This is adventurous, moving on tour through the mountainous Northwest provinces of Vietnam and Laos. Luggage transfer and vehicle support will be provided. The tour is suitable for fit, experienced cycling enthusiasts. Vietnam’s far North West is undoubtedly the best place to cycle in the country as the roads see virtually no tourists and avoid Vietnam’s notorious highways. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that travel restrictions were lifted. Starting in Hanoi, we'll pass through stunning landscapes, amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between limestone outcrops, and the highest concentration of hill-tribe people in the country. We’ll cross into a remote area of Laos via the newly opened border crossing at Tay Trang. From the small market town of Muang Khua, we’ll take a slow boat down the beautiful Nam Ou river before cycling on to World Heritage Luang Prabang, with its beautiful temples and colorful night market. Our route south to Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos, is on virtually traffic-free roads. Great cycling and some of the friendliest people in Asia. The opening in 2007 of the Tay Trang border crossing between Vietnam and Laos has made this exciting tour possible

Day 1: Hanoi – Take the Overnight Train to  Lao Cai 

21h00: Transfer to Hanoi railway station to catch the express overnight train to Lao Cai. O/N on the train.

Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa - Cycling to Villages (B/ L / D) - Biking 32 km

We’ll disembark from the train very early in the morning and transfer to Sapa for breakfast and coffee and the bike testing. Downhill from your hotel to beautiful Muong Hoa valley to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of Hmong and Day people and then have lunch at the villages before cycling uphill back to Sapa town. It’s not all that far but it is virtually ALL uphill. Sapa is the hill tribe capital of North Vietnam. There are a variety of minority people in this area and they all come to Sapa for the market.

Day 3: Sapa -Tam Duong (B/ L / D) - Biking 78 km

Started from Sapa by cycling about 16 kilometers uphill to Vietnam's highest pass at 2000 meters above sea level where you see beautiful Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton heaven gate then it is downhill for around 26 kilometers on the road described as the most beautiful one in Vietnam with breathtaking scenery to Binh Lu. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Tam Duong, where you will stay overnight in a comfortable Hotel.

Day 4: TamDuong – Sin Ho (B/ L / D) - Biking  60 km

We cycled through Tam Duong plain which is covered in shark’s teeth-like limestone karst. We would visit a village of Mang people near Sin Ho with the next stop being Sin Ho which is the homeland of the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, and Dao ethnic minorities. They settled there a long time ago and still retain their traditional culture and habits. The trip to Sin Ho is occasionally suspended due to the restriction of the local authority.

Day 5 : Sin Ho – Chan Nua – MuongLay (B/ L / D) - Biking 60 km

We cycle downhill to Chan Nua then cycle to old Lai Chau have a couple of pretty big climbs and then follow the picturesque Nam Na river into Muang Say (aka “Old Lai Chau”). We stay at Hoa Binh hotel where there no doubt will be an active badminton game in the evening.

Day 6: Lai Chau – Dien Bien Phu (B/ L / D) - Biking 106 km

n 1954, the French Garrison at Dien Bien Phu was pinned down when the Vietnamese were able to do something thought impossible….carry heavy artillery into the mountains. When you ride in this area you will wonder yourself how they ever did it. The siege at Dien Bien Phu ended in a French surrender and marked the end of French Indochina. Little known is the fact that the US had developed a plan to aid the French by using tactical nuclear weapons at Dien Bien Phu.

Day 7: Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos (B/ L / D) - Biking 80 km

We depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast Laos at the Tay Trang border gate. A new support team and tour guide in Laos will welcome you. This is the least populated section of Laos. We continue to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river.

Day 8: Muang Khua to Oudomxai (B/ L / D) - Biking 90 km

This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a renaissance. Lots of construction and activity in the town these days. They have an airport here also (with less than daily service). We stay at the nicest place in town. Friendship Hotel 3 stars.

Day 9: Odomxai to Pak Mong (B/ L / D) - Biking 80 km

A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent to Pak Mong.,

Day 10: Pak Mong to Luang Prabang (B/ L ) - 20 km

On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. We follow the banks of the Mekong before entering the city proper. It’s also possible, with planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down the Nam Ou River. This will take you right by the Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers. Luang Prabang hotel book by your own account. ( If you want to book the hotel please let me know ) .

( Luang Prabang is encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river. There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town: Temples, Monasteries, the Royal Palace, and French Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls outside of town. It’s worthwhile to get up and observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am )

End The Tour At Your Hotel.