LAOS – Luang Prabang – Cycling the Charming Trails of Chompet

A half-day exploration of rural Chompet by mountain bicycle.

Theme

Sustainable

Country - City

Laos - Luang Prabang

Price Level

$$$

Level of difficulties

LEVEL 2

Max pax

15

Seasonality

October to June

Arrival city

Luang Prabang

Departure city

Luang Prabang

Description

A unique half-day mountain bike excursion into one of the rarely visited rural areas of Chompet District. The journey begins with a Mekong River crossing before reaching a bustling village. The decent road here is great for warming up before the dirt tracks that wind their way through small settlements and farms. This leg of the journey takes travelers towards Ban Na and Ban Som-idyllic Lao Loum villages nestled amongst rice paddies. After taking a refreshment stop in Ban Som, the journey continues along varied terrain and across a small river before joining a single-track trail used by local residents and children to travel to their farms and school. After leaving the single-track trail, the path continues through several smaller villages before travelers take the bridge back into the UNESCO protected area of the city that hugs the Mekong Riverbank. A visit to Wat Had Siaw, one of the only temples in Luang Prabang to have a Meditation corridor, and to Wat Chompet, a hilltop temple built in 1888 and boasting one of the best views overlooking Luang Prabang, are the final stops of the day.

Level:2
Distance and duration of cycling: approximately 26 kilometers – 3 hours cycling
Total elevation gain: 0 meters (+
316.5 / -316.5 meters)
Terrain: A mix of single-track dirt trails and dirt roads road and jungle trails / undulating with some short but steep uphill sections
Transportation: 10 minutes to the boat pier

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

Selling points

  • For FIT active clients, or leisure travelers that want to see somewhere other tourists rarely go. 
  • Exploring local life while enjoying beautiful scenery.
  • An active off-road cycling excursion. 
  • Perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist areas in the city.
  • A route along single-track trails and dirt roads, through scenic farmland, quaint villages, and jungle forest.

Level Of The Excursion

Medium – This activity offers tangible positive contributions to the local community, culture and/or environment

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Community welfare and health

Economic Impact

Local individual benefits

Community benefits

Time And Transportation

From To Km By Duration Road condition
Night Market Boat pier 1 Walking 5 minutes Good

Duration

  • Half-Day Activity-(this is a less challenging version of the full-day cycling activity: LAOS – Luang Prabang – Rural Chompet Explorer)
  • 07:30-Departure from the hotel (transfer) 
  • 08:30-Begin cycling (after ferry transfer)
  • Cycling approximately 25 kilometers, 3 hours cycling, not including stops and visits.
  • 14:00 (approximately)-return to Luang Prabang 

Min pax

1

Max pax

15

How to sell it

  • Our signature cycling product for Easia Active in Luang Prabang!
  • Exploring local life while enjoying beautiful scenery on mountain bicycles.
  • A half-day active off-road cycling excursion. 
  • Perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist areas in the city.
  • For leisure travelers that might want a bit of movement in between touring and relaxing. 
  • A route along single-track trails and dirt roads, through scenic farmland, quaint villages, and jungle forest.

Why this activity

  • An Easia signature active product in Luang Prabang.
  • Increases the offering of active products in Laos.
  • Combines active travel with leisure to create a unique and dynamic activity. 
  • A way to explore rural areas outside of the traditional tourist spots in the city. 
  • Great activity to add to any itinerary during a stay in Luang Prabang.

Good to combine with

  • Possible to do as an activity before an evening flight but make sure to book a late checkout.
  • Can be combined with activities in the late afternoon or evening – though please take into account that the guests may be tired:
    • Luang Prabang – Baci Ceremony at a local house – Starting at 18:00
  • Can be combined with other active products in Luang Prabang (on other days), for example:
    • Luang Prabang – Hike from Ban Long Lao to Kuang Sy Waterfalls
    • Luang Prabang – Kayaking on the Nam Khan River

Do not combine with

Market suggestion

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

FRANCE

ITALY

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

BENELUX

SCANDINAVIA

CEE

US

GERMANY

UK

BEST FOR FIT

BEST FOR GIT

Competitor comparison

  • Tiger Trail offers a loop in Chompet but does not follow the single-track section nor does it combine the cycling with the visits to the temples and viewpoint.

Pros

  • An Easia signature active product. 
  • Bicycles are of good quality and the supplier is reliable.
  • The trails are diverse and showcase rural Laos well.
  • Takes travelers to somewhere tourists would rarely get the chance to see. 
  • A unique activity that combines a physically demanding activity with a relaxing and rewarding lunch cruise.

Cons

  • We only provide English-speaking guides for active cycling tours.
  • Not many repair shops along the way so guide must know how to repair damaged bicycles.
  • Trails not suitable for cycling during the rainy season as very muddy and river crossings are dangerous.

Information

  • Distance: Approximately 25 kilometers
  • Duration: about 3 hours cycling, not including stops.
  • Average speed: 10 km/h
  • Elevation profile: Hilly. Ascent of 316.5 meters. Descent of 316.5 meters.
  • Terrain: Single track trails and dirt roads
  • Difficulty: Difficult – Level 2
  • Type of bicycle: Mountain bicycle TREK 3700 or similar (both disc brake and v-brakes)
  • Bicycles available:11, but the supplier can arrange for more if told in advance.
  • In case of emergency: It is possible to reach the group by car/truck/tuk-tuk. In the harder to reach sections of the single track it is also possible to arrive by motorbike or tok-tok. Depending on the seriousness of the emergency the guide should inform the operation team who can advise and coordinate with the relevant authorities and rescue services.

