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Itinerary in brief
This is an adventurous, moving on tour through the mountainous north-west provinces of Vietnam and Laos. Luggage transfer and vehicle support will be provided. The tour is suitable for fit, experienced cycling enthusiasts. Vietnam's far North West is undoubtedly the best place to cycle in the country as the roads see virtually no tourists and avoid Vietnam's notorious highways. It wasn't until the late 1990's that travel restrictions were lifted. Starting in Hanoi, we;ll pass through stunning landscapes, amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between limestone outcrops and the highest concentration of hill-tribe people in the country.  We'll cross into a remote area of Laos via the newly opened border crossing at Tay Trang.  From the small market town of Muang Khua, we'll take a slow boat down the beautiful Nam Ou river before cycling on to World Heritage Luang Prabang, with its beautiful temples and colourful night market.  Our route south to Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos, is on virtually traffic-free roads.  Great cycling and some of the friendliest people in Asia. 

The opening in 2007 of the Tay Trang border crossing between Vietnam and Laos has made this exciting tour possible. This is an adventurous, moving on tour through the mountainous north west provinces.  Vietnam's far North West is undoubtedly the best place to cycle in the country as the roads see virtually no tourists and avoid Vietnam's notorious highways. Stunning landscape, amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between limestone outcrops and the highest concentration of hill-tribe people in Asia.   We enter  Northern Laos at Tay Trang.  The trip includes a spectacular journey by boat down the Nam Ou River, a day off the bikes in World Heritage town,  Luang Prabang with its beautiful temples and colourful night market, and time to explore vibrant Hanoi and Vientiane. 

TOUR PRICES IN USD 2,668/PERSON
Set Departure Date
Start Date : 10 March 2009

Start Date : 17 October 2009

Detail Itinerary

Day1: Hanoi - Arrival
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will accompany you to your hotel will welcome you, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits  we embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2: Hanoi to Yen Bai [B, L, D]
You will have time to explore Hanoi’s old quarter today. After a leisurely morning we will transfer you to Yen Bai.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Yen Bai to Nghia Lo [B, L, D]
Our first day of cycling is a spectacular ride on back roads that take us to Nghia Lo through a terrain of tea plantations, lush forests, rice fields and gum trees. The town sits on a mountain ridge overlooking the Red and Black River and is home to the Thai, Nung, H’mong, La Ha and Ma peoples.
Accommodation: Hotel 
Cycling distance:: 74 km

Day 4: Nghia Lo to Tu Le [B, L, D]
Today we will cycle out of Nghia Lo passing large white limestone mountains as we explore the "real Vietnam".  Following rolling road, to end the day in Tu Le.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 55km

Day 5: Tu Le to Than Uyen [B, L, D]
Leaving Tu Le we travel through rugged terrain with dense vegetation and come into contact with the Black Hmong and the mysterious White Tay people, who are famed for their folk music, poems and songs. The road winds down out of the hills and we descend into valley to end  the day at Than Uyen.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 95km

Day 6: Than Uyen to Sapa [B, L, D]
From Than Uyen we begin with a gentle 20km ascent to ride along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range through magnificent landscape. Then, from Binh Lu Junction there is another hard ascent of 26km to the top of the Tram Ton Pass, on our way to Sa Pa. We stop on route to visit the “silver waterfall”, before descending into Sapa for the final 15kms.
Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance:: 95km

Day 7: Sapa [B]
Rest day. Sa Pa is an old French hill station perched in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains near the Chinese border. Its position gives it some of the best vantage points to savour the surrounding mountain peaks.
Accommodation: Hotel

Bay 8: Sapa to Lai Chau (Old Tom Duong)
Today is the highlight for many as we cycle up to the Tram Ton Pass (1,900m; 6230 Ft) the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. We then make a momentous 30 km descent. The beauty of Mt.Fan Si Pan, South East Asia’s highest peak is often hidden by a veil of moving mist and fog; hopefully we will glimpse its lofty peaks.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 68km

Day 9: Lai Chau (Old Tom Duong) to Muong Say (Old Lai Chau) [B, L, D]
We cycle out of Lai Chau today making two big climbs and then follow the Na River passing through spectacular gorges and Black Dao villages.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 66km

