CYCLING IN LAOS

Day 1 Arrive Luang Prabang

Enjoy a VIP arrival in Luang Prabang and transfer the short distance to your hotel. Luang Prabang is the crown jewel of Laos and the best preserved traditional town in SE Asia due to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage town. You will immediately feel its laid back charm and its spiritual culture. Here there are few cars, except the odd vintage Citroen or people carrier doing the airport run, but much more you will see bicycles, mopeds and people taking time to walk to their destination. Nothing is too far. Enjoy sunset on the banks of the Mekong and dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 2 Luang Prabang to Non Khiaw - 70km (option to extend to 130kms)

After breakfast, head off with your guide for your first full day of cycling. After a short drive, jump on your bike and cycle 70km to Nong Khiaw, a small town on the banks of the Nam Ou River, Nong Khiaw boasts a dramatic backdrop of limestone mountains, stunning river views and genuine local colour. Stop for lunch along the way and then when you reach your hotel, enjoy a massage and a well-earned sundowner by the hotel's swimming pool with views over the Nam Ou River. All meals are included here.

Overnight: Mandala Ou Resort

Day 3 Nong Khiaw to Muang Khua by boat and then to Muang La - 70km

Leave Nong Khiaw early this morning by pirogue (flat bottomed boat) along the Nam Ou River. This is an area where there are no roads and so you really feel you've stepped back in time. Journey slowly upstream, stopping on the way to visit a remote village. After 2 hours, disembark and board a tuk-tuk for a short trip to pass the new Nam Ou Dam, before continuing your cruise upstream for another 2.5 hours.  On arrival in Muang Khua and cycle 70km with your guide to the village of Muang La, stopping for lunch at a road side market town. Muang La sits at the point where the Nam Phak and Nam La rivers meet - lush green vegetation abounds, dotted with bamboo houses and an ancient temple. Relax your aching muscles in the natural hot springs that the town is famous for and enjoy dinner in the resort. All meals are included.

Overnight: Muang La Resort

Day 4 Muang La - Optional local cycling

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy a massage, sauna, hot springs bath or do nothing! Alternatively explore locally on your bicycle.

Overnight: Muang La Resort

Day 5 Muang La to Oudomxay to Pakbeng - 170km

An early start today as you head off on bicycles for a short 25km ride to Oudomxay. Here you will hop on the van and drive to Muang Hong for lunch in a local restaurant before cycling on for the remainder of the day. This afternoon you will ride along one of the best roads in Laos and for the last 20kms you will follow the river before finishing in the narrow valley at the northern section of the Beng River. NB: The afternoon stretch is 145km and you will only need to cycle the distance you feel you can, so just let your guide know if you feel tired. At Pakbeng Lodge, all meals are included.

Overnight: Pakbeng Lodge

Day 6 Pakbeng to Pak Ou Caves to Luang Prabang

After breakfast make your way down to the Mekong River and board a slow boat downstream to Luang Prabang. You will pass areas of unspoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with its mahout. Lunch will be served en route on board. Stop to visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village - and if you're brave enough you can sample some Lao Lao (rice wine). Stop at Pak Ou Caves and see the thousands of Buddha statues nestled in the limestone grottos inside the cave before heading on to Luang Prabang where you'll arrive before sunset. Transfer to your hotel before enjoying dinner at Khaiphaen Restaurant (a vocational training restaurant for disadvantaged street kids). All meals are included during your stay.

Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 7 Luang Prabang

Enjoy a full day's tour of Luang Prabang by bicycle. Your first stop is to see Ms Chailee's incredible recycled cement bags. With a poor education, Ms Chailee has found a way to earn income for her family by sewing old cement bags and creating useful and fashionable bags which are sold in night markets all over Laos. See how she does it and have a go yourself! Lunch at the Silk Road Café or the Ock Pop Top Weaving Centre before visiting the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and Vat Mai, the former Royal temple. Move on to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre to learn about the rich ethnic diversity of the local tribes and finish at Heritage House at the back of Vat Xieng Muane. Return to your hotel to drop off your bicycles and freshen up before dinner at the fabulous L'Elephant Restaurant.

Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 8 Luang Prabang & Departure

Rise early and head by Tuk Tulk to the peninsular to witness Tak Bat (alms giving). Long lines of orange-robed monks walk the streets collecting offerings from locals and tourists in their bowls. Visit the open air food market and Vat Xieng Thong, the most emblematic of temples. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Bangkok, Hanoi or Siem Reap, depending on where you are going next.