TOUR OVERVIEW
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - PAKBENG - OUDOMXAY - PAK MONG - LUANG PRABANG
DISTANCE: 750-824 KM
JOIN IN TOUR DATES
13-Nov-23 16-Dec-23 19-Jan-24 23-Feb-24
FULL ITINERARY
DAY 01 |CHIANG MAI (40km)
We meet at the Hotel after Breakfast to brief everyone thoroughly and make sure the bikes fit. Then, we take a short transfer out of town and start a nice, easy ride along the Ping River to get accustomed to
riding in Thailand. Our stopping point of Ban Tawai is the arts and crafts area and we have time
to browse the stalls for souvenirs before heading back to Chiang Mai.
DAY 02 | Teak Forest Ride (60km)
After breakfast we transfer to the nearby reservoir where we take a boat to our trail head. We
ride an outstanding trail through a scenic teak forest enjoying some great single track. We eventually
spill out of the forest at a waterfall where our support truck is waiting to replenish water supplies
and provide a snack. We then ride on road to our lunch stop, a great little restaurant overlooking
a reservoir. After lunch we ride along country back roads before cutting off road and riding
through the forest. We then transfer to our resort near Chiang Dao. Time to enjoy the swimming
pool before dinner.
DAy 3 |Chiang Dao to Chiang Rai (48Km)
We make a short transfer from the resort to Chiang Dao Caves and the start of our ride. Today’s ride is a real treat for mountain bikers. We ride through rice fields and among soaring limestone
cliffs before hitting the dirt. We ride dirt roads cut by local hill tribes and we will meet Akha, Lisu,
Lau and Palaung peoples. The colorful Palaung are recent migrants and you will see their women
adorned with heavy brass waist-bands working the fields. We stop for lunch at a Forestry Camp
before a memorable afternoon riding some quite outstanding mountain trails. Our support vehicle
will be waiting at the trail end to transport us two hours to Chiang Rai.
DAY 4 | CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG SAEN (65 KM)
After leaving Chiang Rai, you follow the Kok River north through fruit plantations and paddies. You also pass a rubber plantation, something uncommon in Northern Laos. Chiang Saen, the oldest urban settlement of Thailand and former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, is in a beautiful location on the banks of the Mekong river. In the afternoon, you can visit the viewpoint in the heart of the Golden Triangle.
DAY 5 | CHIANG SAEN TO CHIANG KHONG (68 KM)
The first stage of today’s ride is easy going. With mountain backdrops, the road follows the Mekong river through picturesque hilltribe villages, tobacco and rice fields. The last 12 kilometers are more challenging, with some steep but short ascents. The road joins the main road just before the entry to Chiang Khong, the border entry to Laos. This is the last night that you will stay in Thailand on this tour.
DAY 6 | BOAT TO PAKBENG
This morning we board our slow boat for our journey to Pakbeng. The ride is slow and laid-back, passing through spectacular scenery as you chug through the mountains of Udomxai Province to arrive at Pakbeng some 10 hours later. This journey gives a wonderful insight into how important the river is to the survival of the Lao people – not only as a means of transportation, but for irrigation, its fishery, and the shipping of goods to areas inaccessible by road.
DAY 7 | PAKBENG TO OUDOMXAY (70 KM)
After a one hour transfer, we are cycling in very rural Laos, an area inhabited by hill tribe villages who eke a meagre existence from the land. Along the way, you will pass villages of Phu Tai, Tai Lu, Hmong, Tai Dam, Lao and Khamu. The people are very friendly and not yet tired of seeing tourists. We stop at weaving villages along the way, where you still see families sitting in the shade weaving on old looms. After climbing a 300 meter pass, a long descent brings you to Oudomxay, the capital of the Oudomxay Province.
DAY 8 | OUDOMXAY TO Nong Khiaw (103 KM)
We'll head back into the jungle for stretches of this spectacular route; although hilly, it soon gives way to gentler gradient and opens to magnificent scenery and finally a 30 km downhill ride to Pak Mong, a small supply depot town. This is one of the more difficult days of the trip, so you have the choice of challenging yourself or firing up your camera from the comfort of the vehicle. Add an extra day to your trip to enjoy the amazing 100 waterfalls trek.
DAY 9 | Nong Khiaw TO LUANG PRABANG (95 KM)
Start the day with a 2 hour boat ride down the serene Nam Ou River before flatter and better roads today will enable you to complete the longer distance to Luang Prabang. Only a few minor passes have to be climbed before you're cycling along the banks of the Nam Ou river with stunning views of huge mountain ranges. On the last stage of the day, you'll be cycling through teakwood plantations before arriving in Luang Prabang.
DAY 10 | REST, EXPLORATION, & OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Luang Prabang remains one of Asia's most beautiful historic towns, earning it the status of a World Heritage Site in 1995. Rising from the confluence of the Mekong andNam Khan Rivers, it is popular for its many temples and preserved French colonial architecture. There are also ancient monasteries and a Royal Palace Museum. For those who still have energy, optional activities around Luang Prabang include kayaking, trekking, elephant riding, or a jungle trek to Kuang Si waterfall.