The Pak Ou Loop

We’ve researched and created a full-day motorbike trip that gets you off-the-beaten track while covering two Luang Prabang attractions. We’re calling it “the Pak Ou Loop” since Pak Ou village marks the furthest point. Mere minutes from town you’ll find yourself off-road travelling through rural landscapes, teak forests and small friendly villages and we’ve thrown in two stunning viewpoints to savour as well.

Travel better, travel smarter

Save money, receive our latest updates and get the most out of your travels.

Like the Chomphet Loop, we’d rate this ride moderate. The route is mostly undulating dirt road and a paved major roadway with some traffic. Prior experience driving a motorbike is an absolute must. It’s also worth buying Hobo Map’s inexpensive Luang Prabang Area Map, which covers the route.

Teak forest and rural life only a few kilometres from Luang Prabang. Photo taken in or around The Pak Ou Loop, Luang Prabang, Laos by Cindy Fan.

Teak forest and rural life only a few kilometres from Luang Prabang. Photo: Cindy Fan

There are two ways of starting the trip. Either head out of town travelling through Ban Phanom in the direction of Henri Mouhot’s grave, crossing the new bridge over the Nam Khan river. Or take the road running past the airport and continue along the road until you reach a two-way split. Go right, in the direction of “All Lao Elephant Camp”. The Nam Khan river bridge should come into view. Past the bridge, you will suddenly find yourself on quiet dirt road immersed in a rural landscape with a pretty ridge of mountains running along your left hand side.

For the next 18 kilometres the tourist crowds will seem like a distant memory. The dirt road takes you through teak forests, rice paddy and a few small villages including Ban Na Tan, where they make bricks. There are some lovely shady spots to take a break. Eventually you will meet a quiet asphalted road. At this junction, head left, travelling for 8 kilometres until you ... Travelfish members only (Around 700 more words) ... please log in to read the rest of this story.