Vietnam – Laos Bicycle Route; Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Tu le – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Tuan Giao  - Dien Bien – Muang Khua – Oudomsay – Nong khiaw – Luang Prabang – Phoukhuon – Phonsavanh – Muang Kham – Samnuea – Vieng Xai – Na Meo Border – Quan Son – Pu luong – Mai Chau – Hanoi.

Highlight: 21 Day – Hanoi – Luang Prabang Mountain bikes tours offers the opportunity to experience two stunning countries; Vietnam and Laos. In both countries, communities who have had very little contact with the western world will give you a warm respectful welcome.
Our cycling tour starts in Hanoi, Vietnam's beautiful capital. Vietnam has the richest and most complex ethnic make-up in the whole of South-East Asia.  We set our way to North East Vietnam, cycling through breathtaking scenery in Nghia Lo forward to untouched  and remoted region of Yen Bai province. We mountain bike through villages of H'mong, Tay, Dao and Xa Pho minorities, whose markets and festivals add such colour and character to the cycle tour. Our bicycle holiday includes challenging cycling and a wonderful opportunity to experience the traditional and varied lifestyles in Vietnam and Laos.
We travel through a landscape of amazing karstic rock formations, cycling past stilted houses with thatched roofs and mountains nestled between limestone outcrops. We cross into North Eastern Laos at Tay Trang, the least populated area of the country, from here we will bicycle on through tranquil scenery meeting very few fellow cyclists. Laos is a mountainous land-locked country, of outstanding beauty, and is known for the warmth and friendliness of the Laotian people. 
Our  Vietnam & Laos Bicycle Loop  includes a visit to Luang Prabang,  UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. This ancient royal city, full of exquisite Buddhist Temples, where time seems to stand still, is a magical place to explore and relax. Our trip continues to Southeast. We will cycle on hilly road and admire mysterious plain of Jars. Cycling on scenic road and rustic villages to Muang Kham and  Vieng Xai to visit and learn bout the history of Phathet Laos. These huge caves were home to around twenty thousand Pathet Lao communist fighters during the secret war of Laos. This war, termed secret because the US was not supposed to be engaged in combat in neutral Laos, was all part of the larger geo-political events and changes of the sixties and seventies. While the communist forces were being bombarded from the air by the CIA funded Hmong Army, they used these caves as a refuge, complete with hospital, school and underground villages. we will say good bye our Laos’ Crew, check in Vietnam Border again and cycle to Pu Luong and Mai Chau Scenic Valley.

Day 1: Ha Noi – Yen Bai – Nghia Lo

Having hearty breakfast in hotel, leaving hustling and bustling city behind, we  set our way to Mid North Vietnam. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and magnificent limestone mountain ranges whilst we take shuttle bus from Thanh Son to Yen Bai. Upon arrival cycling point. Having enroute, after lunch meals, we  fix our bikes and commence cycling to Nghia Lo. Enjoy  undulating route lead to Van Tran and descending to Muong Lo rice field.  Cycling around the village to contemplate the scenic beauty and rustic village life of Thai Community. Arrival towards Nghia Lo Town, which is tucked away in a big, flat Muong Lo valley we have an easy biking then later on around the villages of Thai people and we’ll enjoy Mass Xoe dance performance & dinner in the stilt house at the hotel’s campus.
Summary
Activitiy: Trasferring and Warm up Cycling
Accommodation:  Dragon Fly Hotel ***
Meals: B/L
Total distance: 55 Km

Day 2: Short bike ride Nghia Lo – Tu Le 

Get up early to join in coloreful hill tribe market in morning. Interact with local people to unnderstand their life. Having breakfast in Local restaurant. we gear up our pedal from Hotel to Tu Le. Today is amaing day for us as we cycle on tarmac road and mixed emotion road,
The first stage, we cycle on undulating road, passing local village and tea farms, rice terrace paddy field.
The second stage is harder and  more challenging whilst we cycle ascendingly to the pass then descending to Tu Le Town.  Upon arriving in Tu Le. Having lunch in local restaurant.  we spend the rest time to explore pristine nature and hot spring water with local people.  Dinner and stay overnight in Hotel
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling 
Accommodation:  Le Charm Tu Le Resort
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 48  Km

Day 3: Cycle challenge Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai -  Than Uyen 

Having hearty breakfast in Hotel, Commence cyling from Hotel to challenge  22 Km of  Khau Pass. Upon arriving on summit, the soft drink and fruits will be available for you. Then we hold on our depal to descend on scenic route lead to Mu Cang Chai. we will have nice cycling surround the village and seeing wonderful terrace rice field of Mu Cang Chai. Regroup for refesment before cycling on undulating route along the river  lead to Muang Kim. Have lunch en route. After lunch, we continue our cycling trip to Than Uyen or Taking transfer to Hotel
Summary
Activitiy: cycling 
Accommodation:  Hoan Quan Hotel**
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 87 Km

