We have a full day ahead with lots of off road, we will ride around the lakes of Nam Ngun high up in the mountains. Spectacular views everywhere as we arrive in Long Tieng, steeped in History we will take a tour of the old CIA airbase and it’s surrounding. We will overnight in a local guest house. 

 Before we leave, we’ll finish our look at that very interesting and historically significant area. Then we leave for Phonsavan. We will reach it in the afternoon after passing through Xam Thong LS20 which played its own major role in the war. The new school stands on the old Hospitals base, where the Air America bunk House Chimney still stands. On arrival there, we will visit the Plain of Jars.

The Plain of Jars is a huge site of stone urns, some with lids. What the jars were used for isn’t known, but there are many guesses. The most popular guess is that the jars were used as a ‘burial ground’. Your guess could well be as good as anybody else’s. Time permitting, we can visit other sites such as the 1000 Step Mountain or the Spoon Village, if time allows.

 Another early start as we head North to Xam Neua which is quite a ride. The ride includes sections ‘off road’ and ‘on tarmac’. It will take us most of the day to get to our eventual destination of Xam Neua. There’s a lot to see along the route though, including the Hintung Archeological site. Apart from seeing the site, you will be continuously treated to spectacular, natural views along the way. Views that will just leave you speechless.

Getting to Xam Neua in the early evening sees us settle into our guest house. We’ll need to rest up as tomorrow will be a busy day of sightseeing. In particular, the Vienxai Underground Cave Complex which the Pathet Lao used to run their war effort during that historical conflict.

 We head into the hills for another full day’s riding to Lima Site 85. LS 85 was upgraded in 1967 to one with an all weather night bombing facility, it could guide the bombers in any weather. (TACAN). The North Vietnamese retaliated and attacked the site in March, 1968. In a ferocious one day battle, they destroyed it. Fifty years later, we take the steep climb to that mountain top and are rewarded with breathtaking views. We leave the site and head for Muang Hiam (Veingtong). There, we enjoy the Hot Springs and stay overnight in a local guest house 

An easy day today as we head on Tarmac to the sleepy village of Nong Khiaw, an interesting ride through the mountains on super twisty road, before taking the dirt to our final destination. On arrival we will take a guest house  (or homestay) on the river and enjoy the afternoon with a few beers and some great views. A very popular town in Laos which has some great view points if you fancy the climb. 

Our last day on the road together as we head for home, after a short tarmac stretch, we can go off road to Pak Ou where we will visit the caves, which were inhabited by the locals during the war. We can have lunch here on the shore of the Mekong, before heading back to Luang Prabang and end the tour at your hotel.