Day 10: Muong Say to Dien Bien Phu [B, L, D]
In 1954, the Vietnamese achieved the impossible carrying heavy artillery into the mountains to defeat the French Garrison at Dien Bien Phu.  As you ride along this route you will wonder at how this was ever achieved. The surrender at Dien Bien Phu marked the end of French Indochina. It is not widely known that the US had developed a plan to aid the French by using tactical nuclear weapons at Dien Bien Phu.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 64km

Day 11: Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua [B, L, D]
Today is a longer day’s cycling. Leaving Dien Bien Phu behind, we cross into Northeast Laos at Tay Tran. This area of Laos is the  least populated part of the country. From here we travel  on to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance: 103km

Day 12: Muang Khua to Pak Mong [B, L, D]
This morning the bikes will be transferred to Nong Khaiaw whilst we take a glorious boat trip along the Nam Ou river, enjoying breathtaking scenery as we journey past mountains and caves. From Nong Khaiaw we will ride the final 30kn into Pak Mong.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance:: 30km

Day 13: Pak Mong to Luang Prabang [B, L, D]
Today is the longest and the most rewarding day of cycling, we will be treated to our first glimpse of karst rock formations rising boldly out of the landscape. We will be riding on good, mainly flat roads. After 85km there is an option to take a boat into Luang Prabang, stopping to visit the holy caves of Pak Ou.
Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance: 112 km  or 85 km

Day 14: Luang Prabang  [B, L, D]
Rest day in beautiful Luang Prabang, encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan River. You are free today to explore this delightful World Heritage town with 32 historic temples, ancient monasteries, the magnificent Royal Palace Museum and its French Colonial architecture. This is a place to chill out, enjoy the food, the peaceful surroundings and the people.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 15: Luang Prabang  to Ku Kajam [B, L, D]
The big one, the ultimate challenge of the trip! After a pleasant and fairly easy 20 km we start on the first of two long climbs (support vehicle on hand). A 16 km climb passing spectacular scenery of limestone peaks, some of which are the highest in South East Asia. Followed by a descent of 15 km, then another monster 22 km climb before reaching our guest house at Kiu Kachan.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance: 81 km or 44 km

Day 16: Ku Kajam to Kasi [B, L, D]
A challenging morning covering 50 km on a roller coaster road before we stop and have lunch at Nung Phu Khun. This is followed by 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.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance: 95 km or 64 km 

Day 17: Kasi to Vang Vieng [B, L, D]
Today is an easier day covering 60 km of gentle rolling hills to Vang Vieng. Not long before we reach Vang Vieng there is the option to get off the bikes and kyak down the Nam Song river into the town. Vang Vieng has recently become a destination for backpackers and is therefore a comfortable place with nice restaurants and guesthouses. Once we get there we can spoil ourselves with some well deserved fruit milkshakes and pancakes, have a Beer Lao and relax and enjoy watching the sun setting over the river behind the stunning limestone pinnacles.
Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 60 km.

Day 18: Vang Vieng to Na Nam [B, L, D]
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, climaxing in a steep 2 km climb before reaching our guesthouse at Na Nam.
Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance 107 km or 85 km

Day 19: Na Nam to Vientiane [B, L, D]
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 until now have been relatively traffic free throughout our trip, start to become busier. We arrive at our guesthouse in the afternoon giving us time to pack the bikes, do any last minute shopping,
Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling Distance: 96 km or 72 km

Day20: Vientiane [B]
Vientiane at leisure. Time to explore the town, pack up the bikes or do some last minute shopping for souvenirs.
Accommodation: Hotel

Day21:  Vientiane - Departure [B]
At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.

Included
* English Speaking tour leader (other languages upon requests)
* All accommodations base on twin-share at hotel, guesthouse and Home stay.etc...
* Meals detailed in the itinerary (B = Breakfast , L = Lunches ,D = Dinners)
* A/C transfers and transportation.
* Boat trip mention in itinerary
* Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike or Trek bike. etc...)
* Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary
* Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
* Spare bike
* Cold water box, small fresh towel.
* Mineral water drinking.
* Seasonal fruits.
* Snacks

Excluded:
* International airfares
* Travel insurance and bike helmet (compulsory)
* Items of a personal nature
* Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
* Mineral water beyond that supplied
* Optional excursions
* Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
* Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
* Visa fees
* Departure taxes
* Tipping for guiding 
 

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