Rider Favourite

Cycling Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang

Price from
US$ 3,100
Duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
Distance
713 km
Tour Code
MCT-MCL
Next departure
12-Nov-2023
Number of Cycling Days9
Average Distance Per Day: 86
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 830
0
2,250 m
Total Cycling Distance713 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 275
Single SupplementUS$ 400

About this Cycle Tour

Travel by tributary and trail on this exploration through the remote jungles and mountains of tribal Thailand and Laos on this bicycle tour in Southeast Asia. Explore the fascinating network of trails and villages inside the famous Golden Triangle, before pushing deeper into tribal territory in Laos. Local encounters, raw countryside and wilderness, and great trails abound on this two-wheeled trek through regions seldom seen by outsiders.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai is the starting point of this adventurous tour. The tour starts leisurely with a ride along the Ping River and heads to the handicraft centre at Ban Tawai for some shopping.

Day 2

Today is a treat for mountain bikers as the trail winds from rice fields among soaring limestone cliffs through local hilltribe villages. After lunch at a forestry camp, the riding continues along serene mountain trails.

Day 3

On backroads, we ride through many small villages and see how the locals live and work. We top off with a stay at a beautiful resort along the banks of the Mae Kok River.

Day 4

From a Lahu village we hop onto a boat for a leisurely cruise down the Mae Kok River. The morning riding is off-road, with beautiful river views, before the surface switches to tarmac for our final push into Chiang Rai.

Day 5

Another picturesque ride is on good roads with rice fields and along the Mekong River and to the infamous Golden Triangle. Today's highlight is the lovely lodge set right in the middle of a Hmong village, allowing you to learn and mingle with villagers and have tea with the shaman.

Day 6

We leave Thailand behind, cross to Laos, and spend our day relaxing on the Mekong River. We have a private boat, so we can stop if we want to visit some riverside villages along the way.

Day 7

Embark on an epic day with a challenging ride on a broken track along the Beng River, through peaceful Lao villages and lush mountain scenery. Exploring rural Laos, you'll have to make way for all types of colourful vehicles and livestock.

Day 8

We are now in the central highlands, and there are some spectacular views across the rugged mountain landscape. We cycle through Hmong villages few people will ever visit and through some of the region's last remaining rainforest.

Day 9

After two challenging cycling days, we boat down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiau. Watch life on the river, from the fishermen to the children playing in the waters.

Day 10

The last long ride of the tour! We cycle on an undulating road along the Nam Ou River and stop at Pak Ou to visit the famous caves filled with Buddha images. Then, we ride on to Luang Prabang to the hotel to freshen up for our farewell dinner.

Day 11

Rise early to watch the monks in their saffron robes collecting alms before we say goodbye at breakfast.

Elevation Profiles

Day 1 - Meet in Chiang Mai Ride 40km. +354m / -346m.
Day 1 - Meet in Chiang Mai Ride 40km. +354m / -346m.

Reviews

Fantastic way to see the Northern part of Thailand and Laos. Moved by the friendliness of the local people along the way. Great accommodations and food.

Marco FoehnMarch 2020

Fantastic scenery and a great way to see Thailand and Laos.

Rune QvaleFebruary 2020

I was very impressed with the overall design of the Northern Thailand to Laos trip. The trip provided a great combination of exposure to villages, farms, rivers, mountains, temples and towns. The use of boat trips to see beautiful parts of each country and arrive at fantastic trails and farm roads was particularly impressive. Every day seemed to bring something new and breathtaking. The bike tour really is the very best way I can imagine to experience this beautiful and interesting part of the world. And the food was just fantastic.

Wayne HollisterJanuary 2020

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