Vietnam Laos Cycling Tour 7 days: Cross-border Excursion

After breakfast, we start our trip by taking a bus on National Highway 15 heading to the border passing through Pu Luong and Pu Ha Nature preservation.

We reach the border around 11:00AM border after journey of 70 km. 
 

Upon arrival and entrance into the immigration area, getting our visa, our guide will  warmly welcome you to Laos and take you ride on National Highway 217. We will have chance to cycle uphill towards Vieng Xai on scenic flat roads under some of the most breathtaking karst scenery in Laos, passing ethnic minority villages in the area, including Thai Dam, Thai Dang, Meuy, and Kmu. Enjoy delicious picnic lunch en route.

After lunch, we continue our trip to cycle to Vieng Xai. Upon arrival , we spend a little time on freshening up before driving outside of the town to experience a nearby network of hundreds of caves. The natural and artificial caves were constructed and used by Pathet Lao in Vieng Xai during the Vietnam war in which Khayson Cave was considered as home of the office and residence of the Pathet Lao chief during the war period, and Souphanouvong Cave, also named Red Prince Cave, the residence of royal Prince Souphanouvong at one time. Then, onto Nouhak Cave, named for Nouhak Phoumsavang, who served as Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Overnight at simple guesthouse in Sam Neua
 

After having early breakfast, we start our day's journey over the "Laotian Alps" to Vieng Thong, riding over the massive 4,000+ foot Phou Lao and Phou Leuy mountain passes, where we'll spy the 2,062 meter peak of Phou Leuy and 2,079 meter Phou Pan-Cnai in the distance.

From Vieng Xai, we go on cycling on National Highway 6 to Nam Noen (64.5 miles and about 4,500 feet) of ascending. On the way, we have a stop to discover Hing Tang (Suan Hin), a artificial formation of vertical stones that may be regarded to those on the Plain of Jars. At Nam Noen, we'll head to  northwest  on route 1 towards Vien Thong, a hilly 36 miles way.

After arrival in Vien Thong, we make a stroll  to nearby hot springs to soak worn legs before discovering the small town set on the Nam Khan River and largely inhabited by a collection of ethnic minority  particularly Hmong and "lowland" Lao. Before dinner, we'll walk to nearby hot springs to soak our legs.

Overnight at standard guesthouse in Vieng Thiong.
 

Today would be the most longest difficult day. After breakfast, we would be highly recommended to use van shuttle to reach  top of the first climb. National route No 1c between Vieng Thong and Nong Khiaw passes through breathtaking scenery with lush green mountains, even in the dry season when we are passing through.

After leaving  Vien Thong, we head to ride on flats until reaching our first challenge, a 2,400 foot climb, before going down to a winding river valley road for about 12 miles until we arrive our next climb of about 2,100 feet, plummeting down to Vieng Kham at mile 86 (at 1,200 feet elevation). After a third ascension of 900 feet, the rest of the day is over the sharp hills on a paved, good-condition side road heading northwest to Nong Muang, a picturesque northern outpost being explored by backpackers.

Overnight at standard guesthouse in Nong Khia.
 

In the morning, we begin riding approximately 20 km with opposite direction to Nong Khia and then embark a local boat on downstream of the majestic Nam Ou River. We go along the banks of the Mekong river before coming into the city center.

This will take you to the one of most beautiful Pak Ou caves where we could have a look at confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers. Since the 16 century, the villagers built many thousands of Buddha images here.

Then cycling back to LuangPrabang.
Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.
 

You are free to explore Luang Prabang on your own.
Overnight at a hotel in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast, you are free until being picked up and transferred to airport for departure flight.