Thailand and Laos Cycle

15 days (Bangkok)

Destinations visited: Thailand, Bangkok

Grading:

Moderate level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Cycle the backroads of the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang and Vientiane

Thailand and Laos are two of the most loved travel destinations in Southeast Asia and it is easy to see why. Steeped in Buddhist traditions, lush landscapes, the beauty of the Mekong River, warm smiles of local people and sumptuous cuisine are memories that will stay with you forever. Our cycling adventure explores the culture and natural environments of these two very different countries. We commence cycling in Bangkok where we gain a different perspective to this otherwise busy city by exploring its hidden back alleys. From here we cycle the beautiful rolling hills of the Golden Triangle heading north to the mighty Mekong River that forms the border with Laos. Crossing by boat we cycle in the remote region of northern Laos taking in the spectacular scenery, exploring minority villages and staying in local guesthouses. Our journey continues to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang where we enjoy exquisite golden temples, waterfalls and night markets before embarking on arguably the best bike ride in Laos to Vang Vieng.

Highlights

Exploring the back lanes of Bangkok by bike
Cycling off-road trails through the hill tribe region of northern Thailand
Enjoying the scenery and people of remote northern Laos
Discovering the beauty of the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang
Cycling to the refreshing waterfalls of Kuang Si

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Bangkok

On arrival you will need to make your own way to the group hotel. We will have an important tour briefing (approx 6.00pm), so check with reception for the exact time and location. If you are arriving in Thailand early, Bangkok is an exciting city. Explore the surrounding alleyways where you will will always find a huge range of street stalls and food markets, hunt for bargains in the colourful markets or visit the spectacular Royal Palace . A cruise along the legendary Chao Phraya River is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and capture the charm of the river.

Day 2 Morning cycle in Bangkok, fly to Chiang Rai

After breakfast we have a quick bike fitting and briefing before we head out to explore Bangkok from the back of a bike. Staying off the roads we wind our way through small lane ways, past ancient temples and canals to see the heart and soul of Bangkok. There are no particularly famous sights that you will see it is all about seeing the city away from the tourists and big roads, to see the real Bangkok where people live work, and play. Completing our tour we return to our hotel to collect our luggage before transferring to the airport for our flight to Chiang Rai (approx 90mins). On arrival in Chiang Rai we transfer to our hotel where we meet our Thai cycling guide and crew. In the evening you can wander the streets and discover this small relatively laid back town. Chiang Rai has been inhabited since the 7th century, but it was not until 1262 that King Meng Rai established it as the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The capital was later relocated to Chiang Mai. There are numerous attractions here from ruins of ancient settlements, Buddhist shrines, magnificent mountain scenery and hill tribes. Distance: approx 15kms

Day 3 Cycle Chiang Rai to Mae Chan

Starting from Chiang Rai we ride out of the town and follow the wonderful country roads through small farming villages. This region is mostly rice farming so the scenery will depend on when we travel relative to the rice growing cycle - from the early seedling period through to harvest time rice fields always provide for an extremely picturesque scene for our cycling . Today's ride is mostly flat with some short hilly sections later in the ride. Distance: approx 60kms

Day 4 Cycle Mae Chan to Chiang Saen

Another flat day of riding brings us our first views of the Mekong River. We should reach Chiang Saen by lunch time where we will check into our hotel. After lunch and a short rest we then ride alongside the Mekong River up to the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. There are many different opinions as to how and when the term 'Golden Triangle' evolved however most agree that the term applies to the opium growing region covering northern Thailand, eastern Myanmar (Burma) and western Laos. Opium production has been illegal in Thailand since 1959 and thanks to a highly successful crop substitution program established by His Majesty King Bhumipol, opium production has largely been eliminated in Thailand. The Thai area of the of the golden triangle is full of small quiet villages, beautiful natural scenery and ancient temples. After enjoying the view of this famous point we'll take time to visit the Opium Museum before our return ride to Chiang Saen. Chiang Saen is an interesting small town, surrounded by numerous Wats (temples). The oldest, Wat Chedi Luang, next to the National Museum, was once Chiang Saen's main temple. The large chedi which give the temple its name is 18 metres (60 feet) tall. The octagonal shape is considered typical of the Chiang Saen style. Distance: approx 60kms

