Day 1 – Ha Noi Challenging to Nghia Lo ( Yen bai ) (L/D)
Pick up at your hotel in Ha Noi at 7:30 you will be met up with our team at your hotel in Hanoi. Depart for Yen Bai. Stops will be made en route for you to cycle. Our 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, Hmong, La Ha, and Ma peoples. Stay in Nghia Lo hotel.
Total Distance: 180 Km
Biking Distance: 100 Km ( 20 km road flat, 80 km mountain 4 to 10 % )
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Nghia Lo
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 2 : Nghia Lo Challenging to Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen (B/L/D)
Breakfast, Today we will tough cycle out of Nghia Lo passing large white limestone mountains as we explore the “Real Vietnam”. Following the rolling road, to end the day in Tu Le. 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 the valley to end the day at Than Uyen.
Total Distance: 160 Km
Biking Distance: 100 Km ( 10 km road flat, 90 km mountain 5 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Than Uyen
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 3: Than Uyen Tough to Sapa (B/L/D)
From Than Uyen we begin with a gentle 30km ascent to ride along with the Hoang Lien Son mountain range through magnificent landscape. Then, from Binh Lu Junction there is another hard ascent of 30 km 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.
Total Distance: 75 Km
Biking Distance: 75 Km ( mountain tough 6 to 13 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 4: Sapa Loop ( B / L / )
After breakfast and this morning, we ride to get those legs moving. We cycle from the hotel for 4 km on a tarmac road and branch off at Lao Chai junction to cycle downhill on a jeep track to a Black Hmong village. We ride 2 km of single track past rice paddies. When we reach Ta Van village, home to the Red Dzao people, we can stroll around the village and learn about their unique culture and building style before having lunch. We continue our cycle journey to Thanh Kim village, riding on gentle hills and a tarmac road. The village is situated in a high mountain area, and from the Thanh Kim, we have panoramic views of the Ban Ho valley. Depending on time and energy levels, we can ride back up to Sapa or transfer back, Explore dinner on your own.
Biking Distance: 25 Km ( mountain tough 4 to 13 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 5: Sapa – Tran Ton Pass – Tam Duong – Lai Chau
We ride out of Sapa and complete the 15-km road climb up to Tram Ton Pass – the highest road pass in Vietnam at 2,000 m. We then have a superb 25-km descent into a beautiful valley. The countryside is truly wonderful as we pass tea plantations, and all inhabitants are from minority tribes. The weather always seems to get clearer this side of the mountains, and if we look back, we should get views of Fansipan (3,143 m), the highest mountain in Indochina. At the small town of Tam Duong, we have lunch and then turn left off the main road to cycle 28 km on a lovely country lane through the remote villages of Ban Hon and Ban Giang. We have now left any sign of other western tourists and are in a land of rice paddies, small coffee plantations, and sharp limestone cliffs. We finish in the new city of Lai Chau.
Biking Distance: 75 Km ( mountain tough 4 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Lai Chau
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 6: Lai Chau – Muong Lay
We start the day with an easy pedal from the sleepy town of Lai Chau, but things pick up after 10 km, where there is a climb, but soon there will be a long, sweeping downhill. The first half of the road is amid mountains and rice terraces; the second one is along the Nam Na River with towering mountains on both sides of the road. The afternoon ride to Muong Lay is overall flat with a few slight dips and rises to keep things interesting, The town is at the confluence of the Nam Na River, the Nam Lay River, and the Da River.
Biking Distance: 110 Km ( mountain tough 4 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Muong Lay
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 7: Muong Lay – Dien Bien Phu
Another hilly day, but we start nice and easy following a river for 15 km before starting our first climb of the day. Over a further 19 km, we reach a pass at 860 m. At the top, we take a break at a well-located tea shop for refreshments. The average gradient of the pass is relatively easy, averaging around 6-8%. Dropping down to a plateau around 400 m, we stop regularly at some of the last hill tribe villages and have lunch in a local restaurant, where our guide can introduce you to the local customs. There is another short final climb up to a 650-m pass before we prepare a broad smile to greet the kids as we cycle through paddy fields on the final flat stretch into the historic town of Dien Bien Phu.
Biking Distance: 105 Km ( mountain tough 4 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 8: Dien Bien Phu Loop
We explore war history in Dien Bien Phu. Our first stop will be the excellent new war museum, which offers good insight into the climactic battle in 1954 when the Viet Minh communist revolutionary forces defeated the French Union forces in Dien Bien Phu, leading to Vietnam gaining its independence from colonial rule. Other stops on the bikes will include de Castries’ bunker and Glory Statue before we stop for lunch. We then head out of town and cycle towards Muong Phang Commune to visit the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters. Shortly into our ride, the climbing begins, which lasts for about 15 km, but there is a transfer option. Then, our route takes us among forests and a large reservoir, which provides water to two hydroelectric projects. We cycle back down to Dien Bien Phu, and you are free to explore the city. Dinner is on your tonight giving you the chance to venture out and try new food and local drinks!
