Beyond the Mekong

Today, we head to Laos’s ancient capital! On this stretch, we cross more and more remote villages, first on poorly-maintained paved roads and then on ridge off-road for about 60 kilometers (37 miles). We descend along the Nam Ou River on a great asphalt road and reach Luang Prabang by late afternoon. We discover the charming old town streets and watch the sunset from one of the terraces that overlook the Mekong. Overnight stay at a comfortble hotel.

Known as “The Pearl of Laos” and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is a small city nestled in a valley where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. It offers an unique mix of architecture, with the country’s most beautiful Buddhist temples interspersed with the historic charm of its French colonial past. We can’t miss visiting the royal palace or Wat Xieng Thong, the city’s oldest temple, and you will also have the option of a morning ride to the famous Kuang Si waterfall where you will take part in a traditional cooking class. Overnight stay at comfort hotel.

After an early breakfast, we head southwest between rice terraces and rubber plantations. We cross the Mekong and arrive in Sayaboury province. Here we take an uneven track which leads us to where we’ll spend the night: the Elephant Conservation Centre. It is the only hospital of its kind in Laos, devoted exclusively to looking after and protecting elephants. After lunch, we have the chance to experience a day in the life of an elephant caretaker. The passionate team will show us around the centre and we then will enjoy an aperitif on the lake before having a convivial dinner. Overnight stay in a standard bungalow.

Today, we head away from any form of civilisation. We make our way through the wilderness, following a poorly-maintained trail along an ancient ridge road before tracing the path of a beautiful crystalline river. After a lunch break in Hongsa, we return to a faster asphalt road which will deliver us to Pakbeng, a charming village on banks of the Mekong. Overnight stay at a comfortble hotel.

We leave at daybreak for the most adventurous “off-road” day of the tour. Across the northern Laos mountains, we ride a dirt track that passes local tribal villages. Both riders and their machines are really put the test! We reach the border in the early afternoon and arrive in the Thai town of Chiang Khong where we enjoy one last, well-deserved drink overlooking the Mekong. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

We head south, tracing the Laotian border. We ride along the Mekong for 24 miles, slowly ascending as the road follows the ridge which acts as a natural border between Thailand and Laos. A short, easy hike takes us to the famous Phu Chi Fah cliffs, with an unbeatable view over Laos. The road takes us to the Phayao plains and across Phu Sang National Park. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

We mount our bikes for our final ride day and head southwest to Phayao. We take a short break in this provincial capital, situated next to a large lake flanked by mountains, then continue on fast forest roads until lunchtime. Extra care is crucial over the last few miles entering Chiang Mai, where we get back to civilisation and are sure to hit some traffic! We spend the last evening in Chiang Mai, where you can do a bit of shopping or simply enjoy one last Thai massage. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to enjoy a few more hours in Chiang Mai. You will be transferred back to the international airport in time for your flight.