Thailand Cycling To Laos and Cambodia 24 Days

After leaving Chiang Rai, you follow the Kok River in the northern direction through fruit plantations and paddy fields. You also pass a rubber plantation, rarely seen in Northern Laos. Chiang Saen, the oldest urban settlement of Thailand and the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, is nicely located on the banks of the Mekong river. In the afternoon, you can visit the viewpoint in the heart of the Golden Triangle. Overnight in a hotel.

Meals B–L

The first stage of today’s ride is easygoing. With mountain backdrops, the road follows the Mekong river through picturesque hill tribe villages, and tobacco and rice fields. The last 12 kilometers are more challenging with some steep but short ascents. The road joins the main road just before the entry to Chiang Khong: The border entry to Laos. This is the last night that you will stay overnight in Thailand on this tour. Overnight in a hotel.

Meals B–L

This morning we board our slow boat for our journey to Pakbeng. The ride is slow and laid back passing spectacular scenery as you chug through the mountains of Udomxai Province to arrive at Pakbeng some 10 hours later. This journey gives a wonderful insight into how important the river is to the survival of the Laos people. Not only in people transportation but in irrigation, fishing, and the transportation of essentials to areas not covered by a reliable road system. Overnight in a hotel.

Meals B-L

After a one-hour transfer, we are cycling in a very rural Lao. An area inhabited by hill tribe villages who eke a meager existence from the land. Along the way, you will pass villages of Phu Thai, Thai Lu, Hmong, Thaai Dam, Lao, and Khamu. The people are very friendly and yet not tourist tired. We stop at weaving villages along the way, where you still see families sitting in the shade weaving on old looms. After climbing a 300-meter pass, a long descent brings you to Udomxai the capital of the Udomxai Province. Overnight in a hotel.

Meals B –L

Back into the jungle stretches of this spectacular route, although hilly it soon gives way to a gentler gradient and opens to magnificent scenery and a 30 km downhill ride to Pak Mong. This is a small supply depot town. This is one of the more difficult days of the trip, so either challenge yourself or take an enjoyable ride in the vehicle.

Meals B –L-D

In the morning, we start with a short transfer to Pakmong. Today, we are cycling on flatter and better roads today will enable you to complete the longer distance to Luang Prabang. Only a few minor passes have to be climbed before you cycle along the banks of the Nam Ou river with stunning views of huge mountain ranges. In the last stage, you cycle through teakwood plantations before arriving in Luang Prabang.Overnight in guesthouse.

Meals B –L

An easy ride to the scenic Kuang Si Waterfalls along with ethnic villages such as Hmong and Khmu. Enjoy a swim in the clear water basins of the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Overnight in a comfortable guest house.

Overnight in guesthouse.

Meals B-L

This is `THE DAY`, although the day starts easy as we ride out of Luang Prabang we begin the first of 2 climbs, 15 km up into the mountains. Take your time and remember the support vehicle is there to help. The scenery will help the pain as you pass some of Asia’s highest and most spectacular limestone mountains with odd angles from jungle-covered mountains. You will see Phu Pha a craggy limestone peak considered holy to the animist hill tribes and Buddhists alike. The ride down the other side will help you recover for the next onslaught a further 22 km to our much-awaited guest house at Kiu Kachan. Overnight simple guest house. Overnight in guesthouse.

Meals B-L

More mountains today though less steep passes. The day will take you up and down the rolling hills and through the magnificent, craggy, limestone mountains and dense jungle. We stop for lunch along the way. We journey downhill as we leave behind the mountains into the fertile valley and rice fields of Kasi. Guesthouse in Kasi.Overnight in guesthouse.

Meals: B –L

A much easier day today as we cover a shorter distance on gently rolling hills to Vang Vieng where we will be in time for lunch. In the afternoon you can choose to visit the Tham Xang or Tham Hoi caves which are set in dramatic scenery on the banks of the Nam Song. Relax with a Lao beer and watch the dramatic sunsets over the mountains you have just crossed. Overnight in Resort.

