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27 Days Hanoi Cycling To Luang Prabang - Vientiane

A 27-day cycling itinerary from Hanoi through northern Vietnam to Luang Prabang and down to Vientiane covers roughly 1,400 to 1,600 kilometers of mountainous and river valley terrain.Terrain: Steep mountain climbs, unpaved jeep tracks, winding tarmac, and rolling river valleys.Difficulty Level: Advanced/Hard due to high cumulative elevation gain in northern Vietnam and upper Laos. A 27-day cycling expedition from Hanoi through the rugged highlands of Northwest Vietnam, across the border to the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang, and finishing down in the sleepy Lao capital of Vientiane is the ultimate slow-travel epic. Most commercial cross-border tours compact this journey by leveraging heavy vehicle transfers. Spread across 27 days, you have the luxury of a pure, deep-immersion ride with realistic daily distances (60–90 km), built-in rest days, and zero rush through the challenging "Laotian Alps".

Day 1 : Hanoi Arrival 
Pick up at the airport and we are welconme to Hanoi. – Vietnam by your driver and guide to Hanoi central hotel for check in and welcome dinner at the restaurant . Hanoi Train Street: A thrilling local attraction where a passenger train , The Old Quarter: A vibrant network of 36 streets known for their centuries-old trades before dinner .
Meals: Welcome Dinner with Hanoi local beer Hoi .
Accommodation: Rex Central Hotel 4*
Transportation: Support Van
Day 2  : Hanoi – City Tour – Transfer to Nghia Lo
Ho Chi Minh Complex: Visit the final resting place of 'Uncle Ho'. The area also features the historic Stilt House and the unique One Pillar Pagoda.  Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu): Built in the 11th century, this was Vietnam's first national university and Pho for lunch before we transfer to Nghia Lo. –and . Dinner at the retreat  restaurant .
Summary
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mien Tay Hotel
Transportation: Support Van and truck
Day 3 : Nghia Lo  Challenging to  Tu Le- Khau Pa Pass to Mu Cang Chai  
Cycling from your resort at 8:00. Today we will tough cycle to Khau Pha pass for 12km, .we travel through rugged terrain with dense vegetation and come into contact with the Black Hmong and the mysterious White Tay people, who are famed for their folk music, poems, and songs. The road winds down out of the hills and we descend into the valley to end the day at the beautiful Mu Cang Chai resort .
Biking Distance: 92 Km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mu Cang Chai Homestay
Transportation: Support Van and truck
Day 4 : Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen 
Breakfast, Today  morning can take a walk around the villages and luch before we cycling through rugged terrain with dense vegetation and come into contact with the Black Hmong and the mysterious White Tay people, who are famed for their folk music, poems, and songs. The road winds down out of the hills and we descend into the valley to end the day at Than Uyen.
Biking Distance: 50 Km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fine Forest Bungalow
Transportation: Support Van and truck
Day 5: Than Uyen cycling back road and transfer  to Sapa
From Than Uyen we begin with a remote and pristine mountainous region a gentle 20km ascent to ride along with the Hoang Lien Son mountain range through magnificent landscape. Then, from Binh Lu Junction there is another hard ascent of 30 km to the top of the Tram Ton Pass, on our way to Sa Pa. We stop on route to visit the “silver waterfall”, before descending into Sapa for the final 15kms.
Total Distance: 45 Km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa Green Hotel 3*
Transportation: Support Van and truck
Day 6: Sapa Cycling to Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages 
Start from your hotel at 8:30 Am, and bike to explore Sa Pa an old French hill station, in a spectacular location close to the Chinese border. This morning we will cycle to Village, Lao Chai, and Ta Van village( Red Dzao and Hmong people ). Cycle uphill back to Sapa .free explore lunch and dinner by yourself.Resting afternoon .
Summary
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa Green Hotel 3*
Cycling distance: 19 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 : Fansipan Mountain Peak by Cable Car – Ham Rong Mountain  
Pick you up at your hotel and driver then transferred towards the cable car to visit the Fansipan mountain. As you know the cable car in Sapa is the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from sleepy Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province to the peak of 3,143-meter Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain. The lush green and subtropical vegetation makes this mountain really very beautiful. Take some pictures for unforgettable experience from the top. After taking scenery then get cable car back to Sapa. Afternoon you can walk to visit Ham Rong mountain nearby the town  by your own.
