THE MAGICAL MOUNTAIN TOUR
CYCLING TOUR
Escorted Group Tour Dossier.LCT18

Laos is a mountainous country squeezed between Thailand and Vietnam. It has a population of less than five million people yet covers an area roughly the size of the United Kingdom. Once known as Lan Xang - the Kingdom of a Million Elephants - Laos was once, and in many ways still is, one of Asia's Shangri Las. Its Buddhist population are deeply religious and, despite years of foreign domination, outside interference and misrule, Laos has managed to maintain a way of life that is arguably the most purely Southeast Asian of all the counties in the region.

The peaceful and tolerant nature of the Lao people is legendary in Southeast Asia, where they are regarded as humble, hospitable and easy going to the verge of docile. As part of Indochine, Laos was colonised by the French and the cities of Vientienne and Luang Prabang have inherited the classical, elegant, if a little faded, character only French architects can inspire. The outstanding beauty and historical importance of Luang Prabang has led to UNESCO listing it as a world heritage site. Outside the cities, life is agrarian in an almost medieval sense; poor communication networks and an untamed topography mean that much of the population lives without running water or electricity. In the mountains, bamboo huts cluster together in villages, clinging to the limestone-scarred hillsides, where. an extraordinary mix of ethnic groups have made their homes.

As the country begins to emerge from a seclusion imposed by a paranoid old-style communist regime, tourists are just beginning to discover a unique destination. Laos is like a country coming out of a time capsule; it has been isolated from the tourist phenomena of the late 20th century that swept through much of Asia, and consequently its people seem to have retained an innocence and charm that is as rare as it is valuable.

Although Laos has some genuinely interesting attractions to offer and its mountain scenery is nothing short of awesome, it is the warmth and sincere friendliness of its people that will live forever in the hearts of anyone fortunate enough to visit.

Exploring Laos by bicycle is the perfect way of seeing this country. With the majority of the population travelling by bicycle you will never be alone.

Travelling at a slower pace than most other forms of transport you will discover more of this beautiful country.

The country's long history is an every present companion: sites of ancient battles, ancient civilisations and kingdoms which flourished in this enigmatic land long before the French colonialists, and the tragic war of the more recent past.

In a traditionally agricultural country, new to the concept of tourism that you have to expect the unexpected, you won't be disappointed.

This tour traces the complex history and culture of Laos and its people, introducing some of the many different faces and places of this fascinating country. Almost all travel restrictions have been dropped, and can now visit the whole of the country.

MEKONG TRAVEL - SIGHTSEEING TOUR POLICY
Major sightseeing highlights of Indochina include a huge variety of religious and historic monuments; a rich cultural and artistic heritage; museums and beautiful scenery. Such key elements are naturally include in sightseeing tour itineraries, but Mekong Travel also seeks out the less obvious attractions - interesting local markets, festivals, wherever these coincide with travel plans, traditional handicrafts and industries, plus the opportunity to meet local people in their own environments. Also include are opportunities to try regional cuisine and to see typical or traditional forms of entertainment.

Mekong Travel includes such extra dimensions to make any visit to Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos a richer, more rewarding and more memorable experience.

GENERAL ADVICE ON TRAVELLING IN INDOCHINA

Biking Conditions/Suitability: Throughout the trip there is a mix of level tracks and hills, some of which are quite challenging. Anyone in a good physical condition can join our regular cycling trips. Experienced bicycle riders will best enjoy them. If you feel tired, you can always rest in the escort vehicle. You don't have to carry your belongings, so the trip is more fun! On request and subject to space availability, noncycling accompanying persons are welcome to join the trip in our escort vehicle.

Bike Repairs

We will carry a certain amount of basic spares and a set of tools. We recommend that you have your bike serviced prior to the trip as we can not guarantee having available parts.

What to bring? Recommended personal equipment: Gloves, sunglasses. A pair of mountain-biking shoes, or running/cross-country shoes (hard soles reduce foot fatigue). Bicycle shorts and gear (if you do not have padded cycling shorts, we recommend light cotton shorts with elastic belts). We require participants to wear helmets. We can fit your SPD shoes and pedals on our bikes if you bring them. Waterbottle (1litre) is necessary and metal ones preferred.

Clothing: Long-sleeve sweater or jogging suit, windbreaker. T-shirts, packed in a soft bag we take in the escort vehicle. Pullover for winter season, and light nylon rain breaker (K-way type) for rainy season (May-September). A small backpack would be useful for small personal items, like cameras. For most trips, large suitcases can be carried in the support vehicle. Helmets, gloves and a small range of equipment can be purchased in Phnom Penh.

Never drink tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
The support Vehicle will carry supplies of water and snacks of fruit/bread etc.

Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes, especially in upcountry and forested areas. A high factor block cream is advisable as protection against the hot tropical sun when cycling.

Travellers should take adequate supplies of any prescription medicines they may need, as supplies may not be available locally. A first aid kit with items such as aspirin, elastoplast, antiseptic cream, anti-diarrhoea pills will be useful. A spare pair of eyeglasses, if worn, is also advisable. Useful too, is a flashlight, for exploring caves or details of temple interiors, which are often not properly illuminated

Take plenty of film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions against this. For close-up shots always ask first.

