This is a true trail classic along the Vietnam – Laos border.
Winding jungle trails, mountain trails, 300 m long Bamboo Bridge, Sandy trails, Plain of Jars, Bamboo tunnels in the dense jungle, tons and tons of river crossings (with or without the help of tiny canoes) and dodgy bridges. An adventure of a lifetime!
Due to the nature of this trip, riders should be experienced.
We typically ride 150-250 km/day, starting 7.30 am with breakfast, and hitting the day’s guesthouse/hotel before 5 pm.
Breakfast before we leave in the morning, usually a pit stop before lunch, then lunch, afternoon tea and dinner in the evening.
Plenty of time for taking photos and videos!
Lots of war history along the route, and even a museum. We decide how much time we want to spend with this, depending on group’s interest.
Route
Here’s a possible route to take:
12-DAY TRIP ITINERARY (EXAMPLE)
Day 1:
We’ll pick you up in the morning from your hotel/guesthouse in Luang Prabang. Then it’s time to get the bikes and the riding gear ready before hitting the dirt!
Mountainous double-track trails takes us through the small village of Phonxai to this night’s lodging in Phonsavan. On the way we stop at the famous Plain Of Jars: 2.500 year old massive stone jars scattered around with somewhat unclear purposes, though most scientists are putting their money on “burial use”. The area has a lot of war scrap from the Vietnam War, including a Soviet tank right next to the road and Crater’s Café in Phonsavan, decorated with old (hopefully) defused bombs.
Total distance 220 km (offroad 190 km).
Day 2:
After breakfast we ride a curvy road south, passing through colourful villages and impressive karst rock formations. Lunch at local restaurant with a stunning backdrop! Before getting to our night’s guesthouse in Viangthong, we leave the dirt road for some challenging single-track trails towards the Vietnamese border. River crossings, steep rocky trails and stunning views are to be expected. Have your cameras ready!
Total distance 290 km (offroad 180 km).
Day 3:
Long day today so starting early, hitting the trails to Kamkeut. First part takes us through the mountain range bordering Vietnam. We will be passing through several Hmong hill tribe villages. Very scenic, and plenty of river crossings and rickety bamboo bridges.
Second part is mostly gravel road through the Nakai Reservoir area. Lunch at an idyllic little restaurant just by the water.
We spend the night in local guesthouse in the small town of Nakay.
Total Distance 243 km (offroad 166 km).
Day 4:
Today we will be riding the classic Ho Chi Minh Trail for the first time!
Fantastic trail leading up to Phu La Niche pass where we stop for exceptional photos before heading down to Laboy – the most bombed place on earth (during the Vietnam War). Depending on water level in the Xe Bangfai river, we might cross over to the small village itself, which is scattered with war remains, such as bomb shells, drop fuel tanks, and rusty vehicles.
In the afternoon we head to Vilabouri where we spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Total distance 225 km (offroad 225 km).
Day 5:
Staying on Ho Chi Minh Trail, we ride to Xepon where we can visit an old Buddist temple.
After lunch we take tiny trails all the way up to the Vietnamese border. River crossings, collapsed bridges and small villages with very friendly people.
On the way south to Nong, there is a war museum where you can see old tanks, helicopters etc from the Vietnam War.
Night in the “Bomb Hotel”, named after the decorations of old war relics. Great food at the Vietnamese market here!
Total distance 210 km (offroad 110 km).
Day 6:
We start this day with riding across the famous Big Bamboo Bridge. At 300 m, it’s one of the world’s longest, and a true Ho Chi Minh Trail classic!
Rest of the day on HCMT. Single-track trails, river crossings, bamboo tunnels you name it – it’s all here! Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant in Ta Oy before we hit the legendary trail again.
We’ll spend another night in Nong.
Total distance 109 km (offroad 109 km).
Day 7:
We continue on Ho Chi Minh Trail, mostly single-track and including a river crossing using tiny little canoes. True adventure! Picnic lunch, since no such facilities along the trail today.
Night at guesthouse in the small town of Xaibouathong.
Total distance 191 km (offroad 175 km).
Day 8:
First 69 km on gravel road before we’re off for some more trails in the scenic karst mountains of Khammouane.
Some more gravel, then the last 50 km on a beautiful curvy road taking us to Sai Nam Hai Resort – a classic in South Laos – where we can have a beer by the river before enjoying the excellent food here!
Total distance 267 km (offroad 130 km).
Day 9:
We continue west on the scenic, curvy and mountainous little road for another 41 km where we stop at a view point for stunning photos of the karst limestone mountains of Khammouane Province.
After a brief use of the highway, we’re hitting the dirt again, taking double-track and some single-track trails through Borikham and several river crossings.
Night is in local guesthouse in Khoun.
Total distance 298km (offroad 190 km).
Day 10:
After 30 minutes on tarmac we take the trails north, crossing lots of little rivers and using a wiggly hanging bridge over a big one. Again, beautiful scenery with the trail going through bamboo tunnels and over mountains.
Lunch in Viengthong before we ride some really nice and mountainous tracks up towards the Vietnamese border before returning to Viengthong for the night in a local guesthouse.
Total distance 251 km (offroad 220 km).
Day 11:
After breakfast we take the scenic road leading to Nong Khiaw – maybe the most beautiful place in Laos! We will be stopping at several spots for those special photos, including taking a sandy trail towards the Vietnamese border in Na Son.
We’ll arrive at our destination in the afternnoon to get some quality time in this very special little village by the river, surrounded by high mountains!
We stay in bungalows just by the river – stunning!
Total distance 214 km (offroad 44 km).
Day 12:
We start this last day of the trip by visiting a small Hmong hill tribe high up in the mountains. Very friendly, very colourful and an incredible view!
After that we do 50 km on a small, scenic and curvy road before leaving for a 120 km long ride on a mountain ridge, taking us through tiger territory to the tiny town of Pakxeng where we stop for lunch. We’ll pass several other villages along the way, and everywhere the kids will run out to say hi to us!
Last 20 km is just plain sailing back to Luang Prabang.
After leaving your trusted bikes, we take you to your hotel/guesthouse in Luang Prabang.
Total distance 257 km (offroad 96 km).
MORE info
Trips are fully customizable, and can be tailored to suit the riders and the conditions. As a general rule, we try to spend as much time as possible on trails and dirtroads.
Plenty of photo/video opportunities! Laos is an extremely photogenic place, with lovely, friendly people and absolutely stunning landscape! See the Video & Slideshow section.
Trips are ”all inclusive” – professional guide, offroad motorbike (Honda CRF 250L or Honda XR250), gasoline & oil, all equipment (except pants), food & drinks (except alcohol and dinners), hotels and guesthouses, mechanic/sweeper on his own bike (min. 2 guests), all fees & charges, third person insurance, transfer to/from your hotel in Luang Prabang at start and end of trip. See the FAQ section for more info.
Start & finish of all trips is in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, easily reached by plane from Bangkok or Vientiane, or via a very scenic bus trip from Vientiane.
Also included for each rider is a free professional video of THE LAOS OFFROAD adventure – FILMED IN full HD 1080p, OF COURSE...
Riding classic grounds, following the Vietnam - Laos border.
