Exodus Cycling in Laos Tour

• All breakfasts
• All accommodation
• All transport and listed activities
• Tour leader throughout
• Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
• Arrival & departure transfers
• Local bike hire

• Exploring remote areas of Laos rarely visited by tourists
• Spectacular mountain scenery, limestone cliffs, rice paddies and waterfalls
• Traditional hill tribe villages
• Slow cruise down the Mekong River

Day 1: Depart London

Day 2: Arrive Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, ‘The Rose of the North’, is known for its temples, markets and the many colourful hilltribes that live in the area. There will also be a group briefing in the evening with your tour leader to hear all about the trip ahead.

Day 3: Warm-up ride around Chiang Mai old town and visit Doi Suthep hilltop temple

After our bike fitting we start to explore Chiang Mai on two wheels. We will visit the old town, the temple of Vieng Kum Kam and numerous cultural highlights in the morning. We’ll stop for lunch before driving up to the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep, the most revered Buddhist shrine in the Chiang Mai region. On a clear day the temple affords an excellent view over Chiang Mai and its striking temple landscape.

Day 4: Transfer to Chiang Rai; cycle along the Thai/Burma border into the heart of the Golden Triangle

Leaving our hotel early we set off by bus to the Chiang Rai Province, the northern most province in Thailand (approx. 2.5 hours transfer). We visit the revered Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) before cycling to Mae Sai. We journey (cycle and 1 hour transfer) into the heart of the Golden Triangle, the compact region where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet offering a heady mix of cultures and landscapes.

Day 5: Journey to the border town of Ban Sew for a boat ride on the mighty Mekong, cycle into Laos

The Opium Museum is our first stop today (after a 30 minute transfer) which highlights the history of opium from its natural properties to its illegal uses, and gives historical information on the Opium Wars that led to the fall of the Manchu Dynasty. The Golden Triangle was previously one of the most extensive producers of Opium until Afghanistan became the world’s largest producer. We’ll next start cycling at Chiang Saen following a quiet route towards Chiang Kong, which borders Laos.

Day 6: Cycle to Luang Nam Tha to the hill tribe village Tai Dang

This morning we transfer across the border into Laos and onto the village of Ban Nam Chi (approx. 2.5 hour transfer), where we will start today’s cycling. Today we cycle through quiet jungle-lined roads marvelling at the mountainous landscape along the way and stopping for lunch in Vieng Phuou Ka before finish our cycle at our guesthouse in Luang Nam Tha. The Luang Nam Tha region is a land of 39 ethnic tribal groups. The Nam Tha river weaves itself through the countryside and has many ethnic tribal villages dotted along its length on one side and dense jungle of the national protected area on the other.

Day 7: Rural cycle to the Udomxai province

We start the day with a ride from Luang Nam Tha to Udomxai. The town is formed by many small villages and is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups; Hmong, Tai Dam, Akha, Tai Lue and Yao. The cycling today will pass through rice paddies and rolling valleys with a few hill climbs before transferring to the town. After arriving in Udomxai, your leader will take the group for a walk around the centre of town including a walk up to Xaymoungkhoun temple, where you can see a Buddhist stupa aged more than 600 years and enjoy views of the city from here.

Day 8: Continue through Udomxai province to Pak Beng

We cycle directly from the hotel today journeying towards Pak Beng. The area is an important intersection between China and Vietnam and has a unique multicultural atmosphere. Located in the Nam Ko River basin and surrounded by scenic mountains the area is famed for its Chinese produce. We will stop for a late lunch before cycling a further 20km where we hop into the the minivan and transfer (approx. 1 hour) to Pak Beng town for our overnight spot on the side of the Mekong.

Day 9: Board slow boat on the Mekong to Luang Prabang visiting Buddha Caves en route

Today we journey to Luang Prabang region by boat, cruising along the Mekong River which starts its journey high in the Tibetan Plateau, eventually emptying itself into the sea in the south of Vietnam. Its journey takes it through 7 different countries in Asia. Travelling slowly allows us to absorb the pace of the riverside settlements and marvel at the mist covered mountains towering above us. En route to Luang Prabang we will visit the famous Pak Ou Cave, cut out of the limestone banks which line the river at Pak Ou.

Day 10: Cycle to beautiful Kwang Si Waterfalls. A chance to see monks receiving alms at dawn

Approximately 25 km from Luang Prabang are the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. We ride from our hotel, leaving Luang Prabang passing through a rural landscape of rice paddies and Lao Lum villages. Once at Kuang Si Waterfalls, we will have a picnic lunch and perhaps take a refreshing dip before cycling back to Luang Prabang where the rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing or shopping, or there may be a possibility for an orientation bike ride of the town (any entrance fees are not included).

Day 11: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

Today we drive south from Luang Prabang to Phou Khoun through more mountainous terrain (approx. 3 hours), passing through numerous Hmong villages. Once in Phou Khoun we pull out the bikes and start riding. The ride includes a superb winding descent with magnificent views of limestone karsts which gives the impression of entering into ‘Lord of the Rings’ territory’. This is followed by shorter climbs and easy riding through rice paddies and villages as we approach Baan Yao.

Day 12: Vang Vieng to Vientiane

This morning we transfer 2.5 hours from Vang Vieng to Pakkayong village where we start today’s ride. Passing through local rubber plantations, small villages and along the Nam Ngum river, we pause for lunch along the way until we reach Ban Don Noun village where we hop on the bus for a 45 minute-1 hour transfer to Vientiene, the sleepy capital of Laos.

Day 13: Free morning to explore then cross over the Friendship Bridge into Thailand; board overnight train to Bangkok

This morning is free to shop or explore Vientiane before we start cycling in the early afternoon from our hotel across the Laos/Thailand border. After completing border formalities and farewelling Laos, we continue to ride (on the left in Thailand!) a short distance to Nong Khai railway station. Here we say good-bye to our Lao guide and the group will be transferred to a local hotel (with pool) for a couple hours to relax before returning to the train station for our overnight train journey to Bangkok.

Day 14: Bangkok city tour; free afternoon

On arrival in Bangkok we transfer to our hotel. Later in the morning we take a short walk to the Chao Praya River where we board a long tail boat for a tour of the local canals. Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the East because of its intricate canal network. We get a glimpse of daily life as we pass locals selling their wares by the river. We will visit what to this day remains the home of the Thai Royal family at the Royal Palace complex followed by Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most venerated images.

Day 15: Depart Bangkok, arrive London early evening

Depart Bangkok, arrive in London in the evening.

9 nights hotels (comfortable or standard), 3 nights basic guesthouses, all ensuite, 1 nights air-conditioned open plan sleeper train train in soft-bed berths. All the hotels we use have twin rooms with en suite facilities. All hotels and guesthouses are clean and comfortable, with friendly staff. As we are travelling away from the usual tourist haunts there is less choice so please be prepared for this in order to see places that are not frequently visited by tourists. The overnight train is in air-conditioned second-class soft sleepers, bedding is provided.

• 9 nights comfortable or standard hotels, 3 nights guesthouses, 1 night sleeper train
• 9 days cycling (including 1 optional ride) with 90% vehicle support
• Surfaces are nearly all good tarmac
• Some tough climbs and long downhills
• Group normally 7 to 18, plus local leaders

Moderate/challenging 
You’ll need to be in good health and reasonably fit.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.