Pakse Adventure Cycling Tours  - Cycling Adventure in Pakse  - The town of Paksong was heavily bombed and now presents a bedraggled and somewhat temporary appearance. The Bolavens plateau dominates the center of the region, rising sharply out of the plain north of Pakse. The climate is cool and rainy, yielding rich crops of coffee and tea. The plateau is graced with extravagant waterfalls, some concealed by dense jungles; the best known is at Xeset, the hydro-electric development.

Day 1: Arrive in Pakse and cycle to Champasak.

There are direct flights from Bangkok (Thailand), Seam Reap (Cambodia), Vietnam, and Vientiane capital (Laos)

Fly to Pakse in southern Laos, meet the local guide and support van with bikes, we cycle to Champasak through the town of Pakse, We pass many small villages and paddy fields before we arrive at the Pre-Angkor ruins of Wat Phou, which once used to be the worship place of Hindu worshipers then were replaced by Buddhist temple in the late 11 century. We spend some time here exploring the temple before riding the last 10 km to our hotel in the small town of Champasak on the right side of the Mekong River.

Elevation: Departure point: 120 m above sea level. Arrival point: 124 m above sea level.

Distance: 47 km

Meal: L / D

Accommodation: Siamphone hotel

Day 2: Champasack – Khong Island (4000 islands)

Si Phan Done in Lao means 4000 islands; it is the widest and most charismatic part of the Mekong River and is our destination today. We leave as early as we can after breakfast, after 2 km of riding from the hotel, we cross the Mekong River on a very unusual mode of transport to the other side and after a short ride to the main road and then start heading south again towards Cambodia. Today is mainly flat with quiet road and some interesting scenery, we pass many villages with children standing in groups waving their hands and saying hello, it would be strange for them to see the tourists travel by bicycles (it feels hard for them).so we stop every 20 or 25 km for refreshments and we have lunch under the tree by the road when we feel like it. We then cross back over to the Mekong River to one of the biggest islands in the Mekong River, Kong Island (it is the hometown of the former Lao president). We cycle a short way to our hotel. Dinner is in the hotel.

Elevation: Departure point: 124 m above sea level. Arrival point: 120 m above sea level.

Distance: 113 km (on good quality asphalt road, and mainly flat)

Meal: B / L /D

Accommodation: Villa Muangkhong.

Day 3: Khong Island – Khone Island (400 Islands)

Today is a day to explore, we once again cross the river and head south where we ride as far as the Khon Pha Pheng waterfall, we rest for a while before riding back and taking a short boat trip to the small island of Don Det where we will have lunch. After lunch we ride along the old French Railway down to the beach where we get on small boats to Cambodian waters in search of freshwater Dolphins, After an hour we ride back to the hotel at Don Khone island.

Distance: 55 km (Haft riding is on good quality asphalt road and the rest is on the path but it is a fantastic ride and flat)

Meal: B / L / D

Accommodation: Khounparn bungalows

Day 4: Khone Island – Tad Fane waterfall (Bolaven Plateau)

An easy start to the day as we transfer back on the way we come for almost 2 hours to begin our journey into the coffee growing area of Laos, the Bolaven plateau. We head north to Pakse before starting to climb up into the temperate coffee-growing area renowned for its Arabica and Robusta beans. These beans fetch some of the highest coffee prices in the world. The road undulates but has a definite upward feeling. As we climb, we see coffee everywhere as the plantations converge on the side of the road. We finish at the wonderful Tad Fane resort, which provides a stunning backdrop and the very impressive Tad Fane fall, if you are feeling energetic you can cycle to the other waterfall for swimming. Alternatively, you can relax in the restaurant and take the wonderful view. Dinner is at the resort. (At a junction where we start riding is at an altitude of 150 m above sea level and the resort where we stay overnight is at an altitude of 960 m above sea level)

Elevation: Departure point 175 m above sea level.

Arrival point 959 m above sea level.

Distance: 30 km (on good quality asphalt road but ascend)

Meal: B / L / D

Accommodation: Tad Fane resort.

Day 5: Tad Fane – Tad lo (Tad means waterfall)

(Resort is at an altitude of 960 m above sea level)Today is the best riding on this trip, after 12 km of the climb we reach the top of Bolavene plateau (at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level). However, riding in the early morning makes you warm through the cold morning on the plateau, and you still have more energy in the morning, after a short break in a small town on top of the plateau we continue our riding for another 38 km to a small town of Tha Teng (at an altitude of 860 m above sea level), this 38- kilometer descent is one of the best rides in this trip, we have noodle soup for lunch at the local restaurant, 30 km from our destination, Tad Lor Resort (at an altitude of 750 m above sea level) Riding after lunch takes us very easy downhill but on a dirt road for 21 km to the junction, the rest of the road just 9 km on asphalt road and it is mainly flat. We check in the hotel in the afternoon and it is your time for swimming at the waterfall, relaxing, enjoy the view, or ride around. Dinner is at the hotel.

Elevation: Departure point 959 m above sea level.

Highest point: 1280 m above sea level.

Arrival point: 346 m above sea level.

Distance: 80 km (12 km ascend, 68 km descend, and flat, including 21 km on a dirt road)

Meal: B / L / D

Accommodation: Says resort

Day 6: Tad Lor – Pakse province

After breakfast, we head towards Pakse. This road undulates and has a couple of lengthy climbs in it one of 5 km and one of 49 km, but they are quite gradual before we turn right and head downhill into Pakse. The last 20 km into Pakse is downhill and can be covered quickly, be careful as we head into town as the traffic increases significantly.

Elevation: Departure point: 346 m above sea level.

Highest point: 606 m above sea level.

Arrival point: 170 m above sea level.

Distance: 85 km on good quality asphalt road

Meal: B / L

Accommodation: Sengaloun hotel

Day 7: departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport or land border for your departure.

Remark: Depending on weather and road conditions, this itinerary is subject to changes

 

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