Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrive Hanoi's - Noi Bai Airport. After clearing immigration and customs meet driver and escort for transfer into Hanoi, the cultural and political capital of Vietnam that has slumbered largely unchanged for decades. After transfer to hotel for check in and free to explore Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour ( B , L )

Rise at dawn to witness traditional exercise rituals on Hoan Kiem Lake and explore the busy morning market in the nearby Old Quarter before returning to hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, visit to the Soviet-era Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where "Bac Ho" lies in state, followed by the Temple of Literature, Hanoi's premier university for hundreds of years. Afterwards, lunch in the lake area at 5th-generation Cha Ca Va Long , dining on cha ca, a famous northern dish of fried fish, while enjoying a "survival Vietnamese" lesson with your guide. After, begin touring of the bustling Old Quarter by cyclo (pedicab) and foot, pausing to visit with local family in their "tube" home who will play various traditional instruments, including the enchanting single-stringed Dan Bau. After, enjoying bia hoi, or happy hour, on the streets joining and meeting Hanoians leaving from work. Dinner recommendations and transport provided to one of Hanoi's many fine restaurants. Afterwards, taking in karaoke, wildly popular in Vietnam.

Bia Hoi, or happy hour, is a post-work custom unique to Hanoi, with draft beer and snacks served up in street cafes. Other culinary treats? The best pho in the country is from Hanoi, don't miss a piping hot bowl.

Day 3 : Hanoi Cycling Around ( B , L )

After breakfast, transfer outside Hanoi with our bikes for a leisurely spin, testing our bikes along the rural dykes and the Red River, through farms, villages and pausing to explore ancient temples. Here few travelers venture and aside from mobile phones and scooters, we'll witness life as it has been in Vietnam for hundreds of years. After biking, we'll visit contemporary artist Dao Anh Khanh's sprawling compound along the river for a private BBQ lunch with the artist and exploring his property where many of his larger works are displayed. Afterwards, return to Hanoi for lunch with the afternoon visit to Other highlights of the city including historical city sights such Hoa Lò Prison (also known as the "Hanoi Hilton" where John McCain was imprisoned for five years during the war), pausing to visit Hanoi's newest trend — hip cafes opened up by younger entrepreneurs with varying themes. After, dinner reservations and transport by preference.

Our biking route today is a flat, meandering one on footpaths with no vehicles covering from 10 to 22 miles with van support.

Day 4 : Hanoi Cycling to Mai Chau ( B , L , D )

Cycling to Mai Chau in the morning, an early departure (6:30 AM) for Mai Chau, a picturesque river valley region populated with a diversity of hilltribes near the border of Laos. After a 1.5 hour drive, arrive at our starting point and begin biking the picturesque, rolling hills towards Mai Chau until lunch. Although most hilltribes now wear Western dress, we'll begin to spy ethnic White Thai, distantly related to tribes in Thailand, Laos and China. After lunch, continued cycling over steadily longer hills until the final pass near Mai Chau, descending into the beautiful valley fed by the Ma River. After arrival, if the weather is warm, we can cool off in the pool before walking through the sprawling rice fields to a nearby hilltribe village where we'll enjoy a traditional dance performance and dinner. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Our last night of comfort before the moving on into the hinterland of Laos.

Cycling mileage today is about 45 miles.

Day 5 : Mai Chau Transfer Na Meo border to Vieng Xai ( Laos ) ( B , L , D )

This morning, we make a run for the border by bus along mountainous National Highway 15 through Pu Luong and Pu Ha Nature preserves and several developing border towns to beat the 11:00AM border closing time (about 70 miles). After arrival at the border, enjoy a picnic lunch a slow bureaucratic process to cancel our Vietnam visas and obtain our news ones for Laos. After crossing into Laos, and meeting up with our new crew, begin riding on national route 217 , cycling uphill and then over rolling hills towards Vieng Xai on paved roads along the river, passing hilltribe and local villages in the area, including Thai Dam, Thai Dang, Meuy, and Kmu. Pausing for snacks en route, including a delicious lao jerky.

In the late afternoon, arrive in sleepy Vieng Xai. After arrival, a quick freshening up before driving outside of the town to explore a nearby network of caves inhabited by the Pathet Lao during the Vietnam War. The caves, both natural and artificial, were extensively developed and used by Pathet Lao in Vieng Xai during the war, including Khayson Cave, the office and residence of the Pathet Lao chief during the war period, and Souphanouvong Cave, also called Red Prince Cave, the residence of royal Prince Souphanouvong at one time. Then, onto Nouhak Cave, named for Nouhak Phoumsavang, who served as Lao PDR president from 1992. Dinner at the only restaurant in town serving up delicious local dishes. Tonight we're roughing it, staying at the most basic hotel of the tour with bare rooms, simply showers and mosquito nets.

Note:  Laos visa need before arrival

53 km (31 miles) Laos border to Vieng Xai,Guesthouse

Day 6 : Vieng Xai to Vieng Thong ( B , L , D )

Our longest cycling day, today after a sunrise breakfast, departing early for an epic day's century ride to Vieng Thong over the mammoth "Laotian Alps," cycling the quiet and winding route past a smattering of villages over two 5,000 foot passes. From Vieng Xai, on National Highway 6 we will ride about 65 miles to Nam Noen (with about 4,500 feet of climbing, nearing an altitude of 5,400 feet). Time permitting en route, pausing to explore Hing Tang (Suan Hin), a man-made formation of vertical stones that may be related to those on the Plain of Jars. At Nam Noen, we'll turn northwest (right) on route 1 towards Vien Thong, a hilly 36 miles way that we'll shuttle in by van rather than bike. After arrival in Vien Thong, freshen up before walking to nearby hot springs to douse worn legs before exploring the small town set on the Nam Khan River and largely inhabited by a collection of hill tribes particularly Hmong and "lowland" Lao. Dinner at the small town's only restaurant and overnight at simple guesthouse.

