Day 1 Arrive Bangkok On Day 1 people will be arriving throughout the day so the day is free to explore the sights of this vibrant city. We'll meet in the evening for a trip meeting and head out for our first dinner together
Day 2 Bangkok (30 km) In the morning we take to the streets of Bangkok for a fantastic ride through the backstreets of Bangkok. These are places that few people ever visit and you will see a unique side of the 'big' city as we weave our way through tiny laneways and streets. In the evening we board the train to Chiang Mai.
Day 3 Chiang Khong After stopping at a guesthouse in Chiang Mai for showers we will transfer by private minivan to Chiang Khong and spend the evening in a guesthouse with a beautiful view over the Mekong River and Laos.
Day 4 Mekong River/Pakbeng After crossing the border in the morning comes the non-cycling highlight of the trip as you spend two days cruising down the Mekong River on a converted cargo boat. The perfect introduction to Laos, you'll quickly get a feel for the slower pace of life here in Laos. We overnight in the small town of Pak Beng.
Day 5 Luang Prabang Back on the boat we will stop at the Buddhist caves at Pak Ou where thousands of buddha images deposited over the centuries stare out over the Mekong. It has been said that Luang Prabang, which we arrive at in the late afternoon, is the most beautiful town in South East Asia. With a combination of historic temples, French colonial architecture and its setting by the Mekong surrounded by mountains you won't want to leave.
Day 6 Luang Prabang (70 km) On our first full day in Luang Prabang we hit the bikes for a ride to the stunning Kuang Sii Waterfall. The ride is along a mostly dirt road alongside the Mekong River passing through small villages, rice fields and forest. At the waterfall enjoy a swim and picnic lunch before riding back to Luang Prabang.
Day 7 Luang Prabang Enjoy a free day in Luang Prabang to explore the temples, learn Lao cooking, shop, explore the surrounding handicraft villages, ride an elephant, relax in a café - there is so much to do!
Day 8 Luang Prabang to Kiew Ka Cham (78 km) Cycling out of Luang Prabang we are faced with what is without doubt the most difficult day of cycling but also one of the most rewarding with two huge uphill climbs. We pass through lush forest and many small H'Mong villages that sit dwarfed by the amazing landscape of limestone mountains that surround them. We stay the night in Kiew Ka Cham, a small village on top on the mountains. Few people stop here overnight so the accommodation is very simple. It is a special experience to stay in such a place.
Day 9 Kiew Ka Cham to Kasi (95 km) You will be high in the mountains for the first half of the day following a ridgeline up and down with peaks all around. In the afternoon it is time to relax a bit as the road is largely downhill along a valley to our overnight stop of Kasi.
Day 10 Kasi to Vang Vieng (58 km) The ride to Vang Vieng is a relatively easy day travelling through the verdant green of rice fields. Vang Vieng is set in a prime location. Surrounded by limestone peaks, caves and rivers this town see its fair share of travellers but for good reason.
Day 11 Vang Vieng We enjoy a rest day in Vang Vieng where you can take your pick from caving, tubing, cycling, or for the tired and weary a massage and Beer Lao.
Day 12 Vang Vieng to Nam Ngum (107 km) Into the flatter land now we ride away from the mountains towards Nam Ngum Dam, 107km from Vang Vieng. Later in the day we leave Route 13, the road we have been on since Luang Prabang, to an even quieter road that leads us down to our guesthouse which has a beautiful view over Nam Ngum Lake.
Day 13 Nam Ngum to Vientiane (92 km) Our final day on the bikes takes us 92km along flat roads to the finish of the tour in Laos' capital Vientiane. The roads will become busier as the day goes on but Vientiane is nothing like other capital cities of Asia. Feeling more like a large town, Vientiane is a sleepy city with wide streets perfect for cycling.
Day 14 Depart Vientiane Depart Vientiane at any time on day 14.
