Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia 20-Day

Itinerary:

Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia – Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival – Hanoi

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be picked up then escorted to your hotel for a check-in. By the end of the day, our team will come to meet you at your hotel or a coffee shop to have a dialogue to provide you more important information about the tour before you go.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Hanoi Motorcycle Tour to Vu Linh village (Thac Ba lake, Yen Bai)

We start our Motorbike tour by riding on to dyke roads following Red river to Thac Ba lake. See beautiful countryside, rice and green tea fields. Thac Ba Lake was formed by the construction of hydroelectricity dam in the 1970s & We keep riding to the Dao village of Vu Linh where we stay for the night, enjoying Dao hospitality.

We will have an unforgettable dinner with the hosts, whose are really big drinkers and they party every day.

Home-stay in Vu Linh Village.

Summary:
Distance:  180 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 3: Thac Ba Motorbike Tour to Phu Yen (Son La)

In the morning, saying goodbye to the friendly Dzao people, we keep on motorcycling on sealed road through renowned tea growing areas, where the hillsides are literally covered in plantations to head to Ba Khe T-junction. We stop here before a short break before turning into the Road 32 to conquer the Lung Lo pass.

During the First Indochina War, the 15km-long Lung Lo Pass, used by the Vietnamese resistance force to transport weapons, goods and food during the Dien Bien Phu campaign of 1954, was heavily bombed by the French in order to sever the front lines from the rear. Lung Lo Pass, situated in the northern province of Yen Bai, was also recognized as a national heritage by the ministry.

Summary:
Distance:  180 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Phu Yen Motorbike Tour to Mai Chau Valley

In the morning, we’ll keep on discovering the best stunning landscapes in the Northern Vietnam by following the Road 43 leading to Da River then crossing the reservoir of Da river at Van Yen ferry. After taking a rest, we’ll continue following the weaving scenic roads around the lake to get to Mai Chau, along the roads you will see the villages, people working on the hillsides or catching fishes on the lake.
Lunch will be served at the local restaurant before reaching Mai Chau.

Upon getting to Mai Chau, we’ll take a short walk around village to discover local life. Life in the countryside starts early so by sunrise there is a wealth of activity. The Thai women are masterful weavers who ensure that there is plenty of traditional-style clothing to buy in the village centre. You will see women weaving on looms under or inside their houses in the village We can buy some handmade traditional-style clothing, knife or cross-bow.

Summary:
Distance:  140 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 5: Mai Chau Motorbike Tour to Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Na Meo Border Gate

After having breakfast, we’ll leave Mai Chau to Pu Luong nature reserve (70 Km from Mai Chau) which is situated in Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts of Thanh Hoa Province, North Central Coast region of Vietnam. Pu Luong Nature Reserve is bordered by Mai Chau, Tan Lac and Lac Son districts of Hoa Binh Province.

The reserve is located along two parallel mountain ridges, that run from north-west to south-east, and are divided by a central valley, which contains several human settlements and a large agricultural land area.We have lunch in Pu Luong then keep heading to Na Meo border gate to stay overnight.

Summary:
Distance:  180 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse

DAY 6: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: NAMEO BORDER GATE – SAM NEUA MOTORBIKE TOUR TO VIENG XAI – XIENG KHOANG (B/L/-) 250 KM

In this morning, our Vietnamese tour guide will help you complete the immigration procedures with the Customs at the border gate to migrate into Laos. After reaching Laos territory, there will another Laos guide welcoming & guiding to ride to visit Vieng Xai. Take a side diversion to Suan Hin Standing Stones mid morning and lunch will be in Nam Neun.

We’ll be riding on a higher elevation road after lunch for the next 90 km/55 miles.  We  have a rest at Tam Piew Cave at the base of the high elevation road for a look at the view and learn a little history of the cave. We are then on good paved road into Phonsavan for the night with a late afternoon arrival. Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Phonsavan.

