Here are some more details on our cycling holidays in Laos

Laos - South to North

redspokes Laos North to South cycling holiday is a bicycle journey through spectacular scenery, offering rich cultural diversity. Laos is a beautiful, mountainous and land-locked country, still relatively untouched by western values. The Laos population is just six million and Laotians have a reputation for being amongst the most welcoming and friendly people in the world. On redspokes Laos South to North cycling holiday you will enjoy some of the most breath-taking landscapes in Asia as you mountain bike from the elegantly colonial capital city Vientiane towards Northern Laos riding rural landscapes and visiting minority communities. What better way could there be to explore this beautiful country?

Our cycling holiday begins in Vientiane, situated on the banks of the Mekong River. We ride through rural areas to Nam Ngum reservoir and continue cycling on through rice paddies and secluded valleys, visiting fishing villages and tackling a few climbs to reach Vang Vieng in a picturesque location on the Nam Song River.  We enter a landscape of stunning limestone karst formations as our journey continues via rolling hills riding our toughest days of the route to reach UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is an ancient, royal city full of exquisite Buddhist temples, where time seems to stand still and is a magical place to explore and to relax on our rest day. We depart Luang Prabang riding on flat road and have the opportunity to visit the holy caves of Pak-Ou home to an ancient collection of precious Buddhist statues. Riding north into the mountains to Oudomxay Province close to the border with China and home to 22 different ethnic minorities mostly Akha, Hmong and Mien.

We cycle on to visit Ban Nalay, a minority village where you will be welcomed with a traditional Basi ceremony this part of redspokes Laos South to North cycling holiday will give you an insight into traditional life and work such as weaving, cotton-producing and the culture of the Tai Lue people. Bidding the villagers goodbye, our cycling adventure continues to the Mekong River. We will enjoy a memorable river trip through glorious scenery back into Luang Prabang. This boat journey gives a fascinating insight into the significance of the Mekong River to the people of Laos. redspokes Laos South to North cycling holiday ends in Luang Prabang.

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Laos: Northern Loop

redspokes Laos Northern Loop cycling holiday begins in UNESCO World Heritage town Luang Prabang. Encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong at its confluence with the Nam Khan river Luang Prabang is an ancient, royal city of exquisite Buddhist temples and a magical place to explore and to relax before our remote and challenging Northern Loop Laos cycling holiday begins.

Departing the city, we have a tough first day in the saddle, cycling a mountainous route with a backdrop of spectacular karst peaks. We head on through the north east and the Phou Bia mountains. This is one of the highest mountain ranges in Laos and we will enjoy beautiful scenic views across the cloud covered peaks and valleys. We will also follow sections of the Ho Chi Minh trail, a seemingly endless series of paths where the trail crosses into Laos at several points. The trail was used to deliver weapons to communist guerrillas fighting against US and Southern Vietnamese forces. The many visible bomb craters in the Phonsavan area serve as a reminder of the impact of 9 years of war.

We cycle to the legendary Plain of Jars; a huge archaeological complex. The stone jars are over 2,000 years old. Believed to be Iron Age burial urns, their true origin remains a mystery and legend has it that they could have been created to brew potent rice wine to celebrate the victory of a band of mythical giants over their enemies. Others say the jars held whisky for a thirsty giant who lived in the mountains above Phonsavan. We have a day to explore the mystical Iron Age remains and learn more about their history.

Riding on to the Xiengkhuang plateau we Continue to cycle hilly, rural, remote regions, and will be welcomed by minority communities. Cycling through forested conservation areas we reach beautiful Nong Khiaw village on the banks of the Nam Ou river, surrounded by jungle and limestone cliffs.  Our Laos Northern Loop cycling holiday ends back in beautiful Luang Prabang.

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Laos Custom Tour

If our advertised dates don’t suit you, if you’re looking for a shorter/longer tour or simply want the enjoyment of travelling on your own or with friends, why not let us create a customised itinerary for you? We can organise private tours for groups of 2 or more people. This will usually be the same cost as for our advertised tour if there are 6 or more and 20-70% higher for smaller numbers.

We have years of experience working in adventure cycling and providing our clients with customised itineraries. A tour with redspokes will capture the imagination and leave lasting memories of this fascinating country.

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