UNLIMITED INDOCHINA MOTORCYCLE TOUR FROM VIETNAM TO LAOS AND CAMBODIA – 21 DAYS

Itinerary:

Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia – Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi motorbike tour to Pu Luong

Day 2: Pu Luong overland motorbike tour to Xam Neua (Laos)

Day 3: Xam Neua motorbike tour to Phonsavan

Day 4: Phonsavan motorbike tour to Vieng Thong

Day 5: Vieng Thong motorbike tour to Na Hin

Day 6: Na Hin motorbike tour to Na Kai

Day 7: Na Kai motorbike tour to Villabury

Day 8: Villabury motorbike tour to Ta Oi

Day 9: Ta Oi motorbike tour to Attapeu

Day 10: Attapeu motorbike tour to Khong Island

Day 11: Khong Island –  At leisure

Day 12: Khong Island overland motorbike tour to Preah Vihear (Cambodia)

Day 13: Preah Vihear motorbike tour to Siem Reap

Day 14: Siem Reap

Day 15: Siem Reap motorbike tour to Kompong Cham

Day 16: Kompong Cham motorbike tour to Stung Treng

Day 17: Stung Treng overland motorbike tour to Pleiku (Vietnam)

Day 18: Pleiku motorbike tour to Quy Nhon

Day 19: Quy Nhon motorbike tour to Hoi An

Day 20: Hoi An – At leisure

Day 21: Hoi An motorbike tour to Da Nang

Day 1: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Hanoi motorbike tour to Pu Luong

There will be a quite interesting ride getting out of the city. Then we can hit speed on Ho Chi Minh road through stunning countryside to Pu Luong. You will see a part of Cuc Phuong national park and huge rice fields with limestone background. The Pu Luong, belonging to Cuc Phuong mountain range, the largest remaining area of lowland limestone forest in northern Vietnam, is an important example of Limestone Karst, ecosystems renowned for their complexity, richness, and beauty. The nature reserve is home to endangered animals, including Langur of which less than 300 remain in the world. We spend our first night in the hospitable Thai family. Enjoy dinner with some local dishes and try rice whiskey, all tiredness seems so far away!

– Meals: L, D

– Thai family

– Distance: 190 km

– Highlight: Pu Luong national park, Thai villages

Day 2: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Pu Luong overland motorbike tour to Xam Neau (Laos)

Follow Ma River then turn left for real mountain windy road to Na Meo border crossing. It takes about an hour and a half for existing Vietnam and entering to Laos. Here we are in Laos with beautiful scenery of limestone karts, rain forest. We will make a stop to visit Vieng Xai, the headquarter of Pha Thet Laos during the 2nd Indochina 2 War. There are about 480 caves were used by the Pathet Lao during the Second Indochina War to shelter from American bombardment. Sunset will be a good time to make the last ride to Sam Neau the town in mist.

Meals: B,L,D

Hotel: Standard hotel

Distance: 230 km

Highlight: winding road, Vieng Xai the Pha The Laos headquarter

Day 3: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Xam Neau motorbike tour to Phonsavan

The market in Sam Neua is small, unassuming but interesting. Early morning, in opaque mist, the locals are getting filled up into the market square. Not very a touristy spot, but you can find many colorful textile kinds of stuff. Pick up simple breakfast with bread, let’s get on the bike again. Beautiful windy road, ride your motorbike with some stops in local hill-tribe villages along route no 6. Lunch in a restaurant in Nam Neun village before heading on another 95 km to Muong Kham, stop to visit Tham Piew cave – where about 400 people were killed during the second Indochina War by a rocket from American Jet on 24 Nov 1968. Then continue another hour to Phonsavan the new capital of Xieng Khouang province.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: standard hotel

Distance: 240 km

Highlight: winding road, cave, H’mong village

Day 4: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Phonsavan motorbike tour to Vieng Thong

After breakfast, we ride to Site 1 of Plain of Jars for our first look at the mysterious site. It gets its name from the hundreds of stone jars scattered across the landscape, ranging in site from 1-2.5 meters in height. There is considerable speculation as to the origin of the jars. Then we head to Muong Khoun. Enjoy our first road-break! Muong Khoun was once the capital of Xieng Khouang Province. There is time to visit temples such as Wat Chom Phet and Wat That Phoun which were built the same time as That Luang in Vientiane.

Depending on time, we can also visit some colonial building and old Lao Military Base that was seriously damaged by American bombing. Our destination today is Muang Vieng Thong where we overnight. This town locates on the dirt road no.10  was also a branch of Ho Chi Minh trails. Now main traffic comes from logging trucks. The road is still under construction with the mixture of gravel and tarmac. This remote town has never been an attraction on a tourist map. That’s why we are here!

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local guest house

Distance : 260 km/~70 km dirt-road

Highlight: Plain of Jars, Muong Khoun old town, countryside road

Day 5: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Vieng Thong motorbike tour to Na Hin

There will be the shortest distance of riding today. Ride last part of road no.10 on newly paved distance then turn off for Na Hin. Just before Na Hin, we stop at the Sala Viewpoint for a panoramic look over the karst limestone formations. Lunch in Na Hin and we take an excursion to Khong Lor cave, there will be a cruise on 7.5 km long underground river.

