Tel:
Fax: (206) 350-4208
Private Tours
This unique short stay is for those who are traveling into to explore sublime Luang Prabang for a few days and would like to spice it up with some outdoor activities and cultural exploration in and around the UNESCO World Heritage site. A common misperception is that we only arrange biking trips. Rather, we can take you into the heart Lao cutlure, exploring the deep Buddhist element, unique markets (Luang Prabang has some of the most interesting in Southeast Asia), delicious cuisine, ethnic hilltribes, and endangered wildlife.
Luang Prabang Active Adventure Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Luang Prabang
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, a short time for clearing immigration and customs before meeting your escort and driver for private transfer to your hotel. After your escort checks you in, welcome refreshements and orientation with your guide. Depending on how long your travel was today, you may prefer a jet lag recovery massage and relaxing at the spa and pool. If your ready to see the city, we'll mount bikes and pedal into town, cruising along the Mekong riverfront passing temples and well-preserved colonial-era buildings.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a baci ceremony in the private home of a local family, a Lao welcoming ritual practiced for centuries. This enchanting experience will expose you to the graciousness and deep spirituality of Laotians.
Day 2 Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw/Muang Ngoi
Today, depart Luang Prabang, traveling north from town to the rural outpost, Nong Khiaw located on the bucolic Nam Ou river valley.
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.
Options for day rides from Luang Prabang include shorter (30 kilometers/18 miles) or a longer cycling loop (58 kilometers/35 miles), passing through and visiting, informally, a local village, farm, temple, and school during our ride to enjoy a glimpse into Lao lifestyles.
Day 3 Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
Day 4 Luang Prabang
Like many other tourists in Luang Prabang, we'll venture down to town at dawn to witness one of Luang Prabang's most mesmorizing sights in Asia -- monks as they making their way through town on their morning alms. After, we'll visit a temple to speak with monks privately about thier lifestyles and help them learn about yours. Afterwards, strolling by foot to explore the town's rich religious and colonial architecture, including the Royal Palace and Wat Xieng.
Optional activities
include a splendid elephant camp with young, endangered Asian elephants learning about their care (we arrange private encounters, just you and your new very large friend). The camp is more intimate and less touristy than those in Thailand, yet foreign managed to a high degree of quality and safety. We've had children as young as seven enjoy the camp enormously.
A cooking class is highly-recommended and we can give you information on the separate offerings in town or at your resort. Classes typically last from morning through lunch, shopping for ingredients and then learning about and preparing several Lao specialties of your choice.
What would a visit to Luang Prabang be without meeting a monk? Most tourists impersonally photograph the monk as they make their rounds in the morning. We'll take you into a local temple to actually meet with monks and learn about their lifestyles (while they ask you about yours).
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
Bicycles: Trek mountain or hybrid bike with front suspension
Activity Level: 
All abilities, flat, leisurely biking to an intermediate itinerary with longer rides, 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 classes page (login required).
"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"
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
Activities (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 
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, from 3 to 7 hours per day, mountainous terrain. Full support.
Optional Extensions: Angkor (two hours by air), Halong Bay (three hours by car)
Arrival Cities: Hanoi or Luang Prabang (for reverse itinerary)
Weather for this bicycle tour in Laos is cool in December to hot in early July. Monsoon season in July to early September.
"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.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
Formerly Pansea, which long ago operated the finest hotels in Siem Reap, Yangon and Luang Prabang, La Residence Phu Vao is now managed by the Orient Express. Phu Vao is one of our favorites in all Asia, a place you may find difficult to leave in the morning for sightseeing.
The newer Aman Resorts Amantaka offers stark and immaculate standalone villas not far from town.
New Relais & Chateau member Satri House has been newly renovated. A tranquil oasis with colonial-era rooms detailed with period elements and wooden furniture. A less expensive option than Phu Vao and Amantaka.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
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.
In 1992 VeloAsia pioneered the first cycling, kayak, and trekking adventures in Vietnam. Since then, we've organized original and unique trips throughout the region that are, as many of our past travlers have said, the
adventures of a lifetime. Let us plan and organize your private adventure in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Bhutan.
