Laos Discovery

1st edition, 27 January to 13 February 2027

A 685 km gravel loop through Northern Laos, from the Mekong to the mountains and Luang Prabang.

See the next departure See the itinerary

This departure is sold out. The next open one is 25 Jan – 12 Feb 2028. Join the waiting list in case a place opens up.

Dates

27 Jan – 13 Feb 2027

Duration

18 days

Distance

685 km

Climbing

7,350 m

Difficulty

Medium-high

From

€3,150

Red-earth tracks and mountain ridges

This 685 km gravel loop through Northern Laos is born from the meeting of two worlds: the exploratory vision of Esco a fare un giro, designed for those who seek authenticity over comfort, and the organisational experience of PA Cycling. The adventure stays raw and transformative, with reliable support behind it.

You ride red-earth tracks and mountain ridges where the landscape is a living reality, through tribal villages at a pace far from Western norms. The bike becomes a respectful bridge for a quiet immersion in a world extraordinarily rich in human value.

It is a trip that values team spirit and cultural adaptability, for those willing to trade some comforts for a deeply moving adventure, designed by explorers and run by experts.

At a glance

Start and finish: Vientiane
Riding: 9 stages on red-earth tracks, mountain roads and tarmac
Support: support vehicle and luggage transfers
Highlights: Nam Lik Lake, Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls
Run with: Esco a fare un giro

See the next departure Download the handbook

This departure is sold out. The next open one is 25 Jan – 12 Feb 2028. Join the waiting list in case a place opens up.

Four riders on a red-earth track below a karst peak

Day by day

Nine riding stages and around 685 km in Northern Laos, with an excursion, a rest day and a train transfer. The trip dates include travel: you leave home on 27 January and are back on 13 February. Distances and climbing are approximate.

Vientiane is a laid-back capital that feels more like a riverside town than a metropolis. On the banks of the Mekong it blends French colonial architecture with Buddhist heritage: the sacred Pha That Luang stupa, the Patuxai monument, the night market and riverside cafés. An ideal place to acclimatise before the rugged landscapes of rural Laos.

We assemble and fine-tune the bikes, then take a short test ride along the Mekong promenade. Free time for last-minute supplies at the markets or for visiting the city’s landmarks. The day ends with a safety briefing and a welcome dinner.

102 km, +530 m

Leaving the capital, we follow the Mekong west towards the Thai border on mostly flat terrain and smooth tarmac: an ideal warm-up through riverside villages and farmland. Approaching Pak Chom the scenery becomes more rolling, a first glimpse of the quiet rural life at the heart of Laos.

94.8 km, +530 m

A gentle day north on rolling terrain with moderate climbs, through remote settlements and farms, before the more rugged interior. We finish in the quiet surroundings of the Nam Lik River.

A change of pace: a boat trip across the reservoir among karst formations and tropical greenery. A recovery day to enjoy the scenery and the hidden corners of the lake before getting back in the saddle.

51 km, +1,130 m

The terrain becomes much more demanding. Despite the short distance, a series of tough climbs through the highlands rewards us with wide views of the ridges, deep in the countryside, before we reach the remote outpost of Ban Napho.

71.6 km, +900 m

Through the heart of the Lao highlands, with demanding climbs, green valleys and remote hill-tribe villages, to Kasi, a town framed by towering limestone karsts.

61.5 km, +1,990 m

The queen stage: a relentless climb into the high mountains, almost 2,000 metres of climbing in just over 60 kilometres. Steep gradients and hairpins lead to serrated limestone peaks and deep valleys, and to the remote mountain village of Namuang-Gnai.

95 km, +980 m

A spectacular descent towards the valleys of the Mekong and Nam Khan, with rolling climbs through jungle and Hmong villages. We finish in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town of golden temples and French colonial charm.

Two excursions off the bike: the National Museum in the former Royal Palace, and the turquoise pools of the Kuang Si Falls.

We swap the saddle for a scenic high-speed train through tunnels and over viaducts, while the support vehicles carry the bikes by road. Afternoon free to enjoy the karst scenery of Vang Vieng.

111 km, +800 m

From the dramatic limestone karsts of Vang Vieng, a long but manageable stage over rolling hills and valley floors. The peaks give way to farmland and villages on the way back to the lowlands.

73.6 km, +420 m

A flatter, relaxed day through quiet countryside towards the Nam Ngum River, ending in Thangon, a peaceful riverside town known for its floating restaurants.

25 km, +90 m

A short celebratory ride back to where it all began. Before setting off we visit the Lao Art Museum, with Buddhist sculptures of the highest quality. Then a final group lunch, and a farewell dinner on the Mekong.

Time for last-minute shopping in the silk boutiques and the night market, and a final get-together to share memories of the road.

The PA Cycling team takes care of the airport transfers. End of the trip.

Included

Guides from Esco a fare un giro and PA Cycling
Support vehicle
All accommodation during the trip
Luggage transfers between stages
Excursion to Nam Lik Lake
Train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Boat transfer on stage 7
Museum entries
Airport transfers
Personal travel insurance for each traveller, plus the travel agency’s general insurance
Trip souvenir
Group video call
Dedicated WhatsApp group

Not included

Flights, baggage fees and bike equipment
Drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
Excursions and extra activities
Additional costs from logistical changes, such as extra transfers
Anything not listed under Included

Your guides

Stefano Scapitta

Creator of Esco a fare un giro

Stefano has cycled thousands of kilometres around the world, mostly off-road and always on routes he charts himself. Over the years he has learned to read the terrain from maps, first on paper and now digitally, and has become a true track builder.

Instagram: @esco_a_fare_un_giro

Nicola Amadini

Guide

Curious, idealistic and passionate about photography and travel. After degrees in economics and human rights, he devoted himself to cycling: he is a biomechanist with his own practice, coaches young riders, works on a sports therapy project in paediatric oncology and edits for Komoot. He has ridden in some 20 European countries and loves photographing people.

Instagram: @nicola_amadini

What riders say

5.0 67 reviews on Google

Logistics in some countries are complicated for many reasons, but the organization of the Mongolia trip was impeccable. I think I'll rely on the same agency for other tours around the world.

Massimo A.Mongolia · Google review · Translated from Italian

I don't know any company that does this kind of trip better. The trip design, the time together, the planning: perfect. I've already done 5 trips with them. Oh, and the guides are a 10!

Santiago R.Google review · Translated from Spanish

True adventure cycling. Going to places one would likely never go on one’s own, in a way that means facing real rather than contrived challenges, but with professionalism and support of the highest standard.

Greg K.Google review

Good to know

Cancellations must be sent in writing to Project Adventure Cycling. An administrative fee of €300 applies, plus a percentage of the total trip cost:

30% up to 45 days before departure
40% up to 30 days before departure
50% up to 21 days before departure
75% up to 14 days before departure

After that, no refund is given. There are no refunds for riders who do not show up at the start, leave during the trip, or cannot start or finish because of missing or incorrect travel documents. Project Adventure Cycling is not liable for delays or cancellations caused by force majeure events and is never responsible for airfare expenses. See the full refund and cancellation policy.

A specific personal insurance policy for each traveller and each trip, on top of the travel agency’s general insurance.

More questions? Read our general FAQ, write to info@pa-cycling.cc or message us on WhatsApp.