Laos Adventure Motorbiking Tour - 11 Days. Laos is the often forgotten neighbour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But it is an intriguing country, rich in history and its lack of tourism compared to other South East Asian countries makes it all the more ripe for off-the-beaten-track exploring. Our 11-day motorbike tour across the Northern heartlands of this incredible country takes us from the capital of Vientiane, famous for its French colonial buildings and stunning Buddhist temples, to the rural paradise of Vang Vieng. On the way we’ll stop by hot springs and elephant camps, take a cruise down the Mekong river, make a stop at a CIA airstrip to learn about the part Laos played in the Vietnam War and you’ll even have the option to go tubing. The infrastructure in Laos is improving rapidly but be prepared to encounter dirt roads and lots of potholes.
DAY 1 : Arrival Vientiane
Arrive in Vientiane today. After an airport transfer check into your hotel and take in your surroundings.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Vientiane – Paksan (240 km) compressed dirt/offroad/paved
After breakfast its time to pick up our bikes and begin our trip. The road out of town is a compressed dirt track leading to the main road which is paved. Compressed dirt roads are quite common in Laos so we will hit another one shortly after leaving the main road. Then it’s a track and trail where the Ranger may not be able to follow.
We will arrive in Paksan late afternoon and will stop for lunch at a local spot along the way.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: Paksan – Phonsvan (255 km)
After an early breakfast we will head north on the main road until a diversion onto older, less developed roads. A secondary unused road is available but it is sometimes flooded by a hydroelectric plant.
After lunch will take an off-road ride around the lower parts of Phonsavan, heading to some quite remote areas. We will arrive at the Plain of Jars, an ancient archaeological site, for sunset before sitting down for a local dinner in Phonsavan.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Phonsavan to Muang Him (220 km)
Enjoy some noodle soup for breakfast before we hit the road by 8 am. We’ll be off-road all day and depending on the time of year, the ranger may not be able to follow. There are multiple river crossings here and more challenging terrain. Upon arrival in Vieng Thong, an optional ride to a CIA airstrip is possible (1.5 hours) or you can go for a soak in the local hot springs.
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Muang Him to Nong Khiaw
We start the day with 120 km of paved rural road and some beautiful scenery. After another local lunch stop it’s then a 3-hour off-road ride up into the mountains with several water crossings again. The Ranger can follow all day. Our overnight stop tonight is the riverside village of Nong Khiaw. Dinner is at the hotel.
Accommodation: Riverside Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: Nong Khiaw to Udom Xai (225 km)
We are treated to a little bit of paved road today before hitting 90 km of compressed dirt up to Muang Noi and then onto Muang Khua. In the afternoon we encounter a small paved mountain road for 100 km set against stunning scenery as we make our way to our overnight stop, Udom Xai. Our accommodation for tonight is a moderate hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: Udom Xai to Luang Prabang (225 km) mostly off-road
Today we find ourselves in remote parts of Laos so there is a compressed dirt track for most of our 120km journey down to the Mekong River. Here we load the bikes onto a long boat and cruise into town. The boat cruise is about 1.5 hours and we arrive in Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Dinner is in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: Luang Prabang – Rest Day
Today have a rest and take the time to explore Luang Prabang, a UNESCO world heritage site and the ancient royal capital.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
After experiencing rural Laos, it will be a nice today to ride on arguably the best road in Laos and we’ll hit it early. 230 km of twisted paved road later and we will arrive in Vang Vieng. If our arrival time is before 14:00, you will have the option to go tubing down the Mekong River. If you prefer, you can take a small loop around the west side of town on dirt roads along the karst ridgelines. Dinner tonight is a local meal in Vang Vieng.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: Return to Vientiane
On our last day of riding we’ll hit a mix of mostly paved roads but also some smaller roads along the way. The journey to Vientiane is 220 km. We’ll take a more leisurely route back and will stop at an elephant camp for a drink. Back in the capital for our final night, we will bid a fond farewell to our ranger and tuck into a nice final dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11: Departure Day
Today transfer to the airport as per your outbound flight or perhaps you have booked a few days extra in Vientiane to explore the city in even more detail.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour price : Contact us
Tour Includes
- Experienced English speaking tour leader on motorbike
- Hotels as indicated – twin share (Single rooms available at surcharge)
- Honda CRF 250 Rental
- 3rd party insurance on the motorcycles
- Second Lao guide on bike, groups over 8 riders
- Medical kit
- River cruise to Luang Prabang
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Meals as indicated
- Drinking water and drinks during the day (not included on rest day)
- Entrance fees and ferry crossings
- Return Airport transfers in Vientiane
Tour excludes
- Visa for Laos
- Deposit transfer fees
- Flights into Laos
- Damages incurred on tour to motorcycles
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks (soft drinks + alcohol)
- Support car
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses