Biking Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Price from
US$ 3,100
Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
Distance
613 - 633 km
Tour Code
MCT-MHL
Next departure
14-Jan-2024
Number of Cycling Days9
Average Distance Per Day: 70
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 948
0
2,250 m
Total Cycling Distance613 - 633 kilometres
Accommodation12 Nights Hotels and Overnight Train All Included
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 275
Single SupplementUS$ 500

About this Cycle Tour

This 13 day southeast asian bicycle tour explores the mountainous regions of two magical countries: Vietnam and Laos. Our adventure begins in Vietnam, a land of shimmering rice fields, lush jungles, and radiant beaches. Beginning in Hanoi, we spend our trip exploring the lesser known northwestern region of Vietnam, home to spectacular mountains and valleys. We ride amidst the crests of Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, and along the fascinating hill station of Sapa, a colonial retreat created by the French. Crossing into Laos, we cycle riverside where we venture into remote villages far from the tourist track.

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Book Your Cycling Holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet in Hanoi and explore the city before we gather for welcome dinner.

Day 2

We take a city tour before catching the overnight train to Lao Cai, the start of our biking adventure.

Day 3

Upon arriving in Lao Cai, we transfer to the hill station town of Sapa and check into our hotel. We then test out the bikes by riding on roads and trails used by the locals and ethnic tribes.

Day 4

We ride to Ta Phin before doing a loop on a dirt track that traverses forested hillsides and passes many of Sapa's ethnic villages.

Day 5

We climb to Tram Ton Pass - the highest road pass in Vietnam at 2,000 m. We ride past tea plantations and stop for short visits to tribal villages along the way to Tam Duong before finishing in Lai Chau.

Day 6

We take on a challenging uphill from Lai Chau before cruising downhill to Nam Na River. The climb continues as we cycle through mountains and hill tribe villages to Muong Lay to spend the night.

Day 7

We ride on rough roads and hills to Dien Bien Phu. Encounter many ethnic minorities on the way, so be sure to have your camera handy as they will welcome you in colourful, traditional clothes.

Day 8

Enjoy a leisurely, 50-km loop in the history-rich city of Dien Bien Phu and visit the war museum. After, we cycle out of town towards Muong Phang Commune on scenic roads before biking back to the hotel.

Day 9

The trail twists and turns before reaching the Lao border. After a swap of crews, we cycle to the crossroads town of Muang Khoua on dirt roads through remote villages mainly comprised of Red or Black Thai ethnic tribes.

Day 10

A rest day to lean back and relax. We boat down the Nam Ou River en-joying serene local life along the banks and stop at a remote village be-fore reaching Muang Ngoy in the afternoon.

Day 11

After a short boat trip, we ride primarily on dirt roads past ethnic villages in a region that few people ever visit. We overnight in Nong Kiau at a guesthouse that overlooks the river.

Day 12

Cycling an undulating road away from Nong Kiau we head west along the Nam Ou River to historic Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we freshen up and gather for our farewell dinner.

Day 13

Explore Luang Prabang before your onward travel.

Elevation Profiles

Day 3 - Lao Cai to Sapa Ride 22km. +860m.
Day 3 - Lao Cai to Sapa Ride 22km. +860m.

Reviews

Excellent local guides who worked hard to make the trip an authentic and comfortable experience.

Jonathan SpencerDecember 2019

Good mix of biking and travel experiences.

Werner SteinerMarch 2019

Our trip exceeded our expectations. What an incredible way to see the countryside. Although the trip was definitely more challenging than we had assumed, we were up for the challenge and loved the beautiful mountains, villages, rivers, animals that we saw along the way.

We LOVED our trip. What an incredible memory. Everything was amazing. Thank you so much SpiceRoads.

Suzanne FoxFebruary 2019

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