Remote Vietnam and Laos by Bike

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Meet in Hanoi

   You arrive in Vietnam's charming capital, Hanoi, with time to explore its fascinating districts at your own pace before we come together for dinner and a trip briefing.

   • Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture
   • Dinner

   • 

     Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture

     Start the tour on the right foot with contemporary accommodations in Vietnam's capital

   • 

     Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture

     Start the tour on the right foot with contemporary accommodations in Vietnam's capital

2. Day 2Hanoi - Tam Coc

   Your first day on the bike takes you through Vietnam's scenic countryside and introduces you to local artisans. We begin with a short transfer out of the city to avoid traffic, starting our ride on a peaceful dyke along the Red River—a perfect spot to ease into cycling in Vietnam. Your first stop is Bat Trang, a village renowned for its handmade ceramics and fascinating pottery. 

   From there, you pedal south into the heart of the delta, passing traditional villages and vibrant rice fields. Afterward, a two-hour transfer takes you to Tam Coc for lunch. In the afternoon, you board a boat for a tranquil cruise along the Ngo Dong River, floating through three natural caves, including the largest, stretching 125 meters. As you relax, you’ll soak in stunning views of limestone karsts rising dramatically from lush green rice fields. Following this scenic boat ride, you return to your hotel by transfer.

   • 36.7 miles
   • -16.4 ft
     469.2 ft
     485.6 ft
   • Tam Coc Rice Fields Resort
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Tam Coc - Cuc Phuong

   You begin your ride from the hotel in Tam Coc, following a flat route to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Ly dynasties from 1,000 years ago. The journey offers breathtaking views as you cycle past vibrant green rice fields framed by surreal karst mountains. At Hoa Lu, you stop to visit the Dinh Le Temple, a 17th-century structure designed in the shape of a Chinese character. 

   From there, you continue riding along the scenic Hoang Long River, surrounded by striking landscapes. The first 35 km are flat, followed by a few short climbs leading to Cuc Phuong, Vietnam's largest national park. Upon arrival, you visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where native monkeys, gibbons, and critically endangered langurs rescued from wildlife smugglers are being rehabilitated for a return to the wild.

   • 42.9 miles
   • 259.2 ft
     715.2 ft
     456 ft
   • Vedana Ninh Binh Resort
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cuc Phuong National Park - Mai Chau

   After breakfast, you head into Cuc Phuong National Park to marvel at its breathtaking natural beauty. From there, you cycle out of the park beneath towering trees, eventually emerging into the picturesque local farmland. After lunch, a transfer takes you to Lanh An, where you resume cycling along a quiet tarmac road with stunning mountain views lining the Buoi River. 

   You ride past villages of the Muong people, surrounded by fields of rice, corn, cassava, and sugarcane. Arriving in the serene valley town of Mai Chau, you’ll have time to relax with a swim in the pool or take in the sunset from your balcony at our elegant lodge. This region is rich in cultural diversity, home to the Hmong, Thai, Tay, Muong, Dao, and Hoa ethnic groups, whose distinctive architecture, colorful costumes, and beautiful handicrafts you’ll encounter along the way.

   • 58.4 miles
   • -666 ft
     2,372 ft
     3,038.1 ft
   • Mai Chau Eco Lodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Mai Chau - Quan Son

   After breakfast, you take a guided stroll through Mai Chau Valley, soaking in stunning panoramas of lush greenery and charming villages. Along the way, you may meet local farmers and catch a glimpse of their daily lives. Back at the hotel, you check out and set off on your bike, cycling along the valley floor beside the swift currents of a tributary of the Song Ma (Horse River). 

   As you reach the main river, the terrain becomes rolling, leading to Dong Tam. Along the way, you enjoy a picnic lunch at a traditional stilt house of the ethnic Thai people. After arriving in Dong Tam, the bikes are loaded up for a 35 km transfer to your hotel in Quan Son.

   • 37.3 miles
   • -328.1 ft
     2,381.9 ft
     2,710 ft
   • Mien Tay Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6Quan Son- Na Meo Border - Vieng Xai

   This morning, you transfer 53 km to the border, where your Laos guides greet you and help prepare for the Laos leg of your bicycle tour. Once acquainted with your new bikes, you set off on the ride to Vieng Xay. This will be your most challenging day of climbing, with sustained ascents reaching an elevation of 1,000 meters. The route is stunning, winding alongside streams, through dramatic karst landscapes, and past lush rice paddies. 

   Your destination is historic Vieng Xay, the wartime headquarters of Laos’ communists, renowned for its striking limestone karsts riddled with caves that served as shelters during relentless bombing raids. Along the way, you’ll visit several historic caves, including the Lao-Cuban Hospital Cave, uncovering stories of resilience in this remarkable landscape.

   • 36 miles
   • 1,768.4 ft
     7,119.4 ft
     5,351 ft
   • Local Guesthouse
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Vieng Xai - Xam Neua

   After breakfast, you visit the Vieng Xai Caves Visitor Centre to gain insight into the region’s geology and start an audio-guided tour. The Vieng Xai Caves form an extensive network of limestone caves, used by the Communist Party to shelter from American air raids during the Second Indochina War, known as the Vietnam War or the American War, depending on the perspective. 

   Using your bikes, you’ll explore these caves, walking through them while listening to informative commentary and immersive audio effects. After lunch, you hop back on your bike and ride to Xam Neua, the provincial capital of Houaphanh, passing through traditional ethnic villages along the way.

