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LUDICROUS IN LAOS
LOCATION
Laos
DURATION
14 days & 13 nights
DISTANCE
BIKES
Honda CRF300L - fuel included
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
DAILY RIDING HOURS
6 Hours approx.
ROAD
70% off road
PILLION FRIENDLY
No - check out our road tours
SUPPORT VEHCILE
Included
MECHANIC
Included
FIRST AID
Tour guides are first aid trained
FOOD
Included on all riding days
This is an absolute monster of a ride through the magnificent diamond in the rough; Laos! If you’re a Laos first timer, you’re in for a serious treat.
This 14-day adventure takes you and your trusty Honda from the sleepy southern town of Champassak all the way to the former French colonial gem of Luang Prabang in the north.
Along the way, you’ll discover Laos’ rich, beautiful and sometimes tragic history as we weave along sections of the original Ho Chi Minh Trail. Rusting Russian tanks, hidden bomb craters and a once-secret CIA airbase offer haunting reminders of the past - but don’t worry, the riding is anything but sombre.
You’ll blast along rocky mining tracks, climb misty ridgelines, and follow old logging routes deep into the jungle, where you might just catch a glimpse of wild elephants’ footprints. In Phonsavan, you’ll visit the mysterious Plain of Jars, where ancient stone urns scatter the landscape; tombs, whisky barrels, or something else entirely? Nobody knows for sure.
We finish back on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. Luang Prabang is the perfect place to unwind; a tranquil, stylish finale to an epic journey across this incredible country. Laos will grab you by the heart, and you’ll leave with memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
TOUR DATES
ITINERARY
DAY 1
ARRIVAL DAY - CHAMPASSAK
It’s arrival day in the beautiful and laid-back town of Champassak. Fly into Pakse International Airport or cross over from Thailand; either way, you’ll be met with a smile and a cool, comfortable car to whisk you to your riverside resort. The short drive meanders along the banks of the Mekong, where fishermen cast their nets and water buffalo graze lazily. Check into your room, refresh, and meet your tour leader and fellow riders for an afternoon briefing. Once the essentials are covered, relax by the pool with a cold drink and soak in the view. As the sun dips behind the Mekong, we regroup for a welcome dinner, good food, a few laughs, and the excitement of the adventure ahead. Welcome to Laos!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A relaxed first day settling into Laos, meeting your riding team, and building the stoke for the journey ahead.
AIRPORT TRANSFER: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: 5★ hotel with pool
DAY 2
CHAMPASSAK - ATTAPEU
Here it is, ladies and gents, the first riding day of Ludicrous in Laos. We start early to beat the heat. After breakfast and a final briefing, it’s time to fire up the bikes. A short ride along the river takes us past locals beginning their day in narrow long-tail boats. We’ll load our bikes onto a “completely safe and totally reliable” ferry to cross the Mekong, then hit the blacktop riding away from Pakse before turning off onto dirt. From there, it’s rice paddies, dusty twin tracks, and smiling villagers waving us through. Lunch is a simple but delicious local affair, and by the afternoon we roll into Attapeu, a quiet town rarely visited by tourists. Expect plenty of curious looks and perhaps even a spontaneous invitation to join locals for karaoke over a bubbling Lao hotpot, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A relaxed first day settling into Laos, meeting your riding team, and building the stoke for the journey ahead.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Townhouse
ATTAPEU - PAKSONG
We leave Attapeu behind and climb toward the lush Bolaven Plateau, famous for its cool air, towering waterfalls and world-class coffee. The morning ride follows winding dirt trails through dense jungle and remote highland villages, the terrain alternating between wide gravel and tighter, rocky climbs. By mid-morning, we’ll pass small coffee farms where beans dry on wooden racks by the roadside, perfect photo stops and the chance to sample a strong Lao brew. After lunch, the trails open up again as we approach Paksong, a lively little town surrounded by misty green hills. We’ll kick back at a laid-back local guesthouse, share a few laughs over a beer, and sample the town’s famous coffee liqueur if you’re feeling bold.
