| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 76km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Hilly but mostly downhill |
| Blog | 31st Dec - Hilly hilly hilly |
| Gallery | Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng |
The journey
This was a very good ride, even after the last two days of difficult cycling. The road rolls along a river valley then gradually descends into a plain which Kasi sits in the middle of. There's a guesthouse, resort and restaurants at Kasi and a resort at Phatang. The waving and shouts of sabadee from kids stopped immediately after Phatang; it was probably the furthest that tourists reached on hire bikes from Vang Vieng. There's a small ascent at the end of the plain and then a long descent into the next valley, where we followed the river to Vang Vieng. The organic farm at Phoudindaeng is 3km before Vang Vieng. We met loads of other touring cyclists staying there.Vang Vieng is tacky and touristy, but it's pleasant enough to spend a day or two in while your legs recover from the hills. There are several nice guesthouses away from the main road with views over the river, or across the bamboo bridge (watch out for nails). All roads except the main street are dirt and there are tolls for using some of the bridges. There's a bike repair shop near the hospital. One guy we met had his touring bike stolen from outside a bar, but he foolishly hadn't locked it up. You can do a day trip to the caves along dirt roads but big stones make the surface difficult to ride without off-road tyres.
The rooms
Vang Vieng Organic farmwww.laofarm.org
suanmone@hotmail.com
Phoudindaeng, Vang Vieng
Tel: 023 511220
K60,000 for double room, mosquito net, shared bathroom, free water.
Tranquil location next to the river and attractive, lush farm, but the service in the restaurant is incredibly slow; one couple had to go into Vang Vieng for dinner after the kitchen forgot their order and closed. There's an excellent view from the shared shower block.
Sisavang Guesthouse
Ban Sisavang, Vang Vieng
Tel: 023 511428
K50,000 for double room with air-con, bathroom with hot water, free water,
Good standard guesthouse, set back from the main road. Free Lao tea/coffee and bananas at reception.