DAY 7: XIENG KHOANG MOTORBIKE TOUR TO PAKSAN (B,L,D) – 270 KM

We start the day with a ride to Site 1 of the Plain of Jars about 10 minutes out of town.  We will continue on to site 2 and 3 afterward.  From Site 3, we’ll loop around to Old Xieng Khoung for lunch and return via Phonsavanh, then take a dirt road loop around the north to some remote villages.  The area was heavily bombed during the late 1960’s and 1970’s and scattered bomb craters will be on the route.

Then we start riding to Paksan – provincial capital of Bolikhamsai province, which sits at the confluence of the Nam San and Mekong rivers almost opposite the small Thai town of Bueng Kan, visible across the river. Check in your guesthouse and enjoy dinner.

DAY 8: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: PAKSAN MOTORBIKE TOUR TO LAK SAO (B,L,D) – 184 KM

Today you will cross the road to Lak Sao, a sleepy town under the shadow of a massive limestone mountain, Phou Phaa Phi Hong, in the midst of a vast expanse of forest. Enjoy the stunning scenery along the road, traversing spectacular ridges, zooming under huge limestone mountains and criss-crossing countless rivers and streams. Enjoy a relaxing time by the hot spring nearby Ban Nape, 18 km from Lak Sao. Take a dip in a natural pool of steamy water before checking in your guest house.

DAY 9: LAK SAO – KONGLOR – THAKHEK (B,L) – 285 KM

In the morning, we depart for amazing Konglor Cave – a 7.5 kilometre-long cave with a massive river running right through the middle of it. Enjoy a boat trip and then continue our trip to Thakhek.

The sleepy provincial capital of Khammuan province, Thakek lies across the Mekong River from the Thai town of Nakhon Phanom. While Thakhek is not the most exciting town in Laos, it’s a good deal more interesting than its cross-river neighbor, and it’s the biggest, most tourist-friendly town in the province.
Check in your hotel and enjoy the free evening. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: THAKHEK MOTORBIKE TOUR TO SAVANAKHET (B,L) – 150 KM

Visit the town before our riding today to Savanakhet. Highlights include: Tham Xang – the first cave you reach as you exit Tha Khaek and begin your exploration of the area. See various Buddha statues and an impressive view over the surrounding countryside Tham Pha Fa (Buddha cave) – filled with Buddha images that are estimated to be hundreds of years old and has become a holy site for local Buddhists.

More rural scenery on this short stretch leaves little to be excited about. But straight roads in good condition allows for fast riding. The markets at Ban Phon-Gnia Noy just outside of Thakhek made for an interesting stop-off to purchase some very delicious and cheap bananas.
Ride to Savanakhet and check in your hotel. Enjoy free evening to explore to town on your own. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: SAVANAKHET MOTORBIKE TOUR TO PAKSE (B,L) – 240 KM

A few fleeting moments of picturesque views, but for the most part the terrain remains the same. A couple of bridges crossing rivers adds a little excitement, but you mainly put your head down and make good time arriving in Pakse. Visit the Golden Buddha Temple which is located on the top of a mountain and enjoy panoramic view over the Mekong River and the Pakse town.

Enjoy your free time in Pakse in the evening. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: PAKSE MOTORBIKE TOUR TO WAT PHOU – 4000 ISLAND (B,L) – 140 KM

Enjoy your easy riding today to Si Phan Don – 4000 Islands. En route we visit Wat Phou – a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. It offers stunning views over the surrounding land and Mekong River. Wat Phou is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. Like other notable Khmer architecture in Southeast Asia, it was constructed using sandstone, laterite and bricks. Wat Phu has been an active temple for Buddhist religious practice for quite some time because Buddhism replaced Hinduism in Laos in the mid 13th century. It will be an ideal place for those who are interested in history and archeology of Laos.

Continue our ride to Don Khong, the biggest island in Si Phandon and enjoy a short boat trip after lunch. Visit Liphi waterfall – a collection of powerful falls spilling down at odd angles along a branch of the brown Mekong river. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the islands and take awesome photos of the local life and natural beauty.

In the late afternoon, you will turn back to your hotel. Remainder of day is free at your leisure.

