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Laos mountain biking holiday

country:Laos
trip type:Moderate mountain biking holidays
departures:2009: 27 Dec
2010: 7 Feb, 14 Mar, 20 Jun, 31 Oct, 26 Dec
price:From US $975 (7 days) excluding flights. Single supplement US $175, bike hire US $125
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
This is a sojourn through the Southern Lowlands from Pakse to the former colonial outpost of Champasak, the serene beauty of Si Phan Don and the rich fertile lands of the coffee growing Bolevan Plateau.

From amazing waterfalls to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, explore the great natural attractions the remote Land of a Million Elephants has to offer.

Cycling along quiet back roads and lush vegetation, you will feel the bracing serenity of this beautiful country.

Starting in Ubon Ratchatani, we cross the border at Chongmek and ride to the ancient site of pre-angkorian temples, Wat Phu, the 4000 Islands or Si Phan Don and then finally onto the Bolevan Plateau known worldwide for it's exquisite coffee.

Along the way the scenery is constantly changing: we go from arid scrub land to jungle and lush green valleys. The views at some of the places we stay are absolutely amazing and this combined with the changing scenery make this tour a feast for the eyes.
trip profile
We cover nearly 500 kilometers in 7 cycling days and much of the terrain is quite flat except for the days up onto the plateau. The road surfaces are mixed: most days we ride on reasonably good quality asphalt roads, but there are enough rides on very badly broken or dirt tracks to mean you will need a mountain bike not a road bike and preferably one with front shocks.

There is nothing technical involved on this tour and anyone, assuming they are fit enough, will be able to join no matter how little cycling experience they have. The trip is fully supported by a six wheeled Chinese truck.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Fly / Train to Ubon Ratchitani, transfer to border and ride to Wat Phu & Champasak.
Day 2:Ride down to Si Phan Don and stay on Don Khong Island.
Day 3:Ride to Khan Phapeng and Leepi water falls and go dolphin spotting. Boat trip back to Don Khong Island.
Day 4:Ride up into the Bolevans Plateau and stay at Tad Fane Resort.
Day 5:Free day or optional hike around to explore the countryside.
Day 6:Stay on the Plateau and ride to Tad Lo resort.
Day 7:Ride back to Pake and cross border into Thailand. Transfer to Ubon Ratchitani for our flight back to Bangkok or transfer to Vientiane for Northern Laos tour.
travellers' tales
The most memorable thing was probably how many children raced out of their houses and dropped whatever they were doing to greet us as we biked by.  (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
We passionately believe that Responsible Tourism can be of immense help to local communities; providing income, positive cultural exchanges and an incentive to protect the natural environment. Recognising that there is always room for improvement, we continually strive to narrow the gap between principle and practice.

Prior to our tours, we liaise with local community leaders to ensure we are welcome and in a manner that minimizes negative social and cultural impact.

We visit local development and community projects specific to the region, encouraging our clients to donate and/or assist such projects in appropriate and sustainable manners.

For our journey through Laos, we ask each participant for a cash donation, which is then converted into desperately needed school equipment such as books and pens. These basic necessities for a child’s education are distributed by riders to the various impoverished village schools we pass by on the trip. The reward is the smile on a child’s face.

Through sensitive hands on experience, we encourage cross cultural interaction and education between clients and the local communities. This is achieved by limiting tour group sizes, which also minimises any social and environmental impact. We also assist in the development of local infrastructure such as rural pathways.

We make sure that where and whenever possible our tours positively benefit the local community. We stay at locally owned accommodation and visit cottage industries for local handicraft souvenirs, generating income for local businesses. We employ and train local guides, drivers and assistants on all trips to ensure that the local community benefits not only short term but with increased employment opportunities for the future.

Adopting a “carry in – carry out” policy, we actively engage in environmentally responsible practices to minimise tourist impact upon the local habitat. From biodegradable soaps to re-usable water containers, we provide clients with the best information and means to help them identify and implement effective ways to positively protect local nature and communities. It is a vital ethos that can be passed on and abided by all, long after the trip has ended.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.

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