Cycling in Laos

Following our bike fitting, we’ll begin our exploration of Chiang Mai by cycling through the city. The morning will be spent visiting the old town, the Vieng Kum Kam temple, and several other cultural landmarks. After a break for lunch, we’ll head to Doi Suthep, a revered hilltop temple and the most significant Buddhist site in the area. On clear days, the temple offers stunning panoramic views of Chiang Mai and its temples. We may also have the opportunity to listen to monks chanting before heading back to the city, where we can enjoy a traditional northern Thai dinner.

We depart from our hotel early in the morning, taking a bus to Chiang Rai Province, Thailand's northernmost region (a journey of about 2.5 hours). Our first stop is the famous Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. From there, we continue our adventure by cycling to Mae Sai. Our journey (a combination of cycling and a 1-hour transfer) takes us into the heart of the Golden Triangle, a unique area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge, offering a fascinating blend of cultures and scenic landscapes.

Our day begins with a short 30-minute transfer to the Opium Museum, where we’ll learn about the history of opium, from its natural characteristics to its illegal applications, as well as the role it played in the Opium Wars that contributed to the fall of the Manchu Dynasty. The Golden Triangle was once one of the largest opium-producing regions until Afghanistan took the lead globally. After the museum visit, we’ll cycle from Chiang Saen along a peaceful route towards Chiang Khong, which lies on the border with Laos. Today's ride is mostly on flat terrain with a few gentle hills, passing through fields of tobacco and corn.

This morning, we cross the border into Laos and travel to the village of Ban Nam Chi (a journey of approximately 2.5 hours), where we’ll begin our cycling adventure. Our route takes us along peaceful, jungle-lined roads, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We'll pause for lunch in Vieng Phuou Ka before concluding our ride at our guesthouse in Luang Nam Tha. This region is home to 39 distinct ethnic tribal groups, with the Nam Tha River winding through the area, flanked by tribal villages on one side and the dense jungle of a national protected area on the other. In the evening, you can explore the nearby night market, where you can sample local delicacies such as bamboo shoots, green papaya salad, or slow-cooked Laotian pork belly.

We begin the day cycling from Luang Nam Tha towards Udomxai, a town made up of numerous small villages and home to a diverse range of ethnic groups including the Hmong, Tai Dam, Akha, Tai Lue, and Yao. Today's ride will take us through scenic rice fields and gentle valleys, with a few uphill sections, before we transfer to the town. Upon arrival in Udomxai, your guide will lead a walk through the town center, including a visit to Xaymoungkhoun temple. Here, you can view a 600-year-old Buddhist stupa and take in panoramic views of the town from this vantage point.

Today, we set off directly from the hotel, cycling towards Pak Beng. This region serves as a key crossroads between China and Vietnam, creating a distinctive multicultural vibe. Nestled in the Nam Ko River basin and encircled by picturesque mountains, the area is well-known for its Chinese goods. After a late lunch stop, we’ll continue cycling for an additional 20 km before boarding a minivan for a one-hour transfer to Pak Beng, where we’ll spend the night along the banks of the Mekong River.

Today, we make our way to the Luang Prabang region by boat, cruising along the Mekong River. Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, this mighty river flows through seven countries before reaching the sea in southern Vietnam. Our slow journey offers the perfect opportunity to take in the serene riverside communities and admire the mist-shrouded mountains rising around us. Along the way, we’ll stop to explore the renowned Pak Ou Caves, carved into the limestone cliffs. These caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues, left by local villagers as offerings of devotion. After visiting the caves, we’ll transfer by road (approximately 30 minutes) to our hotel in Luang Prabang, where we will stay for the next two nights.

Around 25 km from Luang Prabang lie the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. We will cycle from our hotel, passing through picturesque rice fields and Lao Lum villages on the way. Upon reaching the waterfalls, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and may even take a refreshing swim before biking back to Luang Prabang. The remainder of the day is free for personal exploration, shopping, or perhaps joining an optional town orientation bike ride (entrance fees not included). In the evening, you can visit the night market, offering beautiful traditional Lao and hilltribe textiles. For early risers, there’s the opportunity to witness the serene morning alms-giving ceremony, where saffron-robed monks receive offerings from locals.

This morning, we drive for about 2.5 hours from Vang Vieng to Pakkayong village, where we’ll begin our cycling journey. As we ride, we’ll pass through rubber plantations, quaint villages, and follow the Nam Ngum River. We’ll stop for lunch en route until we arrive at Ban Don Noun village. From there, we’ll board a bus for a 45-minute to 1-hour transfer to Vientiane, Laos' tranquil capital. In the evening, it’s ideal to relax with a refreshing drink and enjoy the sunset over the Mekong River.

This morning is yours to enjoy, whether you want to shop or explore Vientiane. In the early afternoon, we’ll begin our cycling journey from the hotel, crossing the border from Laos to Thailand. After completing the border procedures and bidding farewell to Laos, we’ll continue cycling (now on the left side of the road in Thailand) to Nong Khai railway station. Here, we’ll part ways with our Lao guide, and the group will be transferred to a nearby hotel for a few hours of relaxation before heading back to the station for our overnight train ride to Bangkok. Overnight on the train.

Upon arriving in Bangkok, we’ll transfer to our hotel. Later in the morning, we’ll take a brief walk to the Chao Praya River and board a long-tail boat for a tour of the city’s canals. Bangkok, once dubbed the Venice of the East, boasts a complex network of waterways. As we cruise, we’ll catch a glimpse of local life, observing vendors selling their goods by the river. We’ll visit the Royal Palace complex, the current residence of the Thai Royal family, and see Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most revered icons. Another highlight is Wat Pho, Bangkok’s largest temple, featuring a magnificent 46-meter-long, 15-meter-high gold-plated reclining Buddha. After our sightseeing, we’ll return to the hotel by ferry. The rest of the day is free for you to explore more of this vibrant city, with an optional final group dinner in the evening.

For clients booking land-only packages, the tour concludes this morning in Bangkok after breakfast.