day 1: Bangkok to Laos

On your arrival at Bangkok airport (before 16.00pm) you will be met by a Red Spokes guide who will arrange your transfer to Laos. 

Accommodation:

day 2: Vientiane

This morning we will sort out any bike problems before we stretch our legs with a ride around this laid back city and the surrounding area. Vientiane is barely recognisable as an Asian capital and this is a great part of its charm.

Accommodation: Hotel

day 3: Vientiane to Ang Nam Ngum

We will cycle out of Vientiane. After leaving the bustle of the town, we cycle through pastoral agricultural land passing paddy fields and more intensively farmed areas. Towards the end of the day there are two short, but rewarding, climbs just before reaching our destination at Ang Nam Ngum reservoir.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 96 km

day 4: Ang Nam Ngum to Vang Vieng

We have an early start this morning along mostly flat roads. Towards the end of the morning we reach the fishing village of Tha Heauna where all manner of salty fish are sold by the road. We will have lunch here - sampling the local produce. We should arrive in Vang Vieng early afternoon where we stay the night.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 110 km

day 5: Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng has recently become a destination for backpackers and is therefore a comfortable place with nice restaurants and guesthouses. We will have a beer Lao to finish of the day and relax enjoying the sunset over the river behind the stunning limestone pinnacles.

day 6: Vang Vieng to Kasi

We start the day cycling with hills on either side. After about 28 km’s we begin to get a taste of what’s to come with an 8k climb. This is followed by a long gentle descent to Kasi. 

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 60 km

day 7: Kasi to Kiu Kachan

We will have an early start in preparation for the hardest day of the trip. The  day  starts  with a  fairly  gentle  10k  ride  as the  scent  of jasmine and lotus blossom  drifts  through  the  clear  air  from  the  rich jungle flora. This is followed by a massive 38k ascent to reach Nung Phum.  We will stop here for a well-deserved lunch and then in the afternoon cycle a further 50k up and down through dramatic scenes of craggy limestone peaks some of which are the highest in South East Asia.  At the end of this challenging day we will arrive in Kiu Kachan.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 95 km

day 8: Kiu Kachan to Luang Prabang

We will cycle to Luang Prabang, which is a word heritage site and one of the highlights of the trip. The day starts with a long descent for 22 k followed by a 15k hard climb. On the way we will pass through Hmong villages where each village has its own distinctive character and style of house. 

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 81 km

day 9: Luang Prabang

Rest day in beautiful Luang Prabang, encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan River. The day is free to explore this delightful World Heritage town with 32 historic temples, ancient monasteries, the magnificent Royal Palace Museum and its French Colonial architecture. This is a place to chill out and enjoy the food, the peaceful surroundings and the people.  

Accommodation: Hotel

day 10: Luang Prabang to Pak Mong

The day starts out on pleasantly flat roads. We will visit the holy caves of Pak-Ou where we will see an ancient collection of precious Buddhist statues. This long bike ride is gentle with interesting sights along the way finishing in Pak – Mong.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 112km

day 11: Pak Mong to Oudom Xay

An unforgettable day as we go into remoter areas  and well off the beaten track. The day starts with a steep climb that takes us deep into the rich jungle. We continue cycling over rolling hills and through magnificent scenery. At the end of the day we go down hill to Oudom Xay, the capital of the Province and home to 22 different ethnic minorities mostly Akha, Hmong and Mien.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 85km

day 12: Oudom Xay to Chantai

Another roller coaster day. The route is covered in lush jungle and passes through many hill tribe villages that still retain their age-old cultural traditions. The simple bamboo houses are on stilts with children playing beneath them amongst the chickens and pigs. Tonight we stop in Chantai where we will be hosted by local families. “Red spokes” has developed a special relationship with this village and we support the local school.  Our friends in the village will welcome us with traditional festivities and we will see and experience something of life in a real Loas village.

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 92 km

day 13: Chantai to Pakbeng

Today we will cycle along some unsealed roads through friendly villages. As we pass by children will shout “sabaai –dii, sabaai dii” (the Loas greeting) to every passing cyclist. We finish the last days’ cycling in the village of Pakbeng. 

Accommodation:
Cycling distance: 52 km.

day 14: Pakbeng to Thailand

Today we take a memorable boat journey though mist covered mountains up the mighty Mekong river to Huay Xai. This is a wonderful way to appreciate the significance of the Mekong river to the people who we have met along the way. At the end of the day we will cross into Thailand

day 15: Home

In the morning you will be transferred to Chaing Rai passing picturesque hill tribe villages.  From Chaing Rai we will fly back to Bangkok airport for the return flight home.