23 Days Laos-Cambodia- Vietnam Cycling Tour from Luang Prabang to Ho Chi Minh City

Laos – Cambodia Cycle To Vietnam – A great arrangement for cycling travelers who love to get in touch with culture and people during their cycling adventure holiday in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This biking tour offers some of the most beautiful areas in Southern Laos, Nothern Cambodia, and Mekong River Delta to Ho Chi Minh City. The highlights are the Mekong river journey, the back roads of Laos, the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Luang Phabang, refreshing waterfalls, high mountains, and different cultures along the way.

Day 1 : Luang Prabang to Kiew Ka Cham (78Km) ( L,D )
Pick up at 7:30 from your hotel. After checking your bikes, depart from Luang Prabang and cycle the way to Kiew Ka Cham passing on the mountain road passing lush forest and many small H’Mong villages that sit dwarfed by the amazing landscape of limestone mountains that surround them. Dinner and overnight in Kiew Ka Cham.

Day 2 : Kiew Ka Cham – Kasi (94 Km) ( B , L , D )
After breakfast, fill in water and be prepared to get on the bike. Today is the hard part of cycling with some up hills and down hills. So, we will start a
bit early. You will be high in the mountains for the first half of the day following a ridge line up and down with peaks all around. In the afternoon it is time to relax a bit as the road is largely downhill along a valley to our overnight stop of Kase, a small village on top of the mountains.

Day 3 : Kasi – Vang Vieng (57 Km) ( B , L , D )
Cycle the 57km to Vang Vieng hopefully arriving early afternoon, spend
an afternoon to go caving or tubing on the Nam Song River, or just relax. The
ride to Vang Vieng is a relatively easy day traveling through the lush greof rice fields. Vang Vieng is set in a prime location. Surrounded by
limestone peaks, caves, and rivers this town sees its fair share of travelers
but for good reason. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 4 : Vang Vieng – Phong Hong (Nam Ngum Lake) 85km ( B , L , D )
Spend the day cycling mainly downhill to Phong Hong and the Nam Ngum Lake
a man-made lake, formed by the damn. Dinner and spend the night near the lake.

Day 5: Nam Ngum Lake – Vientiane 85km ( B, L )
Cycling start from your hotel to Vientiane the road becomes mainly flat for this ride and you should be back in Vientiane. Explore the city and have dinner on your own. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6 : Vientiane Fly to Pakse ( B )
All-day free to explore city and driver pick up to the airport for flight to Pakse. Arrival check-in hotel.

Day 7: Pakse – Bolaven Plateau (Tad Fan waterfall) ( B, L, D )

An easy start to the day, after breakfast we ride from the hotel after 8 km on a flat road in town the road is slightly uphill to begin our journey into the coffee growing area of Laos, the Bolaven plateau. After the town, we start to climb up into the temperate coffee-growing area renowned for its Arabica and Robusta beans. These beans fetch some of the highest coffee prices in the world. The road undulates but has a definite upward feeling. As we climb, we see coffee everywhere as the plantations converge on the side of the road. We finish at the wonderful Tad Fane resort, which provides a stunning backdrop and the very impressive Tad Fane fall, if you are feeling energetic you can cycle to the other waterfall for swimming. Alternatively, you can relax in the restaurant and take the wonderful view. Dinner is at the resort

Elevation:Pakse = 170 m above sea level.Tadfan resort = 959 m above sea level.

Distance: 38 km (on good quality asphalt road but ascend)

Day 8: Tad Fane – Tad lo (Tad means waterfall) ( B, L, D )
(Resort is at an altitude of 960 m above sea level)Today is the best riding on this trip, after 12 km of the climb we reach the top of Bolavene plateau (at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level). However, riding in the early morning makes you warm through the cold morning on the plateau, and you still have more energy in the morning, after a short break in a small town on top of the plateau we continue our riding for another 38 km to a small town of Tha Teng (at an altitude of 860 m above sea level), this 38- kilometer descent is one of the best rides in this trip, we have noodle soup for lunch at the local restaurant, 30 km from our destination, Tad Lor Resort (at an altitude of 750 m above sea level) Riding after lunch takes us very easy downhill but on a dirt road for 21 km to the junction, the rest of the road just 9 km on asphalt road and it is mainly flat. We check in the hotel in the afternoon and it is your time for swimming at the waterfall, relaxing, enjoying the view, or riding around. Dinner is at the hotel.

Elevation: Departure point 959 m above sea level.Highest point: 1280 m above sea level.Arrival point: 346 m above sea level.

