Hanoi to Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Tour

This is an adventurous, moving on tour through the mountainous north-west provinces of Vietnam and Laos. Luggage transfer and vehicle support will be provided. The tour is suitable for fit, experienced cycling enthusiasts. Vietnam’s far North West is undoubtedly the best place to cycle in the country as the roads see virtually no tourists and avoid Vietnam’s notorious highways. It wasn’t until the late 1990′s that travel restrictions were lifted. Starting in Hanoi, we'll pass through stunning landscapes, amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between limestone outcrops and the highest concentration of hill-tribe people in the country. We’ll cross into a remote area of Laos via the newly opened border crossing at Tay Trang. From the small market town of Muang Khua, we’ll take a slow boat down the beautiful Nam Ou river before cycling on to World Heritage Luang Prabang, with its beautiful temples and colourful night market. Our route south to Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos, is on virtually traffic-free roads. Great cycling and some of the friendliest people in Asia.

The opening in 2007 of the Tay Trang border crossing between Vietnam and Laos has made this exciting tour possible. This is an adventurous, moving on tour through the mountainous north west provinces. Vietnam’s far North West is undoubtedly the best place to cycle in the country as the roads see virtually no tourists and avoid Vietnam’s notorious highways. Stunning landscape, amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between limestone outcrops and the highest concentration of hill-tribe people in Asia. We enter Northern Laos at Tay Trang. The trip includes a spectacular journey by boat down the Nam Ou River, a day off the bikes in World Heritage town, Luang Prabang with its beautiful temples and colourful night market, and time to explore vibrant Hanoi and Vientiane.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 01: Hanoi
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. (Check in time is 14:00)
If time permits, we will spend the afternoon at the Ethnology museum which will give you an overview of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam including the Thai people who you will meet along the way. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi to Hoa Binh (B, L, D)
Cycling Hanoi – Hoa Binh 56/72 km
We leave Hanoi by car and start cycling from Luong Son to Hoa Binh town. The town is famous for the biggest reservoir in Vietnam and also the culture diversity of many typical ethnic groups such as Muong, Thai. Overnight in Hoa Binh.

Day 03: Ride Hoa Binh to Mai Chau (B, L, D)
Cycling Hoa Binh- Mai Chau 62 km:
a beautiful landscape of mountains and red soil hills, it is covered by green of sugarcane, cassava, corn and rice fields. There are many shops on the way where you can find “Ruou Can” – the unique rice wine of Hoa Binh province in brown jars drunk with bamboo straws. You also pass by some factories where they make brooms from “Dot”; a new wonderful golf is located behind mountains; a place where is famous for hot mineral stream- “Kim Boi”; some small villages of Thai & Muong and many other interesting things you will see and learn on the way. Overnight at home-stay of Thai ethnic in Mai Chau.

Day 04: Ride Mai Chau to Moc Chau (B, L, D)
Cycling Mai Chau- Moc Chau 67 km:
from low to higher area, from houses-on-stilts of White Thai located in a big valley of rice field to Moc Chau where wooden houses on ground of Blue & Flowered H’mong located in small valleys and hidden among corn fields, plum and peach gardens and surrounded by mountains. On the way to Moc Chau, it is also a great chance for you to pass a remained rain forest part and enjoy the shade & cool air in the middle of a hot summer day. With many opened fresh green grass fields on hills along the way it also makes you cool down and enjoy the peaceful and quiet area. You should stop at a local restaurant to taste a very famous fresh local yogurt. Overnight in Moc Chau.

Day 05: Ride Moc Chau to Yen Chau (B, L, D)
Cycling Moc Chau- Yen Chau 60 km:
Moc Chau is a famous place in the North for its tea plantations. Green of tea covers all hills, by looking at the plants you can recognize that many of them are 30- 40 years old. This area offers you a great chance to cycle around the tea plantation for both enjoying the scenary, fresh air and getting to know how hard to make a cup of tea. And we will end our day at Yen Chau, the area of fruit plants such as mangoes, longans, bananas… Yammy! Overnight in Yen Chau.

Day 06: Ride Yen Chau to Son La (B, L, D)
Cycling Yen Chau- Son La 65 km:
leaving this area after having some local fruit, visiting local market along the way and meeting some ethnic groups in their most beautiful traditional dresses such as Thai, H’mong, Muong, Dzao, cycling to Son La and visiting Son La prison built by French to understand more about French war and the hard time of Vietnamese people. Overnight in Son La

Day 07: Son La, Rest Day (B)
Great. Sleeping in this morning. Walking around and reacting to local people to buy your own food. Having free time today. Overnight in Son La

Day 08: Ride Son La to Tuan Giao (B, L, D)
Cycling Son La – Tuan Giao 90 km:
we pass through a patchwork of rice fields and plum orchards. It is hard cycling day with up-and-down road, but you will feel. Overnight in Tuan Giao.

Day 09: Ride Tuan Giao to Dien Bien Phu (B, L, D)
Cycling Tuan Giao – Dien Bien Phu 80 km:
There is less traffic on this tar road, which gives you more opportunities to enjoy the nice scenery of rice fields dotted by water wheels. The area is habitated by White Thai and Kh’mu people in their charming clothes. We arrive in Dien Bien Phu quite late in the afternoon. Check in your cozy room, have shower and dinner. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 10: Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos (B/ L / D)
Cycling Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos 65km
We depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast Laos at Tay Tran. This is the least populated section of Laos. We continue on to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river.

Day 11: Muang Khua to Odomxai (B/ L / D)
Cycling Muang Khua to Odomxai 75km
This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a rennaisance. Lots of construction and activity in the town these days. They have an airport here also (with less than daily service). We stay at the nicest place in town.

Day 12: Odomxai to Pak Mong (B/ L / D)
Cycling Odomxai to Pak Mong 60km
A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent to Pak Mong.

Day 13: Pak Mong to Luang Prabang (B/ L / D)
Cycling Pak Mong to Luang Prabang 75km
On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. We follow the banks of the Mekong before entering the city proper. It’s also possible, with advance planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down the Nam Ou River. This will take you right by the Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers.

Day 14: Rest day in Luang Prabang (B/ L / D)
Today is a rest day in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river. There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town: Temples, Monastaries, the Royal Palace and French Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls outside of town. It’s worthwhile to get up and observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am.

Day15: Luang Prabang departure (B)
At leisure until transfer to Airport for onward flight.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

We organise accommodations with 2++ & 3 star hotels. The price will be reduced if you wish to stay at a smaller hotel to suit your budget.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Vietnam Bike Tours launches promotion 5% when Booking in May, June and July.

+844 37545268