HANOI to LUANG PRABANG
Ride one of the last undeveloped and untrammeled stretches in Asia across the “Laotian Alps” from Vietnam’s legendary capital, Hanoi, to sublime Luang Prabang in remote Northern Laos.
Inquire: Private Custom Trip
Travel into Asia’s past, biking through places that neighboring countries looked like years and even decades ago. From Hanoi, over a remote and newly-opened border, climbing over the ranges of the “Laotian Alps,” through small hilltribe villages, and forested-national parks to the bucolic river valleys north of Luang Prabang. In Southeast Asia, you will witness vanishing cultures as the region is enveloped by globalization.
This route through the most incredible landscapes in Southeast Asia is one the last remote and undeveloped ones. Over the last 25 years we’ve experienced how fleeting these off-the-radar places are, often disappearing within a few short years. Northern Laos, and bucolic Luang Prabang are seeing development encroach from China. It will not be remain special for much longer. Local hill tribes and their way of life will disappear within a generation. Ride it now before you miss out on another place when it was special.
• Seamless travel, optional air ticketing, including transfers from and to airports
• Ride the most beautiful and least developed landscapes in Asia — the ultimate off-the-grid trip
• Explore the fascinating capital of Hanoi and UNESCO World Heritage Luang Prabang
• Culinary highlights of Vietnam and Laos from delicious street eats to formal dining
• Enjoy a challenging route yet ever present sag wagon to ride as much or as little as you prefer
• Enjoy a day hike through cloud forest to hill tribe villages
Cruise the Mekong River and tributaries
• Professional guides with two stocked sag wagons
Why us? We organized the very first cycling trips in Vietnam back in 1994, and since then have consistently updated routes, places and more to keep our trips as fresh and unique as they were then, and of the highest quality of any company in Vietnam. Your trip will seamless and we will arrange each and every detail, from visas to all transfers needed, even outside the tour, as well as side trips, such as Angkor, and can also provide international airlines at competitive pricing. Safety has always been paramount, and nobody is more experienced. Please call and ask us for more details, test our knowledge, and why you should come to Vietnam with us.
A native of bucolic Luang Prabang, Chit has lead overland cycling trips for over two decades, including our popular cross border Hanoi to Luang Prabang trips. Nobody has more experience managing trips on the road, a more engaging personality, nor a more fascinating life, from a hardship life of dry rice farming as a child to hosting guests from around the world.
Chit will invite you to meet his large extended family during your time in his home town, during a traditional baci welcoming ceremony. Chit also has a keen knowledge of lao cuisine, and your time in Laos will be spent enjoying this lesser-known facet of the country. In his spare time, Chit travels to mountain bike the lesser known places in the region
In our 27th year of cycling Vietnam, we’ve refine every trip’s routes, places to stay, dining, and training of a world-class support crew with over years of experience leading the highest caliber of trips trips. This ten-day journey is fully-supported. Riders can expect beautiful, safe rides, plenty of delicious Mexican grub, hot showers, and cultural activities on the side. This 10-day trip is limited to only 12 riders. This trip may be also organized as a private, custom tour for you and your friends or family. Contact us for full details.
Pre-Departure
In addition to a pre-tour preparation packet for Vietnam, all riders are welcome to contact us in advance of the trip, for questions and information they may need
Arrival & Departure
We encourage you to arrive earlier, for more time in Hanoi, and to kayak the amazing karst water world of UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay, which we can arrange. Please contact us before arranging your flights for recommendations, and even for booking a ticket. If you are flying in, you’ll want to arrive into Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, with departure from Saigon (or Bangkok if you’re visiting Angkor). We will arrange transport from and to all airports.
Day-to-Day
Our Vietnam trips are designed for moderate to advanced riders comfortable riding 2-5 hours at a steady pace, though all riding is optional—our Sag wagon is always nearby, even for a catching a quick lift up climbs. We ride as a group, though faster riders may ride ahead if desired or add additional mileage. We typically depart mid-morning around 9 AM each day, with a break for a pleasant lunch. Afternoons after arrival with include some time free, or we will have scheduled sightseeing, such as visiting many of Vietnam’s exceptional historical sites along our route. Mornings before we depart also provides some time to see local sights.
Covid-19 and other Safety Issues
While we are optimistic a vaccine will free us for safe and healthy travel again, regardless Vietnam has always been the safest places for travel.
Weather & Climate
The weather in Vietnam during our touring season is always sunny and warm, little or no rainfall, and typically reaching into the 70s to 80s midday, and pleasantly humid.
Dining
Our past travelers will tell you our trips are as much as about the food and culture as the riding. In fact, after 20 years our Iron Chef Vietnam culinary cycling trip remains our most popular. Our meals feature a variety of the best of Vietnam, from the most delicious street food in the world, fresh seafood, Our van is stocked with typical rider’s fuel, including carbo mix, bars, bananas and other fruit, but also a variety of cold beverages and local snacks popular in each location.
Hotels
In places with options, such as Hanoi and Hue, we stay at the best properties available, including the legendary Metropole and in Hue, the elegant La residence. In the countryside, we stay in the only hotels available, rustic yet comfortable.
Money Matters
ATM’s are ubiquitous along our route and credit cards widely accepted. Aside from alcoholic drinks and souvenirs, you will need only small amounts of pesos mostly for hotel staff and tips. We recommend allowing for about $10-20 per day for such expenses.
What’s Included
Not included with trip:
*Covid-19 Travel Safety Procedures
While we are optimistic a vaccine will free us for safe and healthy travel again, but until then Baja is a safe destination, close to home, featuring one of the lowest population densities in the world (about nine person per square kilometer), warm sunny weather, miles and miles of remote rural travel, quiet small towns, outdoor dining, two well-ventilated vans for distancing, staff Covid-19 testing, small group size, and safety procedures including masks off the bike. Participants are requested to provide a Covid-19 test or proof of vaccine prior to the trip. All make Baja a safe trip and one of the safest destinations for travel in the world during the pandemic.
Contact us for more details at (415) 418-6800 or by email: [email protected]
Travel with your club, friends, or family. Customize this trip to your specific preferences—we’ll work with you to make it the trip of a lifetime.