Meals B-L

Continuing on the main road, you cycle to the ‘sea of Laos’: the 250 square kilometers of artificial Lake Nam Ngum. A 2 hours boat ride brings you to the dam, where are some great fish restaurants. After lunch, you continue on a quiet back road through hidden small valleys and authentic villages. You stay overnight on the banks of the Nam Ngum River. Overnight in Resort.

Meals B –L

Today, you cycle through paddy fields with fine views in the Phou Khao Khouay mountain range, before entering the capital city of Laos: Vientiane. Along with the suburbs, you cycle to the center of the city, situated along the bank of the Mekong, Arrival in the hotel and say goodbye driver and your guide. Overnight in Hotel.

Meals B-L

Arrive at Pakse airport, after immigration formalities, meet with our guide and transfer to the hotel, after checking in hotel free to relax or explore the town yourself before dinner.
Meal: B /L
Accommodation: Sengaloun hotel

An easy start to the day, after breakfast we ride from the hotel after 8 km on a flat road in town the road is slightly uphill to begin our journey into the coffee growing area of Laos, the Bolaven plateau. After the town, we start to climb up into the temperate coffee-growing area renowned for its Arabica and Robusta beans. These beans fetch some of the highest coffee prices in the world. The road undulates but has a definite upward feeling. As we climb, we see coffee everywhere as the plantations converge on the side of the road. We finish at the wonderful Tad Fane resort, which provides a stunning backdrop and the very impressive Tad Fane fall, if you are feeling energetic you can cycle to the other waterfall for swimming. Alternatively, you can relax in the restaurant and take the wonderful view. Dinner is at the resort
Elevation:Pakse = 170 m above sea level.
Tadfan resort = 959 m above sea level.
Distance: 38 km (on good quality asphalt road but ascend)
Meal: B / L /
Accommodation: Tad Fane resort.

(Resort is at an altitude of 960 m above sea level) Today is the best riding on this trip, after 12 km of the climb we reach the top of Bolavene plateau (at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level). However, riding in the early morning makes you warm through the cold morning on the plateau, and you still have more energy in the morning, after a short break in a small town on top of the plateau we continue our riding for another 38 km to a small town of Tha Teng (at an altitude of 860 m above sea level), this 38- kilometer descent is one of the best rides in this trip, we have noodle soup for lunch at the local restaurant, 30 km from our destination, Tad Lor Resort (at an altitude of 750 m above sea level) Riding after lunch takes us very easy downhill but on a dirt road for 21 km to the junction, the rest of the road just 9 km on asphalt road and it is mainly flat. We check in the hotel in the afternoon and it is your time for swimming at the waterfall, relaxing, enjoying the view, or riding around. Dinner is at the hotel.
Elevation: Departure point 959 m above sea level.
Highest point: 1280 m above sea level.
Arrival point: 346 m above sea level.
Ride: 80 km (12 km ascend, 68 km descend, and flat, including 21 km on a dirt road)
Meal: B / L /
Accommodation: Sayse resort

After breakfast, we head towards Pakse. This road undulates and has a couple of lengthy climbs in it one of 5 km and one of 49 km, but they are quite gradual before we turn right and head downhill into Pakse. The last 20 km into Pakse is downhill and can be covered quickly, be careful as we head into town as the traffic increases significantly.
After lunch in town, we cycle across over the bridge to the right side or Thai side (but it is Lao territory ) we keep riding on a flat road to the former southern kingdom of the land of million elephants, the present town of Champasak consist of a small settlement on the Thai side of the Mekong River, whose main interest of the visitors is its proximity to the famous Khmer site of Wat Phou, a name which indicates a connection with the ancient Cham kingdom, contemporaneous with the early Khmer empire.
Elevation: Tad Lor = 346 m above sea level.
Highest point: 606 m above sea level.
Champasak = 124 m above sea level.
Ride: 110 km on good quality asphalt road
Meal: B / L /
Accommodation: Siamphone hotel