161 km (100 miles) 10,627 feet elevation gain. Weather will be cooler here than in Vietnam, especially at altitude in the last morning. stay in local Guesthouse

Day 7 : Vien Thong to Nong Khiaw ( B , L , D )

Another long travel day over the "Laotian Alps," rising early from the noise at sunrise from the hilltribe market directly in front of our hotel. After browsing the market, we'll begin biking after breakfast. Today we ride National route No 1c between Vieng Thong and Nong Khiaw passing through the beautiful jungle and forest scenery of two National Park with lush green mountains over three passes. After departing Vien Thong, cycling on flats until reaching our first challenge, a 2,400 foot climb, before descending to a winding river valley road for about 12 miles until we reach our next climb of about 2,100 feet, plummeting down to Vieng Kham at mile 86 (at 1,200 feet elevation) where we'll enjoy lunch along the scenic river. Afterwards, shuttling by van over a third climb of 900 feet (or cycling if you prefer), the rest of the day is over the undulating hills on a paved, good-condition side road heading northwest to Nong Khiaw, a picturesque northern outpost being discovered by backpackers. In Nong Khiaw, we'll enjoy drinks along the pleasant Nam Ou River directly in front of our bungalows. Now this is Laos! Afterwards, venturing into town to eat at one of the restaurants along the river. After dinner, a massage in town can be arranged.

184 km (115 miles),Sray in Guesthouse

Day 8 : Nong Khiaw excursion around Muang Ngoi ( B , L , D )

After a leisurely breakfast, one-hour cruise by longtail boat to Muang Ngoi, base for hiking to remote villages in the area. Muang Ngoi was controlled by the communist before 1975 and the province was under control of Pathet Lao. During Vietnam War, people in this area hid in the caves in the day times and worked at night because of continuous bombing ( land mines remain in the area). Today, trekking to Tham Kang through stunning scenery, where, according to local legend, a sacred Naga resides. Also visiting in the villages of Ban Na and Thai Daeng before returning back to Nong Khiaw by boat in the afternoon for dinner and accommodation, and perhaps another leg massage before tomorrow's ride.

Day 9 : Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang ( B , L , D )

Today we'll ride the initial, quiet and scenic section out of Luang Prabang which after 18 miles, joins a larger road with traffic coming in from China. Mostly flat with short rollers. After riding until lunch (at 54 miles), boarding a longtail boat for the remaining distance to Luang Prabang, once we reach the Mekong River making a slight upstream detour to visit the renowned Pak Ou caves. Located beside the river, the cave is filled with Buddha images and is a sacred place of worship for locals.,,After the caves, continued cruising downstream to Luang Prabang. In the late afternoon we arrive Luang Prabang, one of Asia's gems and a UNESCO World Heritage. It is pleasantly located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers and encircled by distance jagged peaks. In recent years it has been a popular, but not spoiled tourist destination, but it will be a bit of a shock to see so many tourists for the first time since Hanoi. In the evening a private baci ceremony, a traditional lao welcoming ritual for centuries.

 90, or 139 km (54 or 85 miles). Flat initially, then longer rollers. Traffic near Luang Prabang.

Weather in Luang Prabang for December and January is dry and in the 70s to low 80s during the daytime.

Day 10 :Luang Prabang City Tour ( B )

Sleep in for a change or rise at dawn to view traditional alms procession of monks passing through town (right). Afterwards, we'll walk the small town, visiting the temples Luang Prabang in known for and meeting in one with monks to discuss their lifestyles. Also visiting other notable sites, including the colonial-era royal palace and museum. For lunch, we'll explore the central food market sampling street foods. In the afternoon, driving over to explore the local Phusi marketplace and other sites in town until late afternoon. At dusk, we'll trek to the summit of Mount Phousi for panoramic sunset. Afterwards, wandering the sprawling night market before dining on delicious lao food.

Luang Prabang's night market is one of the best in Indochina for finding unique, handmade goods and at a bargain rate. The market makes a good stop after watching sunset from Mount Phousi. How much to bargain? Typically, counter with offer that is about 1/3 or 1/2 from the price quoted. To see where the locals shop, take a tuk-tuk out to Phuosi Market, about 1 kilometer from the central area.

Day 11 :Luang Prabang Cycling to Kuang Xi Waterfalls ( B , L )

After breakfast, cycling outside of the city to the Kuang Si Waterfalls (28 kms/18 miles). After leisurely hike up to and swimming in the falls, continued biking in the scenic rural areas nearby passing through several villages and pausing to visit a local family and school as well as cottage industries until mid-afternoon. Return to Luang Prabang by van to freshen up before sunset cruise on the Mekong, enjoying drinks on board before dinner in town.

Day 12 :Luang Prabang - Departure ( B )

After breakfast we will transfer to airport for your own flight home or connecting another tour with us in Cambodia or Thailand...

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Join in group departure dates: on the 16th Monthly

Group sizes: Min from 2 to Max 16 cyclists

Tour price : Contact us

Tour Inclusive :

* Support transport by A/C minivan or bus, truck for group

* Trek MTB &  helmets, spare parts, aid kits, tool kits

* Entrance fees

* 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 - 11 nights

* Experienced English-speaking bike guides

Tour Exclusive :

* Travel insurance

* Other personal expenses

* Tips for guides and drivers

* Drinks at restaurants