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Bike Tour Laos – Lao Lao

Home > Laos

Bike Tour Laos - Lao Lao

Classic Tour

Price from

2190 USD

Duration

8 Days | 7 Nights

Level

2

Tour Code

GHLL20

VIEW TOUR DATES

An Unforgettable Bicycle Tour of Laos

Cycling tour of the Land of a Million Elephants, Laos. Bicycle past stunning karst mountains, alongside rivers and through remote hill-tribe villages. This is our most comprehensive bike tour of Laos and an incredible way to discover the charm and beauty of this hidden gem with great cycling and beautiful sights.

EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with private, family, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers

Quality Bikes
Cannondale CX3

Your Guide
Friendly Laos team

Group Size
6 to 14

Accommodation
Comfortable hotels & resorts

Activities
Ride/Boat/Hike/Swim

Minimum Age
14+

Overview

'Lao Lao' is a rice wine distilled locally in villages and while we don't suggest you consume it while cycling, it does give a good idea of this trip: fun and tasty with the potential for a little bit of pain the next day.

This trip's cycling offers wonderful variety as we ride along the back roads and quiet highways, alongside rivers and past scenic limestone mountains. There are some short manageable climbs, but the stunning views and Hmong village scenery are ample rewards for the effort.

Most days you'll find yourself on undulating terrain, but there is a fair share of flat gentler pedaling along winding river roads and daily distances are moderate. When not exploring on the bikes we make use of boats or our own two-legs for some added variety to your adventure.

This trip offers a good mix of on and off-bike activities with a number of free afternoons to spend at your leisure, be it enjoying some well earned R&R or delving deeper into your new environment by exploring town or trying some optional suggested activities.

199 - 222 km / 123 - 138 mi riding. The terrain is a mix of sealed and unsealed roads sometimes on the main roads but generally on secondary roads. Main roads in Laos are actually like a backstreet anywhere else due to the low number of vehicles on the road which is consistent with the country's low population. There are some moderate climbs, but these are relatively short, and rolling terrain which is fun and achievable for anyone comfortable on a bike.

Highlights

  • Hike above your Muang Xai resort to visit local villages and farms before taking a refreshing swim.
  • After a boat ride to Luang Prabang, explore the sacred caves of Pak Ou.
  • Join the monks giving alms in UNESCO World Heritage Luang Prabang for an amazing cultural experience.
  • Cycle to the aquamarine waters of the Kuang Si Waterfall for a dip in this idyllic spot.

Inclusions

  • All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • 7 nights in comfortable hotels
  • Local guides and support team
  • Cannondale bikes and support vehicle
  • Healthy snacks and water during cycling
  • All activities and site entry fees
  • Memento cycling jersey
  • Tips for non-Grasshopper service staff

Day to Day


Riding:
17km
10mi
Meal:
LD

We'll pick you up and transfer you to Vientiane Railway Station to take a Hi-speed train to Muang Xai. From the station, the route takes us over dramatic mountains and should have us arriving at our secluded resort in the hills nearby this small northern city by lunchtime. After lunch, check into your room and settle into the location. It is a lovely place to adjust to the climate and slow pace of life. There’s time for a bike fitting and an afternoon of discovery of the surroundings. We will cycle through local villages and rice fields to visit a temple on top of a hill where you will be able to enjoy a beautiful view of Muang Xai. We will continue to the local market to get a glimpse of the local food before returning to the resort. Evening drinks, followed by dinner provide the opportunity for a proper briefing and a chance to meet your fellow travelers properly.

Riding:
47 - 70km
29 - 43mi
Meal:
BLD

We set out on the bikes just after breakfast and ride an unpaved road over the hills to connect with a paved road that leads down to the next river, the Nam Ou. We won’t quite reach that river, but the ride is lovely, on undulating hills following a smaller tributary. We will cross low river streams so be prepared for a little splash! At km 47, there is the option to end the cycling for the day. We take a transfer to Muanglar where we will enjoy a local lunch and then you can relax and enjoy the afternoon at the resort. There are various activities and tools for relaxation that can be booked in advance, such as massage and yoga.
If you still have the power in your legs for a bit more riding, then there is an optional 23km available with group consensus. This second part of the ride ends at a market junction where we often see hill tribe folk who have come down from their villages to trade. We sample a few snacks there. 

Meal:
BLD

After breakfast, transfer 30 min to the starting point of the hike. Let’s make the most of our beautiful surroundings, over the streams and then high up into the hills surrounding the resort. We’ll stop in on a number of villages to see first-hand how the local people in this area live. Subsistence farming, often slash and burn style, is prevalent here and through much of Laos. We arrive back in time for lunch at the resort after a 1.40-hour transfer and you can enjoy another free afternoon to spend at your leisure.