After dinner, we join in a Basi ceremony. It is a good-luck ritual in Laos tradition. That will be a rare occasion you could witness and be a part of a ceremony of Laos.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Na Hin resort 3***

Distance: 110 km paved road

Highlight: boat trip, limestone forest, Basi ceremony

Day 6: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Na Hin motorbike tour to Na Kai

Time to say farewell our lovely hospitable family in the resort, we are riding south over the Nakai Plateau. There is the good road from Na Hin to Lak Xao, a commercial town near Vietnam border.

Then we have all way long from Lak Xao to Na Kai is unpaved. Road condition actually is not too bad, mostly gravel. Some parts are really quiet and deserted. We’ll stop along the way to look over the resettlement villages from the massive hydro-electric project. It is also interesting to see plenty of trees sunk into the water in the huge area around the main dam of the electric project.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local guest house

Distance: 160 km/~ 80 km dirt-road

Highlight: fun road, villages

Day 7: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Na Kai motorbike tour to Villabury

We ride east further towards the Vietnam border and then go south into Savannakhet Province. We ride over the Ho Chi Minh Trail but it’s been upgraded and easy to ride but dusty. Our first dirt-ride to Bualapha is along Hin Namno National Park which is considered to have the same value of geology and geomorphology with Vietnam’s Phong Nha national park. Easy to realize that there are stunning limestone mountains surrounding your view. There is a big river crossing, hopefully, water does not flow too hard.

Have lunch in a small local food shop with traditional Laos Pho (noodle soup), then we continue to Villabury. From here, riding turns into even more interesting. There are more big trees, villages and river crossing (small). A section takes us on a 25 kilometer stretch of bad road and one river crossing by a remote village.

Night in nice, clean local hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local hotel

Distance: 200 km/~100 km dirt-road

Highlight: river crossing, jungle view

Day 8: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Villabury motorbike tour to Ta Oi

Today will be on the most original part of Ho Chi Minh trail – the eastern leg in Laos. Enjoy breakfast, we start riding on the good paved road to Xepon then Dong, near the Vietnamese border and make a short stop at a museum of war junk being put together in Dong. There are tanks, bombshells were abandoned since 1972 when American troops withdrew from Southeast Asia.

Then we continue on Ho Chi Minh trail. The road turns into fast packed gravel/dirt. You will see a couple of km of an old rock road that had been fenced off. And that is a section of Ho Chi Minh trail which is being preserved. Have lunch in Nong, there is also one small museum with tanks & a lot of bombshells. From here we start another section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the riding is sometimes difficult as there is no real road, only track. Along the southern edge of the difficult track, we’ll stop at a remote village and spend a little time seeing how life stands still in remote Asia. Getting close to our destination, the road is rocky, enjoy the bump!

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local guest house

Distance: 180 km/~100 km dirt-road

Highlight: museum, single track, jungle track

Day 9: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Ta Oi motorbike tour to Attapeu

Now it takes only about 1-hour ride from Ta Oi to Salavan on the newly paved road. Then head to Attapeu by continuing on the less traveled road via Salavan, that majority is the dirt road and bulldust road. We stop in Sekong for a simple lunch. After lunch, we continue driving along the Sekong River, a waterway that Northern Vietnamese used to transport supplies to Southern Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Just before Attapeu, we could drive thru town to Paam, Alak village for a visit (this is optional!). Here, you can see a Russian surface-to-air SAM 2 missile that has been left next to the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Take a walk around the village, you may be able to watch women weaving in their homes. Alax textiles can be bought in this shady village. We then return to Attapeu for the night.

Meals: B,L,D

Hotel: Hoang Anh Attapeu 4* hotel

Distance :230 km/~80 km dirt-road (depending option)

Highlight: fun riding

Day 10: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Attapeu motorbike tour to Khong Island

There will be many rivers and water crossing along the ride today. We ride the most southern off-road area of Laos and come out by King Fisher Eco Lodge for lunch before continuing the ride to Khong Island. En-route, visit the Khmer archeological site of Oum Moung, then crossing the Mekong River by ferry boat to Khong Island. The area is well known by its islands spreading out on the Mekong before it enters Cambodia. We check in well before dark and have plenty of time for a cold drink on the river.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local hotel

Distance: 190 km/~110 km dirt-road

Highlight: 4000 island region, crossing river, fun riding

Day 11: Khong Island –  At leisure

Board a traditional boat to visit the surrounding islands of Done Ket and Done Som. Continue to Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 to visit the Sumphamith Waterfall. Continue by boat to Ban Nakasang and drive to Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest cascade on the Mekong River which is 6 km wide at this point.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local hotel

 Highlight: boat cruise, waterfalls

Day 12: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Khong Island overland motorbike tour to Preah Vihear (Cambodia)

After breakfast, we head to the border of Cambodia and cross the Mekong River by local ferry then we will get on the paved road to ride to Stung Treng. There will be a ride on the unpaved road and very difficult part of the trip from Stung Treng to Beng Meancheay. Very jungle and fewer villages on the way.

