Lifetime Vietnam Cross-Border Motorbike Tour to Laos in Loop – 12 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Ta Xua peak(Son La) 

Day 2: Ta Xua Motorbike Tour to Mai Chau valley (Hoa Binh)

DAY 3: MAI CHAU MOTORBIKE TOUR TO LAOS BORDER – SAM NUEA, 190 KILOMETERS

DAY 4: SAM NUEA MOTORBIKE TOUR TO XIENG KHOUANG (PLAIN OF JARS), 210 KILOMETERS

DAY 5: XIENG KHOUANG MOTORBIKE TOUR TO LUANG PRABANG, 230 KILOMETERS

DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOUR

DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG TOUR TO PAK OU CAVE ON MEKONG RIVER ( B/L/-)

DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG MOTORBIKE TOUR TO MUANG KHUA, 230 KILOMETERS

DAY 9: MUANG KHUA MOTORBIKE TOUR TO VIETNAM BORDER – DIEN BIEN PHU, 175 KILOMETERS

DAY 10: DIEN BIEN PHU MOTORBIKE TOUR TO SON LA, 180 KILOMETERS

Day 11: SON LA MOTORBIKE TOUR TO MOC CHAU / 150KM

Day 12: Moc CHAU MOTORBIKE TOUR TO HANOI

Day 1: Vietnam Cross-Border Motorbike Tour to Laos: Hanoi motorbike tour to Ta Xua.

Start our motorbike tour by leaving Hanoi on some light dirt track and backroad to Dong Quang bridge, then we keep rolling beside Da river passing extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy till we reach Thanh Son town for lunch.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll head to Phu Yen town via nice dirt tracks through spectacular tea hills.

When we get to Phu Yen, the true challenge begins. We’ll embark on a vertical mountain trek with our bikes, a tough feat even on dry and sunny days, the track can be from 8 to 18 kilometers long (depending on your demand) with chilling and breathtaking scenery pushing us forwards all the way. We’ll get to our destination at a clearing right beside the “dinosaur backbone”.

Ta Xua is a mountain range in the Bac Yen district in Son La province. At the highest point of 2865 meters, the Ta Xua peak is the tenth highest peak in Vietnam. The three most important peaks form a line that looks like the backbone of a dinosaur. It is a real off the beaten track destination for adventure travelers

If time permits, we also try some dirt-track experiences to get deeper into remote villages around to see how the locals live & work otherwise it’s our time for beer, and relaxation amid this remote and pristine nature’s playground amid the clouds.

We overnight in a homestay of H’Mong people.

Summary:

Distance: 210km

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Accommodation: homestay

In the morning, after having breakfast at hotel we’ll jump on our iron horse to turn into the National Road No 43 & No 6 to head to Mai Chau. On the way, we’ll take a rare opportunity to embark a ferry crossing the Da Reservoir where we’re reserving water to supply for very big Hoa Binh Hydro Power Plant. Standing on the ferry, you can enjoy fresh air, breezes and nice sceneries from the far mountains & forest.

Upon approaching Van Yen port, we’ll keep riding on curvy zigzag roads with a lots beautiful landscapes of mountains, jungles, terraces … to get to Moc Chau where is known as another Sapa in the North of Vietnam then we have a lunch here. Afterward, we’ll keep rolling on the road No 6 to enjoy an offroad ride from Van Ho via Hang Kia, Pa Co to Mai Chau. On this segment of your ride, you’ll experience the untouched beauties of Northern Vietnam with wild flowers, peaceful villages on the hill sides.

Upon reaching Mai Chau, we take a rest by a short walk around village to discover local life. Life in the countryside starts early so by sunrise there is a wealth of activity. The Thai women are masterful weavers who ensure that there is plenty of traditional-style clothing to buy in the village centre. You will see women weaving on looms under or inside their houses in the village We can buy some handmade traditional-style clothing, knife or cross-bow. At night, there will be an interesting music performance made by local artists awaiting and you can join to learn more about the local cultures, habits & traditions.