Riding:
60km
37mi
Meal:
BLD

Start off your day with a morning ride through forests and past large, clear rivers in Muang Xai before we hop in a van for a transfer to the small riverside village of Pak Beng. Once here we’ll have the afternoon to take advantage of our off-the-beaten-path accommodation. This charming lodge faces the Mekong Elephant Park, and is an ideal starting point for many walking trails in the forest. If you wish to immerse yourself further in the culture, take a shot at Lao cooking with the hotel’s regional cuisine lessons or see a traditional dance show put on by a local primary school.

Meal:
BLD

All aboard the boat to Luang Prabang! As we begin our cruise down the Mekong River we’ll have the chance to catch glimpses of rural riverside Lao river/village life. The journey takes most of the day, but far from being an ordeal, it’s a nice way to relax, look out for elephants on the riverbank, read a book and chat with your fellow travelers. As we near Luang Prabang, we’ll explore the sacred Pak Ou caves filled with thousands of Buddha relics left by devoted pilgrims.

Then it’s just another hour into the city, so we can expect to arrive at sundown. At the elegant, centrally located hotel, it's time for some drinks and a briefing on the city itself and then dinner together at an authentic and innovative restaurant nearby.

Riding:
15km
9.5mi
Meal:
BL

It’s a bright and early start today as we take to the streets of Luang Prabang to catch the traditional Monks Alms ceremony. The colorful daily procession is an iconic and revered local tradition, but the one they are happy to have visitors watch or even take part in, given you observe local etiquette. Your guide will make sure you’re well-versed on the appropriate attire and conduct for this unique daily ritual.

Having risen quite early, we'll return to the hotel for breakfast before hitting the road. Taking to the bikes, we’ll pedal to Wat Xieng Thong: Luang Prabang’s royal temple and one of Laos’ most important monasteries. From there, we’ll saddle up again and cycle to the local fresh market where your guide will clue you into the interesting produce for sale that you may not recognize.

We’ll refuel with a traditional Lao coffee at one of the city’s oldest coffee stalls, then continue our ride to a lesser-known temple and then along a riverside road to check out traditional ‘sa paper’ making and distillation of the country’s famous rice wine: Lao Lao. Don’t get too carried away with the sampling!

From there, we’ll board a boat that takes us down the Mekong to explore traditional pottery, then cross back to the other side of the river to see how silk is made at Ock Pop Tock. Our last stop of the day will be for a traditional lunch together. The evening is free for you to seek out whatever food you are craving in this vibrant city, with your guide happy to offer some suggestions.

Riding:
60km
37mi
Meal:
BLD

The last ride of the trip and a highly enjoyable one. We start off by crossing the Mekong on a ferry. We ride out on a paved road to a riverside village south of town and stop here to learn about rice wine making. Then we hijack a local fishing boat and have them ferry us back to the eastern bank of the river.

From here we encounter a steep but relatively short hill to bring us to Kuang Si Waterfall. You may have heard about this place, but until you jump into the aqua blue, cool waters, you won’t understand how special it is. After a dip, we can visit the Free the Bears enclosure and see these mischievous creatures at work, trying to free their lunch from the obstacles that the carers set. Then it’s time for a bite to eat, probably a barbequed river fish, before we ride the undulating road back into town. Our final afternoon and evening together will be marked by a delicious meal, which will be a familiar thing by now.

Meal:
B

Our tour concludes here in Luang Prabang after breakfast. If you are flying out, we will have a car ready to take you to the airport. Otherwise, your guide can assist you to move to wherever you need to.

Dates & Price

EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price


Dates Availability Price

Payment Plans Available
* Deposit payment: $500 USD
* Single room option: $700 USD

16 - 23 Jun 2024 Guaranteed to Depart

Adult 2600USD

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11 - 17 Aug 2024 Fully Booked

Adult 2600USD

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29 Aug - 05 Sep 2024 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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13 - 20 Oct 2024 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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10 - 17 Nov 2024 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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30 Nov - 07 Dec 2024 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

BOOK THIS TOUR
22 - 29 Dec 2024 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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05 - 11 Jan 2025 Fully Booked

Adult 2600USD

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14 - 21 Jan 2025 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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02 - 09 Feb 2025 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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02 - 09 Mar 2025 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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15 - 22 Jun 2025 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

BOOK THIS TOUR
29 Jun - 06 Jul 2025 Seats available

Adult 2600USD

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Any tour can be made private! Request quote GO PRIVATE
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WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT

GRASSHOPPER STYLE


We get you off the beaten track with this tour through the untouched beauty of Lao nature, stopping along the way for some interesting cultural experiences and exploration of must-see sights. Nature lovers will be thrilled to hike around Muang Xai, cycle past clean rivers and tall trees and spend some time splashing around the waters of Kuang Sii. Enjoy comfortable, elegant accommodations along the journey as you pedal from Muang Xai to Luang Prabang on this active adventure.

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