Ride: 80 km (12 km ascend, 68 km descend, and flat, including 21 km on a dirt road)

Day 9 : Tad Lor – Pakse – Champasak ( B , L , D )
After breakfast, we head towards Pakse. This road undulates and has a couple of lengthy climbs in it one of 5 km and one of 49 km, but they are quite gradual before we turn right and head downhill into Pakse. The last 20 km into Pakse is downhill and can be covered quickly, be careful as we head into town as the traffic increases significantly.

After lunch in town, we cycle across over the bridge to the right side or Thai side (but it is Lao territory ) we keep riding on a flat road to the former southern kingdom of the land of million elephants, the present town of Champasak consists of a small settlement on the Thai side of the Mekong River, whose main interest of the visitors is its proximity to the famous Khmer site of Wat Phou, a name which indicates a connection with the ancient Cham kingdom, contemporaneous with the early Khmer empire.

Elevation: Tad Lor = 346 m above sea level.Highest point: 606 m above sea level.

Champasak = 124 m above sea level.

Ride: 110 km on good quality asphalt road

Day 10 : Champasack – Khong Island (4000 islands) ( B , L , D )

Si Phan Done in Lao means 4000 islands; it is the widest and most charismatic part of the Mekong River and is our destination today. We leave as early as we can after breakfast, after 2 km of riding from the hotel, we cross the Mekong River on a very unusual mode of transport to the other side and after a short ride to the main road and then start heading south again towards Cambodia. Today is mainly flat with quiet road and some interesting scenery, we pass many villages with children standing in groups waving their hands and saying hello, it would be strange for them to see the tourists travel by bicycles (it feels hard for them).so we stop every 20 or 25 km for refreshments and we have lunch under the tree by the road when we feel like it. We then cross back over to the Mekong River to one of the biggest islands in the Mekong River, Kong Island (it is the hometown of the former Lao president). We cycle a short way to our hotel. Dinner is in the hotel.

Elevation: Champasak =124 m above sea level, Khong island = 120 m above sea level.

Distance: 113 km (on good quality asphalt road, and mainly flat)

Day 11 : Khong island – Khone island ( B , L , D )
Today is a day to explore, we once again cross the river to the mainland and head south where we ride as far as on the main road, we turn to the village where we get on a long-tail boat with all bikes, luggage, and our staff so we leave our support van at the village, we take a short boat trip to the small island of Don Det where we will have lunch. After lunch we ride along the old French Railway down to the beach where we get on small boats to Cambodian waters in search of fresh water Dolphins, After an hour we ride back to the hotel at Don Khone island.

Distance: 30 km (Haft riding is on good quality asphalt road and the rest is on the path but it is fantastic to ride and flat)

Day 12: Don Khone Island – Cambodia -Stung Treng (80km) ( B, L, D )

After breakfast boat ride from the hotel to the mainland, we start cycling from the village to the main road and head south to the border, on the way stop at Khonphapheng waterfall, the biggest waterfall on the Mekong River after a short visit to the waterfall we cycle the rest to the border where you say goodbye to Lao guide and driver, after immigration formalities in Laos we take a short drive to Cambodian immigration where you meet Cambodian guide and driver to start your trip to Cambodia.

Day 13 : Stung Treng – Irrawady Dolphin – Kratie (75km( B , L , D )

Breakfast in Stung Treng. Cycle along the Mekong River on a dirt road for 30km. We transfer on the National Road as we cannot avoid this part. Cycle the last 45km on the back road along the Mekong River. The road is sealed but small with less traffic than the National road. It is also interesting to see the villages and scenery along the Mekong. We stop halfway to take the boat trip at Prek Kampi to spot the endangered freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphin. If you miss the chance to see the Dolphin at 4 Thousand Islands, you will be able to see it at Prek Kampi for sure. After the boat trip, cycle the last 23km to Kratie. Dinner and overnight in Kratie.

Day 14: Kratie – Mondulkiri (Northern Hill Tribes Territory) (80km)( B, L, D)

After breakfast, we transfer about 2 hours via Seoul to Keo Sima. Along the road, we can see some of the rubber plantations initiated by the French. Then we start cycling with some uphills. The scenery after lunch is the best in Cambodia for cycling. We can view the pine forest and endless hill with green grass. We arrive in Mondulkiri and check-in at the hotel. In the late afternoon, we cycle around the town and go up hills about 300 meters altitude high to view the sunset on top of the hill at the Sea Forest to see how amazing nature is. Dinner and overnight in Mondulkiri.