Summary
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa Green Hotel 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 : Sapa – Tran Ton Pass – Tam Duong – Lai Chau
We ride out of Sapa and complete the 15-km road climb up to Tram Ton Pass – the highest road pass in Vietnam at 2,000 m. We then have a superb 25-km descent into a beautiful valley. The countryside is truly wonderful as we pass tea plantations, and all inhabitants are from minority tribes. The weather always seems to get clearer this side of the mountains, and if we look back, we should get views of Fansipan (3,143 m), the highest mountain in Indochina. At the small town of Tam Duong, we have lunch and then turn left off the main road to cycle 28 km on a lovely country lane through the remote villages of Ban Hon and Ban Giang. We have now left any sign of other western tourists and are in a land of rice paddies, small coffee plantations, and sharp limestone cliffs. We finish in the new city of Lai Chau.
Biking Distance: 75 Km ( mountain  tough 4 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Lai Chau – Muong Thanh Hotel
Transportation: Support Van and truck
Day 9 : Lai Chau City to Sin Ho Plateau (~65 km) 
Your first day is an iconic, strength-sapping mountain stage that climbs into the heart of the Hoang Lien Son range. The Brutal Climbs: The climbing begins almost immediately out of Lai Chau City. The first leg features an 11 km continuous ascent. After a brief undulating reprieve, you will face the monster 25 km final climb up to the Sin Ho plateau.  The Reward: As you grind up the tarmac and hard-pack terrain, the views open up to reveal deep valleys and untouched ethnic minority hamlets. The Destination: You will finish with a short, winding descent into the mountain valley town of Sin Ho, sitting at over 1,500 meters above sea level. The town is beautifully cool, often draped in clouds, and serves as a quiet haven for local Khmu, Hmong, and Dao communities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Hotel in Sin Ho ( Hong Ho hotel )  
Transportation: Support Van
Day 10 : Sin Ho to Muong Lay (~55 km) 
The second day shifts from intense climbing to an exhilarating downhill run and scenic river tracking
The Descent: Leaving the high plateau, you will enjoy a spectacular, technical downhill ride winding through rock formations and forested hillsides. The River Run: Once you reach the valley floor, the route flattens out to follow the picturesque Nam Na River. You will pedal past towering limestone cliffs and sprawling riverside stilt-house villages. The Destination: The ride terminates in Muong Lay (historically known as Old Lai Chau), a unique town nestled in a narrow canyon where the Nam Na, Da, and Trung rivers meet. It is famous for its striking rows of white-roofed Thai ethnic stilt houses built along the massive river reservoir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Loca Hotel in Muong Lay ( Thanh Binh ) 
Transportation: Support Van
Day 11 : Muong Lay – Dien Bien Phu
Another hilly day, but we start nice and easy following a river for 15 km before starting our first climb of the day. Over a further 19 km, we reach a pass at 860 m. At the top, we take a break at a well-located tea shop for refreshments. The average gradient of the pass is relatively easy, averaging around 6-8%. Dropping down to a plateau around 400 m, we stop regularly at some of the last hill tribe villages and have lunch in a local restaurant, where our guide can introduce you to the local customs. There is another short final climb up to a 650-m pass before we prepare a broad smile to greet the kids as we cycle through paddy fields on the final flat stretch into the historic town of Dien Bien Phu.
Biking Distance: 105 Km ( mountain  tough 4 to 12 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Him Lam Resort in Dien Bien Phu 
Transportation: Support Van
Day 12 : Dien Bien Phu Loop
We explore war history in Dien Bien Phu. Our first stop will be the excellent new war museum, which offers good insight into the climactic battle in 1954 when the Viet Minh communist revolutionary forces defeated the French Union forces in Dien Bien Phu, leading to Vietnam gaining its independence from colonial rule. Other stops on the bikes will include de Castries’ bunker and Glory Statue before we stop for lunch. We then head out of town and cycle towards Muong Phang Commune to visit the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters. Shortly into our ride, the climbing begins, which lasts for about 15 km, but there is a transfer option. Then, our route takes us among forests and a large reservoir, which provides water to two hydroelectric projects. We cycle back down to Dien Bien Phu, and you are free to explore the city. Dinner is on your tonight giving you the chance to venture out and try new food and local drinks!
Biking Distance: 55 Km ( mountain  tough 3 to 8 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Him Lam Resort in Dien Bien Phu 
Transportation: Support Van
Day 13 : Dien Bien Phu – Border – Muang Khua ( Laos )
NOTE : Need visas sticker before arrival at the border ) Early breakfast and transfer to Tay Trang border. We say goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Laos. We start the day with a 35-km transfer to a quiet border crossing where it takes between 1-2 hrs to complete immigration formalities. We swap crews, pick up new hire bikes and begin the journey to the riverside town of Muang Khua. The ride is beautiful as we descend at first on a recently built but very quiet road, cycling through remote villages mainly comprised of Red or Black Thai ethnic tribes. After lunch, there is a short climb for 10 km, before dropping down to Tat Muang Khua (390 m) a small sleepy market town built on a steep hillside at the confluence of two rivers, offering plenty of great views.
