9 Days Sapa Cycling To Luang Prabang ( Laos )

9 Days Sapa Cycling To Luang Prabang ( Laos )
Tour Itinerary

Sapa to Luang Prabang in Laos! What an exhilarating journey you're planning. This 18-day adventure will take you through the stunning landscapes of Vietnam and Laos, immersing you in the local culture and providing a truly unique experience. Let me guide you through a suggested itinerary for this exciting cycling tour:Throughout this cycling adventure, you'll have the opportunity to interact with locals, taste delicious cuisine, and witness the natural beauty of both Vietnam and Laos. It's important to ensure you have proper cycling gear, stay hydrated, and follow safety guidelines during the tour. Immerse yourself in the rich cultures and stunning landscapes as you pedal from Hanoi to Luang Prabang. Safe travels and enjoy this incredible journey!

Day 1 : Sapa – Tran Ton Pass – Tam Duong – Lai Chau

8:00 AM pick up from your hotel and We ride out of Sapa and complete the 15-km road climb up to Tram Ton Pass – the highest road pass in Vietnam at 2,000 m. We then have a superb 25-km descent into a beautiful valley. The countryside is truly wonderful as we pass tea plantations, and all inhabitants are from minority tribes. The weather always seems to get clearer this side of the mountains, and if we look back, we should get views of Fansipan (3,143 m), the highest mountain in Indochina. At the small town of Tam Duong, we have lunch and then turn left off the main road to cycle 28 km on a lovely country lane through the remote villages of Ban Hon and Ban Giang. We have now left any sign of other western tourists and are in a land of rice paddies, small coffee plantations, and sharp limestone cliffs. We finish in the new city of Lai Chau.

Biking Distance: 75 Km ( mountain  tough 4 to 12 % )

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Lai Chau

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 2 : Lai Chau – Muong Lay

We start the day with an easy pedal from the sleepy town of Lai Chau, but things pick up after 10 km, where there is a climb, but soon there will be a long, sweeping downhill. The first half of the road is amid mountains and rice terraces; the second one is along the Nam Na River with towering mountains on both sides of the road. The afternoon ride to Muong Lay is overall flat with a few slight dips and rises to keep things interesting, The town is at the confluence of the Nam Na River, the Nam Lay River, and the Da River.

Biking Distance: 110 Km ( mountain  tough 4 to 10 % )

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Loca Hotel in Muong Lay

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 3 : Muong Lay – Dien Bien Phu

Another hilly day, but we start nice and easy following a river for 15 km before starting our first climb of the day. Over a further 19 km, we reach a pass at 860 m. At the top, we take a break at a well-located tea shop for refreshments. The average gradient of the pass is relatively easy, averaging around 6-8%. Dropping down to a plateau around 400 m, we stop regularly at some of the last hill tribe villages and have lunch in a local restaurant, where our guide can introduce you to the local customs. There is another short final climb up to a 650-m pass before we prepare a broad smile to greet the kids as we cycle through paddy fields on the final flat stretch into the historic town of Dien Bien Phu.

Biking Distance: 105 Km ( mountain  tough 4 to 12 % )

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 4 : Dien Bien Phu Loop

We explore war history in Dien Bien Phu. Our first stop will be the excellent new war museum, which offers good insight into the climactic battle in 1954 when the Viet Minh communist revolutionary forces defeated the French Union forces in Dien Bien Phu, leading to Vietnam gaining its independence from colonial rule. Other stops on the bikes will include de Castries’ bunker and Glory Statue before we stop for lunch. We then head out of town and cycle towards Muong Phang Commune to visit the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters. Shortly into our ride, the climbing begins, which lasts for about 15 km, but there is a transfer option. Then, our route takes us among forests and a large reservoir, which provides water to two hydroelectric projects. We cycle back down to Dien Bien Phu, and you are free to explore the city. Dinner is on your tonight giving you the chance to venture out and try new food and local drinks!

Biking Distance: 55 Km ( mountain  tough 3 to 8 % )

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 5 : Dien Bien Phu – Border – Muang Khua ( Laos )

Early breakfast and transfer to Tay Trang border. We say goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Laos. We start the day with a 35-km transfer to a quiet border crossing where it takes between 1-2 hrs to complete immigration formalities. We swap crews, pick up new hire bikes and begin the journey to the riverside town of Muang Khua. The ride is beautiful as we descend at first on a recently built but very quiet road, cycling through remote villages mainly comprised of Red or Black Thai ethnic tribes. After lunch, there is a short climb for 10 km, before dropping down to Tat Muang Khua (390 m) a small sleepy market town built on a steep hillside at the confluence of two rivers, offering plenty of great views.