DAY 3
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A classic Lao ferry crossing and a refreshing stop at a local waterfall.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Guesthouse
PAKSONG - XEPON
A big day of varied riding ahead. We head east out of Paksong and rejoin stretches of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, once a vital wartime supply route. The trail alternates between hard-packed dirt, clay, and broken tarmac. The kind of terrain that keeps you alert and grinning. Scattered along the way are remnants of the war era: rusting trucks swallowed by jungle and bomb craters now filled with lotus ponds. The villages here are small, welcoming, and proud of their history. By late afternoon we arrive in Xepon, an important site during the Vietnam War and home to the Lao National Museum of the Trail. It’s a fascinating look into how this quiet region once changed the course of history.
DAY 4
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Exploring a key historical region and the Lao National Museum of the Trail.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Town hotel
DAY 5
XEPON - NAKAI
Today’s ride takes us through rugged country. The tracks snake through hills and forested valleys as we make our way west toward Nakai. The riding is sublime, long stretches of flowing dirt interspersed with creek crossings and shaded jungle sections. Lunch is at a roadside eatery in a small village, the kind of place where nobody’s in a hurry and smiles are easy to come by. By late afternoon, we reach the Nakai Plateau, home to the massive Nam Theun 2 Reservoir. The views from here are breathtaking, especially at sunset when the flooded forests glow gold. Dinner tonight is hearty and well earned.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Sweeping views across the Nakai Plateau and its vast reservoir.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Lakeside bungalow
DAY 6
NAKAI - KHOUNKEO
If I could sum today up in two words - short but epic. Rested and rejuvenated, it’s straight back onto those wide gravel tracks we love, full of sweeping bends and rutted straights. We’ll pass through remote villages where kids run out for high fives, and lunch on simple but delicious noodle soup. Then comes the real treat; Kong Lor Cave. Rather than going over the limestone mountain, we go through it. You and your bike load onto wooden long-tail boats and drift seven kilometres through a pitch-black cavern, lit only by headlamps and echoes. By evening, we’re settled into beautiful modern jungle pods nearby, bellies full and hearts racing from an unforgettable experience.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Gliding through the incredible 7 km Kong Lor Cave — truly epic.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Glamping/ eco stay
KHOUNKEO - VIENTIANE
A long but spectacular ride today as we head northwest toward the capital. The morning trails cut through forest and farmland before joining scenic backroads that wind their way down from the highlands. We’ll stop for a local lunch en route, then continue on smoother roads toward Vientiane. The change in pace feels almost surreal after days of remote tracks. By evening, we arrive in the laid-back capital, a city that still feels more like a large riverside town. A well-deserved shower, a good meal, and perhaps a craft beer overlooking the Mekong are the perfect end to the day.
DAY 7
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A relaxed sunset BBQ alongside the Mekong after a big day of riding.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: No
DINNER: No
ACCOMMODATION: 4★ hotel with pool
REST DAY - VIENTIANE
Rest those weary muscles and mop that furrowed brow — today’s yours to recharge. Vientiane is the perfect place to explore at your own pace: get a massage, wander the French-inspired streets, or browse the riverfront night market. If you’re feeling cultural, check out Pha That Luang or Patuxai, the local version of the Arc de Triomphe. Otherwise, just find a shady café, grab a cold Beerlao and watch the world go by. Tomorrow, we ride again.
DAY 8
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A well-earned rest day to explore, recharge, or take it slow.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: No
DINNER: No
ACCOMMODATION: 4★ hotel with pool
We roll out of the capital on smooth tarmac before quickly veering off onto rural trails that snake through farmland and karst scenery. The pace picks up as we reach wider dirt roads with the odd stream crossing and some cracking photo stops. By afternoon, the mountains close in and we descend into Vang Vieng, a backpacker hotspot surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. Cool off in the river, grab a cold drink, and enjoy the mountain views as the sun sets behind the peaks.