Biking Distance: 55 Km ( mountain tough 3 to 8 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 9: Dien Bien Phu – Border – Muang Khua
Early breakfast and transfer to Tay Trang border. We say goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Laos. We start the day with a 20-km transfer to a quiet border crossing where it takes between 1-2 hrs to complete immigration formalities. We swap crews, pick up new hire bikes and begin the journey to the riverside town of Muang Khua. The ride is beautiful as we descend at first on a recently built but very quiet road, cycling through remote villages mainly comprised of Red or Black Thai ethnic tribes. After lunch, there is a short climb for 10 km, before dropping down to Tat Muang Khua (390 m) a small sleepy market town built on a steep hillside at the confluence of two rivers, offering plenty of great views.
Biking Distance: 69 Km ( mountain tough 2 to 7 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Khua
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 10: Muang Khua – Muang Ngoy
No journey through the emerald lands of Laos is complete without a traditional long boat journey. Today, we kick back and relax as we have a day off the bikes and voyage to one of Laos prettiest riverside villages, Muang Ngoy. Inaccessible by road, our 4-hour boat trip provides a unique experience to watch the daily life on the river as we greet fishermen, traders, and cheeky children along the way. After 2.5 hrs, we stop off at a local village and go for a short 2-km hike to another riverside village that is a center for local handicrafts and excellent for souvenirs. Lunch by the water and then rejoin our boats for the final cruise to Muang Ngoy. Surrounded by jungle, sheer limestone cliffs carpeted in vegetation, and looking down onto the river, this is an excellent spot to chill out. It has only recently been hooked up to electricity and some small restaurants and bars have opened, the first real coffee machine only just arrived! On arrival, we check into a small bungalow complex where the rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Hike to nearby ethnic Lao villages, explore caves where locals lived during the “secret war”, or just relax on the river. We meet up for a riverside dinner.
Biking Distance : 0 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Ngoy
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 11: Muang Ngoy – Nong Khiaw
After a short 15 min boat transfer to the western side of the river, we re-join our bikes and ride down to Nong Khiaw, primarily on dirt tracks. This section will have no support vehicle. We cycle through some ethnic Hmong villages, giving you plenty to see along the way. This undulating route will be jeep-width initially but narrow to single track in sections. It is not very technical, but a fast-flowing hard pack with some shallow stream crossings, and should be well within the capabilities of anyone on this trip. The last 6 km are on the tarmac into the tourist town of Nong Kiau, where we have lunch and check into our comfortable and charming guesthouse that overlooks the Nam Ou River. Anyone who wishes to jump on the boat instead of cycling is welcome to do so, it will be bringing the luggage down anyway. In the afternoon, there is a chance to cycle to the fascinating limestone caves where villages sheltered from the US carpet bombings in the “secret war
Biking Distance: 24 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 12: Nong Kiau – Luang Prabang
The last long ride of the bike tour! Cycling a relatively quiet undulating road, we head west along the Nam Ou River, which makes for a very scenic ride. The road undulates the whole way with some short climbs that never ascend more than 50 m at a time. It makes for a fast-paced, and although it is a reasonable distance, it is satisfying to cycle into the beautiful and historic town of Luang Prabang to end our epic journey. Situated on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is well-known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. Once we reach this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, we head to our hotel . Expplore dinner by your own .
Biking Distance: 120 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation : Hotel in Luang Prabang
Transportation: Support Bus and Truck
Day 13 : Luang Prabang – KuangSi Waterfall
Luang Prabang is known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Witness the morning ritual by hundreds of monks from the various monasteries as they walk through the streets collecting alms.
After breakfast, we cycle to Kuangsi waterfall, on the way visit villages, see the local people work in the rice fields and local activities. After 30 km riding enjoy swimming at the waterfall then we have lunch at the local restaurant. Optional driving or cycling back to town. Expplore dinner by your own .
Luangprabang is the oldest city in Laos, and before the 16th century it was the capital city of the land of million elephants (Laos). The town is a beautifully preserved and in 1995 it was added to UNESCO`s World heritage list.
Summary:
Activity: Cycling to Kuangsi waterfall
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals B/L/
Cycling distance: 65 Km
Day 14: Luang Prabang take slow boat to Pak Peng
Breakfast and today we will take a boat trip to Pak Peng, Upstream Mekong river to Pak Peng. we’ll get a glimpse of real rural life in Asia. We’ll have a picnic lunch before heading to Pakbeng along the Mekong River.Check in Hotel and take a short walk in small town before dinner at the local restaurant beside the beautifull Mekong river.
