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ROAD - Vietnam, Laos & Thailand
Grade: B/C
RIDE PROFILE Av. daily distance: 50km (31 miles) No. of days cycling: 12 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: surface mostly good but with some broken tarmac and unsurfaced sections. Routes follow main roads, but Laos has very little traffic. Laos is mountainous and there are some tough climbs and long downhills, but vehicle support is always available. The heat can make the going tough at times. TRIP DETAILS Group: min. 8, max. 18, plus leader and drivers. Accommodation: 12 nights hotels, 2 nights guesthouse, 1 night park bungalow, 1 night sleeper train. Food: 15 breakfasts and 3 lunches included.
Cycling in Laos & Northern Vietnam
Vang Vieng
Cycle into another world and time while discovering one of Asias hidden treasures
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Trip code MOL " 19 days Sat to Wed Trip Code 2008 MOL806* MOL816 MOL845 MOL851 Start 06 Feb 19 Apr 08 Nov 20 Dec End 24 Feb 07 May 26 Nov 07 Jan Flight inc. 1699 1699 1699 1999 Land only 1099 1099 1099 1099
2009 MOL905 31 Jan 18 Feb 1749 1199 MOL911 14 Mar 01 Apr 1749 1199 MOL914 04 Apr 22 Apr 1749 1199
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No Local Payment
Prices are £ sterling per person ¤ Recommended carbon offset £15 ¤ Optional single supplement £190 ¤ *Wed to Sun ¤ Land only start Hanoi day 2, end Bangkok day 18 ¤ Insurance £92
BIKE HIRE
Laos: Trek 4300 with front suspension £85, paid on booking From UK: £145, paid on booking
aos, the land of a million elephants is now the land of a million smiles, with stunning mountainous landscape and a laid back atmosphere that comes from its long term isolation from its neighbours. Our route takes us through some spectacular scenery, from narrow roads shaded by jungle vines to shimmering rice paddies. The surrounding mountains are home to a fascinating mix of tribes and our encounters with these welcoming people are a real highlight of the trip. Out of the saddle, we walk through villages and bamboo forest and visit Luang Prabang, one of Asias most attractive towns, with agricultural fields hidden behind tree-lined avenues. In addition to Laos, we also visit the Vietnamese capital Hanoi and finish our trip in bustling Bangkok. The cycling is demanding at times, but our reward is to have roads with nonexistent traffic almost to ourselves in Asias friendliest and least known country.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly to Hanoi. 2 Arrive Hanoi; free afternoon. 3 Ride through Hanois Old Quarter and on to West Lake; afternoon city tour. 4 Transfer to Cuc Phuong N.P.; cycle amongst lush scenery; visit Primate Rescue Centre. 5 Cycle to Tam Coc through stunning limestone scenery and villages; paddleboat ride on lake. 6 Cross into Laos; scenic drive to Viengsai. 7 Visit caves used as military bases during Vietnam War; hilly ride to Sam Neua. 8 Drive to rock formations at Suan Tin and through picturesque countryside to Phonsavan. 9 Cycle to Plain of Jars and Hmong villages; visit houses made of shrapnel; visit old capital of Muang Khun. 10 Fly from Phonsavan to Luang Prabang. 11 Cycle to beautiful Kwang Si Waterfalls for lunch and a swim.
19 DAYS
12 Cycle to the Pak Ou Caves by the Mekong River. 13 Offer alms to monks at dawn; scenic drive to Kasi; cycle to picturesque Vang Vieng. 14 Free day; relax or go kayaking, tubing, walking or cycling in the surrounding area. 15 Cycle and drive to Vientiane. 16 City cycling tour and cycle out to Buddha Park; transfer into Thailand; sleeper train to Bangkok. 17 Morning city tour; afternoon free. 18 Free day to explore or relax; evening fly to London. 19 Arrive London.
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Local payments now included in the price
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