Laos forum

Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang via Vieng Kham and Pak Xeng

eljefe

motodop
Posts: 25

Hi,

A group of 5 of us are planning to bicycle from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang. We're hoping to do it in 2 days. I've read that Rte 1C from Nong Khiaw to Vieng Kham and on to Sam Soun is paved and in pretty good condition. From what I've read here and on other sites, the road from Sam Soun to Hiway 13 is a well graded dirt road.

We're hoping to break the trip up at Phou Sanam. Phou Sanam is about 25 kms south of the 1C junction (between Vieng Kham and Vieng Thong) and 30 kms before Pak Xeng.

Does anyone know if there is a guest house in Phou Sanam? Or, alternatively, are there any guest houses in either Sam Soun (near the junction of the road to Luang Prabang) or in Pak Xeng?

And finally, does anyone have any recent reports of the condition of the road from Sam Soun to Hiway 13, just north of LP? I'm pretty experienced with the roads in northern Laos, but this is one section that I am not familiar with.

TIA.

#1 Posted: 19/1/2011 - 19:00
wanderingcat

som tam seller
Posts: 673
Private message

not travelled this route before, but seen reports of it on the GTRider forum - perhaps post your question there too?

if you have the GTRider map of Laos, you'll see that part of the 30.8km section between Phou Sanam & Pak Xeng is labelled as 'Very Steep 12 kms' (not indicated if mostly uphill, downhill or equal parts both)...& that is from the point of view of people who rely on engine rather than pedal power

as of Dec 2009 there were 2 songthaews per day between Pak Xeng & LPB northern bus station, so i think this section of the road should be OK (at least during dry season), but possibly very dusty in some parts (based on what i saw at the junction of this road & HWY 13)

you might just have to keep asking locals + keep your options open to homestay in some village headman's house.

good luck & hope to hear about your experience if you do go ahead with it!

#2 Posted: 19/1/2011 - 23:02

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eljefe

motodop
Posts: 25

Thanks.
I've read the GT Rider website and, of course, I have their map. so, yeah, I know there's a steep section. I have no worries about that. But the fact that there were 2 songthiews a day over a year ago, doesn't tell me whether it's dirt, gravel, or paved today. I actually went halfway to Pak Xeng from LP 3 years ago and it was pretty bad on a bike.
If it was just me I would take my chances on staying in someone's home, or just do the whole ride in one day,but with a group of 5 I'd rather not pass up a guesthouse.
So I was hoping to hear from someone who had actually been on this route.

#3 Posted: 21/1/2011 - 22:34
wanderingcat

som tam seller
Posts: 673
Private message

whether it's dirt, gravel, or paved today

if you have seen the GT Rider forum, there are pretty recent photos of the route taken on 8th Nov 2010. roads in Laos don't get upgraded to gravel or paved within a few months

reply #9 here:
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/threads/33564-Sam-Soun-to-Luang-Prabang

#4 Posted: 25/1/2011 - 13:51

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