Visitors are required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places. Shoes and socks/stockings must always be removed at pagodas and monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Disregard of these rules causes serious cultural and religious offence to the devout Asian people. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious quality. Such offers, although apparently attractive, are breaking strict laws.

Begging is widespread in some parts of Indochina but not in others and visitors are requested not to encourage development of this practice by giving money, sweets etc. to children. If travellers wish to contribute to say, a village community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or headman.
Contributions can also be arranged to recognise local charities two of which we support.

HOTELS

In spite of the building boom that is creating new hotels up to international standards for the first time in key tourist centres, accommodations in Indochina still varies widely in quality and, during high seasons, availability can be limited. Mekong Travel clients will generally receive hotel reservation priority, but Mekong Travel cannot guarantee specific hotel requests and reserves the right to substitute accommodation of the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially outside the main locations, may not always be up to international standards.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION. We use a wide mixture of accommodation. Hotels and guesthouses are of Tourist classes standard and has private facilities and hot water, whenever possible. Facilities in the North of Laos are more basic and you should be prepared to rough it a little, however we make sure everywhere we use is clean. In Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane the rooms are air conditioned and high tourist class; elsewhere they will have a fan. All accommodation as described in the itinerary is included in the tour cost.

WEATHER. Northern Thailand and Laos share a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27 and 40C, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October. The cooler season, which is when we travel, is from November to February, with average temperatures between 20 and 30C. It can get a little cold at night so bring a fleece, but riding conditions are perfect.

VACCINATIONS. Recommended vaccinations are typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days. Both Laos and Thailand are malarial areas and you will need to take anti-malarial tablets. Please speak to your doctor for the most up to date information.

FOOD. All breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included as are all Lunches & Dinners (except 2 dinners) which are taken as a group and arranged in good local restaurants were a variety of local dishes can be tried. Nutrition is important when cycling. Main meals include rice and there is always enough food and we eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Drinking water, fruits and snacks are always available in our escort vehicle. Other drinks are not included in price, but widely available at local restaurants and shops along the way.

EXTRA EXPENSES: Visa $30. Departure tax: currently US$7. In addition to the meals listed above, entrance fees to museums, monuments etc are not included. It is also customary to tip the local guides. Your leader will guide you on such matters.

GROUP, STAFF & SUPPORT. The group size will be between 6 and 16. All groups will be accompanied by an experienced western guide, plus a local guide and where applicable a local driver. All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried by the support vehicle.

Bike Hire: We can provide well-maintained, high-quality mountain bikes. bikes are Giant Yukon with front shocks, 24 speed gears and V brakes. Spare parts and tools are brought by our escort vehicle. We carry bikes to fit individuals from 130 cm to 195 cm (4" to 6,5"). Frame sizes 16" to 20."

TRIP PROFILE.
Our biking adventure takes us through the mountains of Northern Laos all the way to Vientiane. We cover almost 900-kilometres in 12 cycling days - there are two days off during the tour - and much, if not most, of the terrain is mountainous and there are several very challenging climbs so anyone thinking about this tour should be in pretty good shape.

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. Having said that, 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.

Along the way the scenery is constantly changing: we go from narrow roads shaded by jungle vines to shimmering rice paddies. The mountain views are second to none and on several mornings you will look down into cloud filled valleys as you ride.

Apart from cycling, we take time out in the towns of Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng before arriving in Vientieene. Luang Prabang is arguably the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia and Vang Vieng is arguable the most awesome natural sight, surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts rising straight from the ground. We also cruise down the Mekong and Ou Rivers taking in jungle scenery straight out of Apocalypse Now

ITINERARY
From London

DAY 1 Mid-day departure with Thai International Airways from London, Heathrow.

DAY 2 Arrive in Bangkok for the connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Transfer to the Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel near the night market (please contact us if you need rooms or flights from Bangkok). We spend the morning unboxing and testing bikes. After lunch we transfer by private a/c bus to Chiang Saen (3 hours). Chiang Saen Hotel. D

DAY 3 After breakfast we ride alongside the Mekong River to Chiang Khong. The morning ride is nice and easy: good road surface and flat. After lunch we encounter a few hills and get some great views across the river into Laos. We will arrive in time to make immigration and cross the river to Huay Xai, where we stay at a homely hotel and enjoy a hearty dinner. Ride 75 km. B L D. Aramid Guest House

DAY 4 After breakfast we load the bikes into our private riverboat and spend a relaxing day cruising downstream into the interior of this enigmatic country. We stop to visit some riverside villages before reaching the charming town of Pakbeng before dusk and spend the night in a hotel overlooking the Mekong. Sarika Hotel. B L D.