Biking Distance: 69 Km ( mountain  tough 2 to 7 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Phongpadit GH
Transportation: Support Van
Day 14: Muang Khua To Oudomxay
Good road along Namphak river today, very nice view. The first stage is flat about 70km through forest and tribal village. In the afternoon, we have a gentle climb from +450 to 750m elevation then going down to Udomxai. Cycling distance 100km. Transfer to the park and own dinner at the resort
Biking Distance: 55 Km ( mountain  tough 2 to 7 % )
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort
Transportation: Support Van
Day 15: Nam Kat park
Still chasing after that buzz of adrenaline? Rappel down a waterfall. The refreshing and powerful feeling of the water, the intense roaring in your ears, and the sheer sensation of hanging on by a rope against a slippery rock face. Get a taste for abseiling with a 15m descent along the Nam Kat waterfall or take it to the next level by rappelling down a staggering 45m height of the Huay Soum waterfall. Prior experience not necessary but good physical condition ideal. The experience is seasonal from April to October and dependent upon the weather. and own dinner at the resort
Or choise one of this tour ( pay by your own account )
  • Guided hiking options
  • Zipline
  • Or Free to Spa and wellness treatments at Nam Kat Resort
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort
Day 16 : Udomxay – Nong Khiaw
Morning warm up your leg 6km outside the town, the moutain begins. This is a challenge day, climb up mountain passes through tropical forest. After 5km up hill we pass by a waterfalls over a limestone cliff into a Nam beng tributary. First summit at level +1,200 meter, then we decent down and climb to a second pass, Hmong villages living along road to the second summit. The third pass is the longest one, at this summit, we have only 28km to go , all way down to Pakmong little town, then we keep on to Nongkiaw. Cycling distance ~ 110km. Overnight at Phaxang riverside resort in Nongkiaw.
Surrounded by jungle, sheer limestone cliffs carpeted in vegetation, and looking down onto the river, this is an excellent spot to chill out. It has only recently been hooked up to electricity and some small restaurants and bars have opened, the first real coffee machine only just arrived! On arrival, we check into a small bungalow complex where the rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Hike to nearby ethnic Lao villages, explore caves where locals lived during the “secret war”, or just relax on the river. We meet up for a riverside dinner.
Biking Distance :  80- 110 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Maison De Nong Khiaw Resort - https://www.maisondenongkhiaw.com/
Transportation: Support Van
Day 17: Nong Khiaw trekking to 100 waterfal
The trip will start from 9:00 Am by a Long trail traditional boat along the river you will enjoy the beautiful nature. The winding river that winds around the mountain in front of mesmerizes me with nature
Approximately 1 hour to reach DonKhoun village. You can walk along the village to discovery the way of life of the villagers and how to live without electricity, tab water, road lines, internet signals and hospitals, They often water way to travel to go back and forth or to buy and sell various goods
From then on, we began to walk out of the village Then, start walking along the nature track to explore the waterfall for about 3-4 hours then take a rest and have lunch. After that, walk back via the village through the thick bamboo forest and return to boat landing
Excursion by boat back, On the way you will see fisher man fishing along the river and then return to Nong Khiaw  ( Shorter trekking if clients tired )
  • Preparations: small bag, hiking shoes, trekking sandal, sunscreen, mosquito spray, hat, rain cloths
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Maison De Nong Khiaw Resort - https://www.maisondenongkhiaw.com/
  • Transportation: Support Van – pick up and drop at the trekking point .
Day 18 : Nong Kiau – Luang Prabang 
In the morning board on private boat down Nam Ou River, after 2 hours the boat end at the hydro power dam, we meet our van and drive to the main road and keep driving the rest 55 km to Pak Ou, where Nam Ou River meets Mekong River, lunch at the restaurant by Mekong River, after lunch we board on private boat cross to Buddha cave, after visit cave we take the boat down Mekong River for 1 hour to LuangPrabang.. Every morning, hundreds of monks from various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. Once we reach this historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, we head to our hotel .
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation : Hotel in Luang Prabang - Satri House - https://satrihouse.com/
Transportation: Support Van
Day 19 : Luang Prabang – Fre day
​Today is your free day to explore the world heritage town on your own. 
We recommend: explore the sublime treasures of Luang Prabang. Rising at dawn to view traditional alms procession of monks passing slowly through town, visit morning market to see local people bring their products sell on the street from early morning until 10 AM. Get back to hotel for breakfast before exploration of the town through the downtown and riverfront, pausing to explore major temples dating to the 15th century such as Wat Xieng Thong  a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture, Royal Palace structures, and French-colonial period buildings and visiting other sites in town by preference, such as weaving village. 