Preah Vihear dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. It dominates the plain from its prominent position in the Dangrek Mountains at an altitude of over 700m. The temple is located near the Thai border and was previously occupied by the Thais. It has recently been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Explore this historic temple and take in the sweeping views from the summit over Thailand and Cambodia.

Meals: B,L,D

Hotel: Local hotel

Distance: 230 km

Highlight: jungle track, fun riding

Day 13: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Preah Vihear motorbike tour to Siem Reap

Today we will have an amazing ride along the jungle and exotic villages in the remote area of Cambodia. Few hours before we hit Siem Reap, we may stop for losing temples in Koh Ker.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Standard hotel

Distance: 270 km/~140 km dirt-road

Highlight: jungle track, villages & mountain view

Day 14: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Siem Reap

Have you ever heard about Angkor – the Champa temples?! Yes, I guess so. Breakfast at hotel and today we will visit the temples of Angkor by private van because in the motorbike tour is not allowed to ride in the Angkor area. Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei temple in the morning, lunch at local restaurant and afternoon visit to Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom city where Bayon Temple is

Meals: B

Hotel: Standard hotel

Highlight: Angkor Temples

Day 15: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Siem Reap motorbike tour to Kompong Cham

After a delicious breakfast, get back on the bikes and pick up some chaotic traffic of Cambodia. We will start our ride on the highway to reach the Angkorian Bridge in Kompong Kdey. We will then ride a motorcycle to one of the most hidden temples of Cambodia the Prasat Preah Khan. These old ruins are also a must seen the place for motorcycle travelers in Cambodia.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel:  Local hotel

Distance: 250 km

Highlight: ruined temples, run riding

Day 16: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Kompong Cham motorbike tour to Stung Treng

Take the dirt road then cross the ferry at Stung Trong. Keep riding along the Mekong River to Kratie. We enjoy the scenery, the village along the river. The last ride to Stung Treng will be on the sealed road. We could stop at Prek Kampi to take the boat trip to spot for Irrawaddy Dolphin. If we missed the dolphin in Laos, we won’t miss the chance to see the dolphin at Prek Kampi as they mostly show up at this spot.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Local hotel

Distance: 230 km

Highlight: river view, boat trip

Day 17: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Stung Treng overland motorbike tour to Pleiku (Vietnam)

Today, the early start from Stung Treng will be needed. The road between the Stung Treng junction and Ban Lung is mostly unsealed but is currently being rebuilt, including a long diversion around the proposed a new hydro dam. Then we have brand new paved road till Vietnam border. Take it easy on the last riding to Pleiku city. Ribbon road runs through massive coffee and rubber fields. There will be some good points to have an open view in the middle.

Meals: B,L,D

Hotel: standard hotel

Distance: 290 km

Highlight: fun riding

Day 18: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Pleiku motorbike tour to Quy Nhon

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Ride 40 km on the good paved road to Phu Cuong waterfall in Chu Se district. This waterfall flows on cooled lava rock of dead volcano millions of years ago. The water column is about 45m high. In the rainy season, water spreads out just like a horizontal silver screen, steam rising from everywhere. You have a chance to ride on the elephant and get fresh yourself.

After a while in heaven, we back on road across Ea So National Reservations. Many different villages of Giarai, Bana people welcome you to take a road break and get few photos with the kids. Get lunch somewhere, we head to the east to our destination of Quy Nhon a beautiful beach city. There will be a nice beach hotel with swimming pool today.

Nha Trang motorbike tours to Quy Nhon

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: standard hotel

Distance: 250 km

Highlight: fun riding, jungle road, ethnic villages

Day 19: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Quy Nhon motorbike tour to Hoi An

Keep riding along our coastline till Hoi An. We do not just stick on road no.1, turn off & get back from plenty of backroads closer to coast. Traffic somewhere will be busy but that what you have used to handle after many days.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: standard hotel

Distance: 330 km

Highlight: coastal roads

Day 20: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Hoi An – At leisure

Full day exploring the World Culture Heritage site of Hoi An, the old town, a unique combination of architectural monuments of various forms: residential house, assembly hall, communal house, pagoda, shrine, temple, water well, bridge, wharf, market…has been preserved intact. Hoi An is a good example of a symbolic oriental city in the Middle Age, so wonderful with its aged and traditionally maintained habits and customs. The town is now an excellent model of a living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle.

Meals: B

Hotel: standard hotel

Day 21: Indochina motorcycle tour from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia: Hoi An motorbike tour to Da Nang

There are many options for today. Spend all day to enjoy Hoi An (tailor shops, shopping, go diving, …) or we move soon to another new destination: Da Nang. Da Nang is also a tourist hot-spot in Central Vietnam with My Khe beach, Linh Ung temple, Monkey mountain … Ride last 40 km to Da Nang for departure.

End of the trip