Biking Distance: 69 Km ( mountain  tough 2 to 7 % )

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Local guesthouse  in Muang Khua

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 6 : Muang Khua To Udomxai

Good road along Namphak river today, very nice view. The first stage is flat about 70km through forest and tribal village. In the afternoon, we have a gentle climb from +450 to 750m elevation then going down to Udomxai. Cycling distance 100km. O/N Villa Keoseumsack.

Biking Distance: 85 Km ( mountain  tough 2 to 7 % )

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Loca Guesthouse  in Udomxai

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 7 : Udomxai – Nong Khiaw

Morning warm up your leg 6km outside the town, the moutain begins. This is a challenge day, climb up mountain passes through tropical forest. After 5km up hill we pass by a waterfalls over a limestone cliff into a Nam beng tributary. First summit at level +1,200 meter, then we decent down and climb to a second pass, Hmong villages living along road to the second summit. The third pass is the longest one, at this summit, we have only 28km to go , all way down to Pakmong little town, then we keep on to Nongkiaw. Cycling distance ~ 110km. Overnight at Phaxang riverside resort in Nongkiaw.

Surrounded by jungle, sheer limestone cliffs carpeted in vegetation, and looking down onto the river, this is an excellent spot to chill out. It has only recently been hooked up to electricity and some small restaurants and bars have opened, the first real coffee machine only just arrived! On arrival, we check into a small bungalow complex where the rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Hike to nearby ethnic Lao villages, explore caves where locals lived during the “secret war”, or just relax on the river. We meet up for a riverside dinner.

Biking Distance :  80- 110 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse  in Nongkiaw

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

Day 8 : Nong Kiau – Luang Prabang

The last long ride of the bike tour! Cycling a relatively quiet undulating road, we head west along the Nam Ou River, which makes for a very scenic ride. The road undulates the whole way with some short climbs that never ascend more than 50 m at a time. It makes for a fast-paced, and although it is a reasonable distance, it is satisfying to cycle into the beautiful and historic town of Luang Prabang to end our epic journey. Situated on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is well-known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. Once we reach this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, we head to our hotel and freshen up for our dinner.

Biking Distance:  80 - 120 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Hotel in Luang Prabang

Transportation: Support Bus and Truck

9 : Luang Prabang City Tour and Cycling To  KuangSi Waterfall

Luang Prabang is known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Witness the morning ritual by hundreds of monks from the various monasteries as they walk through the streets collecting alms.
After breakfast,we will visit Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most decorative temples in the city - Explore Wat Mai, a breathtaking temple with a beautiful gilded façade - Spend time at the National Museum at the center of town, and was the former Royal Palace - Enjoy a guided walking tour around the nearby historical and culturally important museums and temples around Luang Prabang - Extremely useful for travelers who have a limited amount of time exploring Luang Prabang, Lunch at the local restaurant .

 Afternoon we cycle to Kuangsi waterfall, on the way visit villages, see the local people work in the rice fields and local activities. After 30 km riding enjoy swimming at the waterfall then we have lunch at the local restaurant. Optional driving or cycling back to town. Farewell dinner tonight .
Luangprabang is the oldest city in Laos, and before the 16th century it was the capital city of the land of million elephants (Laos). The town is a beautifully preserved and in 1995 it was added to UNESCO`s World heritage list. END THE TOUR .
Summary:
Activity: Cycling in City and to Kuangsi waterfall
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Cycling distance: 30 - 60 Km

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Join in group tour departure: 6th Monthly

Group sizes: Min 2 to Max 16 Pax

E-bikes available for rental

Tour Inclusive :

* Support transport by A/C minivan or bus and  truck for group

* Trek MTB &  helmets, spare parts, aid kits, tool kits ( E-bikes extra cost )

* Private cabin in Sapphire cruise or similar

* Entrance fees, Permission for a border tour

* B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner as mentioned in the tour itinerary

* For daily cycling only: Water, snacks, fresh fruits, wet towels

*Accommodation in tour - 9 nights

* Experienced English-speaking bike guides

* Bikes machenic folowing the tour

Tour Exclusive :

* Travel insurance

* Accommodation in Sapa and In Luang Prabang after day 9.

* Other personal expenses

* Tips for guides and drivers

* Drinks at restaurants

* Flights tickets and visas to Vietnam and Laos

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