Cycling in Laos

Laos, known as the land of a million smiles, boasts stunning mountainous landscape and a laid back atmosphere, the result of a long isolation from its neighbours. Our route takes us through some spectacular scenery, from narrow roads shaded by jungle vines to shimmering rice paddies and mountains which are home to a mix of ethnic groups. Out of the saddle, we walk through villages and bamboo forest and visit Luang Prabang with striking colonial buildings, tree-lined avenues and colourful temples. We finish our trip in bustling Bangkok. The cycling is demanding at times, but our reward is to have roads almost to ourselves in South East Asia's friendliest and least known country.

Highlights

• Exploring remote areas of Laos rarely visited by tourists
• Spectacular mountain scenery, limestone cliffs, rice paddies and waterfalls
• Traditional hill tribe villages
• Slow cruise down the Mekong River

Surfaces are nearly all good tarmac. Some tough climbs and long downhills.