Si Phan Done in Lao means 4000 islands; it is the widest and most charismatic part of the Mekong River and is our destination today. We leave as early as we can after breakfast, after 2 km of riding from the hotel, we cross the Mekong River on a very unusual mode of transport to the other side and after a short ride to the main road and then start heading south again towards Cambodia. Today is mainly flat with quiet road and some interesting scenery, we pass many villages with children standing in groups waving their hands and saying hello, it would be strange for them to see the tourists travel by bicycles (it feels hard for them).so we stop every 20 or 25 km for refreshments and we have lunch under the tree by the road when we feel like it. We then cross back over to the Mekong river to one of the biggest islands in the Mekong river, KongIsland (it is the hometown of the former Lao president). We cycle a short way to our hotel. Dinner is in the hotel.
Elevation: Champasak =124 m above sea level
Khong island = 120 m above sea level.
Distance: 113 km (on good quality asphalt road, and mainly flat)
Meal: B / L /
Accommodation: Villa Muangkhong.

Today is a day to explore, we once again cross the river to the mainland and head south where we ride as far as on the main road, we turn to the village where we get on a long tail boat with all bikes, luggage, and our staff so we leave our support van at the village, we take a short boat trip to the small island of Don Det where we will have lunch. After lunch we ride along the old French Railway down to the beach where we get on small boats to Cambodian waters in search of freshwater Dolphins, After an hour we ride back to the hotel at Don Khone island.
Distance: 30 km (Haft riding is on good quality asphalt road and the rest is on the path but it is a fantastic ride and flat)
Meal: B / L /
Accommodation: Khounparn bungalows

We depart Don Khon and ride to the Lao and Cambodia border, after crossing the border you will meet the tour guide and driver who transfer you to Kratie which spend about 3hrs. Arrive at Kratie, take a local boat to Sala Koh Trong opposite Kratie town for your overnight at Rajabori Villas.
In the afternoon, you will spend your time exploring the island and village by bicycle with your guide.
Meals: B, L
Overnight at Rajabori Villas – Bungalow room for 1night

After breakfast in Kratie, we travel south to the bustling provincial city of Kompong Cham, nestled on the banks of the Mekong. We pass through Cambodia’s rubber country on the way, vast plantations that were originally established by the French and are once again being redeveloped. There may be the opportunity to stop along the way and learn about how the rubber is tapped.
We journey west to the provincial capital of Kompong Thom. After lunch, we continue northwest on National Highway 6. This was an old Angkor road and we stop in Kompong Kdei to see one of the ancient Angkor bridges that were built to span the rivers. Spean Praptos or the Praptos Bridge has more than 20 arches and is a spectacular sight, reinforcing the impression that the Khmers were like the Romans of Southeast Asia. We continue to Siem Reap where we check into our hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals: B / L
Overnight at Hanumanalaya Boutique Residence

Rising at the crack of dawn, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is the most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometer, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art.
Following in the footsteps of the devout and the destructive before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old were to stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up.
We continue to the ‘Indiana Jones’ temple of Ta Prohm. This temple has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous
power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.
Angkor Thom is an immense walled city that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality.
We begin our visit at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing.
Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Before clambering upwards, we unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

After breakfast, we depart by tuk-tuk to the drop-off point near the bus station. From there, we ride past small rural villages towards Bakong temple. O In the wet season, this ride provides magnificent views of endless paddy fields. The morning is the most beautiful time of the day to cycle here.
Upon arrival at Bakong, the temple can be explored. The next temple, Prasat Preah Ko, is situated only a mere 300m away. After crossing Highway 6, Lolei can also be visited. These temples are called the Rolous Group and were built in the 9th century when the first capital, Hariharalaya, was located here. From the main entrance of Bakong, the road continues to Psar Bakong in Meanchey commune and it is possible to stop at the Roluos Tea Garden along the way for a spot of refreshment. A right turn onto a paved road will lead towards the most beautiful floating village of the Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Pluk.
At the harbor, a local boat is prepared and provides a wonderful tour through the floating village. Kampong Pluk is still quite unexplored and has an atmospheric submerged forest to explore. Lunch can be enjoyed in one of the floating houses in the form of a picnic.
After this visit, the tuk-tuk transfers back towards Siem Reap passing by a local orphanage called Khmer Association Cultural Development. The orphanage can be visited and people can enjoy watching the children perform classical dance and music.

Day free at leisure until your guide picks you up from the hotel to the airport.

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