5 DAYS – White Elephant Valley Tour
MTO-5-A: Epic tour of local villages, hidden caves, lush rivers, and giant elephants
LEVEL: Beginner – Intermediate
DISTANCE: Approx. 881 km
TERRAIN: Off-road 25% (Day 1), On Road (Day 2), Off-road 70% (Day 3), Off-road 20% (Day 4), Off-road 80% (Day 5)
Map for the 5 day ride
Full Itinerary
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Your motorcycle journey begins in Luang Prabang before heading up north toward Nong Khiaw along some magnificent dirt and asphalt roads. You will cross the mighty Mekong River by ferry and visit the historic Pak Ou caves along the way. Thousands of Buddha sculptures have been added to the Pak Ou caves over the years, making it an important site for Buddhism. You will then continue your motorcycle ride toward Ban Nagnan, where you will observe the continued tradition of silk weaving and silk dying from natural materials. Your night consists of an authentic home stay with a local family in Ban Nagnan, where you will enjoy freshly cooked Lao food and have a deeper understanding of their unique way of life. If you are not interested in the home stay experience, we will accommodate you in a nearby guesthouse in Nong Khiaw.
DAY 2 | BAN NAGNAN – OUDOMXAY – LUANG NAMTHA (B,L)
The next morning you will ride out through the breathtaking Lao countryside on tar roads to Oudomxay. This province is known its mountainous roads, providing a scenic adventure in Laos that cannot be beat. You can stop in any local village in Oudomxay, where you will enjoy a quick bite and meet friendly people willing to share stories with you. Once you arrive in Luang Namtha in the late afternoon, you will be accommodated for the night at a local guest house.
DAY 3 | LUANG NAMTHA – PAKBENG (B,L)
The third day of your motorcycle tour begins in Luang Namtha, where you will take your motorcycle off-road toward Pakbeng. This leg of the journey is more challenging, however it is well worth it because you will be able to access local villages and remote towns that experience very few tourists. You can interact with friendly people who come from various ethnic groups along the way. When you arrive in Pakbeng, you will be accommodated at a comfortable lodge that is within walking distance to the Mekong River.
DAY 4 | PAKBENG – HONGSA – SAYABOURI (B,L)
On your fourth day, you will leave early from Pakbeng and ride out on your motorcycle to Hongsa. Hongsa is a remarkable village that has two bustling markets packed full of freshly prepared Lao food. You will continue through Hongsa to Sayabouri along winding dirt roads in the countryside. Upon arrival in Sayabouri, you will enjoy a freshly prepared Lao meal, and be accommodated overnight at the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC).
DAY 5 | SAYABOURI – MUANG NAN – LUANG PRABANG (B,L)
The following morning you will be able to ride, feed, bathe, and befriend these Lao elephants. A trip to Laos is not complete without getting up close and personal with an elephant! You can also visit their medical centre to learn more about how they help treat and rescue elephants. After Sayabouri you will traverse the Mekong River and drive through Muang Nan, a quaint village with hospitable people. On the final stretch back to Luang Prabang, your will ride out on dusty roads along the Mekong River with a few river crossings along the way. Your five-day motorcycle ride concludes once you arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon
— End of the services —
** A custom tour with some arrangements is possible for intermediate and experience riders **