DAY 13: 4000 Islands Motorbike Tour via Veun Kham to Kratie (B/-/D)

It’s a very fast road with very light traffic today to the Cambodia border. We say goodbye and see you in the next trip to Laos.

Upon arrival at Veun Kham belonging to the Sin Pha Don province in the Southern of Laos and sharing the border with Cambodia, you’ll be welcome by our guide from Cambodia and continued riding down Mekong River to Kratie.

En route, we stop to visit the rare Mekong Fresh water dolphin at Kampi.

Check-in and free at leisure to explore colonial town of Kratie.

Overnight in Kratie

Day 14: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Kratie Motorbike Tour to Kampong Cham (B/L/D)

Dirt Bike Riding
Distance: 160 KM
Level: Medium
Road: flat gravel, tarmac

Begin our journey by riding along the Mekong river through peaceful riverside villages before stopping in Chhlong, a French colonial town with some amazing French architecture still remain.

Upon arrival in Kampong Cham, check-in and visit Koh Pen via Cambodia’s longest bamboo bridge made almost entirely of bamboo and light wood materials.

Overnight in Kampong Cham

Day 15: Kampong Cham Motorcycle Tour to Phnom Penh (B/L/-)

Dirt Bike Riding
Distance: 150 KM
Level: Medium
Road: flat gravel, tarmac

Depart for the capital Phnom Penh via road number 7, where we stop en route at Wat Nokor and Phnom Pros to learn more about ancient and modern Buddhism in this part of the country.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check-in to hotel then visit Royal Palace, where it serves as home to His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamony. Also continue to highly respected Silver Pagoda.

Free time at own leisure to enjoy the city.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 16: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Phnom Penh Motorcycle Tour via Skun to Kampong Thom (B/L/D)

Dirt Bike Riding
Distance: 220KM
Level: Medium
Road: flat gravel, tarmac

After tour introduction and safety briefing, we begin our trip with a ride on village road along the Mekong River toward Skun – the town famous for a special delicacy, deep-fried tarantula.

Continue riding along countryside towns toward Kampong Thom where we pass lots of local plantation including rubber plantation.
Overnight in Kampong Thom

Day 17: Kampong Thom Motorbike Tour via Sambo Preikuh to Siem Reap (B/L/D)

Dirt Bike Riding
Distance: 200KM
Level: Medium
Road: flat gravel, tarmac

This morning, we depart Kampong Thom to visit the largest complex of pre-Angkorian temple, Sambo Preikuh. We continue further toward Siem Reap, we will arrive in the early afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities and freshen up before touring the temple of Angkor the next day.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 18: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom (B/L/D)

Rise early this morning to visit the masterpiece of Khmer architecture Angkor Wat during sunrise. With extraordinary carving on its bas-reliefs, This mother-of-temples not only known as Khmer pride and symbol, but also known to the world as World’s Largest Religious Monument. UNESCO has listed Angkor Wat as World’s Heritage in 1992. Back to the hotel and rest during midday.

visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, which was slowly swallowed by jungle. The tentacle-like root of giant trees growing over the temple, man first conquered jungle to build but nature later reclaimed its territory back. It is the movement that is not measure by days but by centuries. Continue to explore the mysterious Royal city of Angkor Thom.

The 54-tower temple of Bayon is an awesome sight with hundreds of smiling faces. Then visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphuon, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace and Royal Palace.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 19: Siem Reap – Free(B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel
Free at leisure on your own (No touring activities)
Overnight at hotel

Day 20: Indochina Motorcycle Tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Siem Reap – Departure (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel
Free at leisure until check-out from hotel and transfer to airport for departure flight.

End Of The Trip

* Inclusions:
+ Motorbike(s) (Honda XR 250cc or Honda Baja 250cc)
+ Helmet(s)
+ Driving gears
+ Gasoline on tour
+ English speaking guide
+ Mechanic (only for group from 6 passengers)
+ Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on twin or/and triple shared)
+ Homestay permission
+ Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch & D = Dinner)
+ Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees
+ All boat trips & ferries as mentioned
+ Bottled water, coffee and fruits on tour