Thailand, Laos and Vietnam
22 days from Chiang Mai to Hanoi
A great tour through ever changing landscapes and lots of cultural as well as historical highlights in all countries. The Thai section of this tour leads over friendly roads along 3 former capital cities of the former Lanna Kingdom. A relaxing 2 days cruise over the Mekong leads to another highlight of the tour, the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. From here, we enter the remote north-eastern part of Laos with stunning nature. In Vietnam, the multi-cultural diversity is another highlight of this tour. The ride through the first National Park of Vietnam Cuc Phuong will give you lasting impressions. The tour finish in the vibrant capital of Vietnam: Hanoi
Day 1: arrival Chiang Mai
After arrival, you meet the local agent for a briefing about the Thai part of the tour.
Discover the old city with plenty of beautiful temples and visit lively local markets in the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom.
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Day: 2: guided round trip around Chiang Mai 30 km
A guided tour along non-touristy places around Chiang Mai
This is the perfect introduction in the daily life of Thai people.
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Day 3: Chiang Mai – Mae Taeng 67 km
Following the Ping River in Northern direction, you are passing many florists, rice fields, villages and temples. You are cycling on small lanes and quite roads to the busy market of Mae Taeng. After Mae Taeng, you will continue on dirt roads to your beautiful situated resort along the Ping River.
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Day 4: Mae Taeng – Chiang Dao 40/68 km
Just 5 kilometers from the resort, you can visit the first founded Elephant Conservation Camp from Thailand.
A narrow, but never steep pass leads you into the beautiful valley of Chiang Dao. Cycling along the side of the valley, enjoy the stunning views on the 3rd highest mountain of Thailand, the 2240 meters high Doi Luang. Visit the famous caves of Chiang Dao, before heading to your comfortable resort.
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Day 5: transfer to Tub Tao Caves and cycling to Thaton 67 km
Starting the day with a short transfer to the unknown but not less interesting Tub Tao Caves, you will discover the interesting valley of Fang, which is well known for their extensive fruit- and vegetable plantations. Another day cycling on quit roads, brings you to the scenic village of Thaton, which is located on the banks of the Kok River. Above Thaton, you can visit a temple with rare architecture and stunning views over the surrounding area.
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Day 6: boat ride from Thaton to Ruam Mit and cycling to Chiang Rai 23 km
You will start the day with a 3 hours boat ride by long tail boat on the Kok River along many hill tribe villages.
Before cycling to Chiang Rai, you can visit the Elephant Camp of Ruam Mit. Chiang Rai is another former capital city of the Lanna Kingdom
Beside interesting temples, you can visit the Hill Tribe Museum and the lively night market.
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Day 7: Chiang Rai – Chiang Saen 70 km
Leaving Chiang Rai along the bank of the Kok River, you are cycling in north east direction to one of the oldest cities of Thailand, Chiang Saen.
On the way, you can visit a rubber plantation, which is rare in this part of Thailand. Chiang Saen is located on the banks of the Mekong River and is one of the oldest cities of Thailand and also a former capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Interesting place to visit are the National Museum and the viewpoint of the Triangle which is 8 kilometers from Chiang Saen. Here you can also visit the Opium Museum.
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Day 8: Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong 68 km
Following the Mekong in Eastern direction, you cycle to the border town of Chiang Khong with great views on the mountain ranges on the Laos side of the Mekong River. On the way, you pass some interesting temples and hill tribe villages with local markets.
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Day 9: Cruise over Mekong to Pak Beng
Comfortable boat ride on the Mother of all Asian Rivers: The Mekong.
Enjoy the stunning landscape, free food and beverages on board.
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Day 10: Cruise over Mekong to Luang Prabang
Another day to relax your legs and enjoy the landscape that is getting more and more spectatculair. Before entering Luang Prabang, you visit the historical Pak Ou Caves which is packed with thousands of Buddha statues
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Day 11: around the valley of Luang Prabang 30 km
Today, a relaxed ride around the valley of Luang Prabang along some interesting non-touristy places.
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Day 12: to Kuang Si Waterfalls 60 km
An easy ride to the scenic Kuang Si Waterfalls along ethnic villages such as Hmong a Khmu. Enjoy a swim in the clear water basins of the Kuang Si Waterfalls.
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Day 13: Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw 80 km.
After a one hour transfer, start cycling along the Nam Ou River. The first stage is hilly, but after lunch in Pakmong the road is getting more smooth and more spectaculair.
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Day 14: Nong Khiaw – Muang Khua.
Today, enjoy a spectacular boat ride through remote areas over the Nam Ou River. On the way, we will stop in the scenic village Muang Ngoi. Relax and enjoy the views over the lime stone mountains.
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Day 15: Muang Khua - Dien Bien Phu 60 km and transfer
Today, you challenge a mostly up hill off road ride through hill tribe villages and jungle to the border of Vietnam. You pass the village Muang Mai, the former capital of Phongsaly Province and well known about the high quality weaving and his wooden bridges. After passing the border with Vietnam, a short transfer will bring us in the valley of Dien Bien Phu. The city is well known through out the world as a battle field in the first Indochina War and the French found here their Waterloo. The city is located in Muong Thanh Valley famous for its tasty rice and Thai minority traditional dance.
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Day 16: Dien Bien Phu – Tuan Giao 80 km
Cycling from Dien Bien Phu to Tuan Giao.
After breakfast, we have an easy ride 80 km through many Thai villages to Tuan Giao (one climb mt. pass 15 km outside Dien Bien Phu). O/N in People Committee GH in Tuan Giao (alt. +590m).
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Day 17: Tuan Giao – Son La 90 km
Cycling from Tuan Giao to Son La.
Challengeing 20 km winding climb up to the Pha Din pass (heaven and earth pass) to summit of 1450 m and 15 km down hill. Nice landscape of green rice fields and karst valley. Light traffic, wandering water buffaloes, Thai and Hmong kids.
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Day 18: Son La – Moc Chau 80 km
After a short transfer, a less hilly day in store, but no less spectacular as we head off gradually downhill, our roads overshadowed by karst cliffs.
After lunch, continuing through lush, terraced rice paddies against the jagged cliff backdrop.
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Day 19: Moc Chau – Mai Chau 67 km
After a hearty breakfast we set off on a testing yet spectacular day, the majority of which is uphill! Cycling on a narrow, quiet back road we head in to a region predominantly populated by Black Thai minority cultures.
As we near Mai Chau, situated at 1000 m, we pass through plum orchards and corn and tea plantations.
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Day 20: Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong 80 km
After a early morning transfer, start cycling on country lanes and backroads 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. Visit the Primate Rescue Centre and learn about the plight of endangered species such as the Cat Ba Langur.
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Day 21: Cuc Phuong – Hanoi 20 km
Cycling from Phuong NP to Ninh Binh and transfer to Hanoi.
Morning visit the Primate Rescue center where you could have much joy with funny languor species and admire the eco-loved scientists working here. We then ride 20 km through Cuc Phuong forest to the park center, tea break then transfer out of Cuc Phuong to Hanoi in the afternoon.
Set dinner in a nice restaurant near the hotel.
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Day 22: Departure
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End of programme
Including:
- English speaking guide
- Back up Car with drinks and support
- Luggage Transport or non riding guest transfer
- 21 nights in hotel, resort and guesthouse
- Meals as described in itinerary
- boat rides as mentioned in the itenary
- Bike rent: Trek Mountain bike, 24 speed
Remark: Depending on weather and road conditions, this itinerary is subject to changes
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