On arrival at Huay Xay pier, meet your guide and transfer by truck to Thon Peung and then cruise by speedboat to Xieng Kok (about 6 hours). For most of the journey, Myanmar lies across the Mekong. Pass mist-covered mountains and simple village life. Lunch will be en route, and dinner will be in a local restaurant.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Xieng Kok guesthouse

Visit Muang Sing’s small market before breakfast if you like. After breakfast, check out and ride directly from the guesthouse to Luang Namtha. The journey today from Muang Sing is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Pass pockets of thick dense jungle interspersed with fascinating villages populated by ethnic Khmu, Akha, Tai Lue, Hmong and Lanten peoples. Ride the first section to Kiew Lom Pass and then coast down almost all the way to Luang Namtha.

The cycling begins with a 22-km climb and an amazing descent down the switchback turns on the other side. Then the final stretch has plenty of short climbs and descents to stretch legs in between. Cycle along a beautiful river valley that widens in some places and becomes narrow and steep in others. Some places have a wild, isolated feel. Unfortunately, you’ll be able to spot evidence of slash and burn agriculture, which is still widely practiced, despite this area being in the Nam Ha National Protected Area.

On arrival in Luang Namtha, check into your guesthouse and relax. Lunch will be en route and dinner will be in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Luang Namtha guesthouse
Cycling Distance: 61 km, 1,000m climb and descent, very good asphalt road

After breakfast, begin the day’s journey. Ride along the undulating ridge road with amazing views and take lunch in Na Tuey. Despite the good surface, the route then becomes quite challenging with a 12-km climb – but it’s not too steep! Even though this is a main highway, there is virtually no traffic, making for great riding. Spend the night with genuinely friendly hill tribe people in a high, Khamu village overlooking a spectacular valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Chep home stay
Cycling Distance: 90 km, 1,000m climb, very good asphalt road

Start the morning with an exhilarating descent on winding roads down the side of the valley. Make a stop for coffee and breakfast at the bottom in Houay Grung. Then complete the route on challenging surface with short climbs and descents on alternating rough paved and dirt surface through lowland Lao villages into Oudomxai. The villages here are populated mainly by the Thai Lue ethnic group.

On arrival in Oudomxai, check into your guesthouse and relax. Lunch will be en route and dinner will be in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Vilavong Guesthouse
Cycling Distance: 32 km, smooth, fast descent to rough road with short, moderate up-and-down grade

After breakfast embark on a spectacular ride through remote areas on a new asphalt road. The ride rises gently uphill all the way apart from a few undulations and some short, steep ascents. The road follows the stunningly beautiful Nam Pak River. Traffic will be minimal at worst. Dense forests covered in vines and jungle canopy cling to the steep mountainsides and small minority villages dot the roadside. There are also breathtaking views of the river as it winds its way toward Muang Khua. Stop for lunch at the beautiful restaurant in Pak Nam Noy overlooking the river life of the village. This is certainly one of the best rides in Laos. Due to the excellent road surface, all levels of riders can master it.

On arrival in Muang Khua, check into your guesthouse and relax. Lunch will be en route and dinner will be in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Sernali Hotel
Cycling Distance: 97 km, good surfaced road, grade moderate/challenging

Muang Khua town is located on the banks of the Nam Ou River overlooking a ferry crossing and a road leading 65 km to the border on the way to Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam. The French maintained an outpost here until 1954 when their forces were ousted in the aftermath of the infamous battle at Dien Bien Phu. It has a shanty town look about it, with rickety old wooden buildings and steep, narrow, winding streets. There is a distinct border-like feel to the town, as it is the fascinating crossroad of a major trade route. The people are shy but friendly.

In the morning you can see many minority people as they come down from the hillside to buy or sell in the market in town. After breakfast, board a slow boat down the Nam Ou to Nong Khiaw. On the way, stop at Muang Ngoi to visit the village and area for some spectacular photographs of life along the river.

On arrival in Nong Khiaw, check into your guesthouse and relax. Lunch will be en route and dinner will be in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Nong Khiaw guesthouse

Today is a long but satisfying ride of 110 km. After an early breakfast, ride out of Nong Khiaw and into the countryside. Stop for coffee in Pak Mong, and then follow a great river road toward Luang Prabang past teak plantations, forest, and small villages nestled between karst limestone outcrops. End at the gentile riverside resort at Pak Ou by the confluence of the Ou and the Mekong Rivers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Vico Resort
Cycling Distance: 110 km, good or very good surfaced road; brief climbs and descents

This morning after breakfast, grab your bike and ride 11 km along a smooth dirt river road along the Mekong to visit the Buddha Caves here. These caves have been home to many thousands of Buddha images placed here by local people since 16th century. Walk through the caves and then continue your 32 km ride into Luang Prabang.

On arrival in Luang Prabang, check into your hotel and grab lunch. Then embark on a tour around Luang Prabang city and you will understand why it deserves the World Heritage title! Visit Wat Visoun, Wat Phu Sii, Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong. This town is wonderful for walking, and today’s excursion will help to give you your bearings! Spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing on your own. You can find dinner at any number of clean & delicious international restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ancient Luang Prabang
Cycling Distance: 43, some smooth dirt and very good paved surface

This morning after breakfast, visit the National Museum, once a king’s palace where displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Then relax at your leisure until time to transfer to the airport for your flight onward. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accom: none

Total Distance Bicycling:  643 km

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