Marco Polo- Vietnam Travel Holiday
Vacation Especially bicycle tours as mountain bike, road cycling in
Vietnam- Laos . Bicycle tours in Vietnam since 2002
Cycling in
Northwest Laos is a one of a kind adventure.....mystical moutains, the majestic Mekong River, saffron robed monks
collecting alms, working elephants. It's what most of Southeast
Asia used to be like, but no longer is. It's 6 million people
are very friendly, welcoming and curious. The Northern part of
the country is mountainous and lush with spectacular scenery
Itinerary
15days/
14 night
Day 1
Fly to Bangkok and
Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Meet up in Chiang
Rai in Northern Thailand on 17 Jan, 2009.
Chiang Rai is a hub of adventure travel in
Northern Thailand. We get our bikes together
here and check out the Wats, the Museum and the
Thai music scene. It is also a really good place
for a Thai massages. Accommodation:
Hotel
Day 2
Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong
After an early breakfast we transfer to
Chiang Saen
where our cycle tour begins. Following the
Mekong river we ride through lush jungle passing
picturesque hill tribe villages of simple bamboo
huts on stilts. Under the huts women can often
be seen weaving whilst children play next to
chickens and little pigs. We arrive at Chiang
Khong the entry point from Thailand for entry
into Laos. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
68 km
Day 3
Chiang Khong to Pakbeng
( no cycling day )
This morning we take a memorable boat journey through mist covered mountains, up
the mighty Mekong River
to Pakbeng. This is a wonderful way to appreciate the importance of the Mekong
to the people of the traditional villages that we encounter along the way. Accommodation:
Guest House
Day 4
Pakbeng
to Ban Faen
After breakfast we ride along newly sealed roads through some fascinating
villages, where excited children shout "Sabaai-dii, Sabaai-dii" (the Lao
greeting) to every passing cyclist. Is there a place friendlier than Laos? We
finish our day at our guides village of
Ban Faen. Accommodation:
Home stay Cycling distance:
52 km
Day 5
Ban Faen to Odonxai
Our route continues along this roller coster
road to Oudom Xay passing through many hilltribe
villages that still retain their age-old
cultural traditions and are recognisably
distinct from each other by their dress. Bunches
of bamboo shoots are laid out by the road along
with drying chilies to be sold to the odd
passing truck load of people. Modern life with
all its trappings is still a long way off. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
85 km
Day 6
Odonxai
to Pak Mong
An unforgettable day as we go deep into the rich
jungle, a tough climb at the start, then rolling
hills with magnificent scenery before an
exhilarating 18 miles (29 km) Descent to Pak
Mong. A hard day. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
72 km
Day 7
Pak
Mong to Luang Prabang
Today we are treated to good, mainly flat roads.
Before entering
Luang Prabang,
we will visit the holy caves of Pak Ou, where we
will find an ancient collection of thousands of
precious Buddha statues. Accommodation:
Hotel Cycling distance:
90 km
Day 8
Luang
Prabang ( no cycling day )
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 9
Luang Prabang to Kiu Kachan
The big one, the ultimate challenge of the trip!
After a pleasant and fairly easy 12 miles (20 km) we
start on the first of two long climbs (support
vehicle on hand) a 10 miles (16km) climb passing
spectacular scenery of limestone peaks, some of
which are the highest in South East Asia. Then a
descent of 9 miles (15 km) followed by another
monster 14 miles (24 km) climb before arriving into
Kiu
Kachan. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
68km
Day 10
Kiu
Kachan to Kasi
After a tiring morning covering 30 miles (50 km) of
a roller coaster ride we stop for a well deserved
lunch at Nung Phu Khun before starting a spectacular
22 miles (38 km) descent passing dramatic views of
craggy limestone mountains. The scent of jasmine and
lotus blossom drifts through the clear air from the
rich jungle flora. We end our day coming off the
mountains at Kasi. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
75km
Day 11
Kasi
to Vang Vieng
Today is an easier day covering 48 miles (60 km) of
gentle rolling hills to Vang Vieng. After lunch we
have an option of a side trip to Tham Xang or Tham
Hoi caves set in dramatic scenery on the banks of
the Nam Song. Vang Vieng has recently become a
destination for backpackers and is therefore a
comfortable place with nice restaurants and
guesthouses. Once we get there we can spoil
ourselves with some well deserved fruit milkshakes
and pancakes, have a Beer Lao, relax and enjoy
watching the sun setting over the river behind the
stunning limestone pinnacles. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
68km
Day 12
Vang
Vieng to Thalat
After a relatively gentle 14 miles (24 km) we reach
the fishing village of Tha Heua where you can see
all manner of salted fish being sold by the road.
Here you have the option of taking a 3 hour boat
journey on the Ang Nam Ngum reservoir to Na Nam a
small fishing village passing many picturesque
islands dotted along the way. Alternatively you can
cycle the moderate 50 miles (84 km) along the road,
climaxing in a steep 2 km climb before reaching our
guesthouse at Na Nam. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
90 km
Day 13
Na Nam to Vientiane
Our last day of
cycling starts with our last two short but hard
climbs, before the road levels out for the 95 km all the way to Vientiane.
Here the land is agricultural, passing paddy fields
and more intensely farmed areas. As we near the Lao
capital of Vientiane the roads, which till now have
been relatively traffic free throughout our trip,
start to become busier. We arrive at our guesthouse
in the afternoon. We should have enough time to do
any last minute shopping, then relax and celebrate
the end of a great trip. Accommodation:
Guest House Cycling distance:
85km
Day 14
Transfer to
airport for departure flight
Tour overview
Tour Cost
Group Size
6-10
Price/person
1,495 USD
Note:
Prices are based per person, double occupancy,
with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you
are traveling in a group but prefer single
accommodations, a single supplement fee applies.
Triple accommodations are not available in many
of the destinations we visit.
Best
Time to go
Jan
17 - Jan 30, 2009 , Nov, Dec 2009
WHAT'S
INCLUDED
English speaking local guide
Accommodations in hotels , home stays and local hotel around trip as mention
Meals as noted
Sightseeing and activities as
noted in the itinerary
Ground transportation
Additional guides where
necessary
Entrance fees and permits
Basic medical
WHAT NOT
International airfare; meals not
noted on itinerary; visa; insurance other than basic
medical ; optional
tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges;
international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of
a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken
roads.
A lot of up hill with 10 to 12% with
3 or 4 climb per day
You should be confident of your
physical condition .
Support
One or two 15-seat air-conditioned transit vans
converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size
Minimum 2. Maximum 12.
Staff
Groups of 6 or more cycling guide
and drivers and assistants. Groups of 4-5, an
experienced English speaking Vietnamese cycling
leader plus guide and support team.
Accommodation
7 nights in
comfortable tourist class hotels, 3 nights
in basic tourist class hotels. All
accommodation has a/c or fan, hot water and
private facilities.
Food
All meals are included except lunch on day 1 ,
and lunches, dinners on Day 14 .Break
every 15- 20 km ( 10 miles) for tea break with water, coffee
,tea, juice, bread, tuna ,banana, apple...
including: nutritional ( 3 Clif Bar MoJo energy bars /per
day)
hotline:
++ 84913571687
