew farewell, recheck at the Vietnamese border, and then ride our bikes to the scenic valleys of Mai Chau and Pu Luong.

Tailor-made trip
Vietnam Cycling Tours is a reputable local bike tour company with a committed staff of knowledgeable cycling tour consultants, competent bike mechanics, experienced bicycling guides, and enthusiastic bicycle specialists. We are aware that every traveler has particular needs and preferences. We therefore provide customized travel experiences that are tailored to your individual requirements, whether you are traveling alone, in a group, or with family and friends.

The itinerary that is supplied is only an example; you can alter it further to make it exactly suit your needs and budget. We are open to suggestions and can add or remove items to tailor a certain schedule or construct a brand-new program just for you. To discuss your needs and start organizing your amazing bicycle trip around Vietnam with us, click Contact Us.

Tour included in:
Bicycling guide who speaks English (other languages by request).
The lodging is based on two or three people sharing.
Meal information (27 breakfasts, 17 lunches, and 8 dinners) are included in itineraries.
Transportation and A/C transfer.
Bus or van assistance is provided during cycling hours.
Truck supported for groups larger than six.
Trek mountain bikes equipped with helmets and disc brakes.
excursions for sightseeing according to the itineraries.
Bike tour pump, tools, tubes, and extra bikes.
first aid package.
Box of cold water, little towel.
Drinkable mineral water.
Fruit and a snack on days when you cycle.
Boat Trip From Nan Khiaw to Luang Prabang: Pakbeng to Chiang Khong.

Tour excluded in:
International airfare
Travel insurance
Items of personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in meals
Mineral water beyond that supplied
Optional excursions
Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry bills.
Visa fee
Visa fee in Laos ( 35 USD per person upon arrival + 02 passport pictures )
Departure  tax
Tip for team and guide

Availability
Tours and services may not be available on public holidays, or may be available at an additional surcharge.

Pick-up location
Most of our trips begin from our bike garage (both private and group tours), so transportation from your hotel to our bike shop (or v.v) is not included in the quote. We can arrange the service (with extra charge), and reservation needs to be made in advance.

Itinerary
Occasionally our tour itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travelers’ comments and our own research. The information given in this itinerary may be slightly different to that in the service proposal. It’s very important that you print and review a final copy of your itinerary prior to travel. If you have any queries, please contact us.

Please note that while we operate successful cycling holidays in Vietnam throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary from time to time.

Price
Negotiating prices is a common practice in Vietnam, particularly in open-air markets, street shops, and rural areas. However, we are not good at bargaining and do not prefer this practice. Instead, we focus our time and efforts on tour arrangements, and our prices are fixed.

Safety
Wearing a helmet is compulsory on all our biking adventures. Our tour guide often carry first aid kit while riding. Please follow your guide while biking, and much attention is required while you cross streets.

Difficulty levels
To assist you visualize how our bike trip is difficult, we have graded our Vietnam cycling tours into three categories, easy, moderate, and challenging. We group many factors into consideration into this grading, including distant covered, terrain, altitude, and vehicle support.

Easy
Involves cycling for up to two to three hours a day at easy pace and usually, less than 3 days in duration. The cycling distances is around 15 – 30 km per day. There are likely to be no steep and sustained descents as well as demand for technical riding. We will normally ride on flat roads. Suitable for bikers who enjoy occasional weekend riding on trails at home. Push bikes are sometimes used for these itineraries.

Moderate
Involves biking for up to six hours a day at a steady pace and are usually between three to five days in duration. The cycling distance is about 35 – 55 km per day. Sometimes it can be long flat rides or medium ride with few up and downhill climbs. The support vehicle will not always be available. We will need a good level of fitness. We use either mountain bikes or road bikes for these itineraries.

Challenging
Involves biking in mountainous areas with big climbs for up to seven or eight hours a day and usually more than a week in duration. Cycling distance is about 60 – 80 km per day. There will be steep and sustained ascents and descents. The support vehicle will not always be available. These trips will provide a real sustained workout even for fit and experienced mountain bikers.

Accommodation
When cycling we mostly stay in small hotel, guesthouse or homestay. Some are more basic than others! Bear in mind that some of the places we overnight in are not on the standard tourist trail. In larger cities and towns, our hotels are generally more western style and are three or four star hotels (price option).