DAY 5 Setting off on our bikes from Pakbeng we follow a broken track along the Beng River, riding through pretty Lao villages and unforgettable mountain and jungle scenery. Lunch is in the village of Muang Houn, and then we carry on to reach Muang Beng, where we spend the night in a family guesthouse, surrounded by hundreds of curious children. Ride 84 km. B L D

DAY 6 Our route today takes us into the north of Udom Xay province. We ride along broken road and dirt tracks which double as thoroughfares for the local people (the population here is made up of an astonishing 23 ethnic groups), so we share the trail with all manner of colourful vehicles and livestock - a glimpse of real rural life in Asia. Towards the end of the day we have a long down hill into the town of Udom Xay (also known as Muang Xai), which has a large market where the various languages of the area mingle along with the smells of the produce. We stay at a Linda Hotel. Ride 63km B L D.

DAY 7 We are now in the central highlands, and there are some spectacular views across the rugged mountain landscape ahead in an area that suffered extraordinarily heavy bombing during the 'Secret War' against the Americans during the early 1970s. The morning sees us climb over 1000 metres up into the mountains to Hmong villages few people will ever visit. In the afternoon we have a breathtaking descent through some of the region's last remaining rainforest. Although this is one of the hardest days it is also one of the most rewarding as the views and 'sense of nature' are nothing short of breathtaking. Some people skip the last 25 km along the river valley to Muang Noi. Guest-house overlooking the Nam Ou river. Ride 95 - 120 km. B L D.

DAY 8 After breakfast we again load our bikes into a waiting boat that will takes us on a river journey through the steaming jungle. Eventually the Nam Ou river spills into the Mekong, which is like a sea in comparison, at Pak Ou. We stop for lunch and to visit the famous caves, which are crammed with sacred Buddha images. We take the bikes out at Sanghai village, famous for its home made rice whisky and take a scenic ride to our destination, the town of Luang Prabang. This is one of Asia's most picturesque towns, and as we arrive at twilight and our ride through the streets is an unforgettable experience. Ride 30 km. Phu Si Hotel. B L D.

DAY 9 A free day to explore Luang Prabang. Dawn watching the monks collecting alms and visits to Wat Xieng Thong and the museum at the former Royal Palace are highly recommended, as is a climb up Mount Phou Si to watch the sunset. Phu Si Hotel B

DAY 10 We leave the air-conditioned comfort of our hotel to ride up and out of the valley and back into the mountains. There are some tough climbs today but you will be rewarded by some simply stunning vistas. We stay in a small guest house in the town of Kio Kajam. Ride 72 km. B L D.

DAY 11 Another tough mountain ride, but the surface is good, the people are friendly and the views are outstanding. We also ride a series of long sweeping descents that really are world class. Kasi guesthouse. Ride 90 km. B L D

DAY 12 A shorter but just as spectacular ride takes us down from the highlands into an extraordinary valley. Vang Vieng is surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts that jut from the ground at impossible angles. Something of a travellers ghetto has grown up in this otherwise peaceful place which gives us a chance to enjoy some good food and comfort not to mention a ready audience to regail with our adventures. Thavonsuuk Hotel. Ride 62 km. B L D.

DAY 13 We take a day off to enjoy the charms of Vang vieng. There are caves to visit, rivers to rubber ring down and beautiful scenery to walk amongst. Thavonsuuk Hotel B

DAY 14 A flat but still interesting ride takes us to the Nam Ngum Dam. We stay in a hotel meant as a weekend retreat for visitors from nearby Vientiane and can enjoy fairground like attractions and a fish supper. Nam Ngum Hotel. Ride 98 Km. B L D.

DAY 15 Our final ride takes us south to the capital city of Vientiane. Having ridden through the mountains the plains of the south are in stark contrast and you will find you cover the easier terrain markedly quicker. Although Laos is predominantly an agricultural country there is some industry and we stop to view the salt extraction plants important for a land-locked country - at Ban Keun. Eventually we ride into Vientiane, a provincial town masquerading as a capital city, and ride triumphantly around Laos' Arc De Triomphe. Duang Duene Hotel. Ride 89 km. B L D

DAY 16 We spend the final day seeing the sights of Vientiane. Wat Si Saket and Phra That Luang should not be missed, nor should a shopping trip to the market. In the evening we can promenade alongside the Mekong before enjoying a well deserved night on the town. Duang Duene Hotel. B

DAY 17 The morning is free for last minute shopping before we will transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok.

DAY 18 Depart Bangkok at 00.45. Arrive London/Heathrow.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Economy class return flights with Thai International airlines (will be booked separately if required, see main box).
· UK Air Passenger Duty Tax
· Accommodation as specified (tax and service charges are also included as is breakfast)
· Services of a Western tour leader throughout
· Local guide throughout
· Private air-conditioned vehicles in each location
· Private (group) transfers to and from airports and train stations
· Entrance fees to museums, etc., permits, etc.
· Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinners
· The services of our local staff in Laos.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
· Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tips, etc.
· Visas
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure if you are not arriving on our standard flights (supplement payable).
· Bicycle Hire
· Helmet or equipment.
· Airport taxes payable locally on each departure

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES

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