2014 Cycle Tour of Thailand and Laos 22 October - 14 November

INTRODUCTION

In 2012 I did a cycle tour from Bangkok, Thailand to Saigon, Vietnam with a bunch of friends from Canberra. It was a fantastic experience, so when I was emailed about a tour from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, Laos I immediately said "yes, count me in." We had 15 happy campers on this trip but like last time the tour operators could have added more once we were in Bangkok, but this time they didn’t. Canberrans were - Christine, Tony, Kerrie, Ken, Fred, Heather, Phil, Kev, Terry, Michael, Kate, Steve, Kerry, Bob.  I've toured with all these people except 2 and they are a great bunch of happy cyclists.

As it was Phil’s first overseas cycle tour, I suggested a few days in Saigon, Vietnam on the way home.

The blurb from the Cambodia Cycling website reads:

Bangkok to Luang Prabang
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Trip Profile:

This Thailand and Laos Cycling Tour starts from Bangkok and finishes in Luang Prabang, the Word Heritage Town. We start cycling to Khao Yai national park, then to Surin. From there, we cycle to visit the Elephant Village and cycle on the most beautiful rural part of Thailand to enjoy the scenery, the endless sugar cane farm and casava.

We aim to take tourists to see REAL Thailand through the northeastern part of Thailand UNTOUCHED by tourists. This trip is suitable for both road bike and mountain bike as the rural roads in Thailand is very small but nicely paved and in good conditions comparing to the rural roads in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos. The cycling routes for this trip is relatively flat with only hill on the first day at Khao Yai National Park.

This bicycle trip is fully supported by van, so people should cycle at their own pace to enjoy as no one is left behind and if we have a group of more than 6 people, we will have 2 cycling guides (1 guide in front and 1 guide at the back) and we normally set water stop every 20km to enjoy fresh fruits, snack and soft drinks. The distance for water stop is also flexible depends on the weather (morning or afternoon) and the group demand. 

We cross the border at Nong Khai. It is now possible to get Laos visa on arrival for USD35 per person. Please take 1 photo passport size for the visa. Please inform us your nationality for more information about the visa. The hotels for this bike tour are mostly 3* and 4* stars in Thailand, Vientiane and Luang Prabang and we try our best to book available hotels with swimming pools. 2 nights guest house in Kasi and Kieu Kacham (no other better choices in these 2 places).