Introducing the best road motorcycle tour in Northern Laos: the must-visit bucket list for all motorcycling and traveling enthusiasts. Exploring the traditions, cultural diversity, and simplicity of living in Laos riding on a motorcycle is a must-do for all adrenaline riders and biking aficionados.
This road tour will take you around the Northern part of Laos, with much to see along the route, including two world heritage sites, Luang Prabang & Phonsavan´s Plane of Jars. The roads are great for motorcycling with 1000s of bends with great views of our spectacular countryside. It won’t disappoint. Mostly we will stay in Hotels, and where hotels are not available we will use local guest houses, all clean and tidy with air-con.
Northern Laos is the perfect destination for motorcycle enthusiasts looking to embark on an unforgettable ride. Let’s start your adventure now!
| TOUR OPERATOR | Big Bike Tours – Lao Adv Tours | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Luang Prabang / International Airport or Train Station | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | The tour will start at 8.30 am. Please be informed, that you arrived at least one day before the tour started in Luang Prabang. We recommend two days before the tour start to acclimate and avoid jet lag. | ||||||||||||
| RETURN TIME | The tour will finish at about 4/5 pm back in Luang Prabang, so if you like to fly back the same day to Vientiane or other destinations, you can catch easily any flight from Luang Prabang after 6 pm. | ||||||||||||
| GEAR | We recommend bringing your gear to be the most comfortable. But we also offer some helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. Please be informed, that we do not offer boots and trousers due to hygienic reasons. | ||||||||||||
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Please be informed, that our tours are all-inclusive. So you can completely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and the unseen Northern Laos. There are no hidden costs or other surprises – our tour prices are final. All is paid. Come ride with us – the real deal!
Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw – Muang Hiam – Phonsavan – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
(Distance: about 1,050 km. / 650 miles )
Day 1. Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw (160 km.)
First day on the roads together, after a briefing and breakfast will get on the road and get this tour underway. The first stop will be Pak Ou caves, which is a popular tourist spot on the banks of the Nam Ou River, these caves were used for shelter during the war, and are home to 100s of Buddha sculptures. After a short tour of the Caves, we will head north on route 13 toward Nong Khiaw where we will overnight on the Banks of The Nam Ou River.
Accommodation: Mandala Ou Resort
Day 2. Nong Khiaw - Muang Hiam (170 km.)
A full day of riding. Today as we re-join the 1C and make our way south towards Phonsavan. Phonsavan is a World Heritage site, famous for the plane of jars, there are many sites to see them, the most famous being site one which we will visit before heading to our hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Heungkhamxay Guest House
Day 3. Muang Hiam – Phonsavan (220 km.)
A full day’s riding today as we rejoin the 1C and make our way south towards Phonsavan. Phonsavan is a World Heritage site, famous for the Plain of Jars, of which there are many sites. The most famous is Site 1 which we will visit on our rest day.
Accommodation: Anoulackkhenlao Hotel
Day 4. Rest Day in Phonsavan & Sightseeing (50 km.)
We can take a late start to our day today and enjoy the sites on Phonsavan. The plane of Jars Site 1 will be our first stop after breakfast. Spread over many acres the Jars are still an unknown, burial erns or rice wine vats, nobody is really sure, although it appears to be the first mentioned, the rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing.
Accommodation: Anoulackkhenlao Hotel
Day 5. Phonsavan - Vang Vieng (230 km.)
Today’s ride is another spectacular one, route 7 has more bends and mountain passes to traverse as we head through the countryside. This area is known for its Karst Mountain ranges jutting high into the sky, incredible to see. We will overnight at a local resort near the Nam Sing River.
Accommodation: Silver Naga
Day 6. Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang (220 km.)
On our last day on the road, it won’t disappoint, we’ll take the scenic view climbing up to 200 meters, over the Kasi pass, the views are great. On arrival at Luang Prabang, we’ll take you to visit Kuang Si waterfalls to cool ourselves down. Then it’s onto Luang Prabang town, another world heritage site, and back to your hotel for the evening.
VISA FOR LAOS
For Laos also Visa on arrival is possible, the same as it´s in Thailand. The Visa fee on arrival for Laos is about 30 US$ for 30 days (1,200 THB). You also can apply for E-Visa here: www.laosvisatravel.com
REGISTRATION / DEPOSIT
Due to the cumbersome logistics involved with obtaining all necessary permits, we must impose the following conditions for registration of your participation in the tour:
- The deadline for the latest registrations is one month before the tour start
- Confirmation of your participation in the tour will only be confirmed against the payment of a 10% deposit (down payment) of the total tour price.
