Cycling in Asia forum

Trek along Mekong

priyanka

newbie
Posts: 3

I am planning trip down the Mekong on Cycle with my friends.. Jan feb 2009
I plan to do it till Laos cross over in a boat.. or preferrably on the cyle again... then fly or reach somehow( Cylce/bus) Laos capital... venture around and then go to Siem Reap.

Is all this possible... has someone done this cycle trekking?

Thanks in advance

#1 Posted: 9/6/2008 - 17:05
priyanka

newbie
Posts: 3

We start from Northern thailand, cycle trek..down.. I hope it is not very confusing????

#2 Posted: 9/6/2008 - 17:06
somtam2000

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mahout
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I knew there was a post about this somewhere...

Here's some tips for the Thailand portion of the ride

#3 Posted: 9/6/2008 - 18:18

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Tilapia

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I plan to do something similar in December, beginning in Loei province and finishing in the 4000 Island area of S. Laos.

Highway #211 and Highway #212 are great for cycling. The traffic is not too heavy, the scenery is great, and it's quite flat for the majority of the way. At least it is between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai it is. There are places to stay at good intervals (Chiang Khan, Pak Chom, Sangkhom, Si Chiangmai, Nong Khai), lots of temples, lots of tobacco farms, nice little villages and very friendly people.

You can cross in Nong Khai and follow #13 to S. Laos, but from what I have read it seems that choices for places to stay/sleep after Vientiane might be very limited. However, I would like to read more about this highway.

But, for the area between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai, it's fantastic!!! I will try to get my trip report posted before you go in January. I should be home by around January 7th.

Cheers
Mike

#4 Posted: 9/6/2008 - 18:57
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

"You can cross in Nong Khai and follow #13 to S. Laos, but from what I have read it seems that choices for places to stay/sleep after Vientiane might be very limited. However, I would like to read more about this highway."

If you stay on the Thai side through NKP province and cross at Mukdahan into Laos, there are a lot of places to stay. BUT, there ain't much between Savanakhet and Pakse. You might want to wait until Udon to cross.

#5 Posted: 24/10/2009 - 00:33

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pythagnz

backpacker
Posts: 17

I rode the route from Vientiane to Pakse in May 2008. There was a lot of new development, especially in the first 100km after Vientiane. Accommodation isn't actually a problem. Check out the journals over at crazyguyonabike.com for ideas.

#6 Posted: 22/12/2009 - 02:10
priyanka

newbie
Posts: 3

Our trip has been postponed till later this year as One of my frens got pregnant while we were planning this.

So we go probably in OCt or Nov 2010. Thanks for all your trip advise.

Yes Mike your update will be most useful all of us bikers here.

I checked out crazy guy on a bike.....very innovative.

#7 Posted: 22/12/2009 - 03:54
Tilapia

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Recommend that you hold off until November. It will probably still be raining in October.

I have really dropped the ball on writing up my bike journal, but after Christmas it should be much easier. The snow is flying and I'll be inside more. I'm hoping to include "before and after" photos. Before = when I first went through the area in the early '90s, and After = my latest trip. Not too much changed, I gotta admit.

Good luck to your friend.

#8 Posted: 22/12/2009 - 21:30