   • 21.7 miles
   • 246.1 ft
     3,041.3 ft
     2,795.3 ft
   • Xayphasouk Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Transfer to Bankhoua & Nam Nern Night Safari

   We take a break from biking and embark on a different adventure: a safari through the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. This region is renowned for its dense forests, high biodiversity, and endangered species such as tigers, gaur, Sambar deer, and white-cheeked gibbons. 

   From Xam Neua, we transfer to Ban Sonkhoua, the starting point of this safari. Along the way, we stop to visit the Saleuy Waterfall, a 100-meter cascade of rock slabs. As dusk falls, we set out on a wildlife-spotlighting expedition along the Nam Nern River, cruising downstream in long-tail boats for the best chances to spot elusive animals. We spend the night in simple yet comfortable bamboo huts, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

   • Nam Nern Eco Lodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
9. Day 9Ban Sonkhoua - Meuang Kham

   After breakfast, boats will take you back to Ban Sonkhoua, where you’ll hop back on your bike and continue your journey. Today is filled with stunning downhill rides, interspersed with some challenging climbs. The first exhilarating descent takes you to lunch on the banks of the Nam Nern River at Ban Sop Lao. 

   Afterward, a transfer brings you to Ban Souanmon, where you’ll cycle through the mountains, leading to a second impressive descent onto the Xieng Khouang Plateau. The day wraps up at Ban Xang Hot Springs, where you’ll spend the night in a community lodge.

   • 42.3 miles
   • -2,549.2 ft
     6,942.3 ft
     9,491.5 ft
   • Hot Spring Guesthouse
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Meuang Kham - Phonsavanh

    After a relaxing hot spring bath and breakfast, you begin your traverse of the Xieng Khouang Plateau, home to the mysterious and UNESCO-listed Plain of Jars. The ride takes you through numerous villages, with a gradual climb throughout the day, reaching an elevation of 1,200 meters from your starting point at 500 meters. 

    Along the way, you’ll stop to cool off at the beautiful Tad Ka Waterfall and explore its scenic trails. As you reach the plateau, the landscape transforms from jungle to vast grassy plains. This area was heavily bombed during the war, and remnants of unexploded ordinances (UXO) can be found throughout. Locals have made use of these bomb casings in creative ways—fencing, tools, vegetable planters, decorations, and even as barbecue pits.

    • 49.7 miles
    • 2,066.9 ft
      5,843.2 ft
      3,776.2 ft
    • Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
11. Day 11Plain of Jars

    You cycle to the mysterious and prehistoric Plain of Jars, where you’ll explore various theories about their origins. The day starts with a visit to Site 1, where you’ll also see visible bomb craters. From there, you continue to Site 2, where the jars are situated on a hillside, offering stunning views. 

    Lunch will be served at Site 2, after which you have the option to cycle 20 km back to town or take the bus. In the afternoon, you’re free to visit the MAG Office-UXO Visitor Information Centre, where you can watch a compelling film that provides valuable insight into the war’s impact on this region. There are numerous restaurants in town, so you can choose where to have dinner, as the evening is yours to enjoy.

    • 23.6 miles
    • -42.7 ft
      1,387.8 ft
      1,430.4 ft
    • Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel
    • Breakfast and Lunch
12. Day 12Phonsavanh - Phou Khoun

    Today is a peaceful but rewarding ride, crossing relatively flat terrain eastward to Nongtang, a large natural lake surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and a ring of temples. You’ll stop to walk around this unique body of water and soak in its otherworldly surroundings. Local legend holds that a submerged village lies at the bottom of the lake, drowned by the gods as punishment for killing a forbidden deer. 

    After lunch by the Nam Chat River, you’ll face a gradual climb to complete the ride. Following that, a transfer of 70 km takes you to Phou Khoun, where you’ll arrive in time to enjoy the sunset and take in the breathtaking view from your guesthouse.

    • 39.1 miles
    • 938.3 ft
      3,044.6 ft
      2,106.3 ft
    • Sala Phou Khoun
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
13. Day 13Phou Khoun - Luang Prabang

    Enjoy an overall descent to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled on the banks of the Mekong River. For those who prefer more cycling, there’s the option to start early from the guesthouse and be picked up 32 km along the route. Everyone else will transfer up 20 km to the starting point. 

    Afterward, you’ll experience a breathtaking 18-km downhill ride to Ban Khoua Nam Ming, where the group will stop for lunch and prepare for a gentle 14-km ascent. One final swooping downhill brings you down onto rolling flats, gliding into the charming town of Luang Prabang. After freshening up at a riverside guesthouse, explore this serene, temple-filled town and enjoy the last dinner together.

    • 29.8 miles
    • -1,768.4 ft
      4,301.2 ft
      6,069.6 ft
    • Sala Prabang
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
14. Day 14Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Loop

    The final day of the tour in Laos begins with a relaxed bike ride to Pak Ou, where you’ll visit the stunning limestone Tham Ting and Tham Teung Caves, perched on a cliff at the confluence of the Ou and Mekong rivers. These sacred caves are filled with thousands of Buddha images. Along the ride, a stop at Ban Xang Hai offers a chance to witness Lao rice wine production and enjoy some sampling. 

    After lunch at Ban Pak Ou, you’ll return to Luang Prabang by boat. You’ll arrive back in town around 3 pm, giving you time to prepare for your onward journey. 

    • 18.6 miles
    • Breakfast and Lunch