Day 4: Cycle journey Than Uyen -  Tuan Giao 

Today is hardest day in our trip. However, you will be rewarded by stunning scenery and brilliant landscapes while we cycle through unspoited nature and colorfully hill tribes village. Breathtaking panoramic view over Da river.
Start from Hotel, we commece our cycling day on asceding road lead to Kim T Junctions then turn off to Ban Chat Highdro Power, Challenging steep pass and hairpin road along the dam lead to  Muong Gion Town.Having lunch en route, After lunch, we enjoy descending road to Quynh Nhai before conquering  18 km of pass to  Minh Thang . the last distance is highly recommended to transfer to hotel.
Summary
Activitiy Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation:  Tay Bac Hotel***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 90 Km

Day 5: Bike ride from Tuan Giao -  Dien Bien

Today contrast agaist previous day when we cycle  on undulating route and enjoy breathtaking scenery to Dien Bien phu. 
Start from hotel, we gear up our bike to conquer short  pass before descending long long  hill to  Bung Lao. We start cycling on undulaing road lead to Muong Ang Town then challenge 8 km pass to Summit for picnic lunch. After lunch meals, we descendingly cycle to Dien Bien Phu city.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation:  Muong Thanh Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 78 Km

Day 6: Dien Bien  Phu – Muang Khuar ( Hello Laos – Bye VietNam)

Dien Bien Phu was the site of a decisive battle that led to a 56-day siege of the French garrison and consequential end of the French colonial occupation. On the  site of the battle there now stands Dien Bien Phu Museum were  old French tanks and artillery can be seen along with the re-building of the bunker headquarters of the French commander Colonel Christian de Castries. We’ll explore the city in half the morning and then cycle 20km (around 2 hours on the  winding road to the foot of Tay Trang Pass). Enjoy picnic lunch and the final 10km is transferred to the border gate. After Laos visa procedure is completed, we will drive 2-3 hours to Muang Khua for overnight stay.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation: Phong Padit G.H
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 75 Km

Day 7: Bike Trip Muang Khua – Udomxai

After breakfast, we head east in direction to Udomxai province, you should be feeling refreshed, although it is a gradual downhill it is up hill in some places but do not worry it is not too steep. There are some excellent photo opportunities of the friendly Khmu tribe and their families. Lunch is prepared by our guide and helpers so we can find a nice spot for lunch stop by the stream. Today is a great day riding.  
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: Charming Laos Hotel ***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance :98 Km

Day 8: Cycle tours Udomxai – Pakmong – Nong Khiaw

Today is the hardest day but the best rides of the trip, we ride along Route 13 north, after 5 km from guesthouse the road starts to wind upwards and we start the first of a series of long climbs through high mountains but scenery is perfect. We are in the land of the Hmong (high Lander) who are known as originally live in high elevation in northern Laos, in former time they lived by growing opium. After long climb, we rest on the first peak for water, snacks and seasonal fruits. Then we continue the next 30 km to the second and the third peak for lunch stop, after lunch it is down, down and down as we descend 30 km into the valley, this is a last downhill. At the end of the descent, we arrive our destination at Pakmong, a village that marks the junction at where the road turns towards Luangprabang/. Then we take transfer 31 km to Nong Khiaw.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation:  Phaxang Resort***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 120 Km

Day 9: Nongkhiaw  – Luang Prabang

After breakfast we ride along Route 13 north head to LuangPrabang, today is the longest day, the road is up and down hill but no big climb, it is easy ride. At kilometer 30 to LuangPrabang we turn from road 13 on dirt road toward the Mekong River at Pak Ou village and visit Buddha caves. Optional riding or driving the last 30 km to LuangPrabang
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: The Sanctuary Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 126 Km

Day 10:  Khuang Si waterfalls 1 day cycling

An easy ride to the scenic Khuang Si Waterfalls along ethnic villages such as Hmong and Khmu. At the falls, crystal water cascades into idyllic turquoise pools. Please bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim! Also take time to visit the nearby Sunbear Refuge to learn more about the poaching of these endangered creatures.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Relaxing
Accommodation:  The Sanctuary Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 55 Km

Day 11: Cycling tours from Luang Prabang -  Phoukhoun

After a 2-hour transfer, we start cycling in Kiu Ka Cham. Through very scenic mountain landscape and authentic  hilltribe  villages, we are cycling on an altitude between 1000 and 1400 metres altitude.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation:  Xala Phoukhuon Guesthouse
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 85 Km

Day 12: Phoukhoun bicycle tour Phonsavan

The total distance to Phonsavan is 130 kilometers. The first half of this stretch is mountainous. The second half is almost flat after arriving on the plain on an altitude of 1100 meters. This day, we are flexible which part of the day we will do on the bicycle.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling  and Transferring
Accommodation:  Favanhmai Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 86 Km

Day 13: Phonsavan -  Plain of the Jar bike ride

The Plain Of Jars is probably South East Asia’s most enigmatic tourist attraction. There are hundreds of huge stone jars scattered across several square miles. While most ancient Asian sites, such as the Angkor temples in Cambodia, have revealed many of their secrets, historians are still completely baffled as to where the jars came from, how old they are and what they signify. They are, in short, jars of a deeply spooky nature. We will visit the 2 most interesting sites by bicycle.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and visiting
Accommodation:  Favanhmai Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 38Km

