Laos Cuisine and Dining

Imagine one of the last undeveloped and untrammeled stretches of Indochina. Crossing a remote and newly-opened border, climbing over the ranges of the "Laotian Alps," through small hilltribe villages and towns, and forested-national parks to the bucolic river valleys north of Luang Prabang. As we pioneered bicycle tours in Vietnam during the early 90s, we've been organizing a few unique trips in Laos. As we always tell travelers, we love travel and biking in Europe but so much revolves around vanished cultures. In Southeast Asia, you will witness vanishing cultures as the region is enveloped by globalization.

With VeloAsia, you'll go beyond the ordinary trip and experience local cultural in unforgettable encounters, all carefully-planned and led by the most experienced and knowledgeable guides in the region. Our tours in Laos will please both the adventurous traveler and those seeking a more comfortable, luxurious experience with our ultimate Luang Prabang stopover. We've designed this to be a wonderful few days, balanced between sightseeing on foot, bicycle and relaxing at the wonderful La Residence Phu Vao. A private baci welcoming ceremony, time with an endangered Asian elephant at a local camp learning care about the project, a private audience with monks within their temple, and a cooking class round out the unique experience of this special trip highlighting the best of Luang Prabang.

Note: Hotels and regional airlines can fill for December by early August, advance planning for this time of the year is highly recommended.

All Laos Trips

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Luang Prabang Active Adventure (biking, trekking, boating, cooking, elephants, and monks)

Luang Prabang monks Savor Luang Prabang's rich old-world culture, tranquil landscapes, majestic architecture, fabulous cuisine, and luxurious resorts with a blend of outdoor activities, including biking and trekking in the bucolic Nam Ou River Valley.

This itinerary also makes the perfect honeymoon escape or an unforgettable family trip for children of all ages. Contact us to request a detailed itinerary for you dates of travel.

Number of days: 3 to 7
Dates: Private custom tour, year-round
Prices: From US$690 per person, double occupancy
Accommodation: La Residence Phu Vao , Amantaka , or Satri House
Bicycles: Trek mountain or hybrid bike with front suspension
Activity Level: All abilities, leisurely to intermediate itinerary, by preference
Optional Extensions: Angkor (two hours by air), Hanoi and Halong Bay (one hour by air)
Weather in Luang Prabang is pleasant to hot, with the monsoon season in July to early September.
Arrival Cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap, or Hanoi.
See our Luang Prabang dining and cooking class page.

"What an unexpected wonderful place Luang Prabang turned out to be. Of course we enjoyed the fabulous La Residence but the interesting activities that you'd planned for us and your guide made the trip one of our best we'd ever had. Chit was an angel, who genuinely cared for us in every way. After our time with him we were heartbroken to say goodbye." L. Feinberg, NYC"

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Hanoi to Luang Prabang (biking over the Laotian Alps to the Jewel of Southeast Asia)

The overland biking tour from Hanoi all the way to sublime Luang Prabang, or even down to the capital, Vientiane if Laos bicycle touring you've the time and energy, is a glimpse of what many neighboring countries looked like years and even decades ago. Cuisine is always a focus and we'll eat away along the way and also enjoy some off-bike sightseeing, boating on Mekong River and spending a day trekking in remote Muang Ngoi. As we said about Vietnam, go now before it quickly changes. On the border of China, investment and projects are rolling into the country - thankfully, primarily in the capital city now. Although we recommend finishing in Luang Prabang (or Vientiane), the itinerary can be reversed.

Number of days: 7 to 10
Dates: See our calendar for public tours or plan a private, custom tour, year-round
Prices: From US$2,560 per person, double occupancy
Accommodation: Luxury options at start and finish, with basic guesthouses in between
Bicycles: Trek mountain or hybrid bike with front suspension
Activity Level: / Intermediate to advanced biking
Optional Extensions: Angkor (two hours by air), Halong Bay (three hours by car)
Arrival Cities: Hanoi or Luang Prabang (for reverse itinerary)

"The crews on both sides of the border did a great job of preparing and executing our trip. We were pleased with the balance of riding and sightseeing, all under the eager care of our guides and drivers." T. Mumford, Tiburon, CA.

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Hanoi to Vientiane (extended biking to the capital city)

Van Vieng mountain biking Our original bicycle tour of Laos, this longer itinerary adds three days of cycling over another pass out of Luang Prabang, then descending to the karst river landscapes of Van Vieng. Another day of mountain biking through the canyons of scenic Van Vieng to explore the extensive caves, river and lagoons before we decamp for the capital city, witnessing the rush of modernization while canvasing the old sites that remain.

Number of days: 12
Dates: See our calendar for public tours or plan a private, custom tour, year-round
Prices: From US$3,560 per person, double occupancy
Accommodation: Luxury options at start and finish, with basic guesthouses in between
Bicycles: Trek mountain or hybrid bike with front suspension
Activity Level: / Intermediate to advanced biking
Optional Extensions: Angkor (two hours by air), Halong Bay (three hours by car)
Arrival Cities: Hanoi or Vientiane (for reverse itinerary)

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Custom Tours (private, custom tours for families, couples and small groups)

Almost all of our trips are private ones for families, small groups of friends and organizations. Please contact us to design a trip for you in Laos.