Summary
Activities:Boat trip
Accommodations: Local guest house
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: None
Day 15 : Pak Peng - Huai Xai
Today we get a chance to relax and recover from our long ride the day before. We will board another slow boat and cruise upstream along the Mekong River from Pakbeng to Huai Xai, stopping to visit riverside villages along the way. The Mekong is the biggest river in Laos and there is a great deal of life that occurs along the river. If we're lucky we'll see elephants bathing along the riverbank, as well as fishermen casting lines wrapped around water bottles. Women and children can be seen washing clothes and playing in the water. Late afternoon we'll arrive in Huai Xai and check in to our hotel for our last night in Laos.
Summary:
Activities:Boat Trip
Accommodations:Guest House
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: None
Day 16 : Huay Xai - Cross border to Chiang Khong
After breakfast we'll cross the border into Thailand via a bridge. We'll say goodbye to our Laotian guide and hello to our Thai guide and driver. We'll get equipped with a new set of bicycles and set off riding along the Mekong River and through the tropical Thai countryside. We finish with a long climb to our lodge in the middle of a Hmong village with spectacular views of the pristine valley. After we get settled, we’ll have tea with the shaman and learn some Hmong customs. There is free time in the evening to relax or wander through the village experiencing the local daily life of villagers in this community; children playing soccer and their parents physically working off of the land. Our first Thai dinner will be served on the deck of our lodge. Cycling 53 km / 33 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals:B/l/D
Cycling distance:53 km
Day 17 : Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai
We start today with a short transfer by vehicle to Chiang Saen, located in the south of the Golden Triangle. We'll stop at one of the ancient temples here for a quick look before getting back on our bikes for the day. The terrain today is a mixture of dirt and paved undulating roads with some flat sections. We'll cycle past plantations of rubber, terraced rice paddies where water buffalo plow through the fields with sowing seeds into the earth. We'll get to our hotel in Chiang Rai mid afternoon and highly suggested this evening is taking a tuktuk to the Night Market and pampering yourself with a wonderful Thai massage. Overnight in Chiang Rai. Cycling 70 km / 40 mi (B,L,D)
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:70 Km
Day 18 : Chiang Rai - Mae Salak
We start with a big breakfast this morning, refueling for today's ride. We leave the provincial capital of Chiang Rai and follow the Mae Kok River through remote countryside. After stopping at a hot spring, we ride off-road jeep tracks along the river through small villages and a wide variety of crops. We'll make a stop at Wat Run Khun, Thailand's white temple, which is likely the most unique temple in the country. We continue by bike and end at Mae Salak, a small town with a traditional resort by a river. The rooms have a splendid view of the river and the lodge is situated next to a Lahu village. Here the local children will perform traditional music and dance. Cycling 70 km / 40 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from hotel - Hotel
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:70 Km
Day 19 : Mae Salak - Chai Prakan
Today’s ride is flat compared to the previous day and we will complete the distance fairly quickly. After an early breakfast we ride on back roads through small villages before arriving in Fang to stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue riding, catching sights of farmers working their fields and orchards. We overnight in a comfortable Thai-style inn. 91 km / 57 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from hotel - Hotel
Accommodations:Angkhang nature Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:91 Km
Day 20 : Chai Prakan - Chiang Dao
Today’s ride is a real treat for mountain bikers as we tackle some outstanding mountain trails cut by local hill tribes. From the trailhead, we ride dirt roads through rice fields and soaring limestone cliffs. Along the way we will meet Akha, Lisu, Lau, and Palaung people. The colourful Palaung are recent migrants and we will see their women adorned with heavy brass waistbands working the fields. After lunch at a Forestry Camp we continue our ride to the Chiang Dao caves and temple retreat. Cycling 75 km / 47 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:75 Km
Day 21: Chiang Dao - Chiang Mai
Today we cycle away from our resort on an elephant trail through the forest. We will then travel along nice country roads to our scenic lunch spot at a refreshing waterfall. Next we enjoy some great singletrack riding through a scenic teak forest. When we come out of the reservoir again, we’ll hop on a boat for an afternoon cruise. From here, it’s a short transfer to Chiang Mai where we have earned a well deserved rest. Cycling 40 km / 25 mi
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from Hotel - Hotel
Accommodations: Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:40 Km
Day 22 : Chiang Mai - Departure
After breakfast you will be transferred to Chiang Mai International Airport to catch your flight home.
Summary:
Activities:Transferring to Airport
Accommodations:Onward
Meals:B
Cycling distance:No
Please consider the environment before printing
Join in group tour departure date on 12th September , 12th November , 12th February
Group size: 2 to 16 cyclists
Tour Inclusive :
* Support transport by A/C minivan or bus, truck for group
* Trek MTB & helmets, spare parts, aid kits, tool kits
* Entrance fees, permission for a border tour
* Boat trip along Mekong river.
* B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner as mentioned in the tour itinerary
* For daily cycling only: Water, snacks, fresh fruits, wet towels
*Accommodation in tour - 21 nights
* Experienced English-speaking bike guides
Tour Exclusive :
* Travel insurance
* Other personal expenses
* Tips for guides and drivers
* Drinks at restaurants
* Accommodation in Hanoi
* Flight tickets