Late afternoon walk up to the top of Phousy mount (328 steps). The marvelous mountain locates in the center of the town; the holy stupa on top was built by Luangprabang king in 1804, the view from the top is superb, especially in the evening when the sunset colors the Mekong River in red before disappearing behind the mountains. From the top you will get a perfect 360° panoramic view of the whole city and very beautiful sunset.
In the evening, enjoy the outdoor night market, one of the most interesting in all of Southeast Asia. 
➢ LuangPrabang is the oldest city in Laos, before the 14th century was the capital city of the land of million elephants (Laos). The town is a beautifully preserved and in 1995 it was added to UNESCO`s World heritage list. 
➢  Westerners often confuse alms as simply giving to a monk, whereas in Buddhism, alms or alms giving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a monk or nun as a symbolic connection to the spiritual and to show humbleness and respect.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation : Hotel in Luang Prabang - Satri House - https://satrihouse.com/
Day 20 : LuangPrabang  - Transfer to visit Khuang Si waterfalls and riding to Muangnan​
After breakfast, we drive out of town for 24 km where we start riding, we ride on unpaved road along Mekong River through country side and villages, this road connect to other district of LuangPrabang province and only local people along Mekong River ride their motorbikes and truck to LuangPrabang that’s why this road is not busy. We ride without support vehicle today; our support vehicle will drive straight on main road to Muangnan where we stay overnight. We bring lunch pack from LuangPrabang and stop for lunch at the hut of local people at the rice fields or under the tree when we are hungry. Riding today is easy on unpaved road no big climbs, most of the road is undulating; we stop at the villages and rice fields observing their life style. We some time cross the stream and after midway there are some short climbs but the road is very quiet, we ride through the farm and rice fields before we get into the town of Muangnan where we stay overnight. 
Distance: 52 km (no support van follow riders, the van will drive on the main road and meet the group in Muangna) 
Meal: B, L, D
Accommodation: guesthouse   
Day 21 :  Muangnan  – Kasi 
After breakfast at the guesthouse or local restaurant, we transfer from guesthouse for 14 km heading east on direction to LuangPrabang to the junction to LuangPrabang, we turn right and start cycle. We stop for snacks and water every 20 km. After the junction the road is more hillyand some big climbs, we cycle to the restaurant on top of mountain known as Phoukaolak (9 km mountain) we have lunch at local restaurant on top of mountain, after lunch we cycle the rest 33 km to Kasi, from the restaurant is easy ride downhill to the bottom and we keep riding to Kasi where we overnight. 
Distance: 80 km
Meal: B, L, D
Accommodation: Somchit guesthouse 
Day 22 Kasi – Vangvieng
The road from Kasi to Vangvieng is busy because of the cargo trucks and the road condition is not good. After breakfast we transfer to Vangvieng, we cycle outside Vangvieng through beautiful scenery to blue lagoon, after enjoying scenic mountains and swimming is free to cycle back to hotel. Optional: climb up view point mountains, kayaking, hot air ballon…
Vangvieng is located 150 km from Vientiane capital, it is the most tourist attraction in Laos, surrounded by lime stone mountains
Distance: 55 km
Meal: B, L
Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng 5* or similar 
Day 23 : Vangvieng – Free day
After breakfast and free day
Meal: B
Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng 5*
Day 24 : Vangvieng – Muang Feuang
After breakfast we transfer out of town for 15 km to avoid traffic, we cycle on road No. 13 north but less traffic because most of the cars and trucks run on express road, after riding 64 km on main road we stop for lunch at Hinherb village, after lunch we cycle and turn away from road 13th north to other town called Muang Feuang, where we overnight. we check in hotel on floating bungalows
Distance: 94 km
Meal: B, L, D
Accommodation: floating bungalows 
Day 25 : Muang Feuang -  Banvang
After breakfast at your hotel by river and enjoying river view we leave hotel visit local market on the way. We cycle though Lao villages surrounded by paddy fields and lime stone mountains you can stop for photo when you like it. Lunch will be prepared by our guide by the road. We stay overnight at the guesthouse in a small village 
Distance: 85 km
Meal: B, L, D
Accommodation: guesthouse  
Day 26: Banvang – Vientiane
Our guide will prepare breakfast for the group, after breakfast we cycle on main road along Mekong River enjoying Mekong River and look at Thailand on other side, we stop for water every 30 km. optional transfer by van to town
Distance: 90 km
Meal: B, L
Accommodation: Vientiane Plaza hotel 4* or similar
Day 27 : Vientiane   - Departure ( B ) 
This morning free time until deaprture to airport for international departure . End The Tour .
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