TOUR OVERVIEW
LUANG PRABANG- MUANG KHUA - HANOI - HALONG BAY
JOIN IN TOUR DATES
Oct 10th 2023
NoV 10th 2023
Dec 10th 2023
Jan 8th 2024
Feb 2nd 2024
Departure is guaranteed with 4 people. Max group size is 8.
PRICE PER PERSON
USD $2,125
This epic 16-day cross-border cycling expedition travels from the tranquil, UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos, to the vibrant capital of Hanoi, Vietnam, culminating in an unforgettable overnight cruise on the spectacular Halong Bay.
The adventure kicks off with rugged dirt road cycling through remote Hmong and Khmu communities in Northern Laos, featuring challenging climbs and breathtaking jungle landscapes. From the backpacker haven of Muang Ngoi, you’ll take a stunning longboat trip up the Nam Ou River before crossing into Vietnam.
In Vietnam, the journey weaves through historically significant locations like Dien Bien Phu and picturesque mountain passes. You’ll cycle past terraced rice fields, visit ethnic Tai villages, and stay in traditional homestays in Mai Chau. A highlight includes exploring Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's largest primary forest reserve, and its Primate Rescue Centre.
The grand finale is a two-night journey through the magnificent, limestone-studded waters of Halong Bay, featuring sea kayaking, Tai Chi sessions, and exploring hidden caves. This challenging, immersive tour offers a dramatic contrast between rural life in Laos and the vibrant energy of Vietnam, providing a truly unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Meals provided are list by each day - Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D)
DAY 01 |ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG (D)
Meet with our team for a short sunset ride around Luang Prabang to ensure we are confident for the journey ahead and to get acclimatised to life in SE Asia. We will have an informal trip briefing and dinner at a local vocational training restaurant.
DAY 02 | LUANG PRABANG TO PAKXANG (B,L)
We begin our exploration of northern Laos, well off the beaten track, interacting with the rural Hmong and Khmu communities of northern Laos, Dirt road riding over rugged terrain on a road rarely used by tourists. In the small village of Pakxang, we meet our host family and spend the night in their home for a real Homestay experience.
DAy 3 |PAKXANG- VIENG KHAM (B,L)
This day will probably be the most challenging of the tour, But rewarded with the best views and pristine jungle landscape.
DAY 4 | VIENG KHAM- MUANG NGOI (B,L)
Today you are truly rewarded for your efforts a great up and down days cycling to backpacker haven of Muang Ngoi. This route takes you well off the beaten track and into parts of Laos that have only just got electricity. Muang Ngoi is nestled deep in a valley surrounded by stunning limestone peaks. You have the afternoon to do as you please.
DAY 5 | MUANG NGOI- MUANG KHUA (B,L)
The Bikes get put in a traditional long boat for the beautiful trip up the Nam Ou river, we will stop for a picnic lunch on the way as we gently put-put our way upstream.
DAY 6 | MUANG KHUA TO DIEN BIEN PHU (B,L)
The Ride to the Vietnamese border is straightforward and an easy ride over mountain passes. We will arrive at around lunch time ready to cross and meet our Vietnam team, and a 1-hour transfer to the historically significant city of Dien Bien Phu will take the afternoon and evening to explore this beautiful and fascinating city.
DAY 7 | DIEN BIEN PHU – TUAN GIAO (B,L)
Cycling from Dien Bien Phu to Tuan Giao is an easy 80 km through many Tai ethnic villages to Tuan Giao (one notable climb is a mountain pass 15 km outside Dien Bien). Overnight in a guesthouse.
DAY 8 | TUAN GIAO – SON LA (B,L)
Cycling from Tuan Giao to Son La. After a short transfer to the Pha Din pass (“Heaven and Earth” pass) to the summit of 1450 m, you will start the day with a 15 km downhill featuring a nice landscape of green rice fields and karst valley along the way. This stretch has light traffic, wandering water buffaloes, and Tai and Hmong children. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 9 | SON LA – MOC CHAU (B,L)
After a short transfer, our day will be less hilly but no less spectacular, as we head off gradually downhill, our passage overshadowed by looming karst cliffs. After lunch, we'll continue through lush, terraced rice paddies against the jagged cliff backdrop.
DAY 10 | MOC CHAU – MAI CHAU (B,L)
After a hearty breakfast, we set off on a testing but spectacular day. Cycling along a narrow, quiet back road, we'll head into a region predominantly populated by Black Tai (Tai Dam) minority cultures. As we near Mai Chau, situated at 1000m, we pass through plum orchards and corn and tea plantations. Overnight in a homestay.
DAY 11 | MAI CHAU – CUC PHUONG (B,L)
Following the banks of the Ma River, this day will be an easy one. The scenery, however, is timeless and photo opportunities abound as you pedal through a working landscape of people and crops. In the late afternoon, you will get a transfer to Cuc Phuong National Park. Cuc Phuong is one of Vietnam's most important nature reserves and contains the country's largest area of primary forest. Visit the Primate Rescue Centre and learn about the plight of endangered species such as the Cat Ba Langur. Overnight in Bungalow.
DAY 12 | CUC PHUONG -HANOI (B)
Ride the final leg to Hanoi. The ride is 40 km through Cuc Phuong forest to the park center and break for tea before taking a transfer to Hanoi.
DAY 13 | HANOI TO HALONG BAY (B,L,D)
We will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you by shuttle bus to what is considered to be on of the greatest sites in Asia, the spectacular limestone-strewn massif of Halong Bay. Arrive in Ha Long city, board our traditional wooden junk boat, for an overnight journey. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check-in before you begin your cruise through the Bai Tu Long Bay, the wildest beauty with the panoramic natural views. Admire the grace of the bay while enjoying the delicious lunch in the restaurant on the first deck. After that, we explore the well-hidden Co Cave (known as Thien Canh Son Cave). Relax on a white sandy beach or walk along the beach at Hon Co Island (no swimming). At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit. Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar. Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight. After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa, join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night.
DAY 14 | HALONG BAY DISCOVERY (B,L,D)
For the early risers, join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands. Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay or have an early morning swim.
Breakfast, coffee or tea is served. After breakfast, we transfer to the Day Boat and start cruising to admire the great beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay. Kayaking in Cap La Area - Deep into Bai Tu Long Bay, the area is full of the famous hidden lagoons covered by majestic limestone islands and islets with small beaches. A BBQ lunch will be served on boat. After lunch, we continue kayaking around magnificent karst mountains or swimming (depending on conditions). The vessel cruises back to your overnight boat. Dinner and overnight on junk boat.
DAY 15 | HALONG BAY – HANOI (B,L)
For the early risers, join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai Chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, and there is no better environment to practice this than among the limestone peaks and islands.
Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim. Breakfast, coffee and tea and served. After breakfast, we sail through the waters and explore Vung Vieng Fishing Village and short visit the Pearl Farm to learn how natural pearls are grown. We will then check out the cabin and enjoy Vietnamese cooking class and set menu lunch followed by. Cruise back to Ha Long city for disembarkation, where you take a shuttle bus to be back to Hanoi. A Free final Evening at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 16 | HANOI (B)
Today you are free to explore Hanoi at leisure until departure time.