Laos. Beyond the Mekong

Transcription

1 Laos Beyond the Mekong

2 TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau FRANCIS Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. And stories, he has collected a whole lot of them since he joined Vintage Rides team around a decade ago. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand. A unique motorcycle tour through two exceptional countries: Thailand and Laos. 2

3 MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS Embark on a unique journey on the other side of Mekong, an incomparable adventure between Thailand and Laos. Along small roads, you will discover sublime hilly green landscapes in the land of a million elephants. You will appreciate this sparsely populated unique Kingdom, which has preserved its culture despite the ordeals of its history. During your road trip, enjoy the charm of these places by sharing the life of majestic elephants and experiencing atypical encounters. 3

4 AT A GLANCE 6-8h riding a day Unexpected events on the road Remote regions Period November to March Duration 12 days including 10 days riding Level Demanding English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard From

5 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 1 Arrive in Chiang Mai Reception at the airport according to your flight schedule and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy this first day discovering Chiang Mai, a large city in northern Thailand. Ideally located in the heart of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, its architectural heritage is breathtaking with more than 300 temples! Visit Wat Chedi Luang, roam around in the various markets in the city, including the famous night market and try your first Thai specialties. Dinner at your leisure. Chiang Mai - Chiang Kong [300 km* - 5/6h riding]: After breakfast, we meet our tour leader and discover our Royal Enfield. It s time to go! Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 2 We start with a long connecting stage. Beautiful fast roads await us in the midst of hilly green countryside. We stop for lunch at Chiang Rai and take the opportunity to visit Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple. We arrive near Mekong in the afternoon. Overnight stay at hotel. 5

6 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Chiang Khong - Luang Namtha [180 km* - 4h riding]: This morning, we get up early for breakfast. We then get on our motorcycles and head for the border. We reach Laos late in the morning! A beautiful ride rolling through a hilly countryside allows us to appreciate our first moments in this country. We notice the difference between Laos and Thailand immediately. We cross our first small typical village with its wooden houses on stilts. Overnight stay in the provincial capital of Luang Namtha. STAGE 3 Luang Namtha - Nong Khiaw [230 km* 5/6h riding]: STAGE 4 We take off for a beautiful ride on a winding road in the direction of Nong Khiaw. We cross Oudomxay, in the Laos region, which is greatly influenced by China. After a lunch break, we reach the outskirts of Pak Mong on an excellent road. We are delighted to meander in this hilly region. On arriving, we are gifted with the magnificent sight of Nam Ou River meandering between two cliffs. Overnight stay at the hotel. 6

7 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang [150 km* 4/5h riding]: It is time to go to the country s capital! For this relatively easy stage, we climb back towards Pak Mong for 30 km (18 miles) and then we take an asphalt road to reach Luang Prabang in the afternoon in order to visit the city a bit. STAGE 5 Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 6 Luang Prabang [70 km* 2h riding]: The pearl of Laos, classified as a UNESCO heritage site, Luang Prabang is a small colonial city nesting in the peninsula between Mekong and Nam Khan. If we wish to, we can take the motorcycles to go have lunch at the famous Kuang Si Waterfall. According to the schedule, we visit the city with its superb Buddhist temples notably, the oldest one, Xieng Thong. We also see the royal palace and appreciate the numerous colonial buildings from the French Indo-China. Overnight stay at the hotel. 7

8 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Luang Prabang - Sayaboury [130 km* 3/4h riding]: STAGE 7 We start again slowly to go a little bit deeper towards the southwest. Our road takes us between terraced rice fields and rubber plantations. A few kilometers of trails take us to the Elephant Conservation Center. It is the first such hospital in Laos to be completely devoted to the care and protection of elephants which are victims of the country s deforestation. We meet various veterinarians and researchers who are living there to partake of their daily life at the heart of this establishment. Our afternoon will be punctuated with a visit to the center where we will dine around a campfire with the entire team. STAGE 8 Sayaboury - Pakbeng [180 km* 4/5h riding]: Departure at am for a ride away from the civilization. Across wilderness, we take an old route in the hills. After a lunch break at Hongsa, we get back to a faster road, in order to reach our charming accommodation on banks of Mekong. 8

9 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Pakbeng - Chiang Khong [150 km* 4/5h riding]: We leave very early for the most adventurous day of the tour. Across mountains in Northern Laos, we ride a on dirt trail going through local tribal villages. We reach the border in the afternoon and then the village of Chiang Khong for our return to Thailand. Overnight stay at the hotel. STAGE 9 Chiang Khong - Chiang Kha [150 km* 4h riding]: STAGE 10 We go down south along the Laotian border. For 40 km (24 miles), we ride along Mekong and climb in altitude. Our road follows the forms of a ridge acting as a natural border between Thailand and Laos. A small easy trek takes us to Phu Chi Fah, the famous cliffs, with an incomparable view over Laos. The ride brings us to the Phayao plains after taking us through Phu Sang National Park. Overnight stay at the hotel. 9

10 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 11 Chiang Kham - Chiang Mai [220 km* 4/5h riding]: You mount your bikes for the last motorcycle ride in the southwestern direction till Phayao. A short break in this provincial capital, along a big lake with a view of the mountains. You continue on beautiful forest roads and even a few trails till it is lunch time in a delightful setting on the shores of Mae Kuang. Vigilance is crucial over the last few kilometers and entry into Chiang Mai where we get back to civilization and traffic! The last evening in Chiang Mai, we do a bit of shopping or simply to enjoy a last Thai massage. Chiang Mai - International airport: Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a few more hours in the attractive city of Chiang Mai. Transfer to the International airport. Stephane Gautronneau STAGE 12 *Riding distances are indicative. 10

11 YOUR FORMULA Join a fixed departure 3290 / pilot* 3040 / pillion* Book at 4 and more: 3140 / pilot* To know the dates of our upcoming fixed departures. go to - tab "Our Trips", or contact one of our travel advisors at: contact@vintagerides.com. *These rates are indicative, please refer to our General Terms & Conditions. Want to leave in a closed group? Ask us for a quote for a private tour. And enjoy 5% off your second trip 10% off your third trip and more Always in the limit of

12 MORE INFO PRICE INCLUDES A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 11) Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles and local guide A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants Lodging in standard/comfort hotels, in double or triple bedrooms. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Half board meals during riding days (breakfasts and lunches) Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, including repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in Thailand and Laos and legal assistance International flights and airport taxes to Chiang Mai Visa fees A refundable security deposit of 600 for every motorcycle Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1 and day 2) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Souvenirs and personal expenses Drinks Tips 12

13 MY CHECKLIST Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to. Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India. A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion, etc. SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Warm motorbike jacket (synthetic preferred) A rain suit (just in case!) Gloves Helmet Bandana PERSONAL MEDICINE: CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: 2 light pants 4 shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 2 warm sweaters or jackets Sunglasses Hat Sport shoes or trekking shoes 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the battery) Some sweets and cereal bars Sunscreen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhoea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage 13

14 CONTACT US Copyrights photos : François Combes, Sophie Squillace VINTAGE RIDES INDIA C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi Tel: VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE 98 Rue Baudin Levallois-Perret By appointment only Tel: CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM 14