6 Best ideas for cycling in Laos

Bikes are practical for visiting cities: less fatigue, more "ventilated" rides and more time to see more things. In Southeast Asia, Laos is now becoming a popular destination to visit by bike.

1. In the karst maze of Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng, located about 150 kilometers North of Vientiane, on the road to Luang Prabang, is home to one of the most spectacular landscape sites in Laos.

Vang Vieng is characterized by a set of jagged karst mountains at the foot which flows the Nam Song River and spreads vast rice fields. An exceptional natural site that is a pleasure to explore by bike.

Along the way, you will discover many traditional villages with their wooden houses on stilts, a superb lagoon with supernatural emerald blue water, some magnificent caves that served as shelters for the local population to protect themselves from American bombings during the Vietnam War and others that are Buddhist sanctuaries surrounded by local legends.

The more athletic will leave their bikes aside for a moment to climb two karst peaks that offer breathtaking views of the extraordinary landscapes of Vang Vieng.

2. Around Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts a large number of travelers for its remarkable historical, cultural and architectural heritage. It is also very popular for its many possibilities for cycling excursions. With it, you can go to the majestic Kuang Si Falls, located about thirty kilometers from Luang Prabang, or closer to the beautiful Tad Sae Falls near two elephant camps.

By mountain bike, you can go deep into the jungle to discover some remote villages of the Kamu or Hmong ethnic groups. There’s a possibility of combining cycling with other activities such as walking, kayaking or rafting.

Cycling is also one of the best options for strolling through the historic center of Luang Prabang to discover its many temples, monasteries, pagodas and architectural wonders.

3. Through the fabulous limestones of the Phou Hin Boun National Park

The Phou Hin Boun National Park, located about 300 kilometers south of Vientiane, is home to one of the most spectacular limestone complexes in Southeast Asia.

Superb bike rides at the foot of these powerful limestone massifs will leave you with wonderful travel memories. And unforgettable ones if you cross the breathtaking Kong Lor Cave with your bike in a motorized pirogue. 7 kilometers long, it is one of the largest caves in Laos.

On leaving the cave, you arrive at Nathan Village. From there, you can take a superb 2-hour bike loop in a beautiful countryside bristling with limestone mountains as sharp as knives. It is also possible from the village to go to Nakai, a small village located on the banks of the Nam Theum 2 Reservoir.

4. On the Boloven plateau

Perched at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters in the Southeast of Laos, the Boloven Plateau is a vast playground for cycling enthusiasts.

Over one or more days, discover this region of great beauty with unsuspected cultural and natural riches by bike. You’ll have bike rides featured with numerous stops to discover the many waterfalls of the Boloven Plateau such as the spectacular Tad Lo or Tad Fan Falls, visit the coffee and tea plantations and observe their transformation process, and meet the ethnic minorities who populate the region, in particular the Laven, Alak or Katu, who perpetuate a very beautiful traditional craft.

5. In the charming countryside of Champassak

About thirty kilometers from Pakse, the capital of southern Laos, is the ancient royal capital of Champassak, languid on the banks of the Mekong.

A peaceful, charming town from where you can take very beautiful bike rides such as going to the archaeological site of Vat Phou, classified as a UNESCO heritage site.

All the visible buildings were built by the Khmers who ruled Laos for a large part of the Khmer Empire (10th to 12th century). Another beautiful bike ride is to follow the Mekong towards the South. You will pass through small sleepy hamlets and admire a church, a vestige of the French presence, and a superb Buddhist temple dating from the 19th century, the Wat Muang Kang.

Finally, we invite you to cross the Mekong to go to the delicious island of Don Daeng located just opposite Champassak. You will find a real little paradise full of rural authenticity.

6. Across the nonchalant archipelago of the 4,000 islands

The archipelago of the 4,000 islands is one of the most attractive destinations for cycling in Laos. A multitude of small paths will allow you to discover the 3 islands of Don Det, Don Khone and Don Khong where you can see vestiges of the French presence including old buildings and an old locomotive, witness to the railway project in the area.

This will be the opportunity, still by bike, to admire breathtaking waterfalls and observe the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins.

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