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South Laos Cycling holiday

COUNTRY:
Laos
HOLIDAY TYPE:
Moderate mountain biking holidays
DEPARTURES:
2012: 19 Feb, 18 Mar, 28 Oct, 23 Dec
PRICE:
From US $1,250 (8 days) excluding flights
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MORE INFO:
Single supplement US $275, bike hire US $125
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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South Laos Cycling holiday

South Laos Cycling holiday

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.

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South Laos Cycling holiday

Reviewed 27 Mar 2009 by Jayne Bradbury5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


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.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


At the moment, they are in the process of re-writing their information packets. Consequently, some of the information that they are currently giving out is not accurate. The only place this was a problem for us was that they told us to bring some stuff that they no longer recommend.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


All of the establishments where we stayed and ate appeared to be locally owned. We visited a couple of places (tea, coffee, weaving, woodcarving) that were cottage businesses and when we bought things from them instead of from big stores in the large cities we benefited the local people. I'm not sure about benefit of our visit to the residents of the ethnic minority village. It was interesting and eye-opening, yes, but was it beneficial to them? That's a tough question. Also, I appreciate the emphasis on keeping us hydrated while biking in the heat, and I know that safe drinking water is not something that's easy to come by in southern Laos. Nevertheless, I was very aware of the constant use of plastic water bottles. This is not a thing unique to this tour company, and I truly don't know if there is a solution, although I definitely wish there were one.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Outstanding!! The company was extremely professional. In the months I spent planning the trip, the office staff was very prompt, courteous and thorough in answering my questions. The guides were all wonderful. Whenever we had a request (fruit snacks, change in service on the part of one driver, etc.), it was instantly attended to. I would highly recommend this operator and I look forward to another trip with them.
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Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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