Day 15: Sen Monorom – Bou Sra Water Fall (Cycling 77km) ( B, L, D )

Breakfast in Sen Monorom. Fill in the water, and start cycling out off Sen Monorom. Soon, we get to the dirt road passing the coffee plantation. We stop to have a quick visit at the plantation. Then continue on some of the sealed and dirt roads through the jungle. Stop and relax to enjoy the true nature. Then go to Bou Sra waterfall. Enjoy the lunch nearby the waterfall. Enjoy swimming at the waterfall and take some photos in Phnong minority clothes. Afternoon, return to Sen Monorom for dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Sen Monorom – Elephant Valley – Danrey Choun Walk 5km ( B L, D)

Breakfast in Sen Monorom. Then we cycle 10km to Elephant Valley. This is a rescue center to protect the elephants from trafficking. You have a chance of a full-day volunteer to work in this Elephant Valley to take care of the elephants. The staff at the project will guide you on how to do the job. Lunch at the valley. Dinner and overnight in Sen Monorom.

Day 17: Mondulkiri-Chlong-Kampong Cham (85km) ( B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. We transfer to Chalong. Then start cycling along the Mekong River. This back road is nice for cycling to see close to the real-life experience of the local people who earn their living along the Mekong River. Most of them earn their living by farming and fishing. We cycle to pass a few Muslim communities. Then we cross the Mekong River by ferry at Stung Trong. Continue to cycle another 33km on some dirt roads and the sealed road to Kampong Cham. Dinner and overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 18 : Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh – ( 40 km )( B ,L )
Breakfast at the hotel. Cycling and transfer by van to Phnom Penh for check-in hotel, and dinner explore by yourself – Overnight in Phnom Penh City.

Day 19: Phnom Penh free day ( B )
Breakfast at the hotel. Today leisure to discover the city on your own.

Day 20:Phnom Penh Crossing border to Chau Doc, Vietnam by speed boat ( B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. 11:30 our cruise team will pick you up at the hotel by tuk-tuk to the boat station. After the border crossing, Take a speed boat on the Mekong river. arrival in Chau Doc. Our guide will pick you up at the hotel for check-in and dinner in the hotel. Stay and Dinner in Chau Doc Hotel.

Day 21: Chau Doc – Can Tho (50km+cycling) ( B, L, D )
After breakfast, we leave for the floating houses on the upper Mekong river by boat where we can see plenty of catfishes, and red snappers… breeding under right their houses. What is an amazing life! Then keep boating to visit the Cham village with about 12.000 people who those are weaving sarongs, hats…by hands as keeping their ancestral tradition. Walk to the mosques where Muslims pray and teach Cham kids in Arabic for a while. Then we start cycling along incredible country roads from Chau Doc to Bachuc along the border or re-trace back to triton (depending on road conditions). The cycling starts to gently undulate and mountains begin to loom as you ride out off Chau Doc. The presence of That trees indicates the growing proximity to Cambodia and the local people speak Vietnamese as their second language. This afternoon, you will cycle to the killing fields of Vietnam at Bachuc, where Polpot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978. Dinner and overnight in Can Tho. (B,L,D)

Day 22: Cantho – Travinh (80km+cycling) ( B, L, D )
After breakfast, there will be time to explore side tracks and trails as the cycling distance today is not far. This gives a great first impression of the “heart of Mekong”. We take the first short boat trip to Vinh Long, one of the famous fruit towns in the Mekong. Then you bike along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks, and trails. This biking is at its most glorious-through tiny orchards, witness colorful life along the riverside, pedal past picturesque delta homes, pause to chat with welcoming villagers, and clack across innumerable wooden bridges. Cross narrow canals on a local sampan, before finishing at the main ferry for refreshing boat trips across the expansive Co Chien River. Ride the final few km to the very pretty Khmer town of Tra Vinh. Overnight in Tra Vinh. (B,L,D)

Day 23: Tra Vinh – Mytho – Ho Chi Minh (50km+ cycling) ( B, L )
After breakfast, start with a section of biking that cuts off road onto gravel and dirt lanes, and weaves around hamlets, across water channels, and through quiet dense vegetation. This makes for superb biking after a ferry across the gaping expanse of Cochien river from Travinh, the pretty tree-lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer. Then another section of crossing rivers and canals by numerous, ubiquitous, fascinating ferries, we bike through the route takes us through narrow roads and lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the delta. The ride leads us right into the heart of the rural Mekong before arriving at Mytho – the gateway of the Mekong delta to end our cycling trip. From Mytho, we transfer a couple of hours to Ho Chi Minh City to avoid the busy traffic. TOUR ENDS.