Laos and Vietnam
12 days from Luang Prabang to Hanoi

Starting in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and ending in the vibrant city Hanoi, this is probably the best border crossing ride for cyclists, who enjoy cycling in mountainous surroundings. The ever changing and often spectacular landscapes and multi diversity in ethnic groups makes every day different. Luang Prabang, Dien Bien Phu and Hanoi are the cultural historical highlights of this tour. Other highlights are a boat ride on the Nam Ou River in Laos and a visit to Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam.

Day 1: Luang Prabang
Arrival and briefing. Depending on arrival time, a short ride along Luang Prabang.
Overnight in a comfortable guesthouse

Day 2: Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Waterfalls 60 km
An easy ride to the scenic Kuang Si Waterfalls along ethnic villages such as Hmong an Khmu. Enjoy a swim in the clear water basins of the Kuang Si Waterfalls (Can be combined with a boat ide on the Mekong River).
B
Overnight in a comfortable guesthouse

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Nong Kiaw 80 km.
After a one hour transfer, start cycling along the Nam Ou River in Northern direction. Pak Mong village is located on a crossroad and suitable for a coffee break, before heading into the incredible limestone mountains around Nong Khiaw.
B
Overnight in a comfortable guesthouse

Day 4: Nong Kiaw – Ban Mai 45 km
A spectacular boat ride over the Nam Ou River leads through remote areas to Muang Kua. From here, a short, but mostly uphill off-road ride through hill tribe villages and jungle leads to Ban Mai village. The village is the former capital of Phongsaly Province and well known for the high quality weaving and wooden bridges.
B-D
Overnight in a basic guesthouse

Day 5: Ban Mai - Dien Bien Phu 45 km
Continuing on the dirt road, you will cross the border to Vietnam. After the border crossing, asphalt is coming back and it goes mostly downhill, before you will arrive in the valley of Dien Bien Phu. The city is well known throughout the world as a battle field in the first Indochina War, where the French found their Waterloo. The city is located in the Muong Thanh Valley, famous for its tasty rice and Thai minority traditional dance.
B-D
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 6: Dien Bien Phu – Tuan Giao 80 km
After breakfast, we have an easy ride of 80 km through many Thai villages to Tuan Giao (one climb to a mountain pass, 15 km outside Dien Bien). Tonight, you stay in a People’s Community G.H. in Tuan Giao (altitude +590m).
B-L-D
Overnight is basic guesthouse

Day 7: Tuan Giao – Son La 90 km
A challenging 20 km winding climb up to the Pha Din Pass (heaven and earth pass) to the summit of 1450 m. It is followed by a 15 km downhill ride through nice landscapes of green rice fields and karsts valley. Light traffic, wandering water buffaloes, Thai and Hmong kids along the way.
B-L
Overnight in a hotel

Day 8: Son La – Moc Chau 80 km
After a short transfer, the road offers’ a less hilly day, but not less spectacular as we head off gradually downhill, the road overshadowed by karsts cliffs.
After lunch, continuing through lush, terraced rice paddies against the jagged cliff backdrop.
B-L-D
Overnight in a guesthouse

Day 9: Moc Chau – Mai Chau 67 km
After a hearty breakfast, we set off on a testing yet spectacular day, the majority of which is going uphill. Cycling on a narrow, quiet back road, we head into a region predominantly populated by Black Thai minority cultures.
As we near Mai Chau, located on 1000 m, we pass through plum orchards and corn and tea plantations.
B-L
Overnight in a lodge

Day 10: Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong 80 km
After an early morning transfer, start cycling on country lanes and back roads to Cuc Phuong National Park. The scenery is timeless, and photo opportunities bountiful as you pedal through a working landscape of people and crops. Cuc Phuong is one of Vietnam's most important nature reserves and contains the country's largest area of primary forest.
B-L-D
Overnight in a bungalow

Day 11: Cuc Phuong – Hanoi 60 km
Cycling from Phuong NP to Ninh Binh and transfer to Hanoi.
In the Morning visit the Primate Rescue center, where you can have much joy with funny languor species and admire the eco-loving scientists working here. Learn about the plight of endangered species such as the Cat Ba Langur. We then ride 20 km through Cuc Phuong forest to the park center for a tea break and then transfer out of Cuc Phuong. In the afternoon, ride through rice fields and along limestone rocks to Ninh Binh. After lunch, we take a bus transfer to Hanoi.
Set dinner in a nice restaurant near the hotel.
B-L-D
Overnight in a Hotel

Day 12: Departure
B
End of program

Including:
- English speaking guide
- Back up Car with drinks and support (except in Luang Prabang)
- Luggage Transport or non riding guest transfer
- 11 nights in hotel, resort and guesthouse
- Meals as described in itinerary
- boat rides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bike rent: 110 US$ (Trek 4400 Mountain bike)

Remark: Depending on weather and road conditions, this itinerary is subject to changes.