Cycling Laos to vietnam – Luangprabang to Dienbienphu 8 Days

TOUR CODE: JTL-CC200080
Cycling Laos to Vietnam – Luangprabang to DienBienPhu is a challenge bike trip. Lots of mountain climb through the northern provinces in Laos. Up the mountain range between Laos and Vietnam, down hill to the former battlefields of DienBienPhu. From here you can fly to Hanoi or keep on cycling adventure trip to TuanGiao, ThanUyen, MuChangChai and road 32 to Hanoi.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive  In Luang Prabang (D)
Airport pick up and transfer to hotel in town. Time to set up bicycle and test ride. Free at leisure. Dinner and program briefing at restaurant in town.

Day 2: Explore Luang Prabang Heritage City (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat XiengThong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. Then, we cycle to PakOu Cave. On arrive in PakOu, we load our bicycles on board and have lunch break.
Then we get on board again, cross to otherside of Mekong to visit the mysterious Pak Ou cave. The cave was crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. After that, we cruise down the Mekong back to Luangprabang, which gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside. We also stop at Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. Overnight LuangPrabang.
Total cycling ~ 30km

Day 3:  Day Trip To Kuangsi  Falls (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we cycle 30 km out of town to the beautiful Kuang Si falls, time to swim and relax. On return, we have a short stop at black Hmong village with all hand-made handicraft for tourists. Late afternoon back in  Luang Prabang. Overnight hotel in Luangprabang.
Cycling ~ 60km.

Day 4: Luang Prabang To  Hongsa (B,L,D) 

This is a challenge day, we head down to the ferry, crossing Mekong river to other side. Then we start our cycling adventure to the moutain of Laos. The first stage 20km on flat pave road, follow by 18km gently up to +650m. A sharp down hill and we start climb again 25km to Ban Hoay ngat at elevation +1277m.  We reach  the area of Xayaboury province, and keep on about 22km to second summit at +1414m. The road go down and up again to the third summit at +1320m. We take picnic lunch break on the way, then we have undulating road down  25km to the valley of HongSa. Overnight at hotel in Hongsa.
Cycling ~ 130km.

Day 5: Hongsa To Pakbeng (B,L,D) 

After breakfast, we head to Pakbeng today, with a few km warm up on flat pave road then up the hill again. Most beautiful scenic spot en route, we have picnic lunch on the road side. Following undulating hills until we get to Pakbeng by late afternoon. Overnight in Pakbeng hotel.
Cycling ~ 85km

Day 6: Pakbeng To Udomxai (B,L,D) 

We start at 7:30am from the hotel, heading up north east of Pakbeng.  It’s another long day with gentle hills. The first stage 23km soft climb out of Pakbeng, then we have approximate 50km gentle hills through tribal villages and on to MuangBeng valley at +600 m elevation. There is a nice scenery of NamBeng river. We stop for lunch at local restaurant. The third stage will be a soft climb 30km to HoayHum summit at +925m. Then we enjoy a 20km down hill to Udomxai.  Overnight at Villa Keoseumsack.
Cycling ~ 145Km.

Day 7: Udomxai – Muang Khoua (B,L,D) 

We head to the north east of Udomxai on good paved road about 5 km. Then we have two short climb up within 7km distance, and down hill 6km, then ride up one more hill. From here, we have about 10km nice down hill to MuangLa valley with Nam phak river winding around. We visit the local markets on the way, and have lunch at Paknamnoi junction, connecting road to Phongsaly. Then we have 30km easy ride on flat tarmac to Muangkhoua town. Overnight at Phongphadith GH.
Cycling ~ 100km.

Day 8: Muang Khoua – PangHok – TayTrang (B,L)  (Lao-Viet Border)

Today is the big day for Laos to Vietnam. We leave early morning and cycle along NamOu river, then 10km up the first hill, grade climb from 6 to 10%. We pass through Hmong villages and up to summit +1015m. Then we have nice down hill 15km and on to Muang Mai. Following easy stage approximate 10km on flat road to Sop Hun bridge, then we have challenge 16km climb to the border PangHok. The last 4km to Panghok is most difficult with grade up to 12%. We will have quick noodle soup for lunch before the Visa exit procedure. Then we ride 5km more on the mountain top to Vietnam gate. Goodbye Laos and head on to Vietnam. We also arrange a taxi pick up at border and transfer to DienBienPhu. If you bring own bicycle, you will keep on riding to DienBienPhu.
Cycling ~ 65km.  (Plus 40k down hill to DienBienPhu). End of the tour.

From DienBienPhu, you may keep on cycling trip through beautiful mountains to TuanGiao, ThanUyen, MuCangChai and follow hw32 to NghiaLo, ThanhSon and on to Hanoi. Or you may catch a flight direclty from DienBien to Hanoi.

TOUR COST:

  • Solo : $2,500
  • 2 to 3 persons: $1,750
  • 4 to 5 persons: $1,350.
  • 6 to 7 persons: $1,200.
  • 8 persons up : $ 950.
    Single supplement: $160

Service Included:

  • Transportation: Mini van / truck supported. 
  • Accommodation:  7 nights hotel ***, or Guesthouse ( private bath with hot shower)
  • Local english speaking cycling guide.
  • Meals full board: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
  • Entrance fees / Travelling permit.
  • Snack, seasonal fruit, drinking water.
  • Bicycle rental fee. (let us know if you bring own bike)

Not including:

  • Insurance.
  • Vietnam Visa
  • hotel in DienBienPhu.
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses.

Want to ride to Hanoi all the way ? You may try this tour: https://cyclinglaos.com/tours/cycling-luangprabang-to-hanoi-12-days/

MuangKhoua to Panghok border
MuangKhoua to Panghok border
Mountain bike load up in MuangKhoua hotel
Mountain bike load up in MuangKhoua hotel