A cycling trip past waterfalls, river landscapes, mountains and hills in Laos
At Nong Khiaw the Nam Ou flows between high limestone mountains. You ride through villages and past fields, while the rocks look different after every bend. In Luang Prabang the Nam Khan and the Mekong meet. The river valleys give you room to keep riding; as soon as the road turns uphill, you feel the hills in your legs.
The limestone mountains around Vang Vieng
Around Vang Vieng the Nam Song flows between high limestone mountains. Villages and rice fields lie at the foot of the rocks. It is an area where you will happily get off the bike for a while to take in the landscape. Vang Vieng lies in a different region from Nong Khiaw; which areas you explore depends on the trip you choose.
Waterfalls and coffee in Laos
Near Luang Prabang are the Kuang Si waterfalls, where the water tumbles down in several tiers through the greenery. If you travel through southern Laos, you will find coffee plantations and other waterfalls on the higher Bolaven Plateau. At Tad Fane two streams of water fall side by side into the depths. A good opportunity to taste coffee from the region along the way.
People and villages along the way
By bike you pass through villages where daily life simply carries on. You see people at work, ride past small shops and sometimes stop for a chat. Your guide speaks the language and can tell you more about the region. An encounter does not have to be grand to stay with you. Laos is home to many different communities. In the north these include the Khmu, Hmong and Akha, each with their own languages and customs. Which villages you pass varies by route. We take time to look around and treat the people for whom this is home with respect.
Crafts in Laos
Weaving, embroidery and basket-making are part of the craft traditions of Laos. In the north you will find Khmu basketwork and Hmong embroidery, among other things. At a market you can sometimes see what is made in the region. Your guide can tell you more about it if you have the chance to stop along the way.
A taste of Laos
Sticky rice, khao niao, is often on the table in Laos. It usually comes in a small bamboo basket and you eat it with your hands, for example with a spicy dipping sauce or with laap: finely chopped meat or fish with herbs. You will also often come across tam mak hoong, papaya salad. If you stop at a local eatery, feel free to ask your guide what people eat in the region.
Do you have an allergy or dietary requirement? Let us know before you book. We will then discuss with our local partner what is possible on your route.
Take your time in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang lies on a peninsula between the Mekong and the Nam Khan and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through its streets and you will see temples, traditional Lao buildings and houses from the colonial period. Wander around a market, sit by the river or take your time visiting a temple. It is a town where you will happily linger a little longer.
If you get up early, you can see the tak bat. During this Buddhist ritual, monks receive food from local residents. It is part of their daily life. Please watch from a respectful distance and give those taking part their space.
Vientiane on the Mekong
Vientiane shows an urban side of Laos. You can walk along the Mekong, stop for coffee and explore the city at your own pace. Patuxai is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in shape, but has Lao decorations. Pha That Luang is one of the country’s most important national monuments.
Is a cycling holiday in Laos demanding? All about level and e-bikes
Southern Laos: Champasak and the 4,000 Islands
In Champasak, on the Mekong, Vat Phou lies at the foot of Phou Kao mountain. This ancient temple complex is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes historic settlements and the surrounding landscape. It is a place to park the bike and walk around.
Further south the Mekong splits into several channels, with countless islands in between. This area is called Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands. On islands such as Don Det and Don Khon you can cycle along the river. The water and life on the riverbanks give this region a very different character from the mountainous north.
How hard is cycling in Laos?
Laos has flat sections in river valleys, hilly roads and, depending on the route, longer climbs. You ride a lot on tarmac, but can also come across potholes, gravel or a rougher stretch. How hard a day feels does not depend only on the number of kilometres. The climbing, the road surface and the heat count too. We discuss your cycling experience and fitness with you beforehand. An e-mountain bike or e-gravel bike can make the climbs lighter, while you still pedal yourself. We check which bikes are available for your chosen trip with our local partner.
On the road with a guide and support vehicle
Our group trips through Laos depart from four participants. We deliberately keep the groups small, so there is room for personal attention. We look at your cycling experience and fitness and take differences in pace into account along the way. This lets us be flexible with breaks and, where possible, adjust a stage.
You ride with a local guide. The driver follows in the support vehicle and carries your luggage. Would you like to skip part of a stage? Then agree with your guide where you can get into the support vehicle to ride that section.
Would you rather travel alone, with your partner or with your own group? Then we put together an individual cycling trip with your own guide, driver and support vehicle. We agree your departure date, stages and rest days with you in advance.
The best time for a cycling trip through Laos
From November to February, cycling in Laos is usually at its most pleasant. There is less rain and it is less hot. For northern Laos, bring a warm layer as well: in the mountains the mornings and evenings can be chilly. That is why our group trip departs in February, when cycling conditions are usually more pleasant.
From March onwards it gets warmer. In March and April there can also be smoke from agricultural and forest fires. This can make the views and the cycling less pleasant.
From May to October it rains more often and the landscape is green. Do allow for wet roads and muddy sections on unpaved stretches.
Well prepared on the bike
You will find how far you ride each day in the day-by-day description of the trip. Make sure you are used to spending several hours on the bike before you leave. Bring clothing for changeable weather: padded cycling shorts can be comfortable, as can sun protection, a light rain jacket and something warmer for chilly mornings in the mountains. Different dress rules apply when visiting a temple than on the bike. Cover your shoulders and knees and follow the guidance given on site.
Discover Laos with CvA travel
Would you like to cycle through the hills of northern Laos, combine Vietnam and Laos or put together a trip through the south? Tell us how you like to ride and what you would like to see along the way. We think along with you about the route, the level and the bike that suits you. That way you set off well prepared, with room along the way for the moments you cannot plan in advance.
Discover everything about Laos 
