Northern Indochina Trail
Classic Bike tour in Laos & Vietnam | 13 days Luang Prabang to Hanoi | US$1990
Cycle a remote border crossing in a rarely travelled corner of the world. This is an out there trip!
A new border crossing is now open in the far reaches of Laos, so to make the most of this opportunity here is our newest tour. Cycle from beautiful Luang Prabang in Laos to the capital of Vietnam, travelling up rivers and over the mountains through a remote corner of the world.
We start in World Heritage Listed Luang Prabang with its French architecture, abundant temples and beautiful natural surrounds. Take a boat up the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers before cycling through the remote and densely forested areas of northern Laos meeting its charming inhabitants. Forge your way through the Vietnamese mountains, stopping to learn about the events of the Indochina War. Meet the minority hill tribes and learn about their history and their lives now. This is the Northern Indochina Trail and we can’t wait to show it to you!
Itinerary
Days 1-2 | Luang Prabang
We start our adventure in the ancient city of Luang Prabang. Enjoy a warm up ride to the amazing Kuang Si waterfall where we can enjoy a swim in fresh, aqua colored water and enjoy the town's many temples, shops, markets and great restaurants.
Day 3 | Nong Khiaw
Today we begin our epic journey towards Hanoi with a ride alongside the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers before boating to our destination for the night at Nong Khiaw, which sits at a dramtic location betweens mountains and river.
Days 4-9 | Cycle to Dien Bien Phu
Three days of riding takes us deep into a remote corner of Laos before crossing at the newest international border crossing and onto the Vietnam town of Dien Bien Phu. Here we will take a rest day so you can relax by the pool or explore this important town where the Vietnamese achieved a decisive victory over the French in their battle against colonial rule.
Days 10-11 | Cycle to Sapa
It's mountain riding for the next three days as we climb and descend over dramatic mountain scenery. We finish the ride with a 27Kilometer ascent into the popular town of Sapa. Here we will relax in a comfortable hotel and take in the relaxed vibe of this mountain town.
Days 12-13 | Hanoi
Sapa is renown for it’s trekking, but there it’s a fair bet that you will find the markets, the restaurants and the view from the verandah a little more appealing after your epic bike ride. After a free day to relax, we will board the sleeper train to Hanoi. We arrive in the early hours of the morning and check into some day rooms for a shower. The tour concludes today.
Facts and Information
Style
fully supported cycling
Grasshopper Leader
This tour will be lead by Adam Platt-Hepworth who lives in Bangkok and spend his days leading bike groups around Southeast Asia - much better than his old office job!
meet Adam
Inclusions
support vehicle, local guide, tour leader, most meals, entry fees, boat trip in Laos
Group Size
minimum 3, maximum 14
Accommodation
3 nights comfortable hotel, 8 nights guesthouse, 1 night train
Meals Included
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
Days Cycling
8
Kilometres Cycled
approx 700km
Difficulty
difficult
Cycling Conditions
Roads in Lao are sealed and generally in good shape, although some sections may have deteriorated. Potholes and sections of dirt are common. In Vietnam, we spend most of our time on well made, sealed roads. There are currently some construction zones though, so there may be some stretches of dirt riding.