Oct

Mountain Biking in Laos: Highlands and Lowlands

holidays in Laos, Laos, Mountain Bike, mountain bike holidays, mountain biking, MTB, off-road

It may come as a surprise to many, but tiny Laos offers fantastic cycling for the adventurous. The rugged uplands to the north are great for mountain bikers looking for thrills, while the southern lowlands offer biking on the flat against a rural backdrop.

Views to ride for! Image:Luisah

Laos is mostly undeveloped, so any kind of travel there requires a willingness to rough it a little. Even its capital, Vientiane, feels like a quiet backwater. The rural areas are a step back in time to a simpler world. People live in small villages among their animals, farming largely for subsistence in the same way they have for generations.

Poverty and poor infrastructure means that most roads are unsealed, which makes for a bumpy and sometimes challenging ride, even in the flat south. The reward is stunning views and a warm welcome, in Asia’s most laid-back country.

Numerous tour companies arrange guided mountain bike trips in Laos, although many people take or hire their own bikes and travel independently. Either way, you’ll need to be fit and if you’re travelling alone, have a decent knowledge of bicycle maintenance, especially if you’re planning to travel off the beaten track. Accommodation may be in basic guesthouses, or camping.

Laos’ main airport is in Vientiane, conveniently in the centre of the country. A trip north from there will take you through rolling hills and misty valleys, up towards challenging mountains that are home to Laos’ isolated hill-tribes. You could take time out to visit the beautiful town of Luang Prabang with its white and gold temples and busy night market. From there, the River Mekong heads west towards the Thai border and a trip following its course will take you through some beautifully remote countryside. Head south and you’ll find a world of sleepy villages and quiet country back-roads to explore at leisure. The largest town is Savannakhet, a place of crumbling colonial grandeur with a thriving cafe-culture.

Laos is a little gem, tucked away between the much more heavily populated (and touristed) Thailand and Vietnam. It can be a challenging place to be on the back of a bike, but it is also generally safe and highly rewarding so give it a go – and if you’ve been , let us know!