Day 5 Cycle Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong

Today the mighty Mekong is our compass as we follow the river downstream to Chiang Khong, the border town with Laos. While we start out in the flat lands the it starts to become a little hillier as the day progresses and there are a couple of short steep hills that will test your legs! As we cycle you will see rice paddies give way to fruit plantations and the villages become more spread out. The Mekong River is the life line of many villages in this area and more than 60 million people across Asia depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water, transport and many other aspects of their daily lives. Distance: approx 70kms

Day 6 Transfer Chiang Khong to Pak Beng by boat

Today after passing through Thai immigration we cross the Mekong River into Laos and into a very different world. Here things move at a much slower pace and it’s immediately obvious that Laos is a unique place. We board our private, wooden long boat and drift down the Mekong. The family who operate the boat will prepare lunch for us to enjoy as we pass by peaceful villages who grow a variety of fruit and vegetables on the sand banks when the water is low. We draw into our home for the night, Pak Beng as the sun is dropping behind the hills and we spend our first night in a Lao village with a permanent population of not more than a few hundred people. There is a small Wat to be found in the hills not far from the village and this is a very quaint example of a Buddhist temple from the former Lanna Kingdom.

Day 7 Cycle Pak Beng to Oudom Xai

We set out on the bikes early today and after leaving the Mekong River by a small gully, we find ourselves quickly in picturesque countryside. The small voices of hundreds of Lao children will ring in your ears as we pass tiny villages dotted along the road, some no more than clusters of bamboo bungalows. Some of the roads we travel on today can be in poor condition and there are some hills to climb. Later in the day we pass small silk weaving workshops where local women supplement the household farming income with this craft. We finish the day with a drive to reach Oudom Xai. This town has a very Chinese feel to it by virtue of the fact that it sits on the highway to China, a rapidly growing trade route. A walk up to the hilltop temple behind the hotel will provide a great view of this sweeping valley surrounded by mountains. Distance: approx 90kms

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Day 8 Cycle Oudom Xai to Nong Khiaw

We have a challenging day in front of us today as we climb out of the valley and up into the hills. The road conditions today can be rough and there are some hilly sections (both up and down), if you are felling tired the support vehicle is always there should you need a rest. Here we find the hill tribe communities of Hmong and Khmu. These people traditionally call the highest altitudes in Laos their home, but have been increasingly coerced into settling in lower lying areas. The views today are spectacular as we weave our way through the mountains. A fantastic descent sets us up for a great end to the ride and just when you thought the scenery could not get better, we arrive in Nong Khiaw. This small charming village is nestled on the Nam Ou River between towering limestone karst hills and is blessed with one of the most attractive natural settings in Northern Laos. Forest and mountains surround the town and there are hardly any other sounds apart from the song of hundreds of birds and cicadas. Distance: approx 100kms

Day 9 Boat from Nong Khiaw, cycle to Luang Prabang

In the morning we board a small boat and cruise down the river toward Luang Prabang. The journey, which will take a couple of hours passes by limestone cliffs, villages and farmland, and makes for a relaxing river journey. Where the river and highway meet we get back on the bikes and ride to Luang Prabang. This is an undulating ride with the Nam Ou River as our companion for much of the way. We should arrive in time for an afternoon ride through the streets before seeking refuge at our comfortable air-conditioned hotel, our base for the next three nights. Surrounded by rugged limestone peaks and with it’s combination of historic temples, French colonial architecture and its setting by the Mekong, it is clear why Luang Prabang is one of Asia’s most picturesque towns – in 1995 it was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Distance: approx 70kms