Camping is not available on cycling tours in Vietnam unless it is required and this should be booked months in advance. Camping is only available in a limited number of places such as Cat Ba island beach, Cuc Phuong national park…Please see the details on the quote.

Tour guide
Most of our tour guides speak English. Some other speak French. Few speak other language such as German, Russian, Spanish. All our guides have great knowledge of history, local culture, and religions of the area where you are cycling. Our guides have been trained in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding.

Bike mechanic
We arrange a bike mechanic only for large groups or when it is required (with surcharge). When there is no mechanic, our guide will take care of problem which may occur during the bike ride.

Transportation
Depending on the nature of the tour, our cycle journeys will be accompanied by an air-conditioned car/minibus cover the larger overland sections. We often use mini bus or bus for transfer and back up (guided tours).
1 – 2 travelers: we use minivan to support and carry bikes. Sometimes we use a car for passengers and a truck for transport of the bikes.
3 – 6 people: we use one minivan for passengers and one truck for the bikes.
7 – 12 people: we use one bus (coach) for passengers and one truck for the bikes.
We provide bike rental and truck for self-guided bike tours.

We sometimes use local push-bikes (single-speed bicycles) where possible or when it is required. In this case, our cars will be arranged as follows.
1 – 2 passengers (with a tour guide): 4 seat car.
3 – 6 passengers (with a tour guide): 15/16 seat minivan.
7 – 12 passengers (with a tour guide): 29 seat coach/bus.

Bikes repairs
Basic spares and tools kit are generally carried by our guide or bike mechanic or on the support vehicle, although we can not guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem.

Food and drinks
All the meals which, are mentioned in itinerary (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner), are included in the tour price. Most of meals are Vietnamese local food. Vegetarians are certainly welcome and are always accommodated, please let us know of any dietary concerns at time of booking. Beverage and alcoholic drinks are not included at mealtime or in restaurants.

Snacks and water
When we transfer, ride by minibus (no cycling day), our bottled waters are always available for you in the car/van. When we have cycling days, we will offer cold water (summer) plus fresh tropical fruits, soft drinks are also available in the car/van. Please take a look at the “Inclusions” section on our our service proposal to see whether the service is included in the price. Please note drinks are not included at mealtime or in restaurant.

Packing
Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam. Visitors should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings such as pagoda, temple and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.
What you take will naturally depend upon where you are traveling and the style of journey you are undertaking, and it can often be difficult to decide what to pack. Nevertheless, the following should act as a useful checklist of essential items worth thinking about taking.

Clothing
2 pairs of riding shorts
2 riding jerseys (quick-dry)
2 pairs of quick dry socks for cycling
Comfortable shoes for biking and walking
Riding gloves
2-3 t-shirts or casual shirts
Trousers or jeans
1-2 pairs of casual socks for non-cycling activities
3-5 sets of underwear (quick-dry)
Cool-weather jacket or rain jacket
Extra layers and gloves for cooler season or climate (thin, thermal, water-wicking)
Bathing suit
Sandals

Toiletries
Tooth brush and tooth paste
Razor
Hair brush
Shampoo
Deodorant
Hand sanitizer

Miscellaneous
Passport, wallet and ID
Health insurance card
Travel insurance card
Cash and/or credit cards
Camera (with spare battery)
Plastic bags (for dirty laundry, wet clothes)
Electronic chargers (for camera, e-reader, cell phone)
Adaptors or convertors

Tipping
Tipping for good services is always appreciated. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of the tour. Hotels and station porters should also be tipped a small amount for.
We recommend about 4-6 USD/traveler/day for the tour guide, about 2-3 USD/traveler/day for the driver (or the mechanic). Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality, the length and the difficulty of your trip.

Community
Prior to our tours, we contact and work with local community leaders to make sure we are welcome and in a manner that minimizes negative social and cultural impacts. We visit local development and community projects specific to the region, encouraging customers to donate and assist such a projects in appropriate and sustainable manner.
Where make sure that where and whenever possible our tours positively benefit the local community. We stayed at locally owned accommodation and visit cottage industries for local handicraft souvenir, generating income for local business. We often employ, hire support team such as local guide, motor-taxi drivers, cook assistants on all trips to ensure that the local community benefit not only short term but with increased employment opportunities for the future.

Need further information? Check our FAQ page here or contact us.