- First, come – first served: the date of receipt of your deposit (down payment) will determine whose participation will be confirmed first. We will not confirm participation in the tour before receipt of your deposit.
We shall guarantee the departure of the tour with a minimum of 4 bikers and shall limit the maximum size of the group to no more than 10 bikes.
With your registration for the tour, we also need the following personal data from you:
Family Name(s) – as per passport:
First Name(s) – as per passport:
Passport Number:
Nationality:
Date of Birth:
Passport Issue Date:
Passport Issue Place:
Passport Expiry Date:
Please note that to participate in this tour, you must own a valid international driver’s license for motorcycles over 500cc.
For inquiries or in case of any uncertainties, please contact us at info@bigbiketours.com.
FULL PREPAYMENT
Because we shall have to fully prepay all suppliers far in advance, we require your full prepayment of the tour (minus the deposit) by the latest one month before the tour start.
CANCELLATION FEES
Please note that the following cancellation fees apply in case you are obliged to cancel the reservations for the tour at the last minute:
If cancellation is received: Fee (in % of the total tour price)
60 Days to 15 Days 30% of the Tour cost
30 Days to 8 Days 50% of the Tour cost
14 Days or less 100% of the Tour cost
We strongly recommend that you purchase individualized travel and/or medical insurance from any insurance company in your home market to prevent having to incur any unexpected medical or travel expenses.
INSURANCE – LAOS
The motorcycles only carry compulsory third-party insurance for Laos. Consequently, the participant carries full risk in case of an accident, regardless of whether the accident is caused by the tour participant or by a third party. Please bear also in mind that in the case of an accident, the adversary will most likely not be carrying any insurance coverage at all. Hence, the tour participant carries the maximum risk of 5,000 USD in case of total damage to his/her motorcycle.
OPTIONAL
Against the surcharge of 300 USD, we offer limited comprehensive insurance cover with a maximum liability/participation of 1,000 USD (instead of 5,000 USD) for the participant in case of damage sustained to his/her motorcycle. For minor damage, we will collect the costs for repair at the end of the tour as it is easier to handle such minor cases on the spot. Tour participants who opt for fully comprehensive insurance coverage will also have to deposit 1,000 USD in cash at the beginning of the tour.
It is also important to know that the participant is liable for damage caused to his/her motorcycle in the case of an accident caused by a third person. Third-party insurance in Laos generally only covers bodily harm caused to the third party and does not cover damage caused to the vehicle of a third party.
LAOS CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS
ATMs are not yet widespread in Laos, and only major hotels and sometimes upcountry accept the most common credit cards such as American Express and Visa. In many places, however, credit cards will not be accepted at all. Hence, it is useful to bring cash in US Dollars, preferably also in small denominations as many shops upcountry cannot easily provide change for a 100-Dollar bill. You may also want to change some foreign currency into Laos Kip (KIP) as the Lao people only trade in their currency. When paying for something small with US Dollars, the change will most likely be rendered in Laos Kip (KIP). This change, in turn, can be used again for buying a drink or for small tips, etc. Bringing traveler cheques is useless as only the Lao Investment, and Commercial Bank (LICB) or the Lao Foreign Trade Bank (LFTB) in Vientiane would trade in these through cumbersome and time-consuming procedures. However, it is now possible to change US Dollars and even Euros and also Thai Baht into local currency at most airports and many other places. We do not recommend changing Laos Kip (KIP) already in your home country!
Day 1. Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw (160 km)
Day 2. Nong Khiaw – Muang Hiam (170 km)
Day 3. Muang Hiam – Phonsavan (220 km)
Day 4. Rest Day in Phonsavan
Day 5. Phonsavan – Vang Vieng (230 km)
Day 6. Vang Vieng – Kuang Si Waterfall – Luang Prabang (220 km)
2023 Tour Starts
| 26. June | 10. July | 24. July | 07. August | 21. August | 04. September | 18. September | 09. October | 23. October | 20. November | 04. December | 18. December |
2024 Tour Starts
| 03. January | 15. January | 29. January | 12. February | 26. February | 11. March | 25. March | 15. April | 29. April | 13. May | 27. May | 10. June | 24. June | 08. July | 22. July | 05. August | 19. August | 02. September | 16. September | 07. October | 21. October | 04. November | 18. November | 02. December | 16. December |
