Itinerary
- Day 1
Mekhong South to Pak Ley
Follow the Mekong south through Phou Pannang National Forest on a partially sealed road that's still under construction. After stopping for lunch, you'll board canoes with your bikes and get ferried across the Mekong just south of the Thailand border. From there, tackle a rarely used single track cutting through deep bamboo forest for roughly 60 km, passing through remote villages before reaching the logging town of Pak Ley on the Mekong. This is one of the longer days, so trail conditions will affect your timing.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Ride through Phou Pannang National Forest
- Canoe ferry across Mekhong River with bikes
- Single track riding through bamboo forest
Landmarks/POIs Phou Pannang National Forest Mekhong River 
- Day 2
Nam Phouy National Park
Travel into Nam Phouy National Park and ride along high mountain ridges that wind toward the Thailand border. You'll encounter practically every type of terrain: tarmac, mud, single track, sand, loose rocky trail with deep crevasses, steep mountain paths, and river crossings. The dense untouched forest with bamboo and old growth timber means you might spot wild elephants. Visit ethnic villages on the north side of the park. Plan for approximately 6 hours of actual riding time.
Included Activities
- Ride through Nam Phouy National Park
- Border ridge riding along Thailand
- River crossings
- Visit ethnic villages (as possible)
Optional Activities
- Wild elephant viewing
Landmarks/POIs Nam Phouy National Park - Day 3
Hongsa to Luang Prabang
Start with roughly 100 km of mostly tarmac (currently under construction) winding high into mountains, offering views of terraced rice paddy farms. Stop in Hongsa, known as the elephant capital of Laos, where you can interact with working elephants and their mahouts during lunch. The route to Luang Prabang is 100% off-road, winding through mountainous areas inhabited by ethnic hill tribes, mostly Khmu people. End at the Mekong and cross by ferry into Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage City.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Hongsa)
Included Activities
- Ride through terraced rice paddy mountains
- View working elephants and mahouts in Hongsa
- Off-road riding through ethnic hill tribe areas
- Ferry crossing into Luang Prabang
Landmarks/POIs Hongsa Luang Prabang Mekhong River 
- Day 4
Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Xi Waterfalls
Choose between taking a boat or riding to Pak Ou caves, an ancient UNESCO site containing thousands of Buddha images left by the faithful seeking spiritual blessings. Visit Ban Xang Hai, the region's most famous whiskey village, and try Laos's most popular spirit. Later head to Kuang Si waterfall, where clear water cascades over multiple cliff levels and creates pools for swimming and cooling off.
Included Activities
- Visit Pak Ou caves
Optional Activities
- Boat to Pak Ou caves (alternative to riding)
- Taste local whiskey in Ban Xang Hai
- Visit Ban Xang Hai whiskey village
- Swimming at Kuang Xi Waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Pak Ou Caves Ban Xang Hai Kuang Xi Waterfalls - Day 5
Plain of Jars and UXO Sites
Travel 90% off-road on the old supply line route that was used during the war to reach royalist forces in Luang Prabang and Phonsavan. Stop in Phonsavan, which is being considered for UNESCO status because of the Plain of Jars, a mysterious collection of thousand-year-old stone vessels with no clear explanation. Phonsavan was heavily bombed during the war as a royalist stronghold. Visit centers explaining the UXO story and meet some of the victims. The area sees more than 300 people injured from unexploded ordnance each year.
Included Activities
- Ride along old wartime supply line route
- Visit Plain of Jars
Optional Activities
- Visit UXO centers and learn war history
- Meet UXO victims and hear their stories
Landmarks/POIs Plain of Jars Phonsavan - Day 6
Vieng Thong
After roughly 1.5 hours on tarmac, head deep into off-road jungle as you leave Xieng Khuan province and enter Borikhanxai province. Climb hills and wind through mountains on freshly graded dirt road before finishing the day on a smaller track leading into the village of Vieng Thong.
Included Activities
- Ride through jungle from Xieng Khuan into Borikhanxi
Landmarks/POIs Vieng Thong - Day 7
Thabok
Continue on a nice remote dirt track to Thabok for lunch. While there, see structures built from spent bomb casings and fuel tanks left over from the war. Check out how boat hulls and other important structures have been made from war scrap to help villagers rebuild their lives. Ride mostly tarmac for the rest of the day on one of Laos's most scenic and winding highways.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Thabok)
Included Activities
- Ride remote dirt track to Thabok
- View structures made from war scrap and bomb casings
Landmarks/POIs Thabok - Day 8
Tham Khone Caves to Pakxane
Start early and drive a few kilometers to a cave entrance. Board longtail boats and travel through a cave system where the river runs in complete darkness, guided only by your guides' torches. After 30 to 45 minutes inside, emerge at an old village for a snack or lunch. Board boats again for another journey through darkness with stops to photograph cave formations using adequate lighting. Ride back to Hotel Pakxane where massage and casino gambling are available if interested.
- Meals
- Snack or Lunch (Snack or lunch at old village inside cave system)
Included Activities
- Longtail boat cave exploration with river passage
- Cave formation viewing
Optional Activities
- On-site massage at Hotel Pakxane
- Casino gambling at Hotel Pakxane
Landmarks/POIs Tham Khone Caves Hotel Pakxane - Day 9
Borikhanxai Province Mountains
Navigate a very remote track through mountains and rivers of Borikhanxai Province. Pass through old Hmong villages as you trek through forests, ford multiple rivers, and wind over the mountains. This is a very long and challenging day, but the views are worth it.
Included Activities
- Ride remote track through Borikhanxai mountains
- Pass through Hmong villages
- Ford multiple rivers
- Mountain traversal
- Day 10
Phou Khou Khouy NPA
Head north on the tarmaced Route 13 along the Mekong for roughly 50 km. From there, enter Phou Khou Khouy National Protected Area, a nice area surrounded by reservoirs, dams, and lakes that gives a Swiss feel as you look out at the lakes and reservoirs in the valleys below. This is a real challenge for off-road enthusiasts and a solid final ride through Laos.
Included Activities
- Ride Route 13 along Mekhong
- Explore Phou Khou Khouy National Protected Area
Landmarks/POIs Phou Khou Khouy National Protected Area Mekhong River