DAY 9
VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Riding beneath Vang Vieng’s dramatic limestone cliffs and karst peaks.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel with pool
DAY 10
VANG VIENG - LONG TIENG
Step off the tourist trail and leave the backpacker circuit behind as we venture deep into one of Laos’ most fascinating and little-known regions. Our destination, Long Tieng, was once dubbed “the most secret place on Earth,” a covert CIA stronghold that recruited Hmong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Today, it’s hard to picture that history as local kids kick footballs across what was once a bustling airstrip. Getting there is an adventure in itself. The day starts with a stretch of flowing tarmac twisties before we roll onto a ferry across the Nam Ngum Reservoir, a perfect mid-morning coffee stop and a chance to cool off. From there, we push onward through a mix of road, gravel, and red clay trails that climb into remote mountain terrain. Tonight’s accommodation may be simple, but the setting is rich with history and heart. Expect warm smiles, a memorable atmosphere, and the perfect ending to another unforgettable day in Laos.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Reaching Long Tieng — once known as “the most secret place on Earth.”
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Glamping/ eco stay
DAY 11
LONG TIENG - SOP LAO
Today’s ride is a big one - nearly 300 km of pure adventure through the wild heart of northern Laos. It’s mostly flowing double track with a few rough jungle sections thrown in just to keep you honest. The terrain keeps changing, one minute it’s smooth gravel, the next you’re bouncing over rocky climbs with mountain views that make you forget to breathe. You’ll pass tiny hillside villages where farmers dry rice by the roadside and kids sprint out waving like you’re famous. In the morning, we’ll stop at the Plain of Jars Site 2 to check out the mysterious 3,000-year-old stone jars and a rather tired old Russian tank resting nearby. After that, we’ll grab lunch in a quiet town before heading back into the tracks for the afternoon push. The trails gradually turn to rough tarmac as we roll toward Sop Lao, a sleepy riverside village tucked between lush green hills. By the time we pull in at sunset, you’ll be ready for the only things that matter: a cold Beer Lao, a hot meal, and a soft bed, in that order.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
A rollercoaster mix of trails that gradually smooth into gravel and tarmac.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Basic guesthouse
SOP LAO - NONG KHIAW
A fantastic day’s riding through remote countryside, crossing rivers and winding up into the mountains of northern Laos. The route rewards you with sweeping views and endless curves as we approach Nong Khiaw, one of the most picturesque towns in the country.
DAY 12
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
Rolling into beautiful Nong Khiaw, surrounded by towering cliffs and river views.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: Riverside hotel
NONG KHIAW -
LUANG PRABANG
Our final riding day on what has been a truly epic adventure. It hasn’t all been easy, but that’s what makes the memories. Suit up one last time for a mix of dirt, clay and winding backroads through charming rural villages and lush valleys. As we near Luang Prabang, the tracks give way to smooth tarmac and the quiet of the countryside turns into the buzz of the city. This beautiful French-inspired town, with its riverside cafés and temples, is the perfect finale. We’ll check into a luxury hotel, wash off the dust, and raise a toast over our farewell dinner, to good health, great rides and even better company. Congratulations, you’ve conquered Laos. Cheers!
DAY 13
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
The pride of reaching Luang Prabang after conquering the length of Laos.
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: Included
DINNER: Included
ACCOMMODATION: 5 ★ resort with pool
LUANG PRABANG -
DEPARTURE
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, take a slow morning by the river or wander the markets for a few last-minute souvenirs before your transfer to the airport. You came to Laos for the ride of a lifetime and you’re leaving with memories that’ll be retold for years. Khop chai lai lai!
DAY 14
AIRPORT TRANSFER: Included
BREAKFAST: Included
LUNCH: No
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FAQs
The official currency of Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK). It is widely available at banks and exchange offices. US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas, so you can use them for many transactions.
WHAT IS THE CURRENCY IN LAOS AND IS IT EASILY AVAILABLE?
Yes, most travelers will need a visa to enter Laos. You can get a visa on arrival at major entry points for $40 USD, so it’s a good idea to have the cash ready, as cards are not accepted. Alternatively, you can apply for an e-visa online before your trip. Requirements can vary depending on your nationality, so be sure to check the latest regulations before you travel.
DO I NEED A VISA FOR LAOS?
It is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, and measles. Depending on your travel plans, vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis may also be advised. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic before your trip for the latest recommendations.
WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED FOR LAOS?