Laos
"Journey Back in Time"
Cycling in Northwest Laos is a one of a kind adventure.....mystical moutains, the majestic Mekong River, saffron robed monks collecting alms, working elephants. It's what most of Southeast Asia used to be like, but no longer is. It's 6 million people are very friendly, welcoming and curious. The Northern part of the country is mountainous and lush with spectacular scenery.
Nov 28, 2007 - Vientiane to Chaing Rai
Feb 23, 2008 - Chaing Rai to Vientiane (below)
Day 1 Chaing Rai
Meet up in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand on February 23, 2007. Chiang Rai is a hub of adventure travel in Northern Thailand. We get our bikes together here and check out the Wats, the Museum and the Thai music scene. It is also a really good place for a Thai massage.
Day 2 Chaing Rai to Chaing Khong
Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen and then bike the 100k from Chaing Saen to Chaing Khong. We follow the Mekong river riding through jungle and hilltribe villages of simple bamboo huts on stilts. Huay, across the river from Chiang Khong, is our official entry point into Laos. We contemplate what's ahead at a hotel on the banks of the river overlooking the Mekong....and Laos.
Day 3 Chaing Khong to Pak Beng
After crossing the Mekong and checking through the border station, we take a boat journey down the Mekong River to Pak Beng. The Mekong is a huge, impressive serpent of a river and many of the places we pass are accessible only by boat.
Day 4 Pak Beng to Ban Faen or Vangtang
This is the backcountry of Laos. We start off on road which ends when it hits the Mekong at Pak Beng. We pass lots of small, remote villages where the kids run to the road to yell "Sabaidee" to every passing cyclist. We overnight in Ban Faen (where you have option of guesthouse or homestay). We are treated like royalty here.
Day 5 Ban Faen to Odomxai
Continue on Oudom Xay passing through a bunch of hill villages that still retain their age-old cultural traditions. Not much has changed in some of these places for a long time....and we always attract a crowd.
Day 6 Odomxai to Pak Mong
A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent to Pak Mong.
Day 7 Pak Mong to Luang Prabang
On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. We having the option of stopping and l visiting the Buddhas in the holy caves of Pak Ou.
Day 8 Rest day in Luang Prabang
Rest day in beautiful Luang Prabang encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river. There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town: Temples, Monastaries, the Royal Palace and French Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls outside of town. It’s worthwhile to get up and observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am.
Day 9 Luang Prabang to Kiu Kacham
This section has some of the most spectacular limestone, karst mountains in all of Southeast Asia. We ovenight in Kiu Kacham. This is long challanging ride between Luang Prabang and Kasi. Kiewchachan is the half way point and good place to break up the ride.
Day 10 Kiu Kacham to Kasi
We have a spectacular 38 km descent passing dramatic views of craggy limestone mountains. The scent of jasmine and lotus blossom drifts through the clear air from the rich jungle flora. We end our day coming off the mountains at Kasi.
Day 11 Kasi to Vang Vieng
60 km of gentle rolling hills to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng is situated on a bend of the Nam Song River and at sunset it is beautiful. Lots of action in Vang Vieng. It’s a cross roads for travelers and, unlike some other villages, you will run into some here. All the travelers means that there are lots of restaurants and comfortable guesthouses. Check out the market here. It’s very much worth seeing.
Day 12 Vang Vieng to Thalat
After a relatively gentle 24 km we reach the fishing village of Tha Heua where you can see all manner of salted fish being sold by the road. Here you have the option of taking a 3 hour boat journey on the Ang Nam Ngum reservoir to Na Nam a small fishing village passing many picturesque islands dotted along the way. Alternatively you can cycle the moderate 84 km along the road, to the village of Thalat not far from Lake Na Nam.
Day 13
Our last day of cycling starts with last two short but hard climbs, before the road levels out for the 95 km all the way to Vientiane. Here the land is agricultural passing paddy fields and more intensely farmed areas. As we near the Lao capital of Vientiane the roads, which till now have been relatively traffic free throughout our trip, start to become busier. We arrive at our guesthouse in the afternoon.
Day 14
A final day in Vientiane to see the sites, pack the bikes, do any last minute shopping, then relax and celebrate the end of a great trip.
From here can fly to Bangkok in Thailand or other SE Asia destinations.
Included:
14 nites accommodations at guesthouses/hotels. There is one optional homestay.
Most meals in Laos
Transport of baggage
Stocked support vehicle w/Driver
Private chartered boat on Mekong
Transfer Chaing Rai to Chaing Saen
Airport transfer in Chaing Rai
English Speaking Lao Guide
Excluded:
Airfares - to BKK from home and BKK to Chaing Rai (approx $70) and Vientiane to BKK (approx $170)
Visa - $50
Beer, wine booze
Meals in Luang Prabang and Vientiane
Immunizations from your doctor or travel clinic
Airport transfers in Bangkok and Vientiane
Bike storage in BKK
Spain