Day 10 Free day in Luang Prabang

A day to rest and enjoy this lovely town. There are lots of activities on offer including cooking classes, massages, or you can simply take a walk around the peninsula area that the town sits on. If you would like to cycle more today your guide can help arrange cycling around Luang Prabang or even in the nearby countryside. If you are keen, a wonderful early morning excursion for early risers (5:30am) is a dawn visit to witness the long lines of saffron robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive alms offerings from the local residents. There are also plenty of other sights to explore in Luang Prabang. The former Royal Palace, now a national museum, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family and it is now home to exhibits of art and jewels. With over thirty Wats (temples) in town you may wish to visit Wat Mai with its unique 5 tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs. Wat Sene has beautiful golden façade and the most famous temple of Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong. If you choose to the visit the Wats and Royal palace please remember to dress respectively – with knees and shoulders covered. For sunset trek to the top of Phousi Hill with magnificent views over the valley. The sides of the hill, as well as the top, are studded with many small temples and shrines. There are several routes up the hill, and a typical journey will takes one stairway up and a different one down. Complete the day at the evening market that fill the streets - every day as the sun goes down villagers from the surrounding area come to sell their traditional textiles, crafts and carvings.

Day 11 Cycle to Kuang Si Waterfall

This morning we ride out through the rice fields and the villages to Kuang Si. Although the ride is worth it in itself, as we pass through many interesting Hmong villages, our reward is of course a dip in the multi-tiered waterfalls with its clear natural terraced pools. This waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Luang Prabang and is truly spectacular. We aim to get there early before the afternoon tuks tuks arrive. The water is fresh, cold water from a spring only a short distance away. The swimming holes at intervals through the area have a limestone coating on the bottom, presenting the water in a bright aqua colour. You can also visit the Free the Bears centre at the gates of the waterfall. This sanctuary is home to some of the rescued Asiatic Black Bears (Moon Bears) that have been rescued from poachers. Distance: approx 60kms

Day 12 Cycle to Kasi

Today we start with a drive to get us up into cycling country. We gain altitude quickly as the road snakes up into the mountains and as we reach the top of the climb, we exit the car and hit the bikes for another challenging ride. We follow the ridge through hill-tribe communities before we enjoy what could be the best continual descent in SE Asia with absolutely stunning views. At times it’s hard to decide whether to stop to take a photo of the breath-taking scenery or just enjoy the downhill. In any case, this is a highlight ride of the trip and one you won’t forget for a while to come. Our home for the evening is the small town of Kasi. Distance: approx 95kms

Day 13 Cycle Kasi to Vang Vieng

This is our last day of riding and an amazing way to finish the expedition. We complete our descent from the mountains and while we previously saw limestone cliffs from above now we are down among them - providing a great many photo opportunities. This afternoon you are free to explore the town and perhaps finish the day with a cool beer on the rivers edge as you watch the sun go down. Distance: approx 65kms

Day 14 Drive to Vientiane

This morning you have some free time. A lagoon and various caves just outside town may interest you, or a visit to the a nearby market located just five kilometres north of the town which sells Lao textiles, household items and foodstuffs. In the afternoon we drive to Vientiane (approx 4 hours), the capital of Laos. Here we hit the town for a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey and farewell each other.

Day 15 In Vientiane, trip concludes

Trip concludes after breakfast. If your onward travel is later in the day, remember that check out time is 12:00 noon. You can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Additional Information

Inclusions

14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 5 dinners
expert bilingual guide
comfortable hotels/guesthouse
internal flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
24 gear mountain bikes
support vehicles
medical kit
sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary

Summary

15 day trip
10 day cycle
14 nights hotel/guesthouse

Trip Main Activities

Cycling
Adventure Touring

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

World Expeditions can assist you with booking your pre and post tour accommodation. On occasions, your pre or post trip accommodation may be different to the trip accommodation and you may be required to change rooms for these extra nights.

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include a cycle helmet and clothing along with a day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

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