Summary: 
Distance: 170 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Say goodbye to the family and head down to Thanh Hoa province on the National Road No 15. Ride on a beautiful trail along the Ma River until Nameo Town where you cross the border to get to Laos. The landscape suddenly changes in Laos side with quiet road and nice scenery, riding up and down many mountain passes. Have dinner in town and overnight at a mini guesthouse in Sam Nuea.

Summary: 
Distance: 190 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

It’s a nice day ride over many hills and mountain passes. Visit some small Hmong villages on the way. Before arriving in Xieng Khouang located in the North-East of Laos, later on you will make a visit to the famous Plain Of Jars which is a megalithic archaeological landscape in Laos. It consists of thousands of stone jars scattered around the upland valleys and the lower foothills of the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau.

The jars are mostly arranged in clusters ranging in number from one to several hundred. Have dinner in town and overnight at a hotel.

Summary:
Distance: 210 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

Start early as you have a long day ride today. It’s still very hilly all the way to Luang Prabang. There will be some stops for a photo of very nice view over high mountains and deep valley. Of course, some dirt rides on this day are unmissable and you’ll have a chance to get the paved roads to see the real life of local Laotians as well as discover primitive natural beauties of Laos with waterfalls, jungles of big trees.Arrive late in the afternoon. Have dinner in town and overnight at a hotel.

Summary: 
Distance: 230 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

After having breakfast at hotel, you’ll be taken to visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. then walk to see impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hilltribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang. We end our Luang Prabang Sightseeing Tour today Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, we’ll start our Luang Prabang Exploration Tour by enjoying a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims.

Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which famous for its hand weaving. We end our Luang Prabang package Tour today and free time for you to walk around its ancient streets

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Leaving the beautiful city of Luang, you head up closer to the northwest of Vietnam, another long day but beautiful, with many stops to visit the villages of Hmong and Thai people. Have dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.

Summary:
Distance: 230 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

Head to the east where you will cross the border to get back to Vietnam. The landscape changes quickly once after the border, flat plain with rice fields and tree lines. Ride all the way down hill through the country of Thai people until the spectacular valley of Dien Bien Phu where you will stop for the night. Have dinner in town and overnight at a hotel.

Summary:
Distance: 175 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

Make a visit to the historical remain of French battlefield during the Indochina War. Start riding down to the south to get to Son La. Ride up and down many high passes with many stops on the beautiful Pha Din mountain pass for a photo and visit to the village of Black Thai / Hmong people. Have dinner in town and overnight at a hotel.

Summary:
Distance: 180 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

After having breakfast, you’ll be following up the National No 6 to ride down Moc Chau. This highland town produces some of Vietnam’s best tea and is a good place to fresh up after a long ride. The surrounding area is also home to several ethnic minorities, including Green H’mong, Dzao, Thai and Muong.

Moc Chau boasts a pioneering dairy industry that started in the late 1970s with Australian (and, later, UN) assistance. The dairy provides Hanoi with such delectable iuxur us as fresh milk, sweetened condensed milk and little tooth-rotting bars called “Banh sua”.

In this afternoon, we’ll take another dirt ride to go up the hills to explore the beauties of the tea plantations as well as some other beautiful travel sites of Mai Chau as Ban And Pike Hill, Das Yen Waterfall … Overnight at hotel in Moc Chau

Summary:
Distance: 150 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house

At leisure after your breakfast, we’ll then rolling easily back to Hanoi, along the way we sometimes stop by nice places for photos as well as coffee breaks. At around 16:00, we’ll get to the hotel in Hanoi for a check-in.

Summary:
Distance: 150 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: None 

 

* Inclusions: 
+ Motorbike(s) (Honda or Yamaha)
+ Helmet(s) Driving gears
+ Gasoline on tour
+ English speaking guide
+ Mechanic (only for group from 6 passengers)
+ Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on twin or/and triple shared)
+ Homestay permission + Meals as indicated in the itinerary
+ Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees
+ Boat trip + Fruits and Coffee on tour
+ Government’s taxes