The slogan of the country Laos “Simply beautiful” is justified when we look at the Buddhist culture and colonial architecture in the major cities that fascinate visitors from all over the world. This tour is for all those who like to explore the country actively by bike as we will ride long routes between the stops. Highlights of the tour are the visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site city Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars and the amazing Kuang Si Waterfalls flowing in turquoise cascade pools next to the generally picturesque landscapes around Laos.

TOUR SUMMARY

Day 1: Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane - Vang Vieng

Day 3: Vang Vieng

Day 4: Vang Vieng - Phonsavan

Day 5: Phonsavan - Plain Of Jars

Day 6: Phonsavan - Sam Neuan

Day 7: Sam Neuan - Vieng Xay

Day 8: Vieng Xay - Nong Khiaw

Day 9: Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang

Day 10: Luang Prabang

Day 11: Luang Prabang - Khuang Si Waterfalls - Luang Prabang

Day 12: Luang Prabang

DAY 1: VIENTIANE

Welcome to Laos! Upon your arrival at the international airport, you will be welcomed and greeted by your private driver and you are escorted to your hotel in Vientiane. Today we will make an orientation cycle tour and visit the Lao national icon, the That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s Arc de Triumph.

In the evening your guide may escort you to a local restaurant, so you may also sample at your own leisure time some delights of the Laotian cuisine and toast to a great start of what will be an unforgettable journey in Laos.

Overnight in VIENTIANE. Hotel Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 2: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG (CYCLING 80 KM)

Today we go on another orientation cycle tour which enables us to see the major ancient temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

Afterwards we head out of the city and make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir built by damming the Nam Ngum River. We stop over at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. We pass by the Nam Ngum Lake on our way to the destination for the night; Vang Vieng.

Overnight in VANG VIENG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 3: VANG VIENG (CYCLING 15 KM)

Today we are doing a kayak tour. We will cycle to Pha Tao Villages, where we first visit the Tham Sang Triangle consisting of 4 caves. Admire the stunning stalactites and stalagmites that formed over hundreds of years. After that we will kayak on the river along the Nam Song Villages. We will stop at some villages after lunch to experience the local life. In the afternoon we will visit the Organic Farm where you may taste locally produced wine, tea and see how silk is produced and used locally.

Overnight in VANG VIENG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 4: VANG VIENG - PHONSAVAN (80 KM)

Today we cycle the northern route from Vang Vieng to Phonsavan. On our way, we stop in Phou Khoun. The stunning mountain scenery makes for an interesting journey and we will see various Hmong and hill tribe minority villages along the way. After numerous photo stops, we continue driving, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we reach Phonsavanh in the late afternoon.

Overnight in PHONSAVAN. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 5: PHONSAVAN - PLAIN OF JARS (40 KM)

In the morning we ride to Muang Khun, the former capital of Xieng Khuang before its total destruction during the conflict. There are only two buildings that were spared in the town, a temple (Wat) and a hospital built by the French early last century. The ride to Muang Khun takes you through a peaceful rural setting surrounded by rolling hills, rice paddies and minority villages. We return by bus to the hotel, visiting the Plain of Jars sites 1, 2 and 3 along the way. The Plain of Jars is an area of more than 60 sites covered with huge jars made from sandstone, granite or sometimes calcified coral. The jars vary in size and some weigh as much as 13 tons. They lay in clusters but are said to be in a linear path running from south Thailand to northern India. Their exact purpose is unknown but theories range from funeral urns to food storage and legends claim that an ancient king used them to brew Laotian rice wine. It will probably remain as a myth what the true purpose was, but that is what makes it so fascinating wandering these giant stone jars.

Overnight in PHONSAVAN. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 6: PHONSAVAN - SAM NEUAN (80 KM)

Today we will cycle the whole day to Sam Neuan. We break off early this morning riding some fairly rough roads, but the journey is broken up by stops at nearby villages to have chance to admire the breathtaking scenery. We also have time to visit Hintang. Here we visit the mysterious menhirs (standing stones). Nobody knows for sure who built them or for which reason, perhaps they were burial sites or some sort of markers.

In the afternoon, we reach our destination for today; Sam Neuan. The evening is free at leisure to relax or explore further on your own.

Overnight in SAM NEUAN. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 7: SAM NEUAN - VIENG XAY

Today, after an early breakfast at the hotel, we will visit a number of local weaving villages. We continue onto the famous Vieng Xai Caves. We will cycle around to the caves and underground hideouts used as shelter by the Pathet Lao leaders during the so-called “Secret War”, the Indochina conflict.

Overnight in VIENG XAY. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 8: VIENG XAY - NONG KHIAW

Today we prepare ourselves early on the morning for our long drive from Vieng Xay to Nong Khiaw. We will have some time today to relax since we will not be on our bikes, but in a comfortable air-conditioned car/van for our transfers. Along the way we will stop for a visit at the Muang Vieng kham district and at a Hmong Village.

Overnight in NONG KHIAW . Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 9: NONG KHIAW - LUANG PRABANG (CYCLING 50 KM)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will cycle from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang.Once arrived in Luang Prabang, we will start our brief town orientation tour and also cycling to the Pak Ou Caves out of town (25 km) overlooking the Mekong River.

The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana). In the evening after the visit you are free at leisure.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG

Today we explore Luang Prabang by bike for the whole day. The city tour begins right after breakfast.

We will visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Then we enjoy a guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

After lunch, we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. In addition, we return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai and climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends at the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles produced by locals and hill tribe villagers surrounding Luang Prabang.

Note: The Royal Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG - KHUANG SI WATERFALLS (48 KM)

The early start to the day gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

We will cycle out of the town and visit the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. On the way, we visit the Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, so today we will visit the villages of Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom which are populated by Lao ethnic minority groups. We spend time at the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest paths. We will return to Luang Prabang city by late afternoon where you can visit the Night Market again to shop some souvenirs before you will leave tomorrow.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 12: LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast you are free at leisure. It is subject to your flight schedule as you might have some free time once we bring you to the airport for taking your international flight back home. Today is the last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Luang Prabang until check out time (most times at 12 pm noon).

We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take some wonderful memories of Laos with you.

When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (Day 12) is not included.

Please let us know if you wish to have post tour accommodation or any other transfers to make your holiday most enjoyable.

Any above mentioned journey times are of course approximate.

* Hotel check-out times are midday. Late check-out is not included.

* Please note that you have to be at the Airport 02 – 03 hours prior to the departure Flight.

PRIVATE TOUR

*Accommodation & Transportation is subject to availability at booking moment & Tour price is subject to seasonal fluctuations

Included:

• Accommodation in twin sharing room
• Transfer and Transportation by private A/C Van , Bus as per tour program
• Songthaew to carry the bicycles following the group
• Bicycles and helmets as per tour program
• Kayak in Vang Vieng
• Private Slow Boat trip as per tour program
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• English speaking cycling guide
• Mineral water + Serve during cycling tour

Excluded:

• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (beverages, laundry, phone calls…)
• lunch, dinner & all meals on arrival day
• International flight and airport tax
• Gratitude for guide and driver
• Any other services the is not mentioned above