Day 14: Bike tours Phonsavan -  Muang Kham

Today, we will have an easy ride on a mainly flat road over the high plains to Muang Kham. Through the high altitude, we will see huge pine trees, which is very unusual for the rest of Laos.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling 
Accommodation:  Hot spring G.H
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 58 Km

Day 15:  Muang Kham Cycle tours  Sam Neua

We start with a 2.5 hours transfer to a mountain pass. Today, we are cycling up and down through thick forest between 1400 and 1600 metres. On the way, we visit Saleuy Waterfall and for a refreshing dive. After a long descent, we arrive in Sam Neua.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation:  Chittavan Hotel ***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 85 km

Day 16: Cycle route from Sam Neua -  Vieng Xai

In the morning, we are cycling through a nice landscape to Vieng Xai, famous  for its caves. These huge caves were home to around twenty thousand Pathet Lao communist fighters during the secret war of Laos. This war, termed secret because the US was not supposed to be engaged in combat in neutral Laos, was all part of the larger geo-political events and changes of the sixties and seventies. While the communist forces were being bombarded from the air by the CIA funded Hmong Army, they used these caves as a refuge, complete with hospital, school and underground villages.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation:  Naxay 2 Hotel/ Bungalow
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 49 Km

Day 17: Bike ride Vieng Xai -  Ban Sop - Na Meo - Pu Luong

Through a narrow valley, we are driving to the border, where you say goodbye to your Lao support team. Our private Vietnamese driver will be waiting to transfer you to Phu Luong. The road trip lasts 5½ hours. Upon checking in the hotel, the rest of time would be at leisure.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 89 Km

Day 18: Pu Luong Nature Reserve  Cycle tours Mai Chau 

Experience the rural life of Mai Chau valley from the saddle of your bicycle. After breakfast we’ll take the cycling trip from the hotel. We cycle the back roads through quaint small villages where you can experience Mai Chau close-up including: bamboo factory, and village surrounding like Poom Coong or Lac village. After lunch we will drive back to Hanoi
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation:  Mai Chau Ecolodge***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 45 Km

Day 19: Mai Chau  back Road Bike  ride

Waking up you early in the morning by birds and chicken sounding, you will be treated by Thai traditional cake for breakfast with hot coffee and tea. After light breakfast, we cycle through different villages on a mix of good single track paths  link from villages to anothers, the view are stunning as the ride passes and cross lush rice paddies./ Unique to this area are fan palms, grown specifically to use for roofing.We pass hot springs, cycle cross suspension bridges and follow the contours around beautiful terraced rice fields. We stop for lunch en route in local family. After lunch, we cycle back road, single tracks, buffalo trails through rice terraced fields  .Stay at local homestay of Phom Coong Village. The rest of afternoon is at leisure to wander by foot or explore the village trails further by bike. Dinner and over night at Thai Homestay
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation:  Mai Chau Ecolodge***
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 45 Km

Day 20: Mai Chau – Hanoi

After breakfast, we pick up our bike and cycle on the scenic route around Mai Chau, past green rice paddies and villages, meeting friendly  local villagers. Arriving  back in phomcoon Village for in local home stay. After lunch we have sometimes  to explore the village and to do some shopping of the local handmade textiles.Transfer 3hours back to Hanoi, arriving Hanoi at late afternoon

Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation:  The Light Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Total distance: 45 Km

Day 21: Hanoi – Onwards

Having hearty breakfast in hotel, you will be free by yourself until departure times. Meet our crew again and take transfer to Noi Bai Airport to catch the next flight on wards. Our service will be finished. Thanks for joining  brilliant cycling tours with us..
Summary
Activitiy: Transferring
Accommodation:  No
Meals: B
Total distance: No

Note: Hotels  are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent  accommodation
Meals: if you have any specific food requirements ( vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide, our partners so that they can server you better. If you are a food lover, Snail Adventure tours can be your culinary guide and provide you opportunity to savor tempting local food and world famous – dishes.

Tour included in:

English speaking cycling guide ( other languages upon requests)
Accommodations are based on double/ twin occupancy
Meals details in itineraries ( 20 breakfast, 19 lunches, 19 dinners)
A/C transfer/ and transporttion
Van or bus supported during the cycling times.
Truck supported for the group size from 6 and above.
Trek mountain bikes – 4300  with disc brake and  helmets
Sightseeing excursions as outlined itineraries
Bike tour pump, bike tools, spares tubes, spare bikes
First aid kit
Cold water box, small fresh towel.
Mineral water for drinking
Fruit and snack for cycling days

Tour excluded in:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Items of personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in meals
Mineral water beyond that supplied
Optional excursions
Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry bills.
Visa fee
Visa fee in Laos ( 35 USD per person upon arrival + 02 passport pictures )
Departure  tax
Tip for team and guide