The best cycling route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Laos
Our cycling routes from Vientiane to Luang Prabang in Laos
Here are all the details to our cycling route between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, as part of our Social Cycles ride.
This route allows for a bit of transit in parts, so bear in mind if you’re attempting this without the comfort and peace of mind of the Social Cycles support van.
Day 2: Vientiane to Thalat
There’s something a bit special about cycling across the country from one city to the next. Vientiane is no exception, as we take off from the front door of the hotel, bound for Luang Prabang (eventually). Depending on the time of day, there is a chance to cycle the last 18km into Thalat, although it ends with a 300m climb.
- Total Distance: 67km
- Cycling: 49km
- Transit: 18km (optional)
- Road surface: Sealed
- Elevation: +524 m / -458 m
- Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Day 3: Thalat to Paksan
A boat from Thalat takes you across the lake to our starting point where we begin on gravel roads. All the climb is in this section, and there is a possibility to do more than the initial 18km before opting for the support van. We transit through Phou Khao Khuay National Park to the sealed road, finishing with a relatively flat ride for 60km on sealed roads.
- Total Distance: 140km
- Cycling: 78km
- Transit: 68km
- Road surface: 18km unsealed, 54km sealed
- Elevation: +506 m / -242 m
- Difficulty Rating: 6/10
Day 4: Paksan to Phnon Savan
The first 4km out of Paksan is on unsealed road. The total distance to our destination, Phon Savan is 210km but our ride doesn’t allow the time for such an epic feat of exhaustion, considering the elevation of +3407 m / -2460 m. In addition to the 52km we start with, there is an option to ride the final 20km into town.
- Total Distance: 210km
- Cycling: 52km
- Transit: 158km
- Road surface: 4km unsealed, 48km sealed
- Elevation: +635 m / -599 m
- Difficulty Rating: 7/10
Day 6: Phon Savan to Kasi
The total distance to our hotel accommodation is 18okm, but we’ll only tackle the first 48km to Muang Souy. There’s some undulation in the ride, but no major climbs or downhill rides. There is an option to ride further, depending on the time, weather and condition of the group.
- Total Distance: 180km
- Cycling: 48km
- Transit: 132km
- Road surface: All sealed
- Elevation: +457 m / -451 m
- Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Day 7: Kasi to Luang Prabang
We transit out of Kasi to avoid the immediate climb, and drive to the viewpoint. From here, it’s a reasonable 94km to the Luang Prabang hotel, but it’s twice as much downhill than it is up. We start at an elevation of 1859m and finish at 301m.
- Total Distance: 127km
- Cycling: 94km
- Transit: 33km
- Road surface: All sealed
- Elevation: +1,231 m / -2,778 m
- Difficulty Rating: 7/10
We have a list of tour dates on the website for all of our destinations. Should you not find what you’re looking for, we might be able to change the dates for you, or create a new tour date entirely. More often than not, we can put on a private tour and then vary the itinerary to cater for your exact needs. We could increase or decrease the cycling or change the route entirely. We very much pride ourselves on our flexibility and are passionate about creating unforgettable experiences. Let us know what you are looking for and we’ll use our local knowledge to give you the best experience possible.