Ride wild mountains, dense forests, and the great Mekong river as you discover Southern Laos by bike.
The Land of a Million Elephants, as Laos was once known, is opening up to tourists after years of war and isolation. Consequently, a visit to Laos is like stepping back in time and the citizens have retained innocence and charm that is as rare as it is valuable.
Discover Laos by bike through the Southern Lowlands from Pakse down to the Cambodian border before heading north and then east to the fertile lands of the coffee rich Bolaven Plateau. The route to explore Laos by bike covers up to 262 kilometres in 6 cycling days and much of the terrain is quite flat except for the days up on the plateau.
From the natural attractions of amazing waterfalls to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins and to the cultural Khmer 5th century temples of Wat Phu, this tour explores the quiet back roads of South Laos. Along the way the scenery is constantly changing: from arid scrubland to jungle and lush green valleys. The mountains and rivers are pristine in this land-locked country, squeezed between China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, that makes this tour a feast for the eyes.
Its Buddhist population of less than 5 million are deeply religious and, despite years of foreign domination, outside interference andmisrule, Laos has managed to maintain a way of life that is arguably the most purely Southeast Asian of all the counties in the region. It is the warmth and sincere friendliness of its people that will live forever in the hearts of anyone fortunate enough to visit.
Why you'll love this adventure
- A great ride for novices and experts alike
- Get fuelled for your day with delicious Laos cuisine
- See the rare Irrawaddy dolphins
Dates
This trip can be tailor made for your perfect travel dates. Please make a booking enquiry for more information.
Itinerary
The ride covers up to 262 kilometres in 6 cycling days and much of the terrain is quite flat except for the days up on the plateau. This ride is a great ride for novices and experts alike. The majority of this ride is flat apart from the end of day 5 and the start of day 6 and it undulates on day 8. Note that this tour starts with a pick up from Ubon Ratchathani, departing in the morning and afternoon on Day 1 and ends at 4 pm on Day 8 in Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand.
What's included
- Support vehicle
- Guide(s)
- Meals (as indicated)
- Accommodation
- Snacks and drinks
- Cycling jersey
- Water bottle
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Alcohol
- Tips
- Optional Mountain Bike Hire (US 125)
- Optional single room ( US$375)
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
Mixture of 3* & 4* standard hotels, boutique hotels, guesthouses and lodges ( 7 nights)
The selected accommodation is detailed in the itinerary. On rare occasions, due to availability, we sometimes use alternative accommodation and this will be of a similar standard.
Meals
Includes:
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
7 Dinners
Most meals are local Laos food and feature noodles, curries and soups. Lao cuisine is very similar to Thai food and there’s the opportunity to sample as much variety as possible. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please advise at the time of booking.
Who is this trip for?
This ride is a great ride for novices and experts alike. The majority of this ride is flat apart from the end of day 5 and the start of day 6 and it undulates on day 8. The road surfaces are generally very good and so make for easier riding. Anyone who has moderate fitness will enjoy this tour.
The road surfaces are mixed: most days we ride on reasonably good quality asphalt roads, but there are enough rides on very badly broken or dirt tracks to mean you will need a mountain bike, and preferably one with front shocks. However, there is nothing technical involved on this tour and anyone, assuming they are fit enough, will be able to join no matter how little cycling experience they have. A support truck is always available to help when required, except on day 4 when riding on the islands.
Additional notes
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide. If the group is 9 people or more another guide to the tour. All the guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
For the full factsheets, please make an enquiry and they’ll be sent to you right away to help you decide if this is the perfect trip for you.
FAQs
When's the best time to travel to Laos?
Northeastern Thailand and Laos share a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27 and 40C (80-104F), with night temperatures in the 20s 75F). The rainy season is from June to October. The cooler season, is from November to February, with average temperatures between 20 and 30C (70- 86F). It can get a little cold at night on the Bolaven Plateau year round so bring a light fleece for the evenings.
Is fresh water supplied?
Keeping you completely hydrated is taken very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price.
Is money easily accessible in Laos?
The official national currency in Laos is the kip, however, Thai baht and US dollars are also used, especially in larger cities and towns. In smaller towns and villages, kip is usually preferred. There are now a few ATMs in Laos, but they are not widespread and are operational only sporadically. The best overall exchange rates are those offered at the BCEL (Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao). Licensed money-changers rates are similar to banks. Spend all your kip before you leave as no one will exchange it for you once you leave the country!
Can I travel as a solo traveller?
Absolutely. There is no compulsory surcharge for travelling alone. Accommodation is arranged on a twin share basis with another group traveller of the same gender. If you cannot be matched, a single room will be provided at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
Are spare bike parts available?
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though it cannot be guaranteed there’ll be spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Do I need to bring a helmet?
Wearing a helmet is required and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
What are the local hire bikes like?
Because some people can’t imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you are able to hire bikes locally for the price listed above. The bikes are wellknown makes of Hybrid or Mountain bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a road bike and that it is in good mechanical order.
Tour operator
These guys love sharing their passion for travelling by bicycle. With over 20 years experience and having set up the first dedicated cycle touring company in Asia they now curate extraordinary cycle adventures in over 32 countries on every type of terrain, for all ages and experience.
Whether you're a keen road cyclist, love touring or are just looking for a different kind of adventure, they offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with remarkable cultures, characters and landscapes in a way that no ordinary tour could.
Enquire today
Southern Laos by Bike
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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