Alerts

  • Public ferry is used during this tour and guests may have to wait for it to leave.
  • We do not provide this cycling tour during the rainy season.
  • Guests should bring sun lotion, good shoes for cycling, and a small backpack.
  • Cyclists must be able to carry their own water/snacks as there are very few places to re-supply – guests will be provided with several bottles of water to put in the bottle cage and their backpack.

Important information

  • Map of the activity – please do not share with the clients.
  • SEASONALITY DETAILS: The activity is more beautiful early in the season, around October and November, when the fields are green and the vegetation is more lush. In the dry season it is less charming and the fields do not have crops.
  • LOGISTIC AND TRANSPORTATION:
    • Standard logistic:
      • 1 to 4 pax:
        • 1 Cycling guide
        • Truck support with 1 spare bike
      • 5 to 15 pax:
        • 1 Cycling guide
        • 1 mechanic
        • Truck support with 2 spare bikes
    • Superior logistic:
      • 1 to 15 pax:
        • 1 Cycling guide
        • 1 Mechanic
        • Truck support with spare bike
  • BICYCLES AVAILABLE: Mountain bicycle TREK 3700 or similar (both disc and V-brake versions)
    • Small (13”-16”): 5
    • Medium (18”-19.5”): 4
    • Large (20”-22.5”): 2
    • Note: the supplier can arrange for more bicycles from partner businesses
  • SNACK PACKAGES:
    • Snack standard package (local snacks) + Water supply (3l/pax/day) – rice crackers, peanuts, bananas…
    • Snack superior package (European snacks) + Water supply (3l/pax/day) – cereal bars, chocolate…
  • Stop for snacks in Ban Som – guests may also be able to buy soft drinks here.
  • Extra snack stop at Wat Had Siaw if guests want as they will arrive back in the mid-afternoon.
  • Frequency of drink stops depends on the needs of the participants – suggested stops every 8 – 10 kilometers.

Price range

$$$

Quotation guideline

On ERP – Modules:

  • Luang Prabang > Module 1D > ACTIVE – Standard Logistic – Easia Signature – Cycling the Charming Trails of Chompet – 1D – ENG
  • Luang Prabang > Module 1D > ACTIVE – Superior Logistic – Easia Signature – Cycling the Charming Trails of Chompet – 1D – ENG
  • The Easia English-speaking active cycling guide for LPB has been included already in the module.
  • Tour leaders will be considered as a tour guide and the cost of the services will be divided by all groups – in this case add another “Mountain bike rental and helmet for GUIDE or TL/day/service; Per service” to the module
  • Ferry fee (both ways) for guides/mechanic/TL is included in the price for the guests (accounting: pay 2x 10,000kip per pax for clients + 5,000 kip per guide/mechanic)
  • Spare bikes must be paid for – they are included in the module.
  • Snack standard package (local snacks) + Water supply (3l/pax/day) – 5$ per pax – include only local snacks such as rice crackers, peanuts, bananas…
  • Snack superior package (European snacks) + Water supply (3l/pax/day) – 8$ per pax – include cereal bars, chocolate…

Inclusion

  • Bike Rental fee (including helmet) for guests and guide/mechanic/tour leader
  • Snacks and water for guide/mechanic/tour leader and guests
  • Boat transfers for bikes and pax
  • Truck support and spare bikes

Exclusion

  • Transfers to boat pier from hotel
  • Easia English-speaking Active guide

Important notes

  • Provide maps to the cycling guide
  • Request information Active client excel file from Sales: Name and surname of the guests, their height, Bike Size, the cyclists’ level, allergies, insurance details.
  • Send to the bike supplier the information about the participants when you book the service in order to prepare the bikes he has available and to request more if necessary.
  • At least 2 days in advance of the group’s arrival reconfirm the service
  • Request the bike supplier similar type of bike, same brand and if possible same color.
  • Request the bike supplier to provide necessary tools (helmets) and bike repair parts (tube, patch, pump).
  • Request the bike supplier deliver the bicycles to the back of the National Museum, at the top of the hill by the ferry crossing by 07:15 and that the bikes be numbered or named for each guest.
  • When choosing a guide/mechanic make sure the guide knows how to repair a broken chain and a puncture as these are likely the main repairs that would need to be made.
  • Transfers for the guests – guide should collect extra water from the office and meet before with the transfer. Guide should distribute water to the guests when collecting the bikes. Guests will carry 1 small bottle of water provided by the bike supplier and 3 small bottles provided by Easia Travel.
  • Explain to the support truck driver (same person as bike supplier) that he should go ahead to Ban Som and have his phone available (provide his number to the guide) in case of emergencies. Just before guests leave from Ban Som he should drive ahead towards Ban Nakham and wait there. After the guests pass here he is free to go back to the other side of the river and wait to collect the bikes.
  • Always remember to provide the first aid kit to the guide.
  • Need to reconfirm with bike shop one or 2 days before the tour and check the equipment before the tour.
  • Explain to the guide that he needs to stop for snacks in Ban Som – guests may also be able to buy soft drinks here. The stop could either be in the center of the village or around the rice fields by the stream (see map)
  • Explain to the guide that he needs to stop for an extra snack stop at Wat Had Siaw if guests want as they will arrive back in the mid-afternoon.
  • Explain to the guide that the frequency of drink stops depends on the needs of the participants – suggested stops every 8 – 10 kilometers.

Special Guide notes

  • The guide and/or mechanic must know how to repair a broken bicycle (snapped chain, puncture etc.)
  • The guide should be briefed and know about the route and stops and also what snacks he needs to prepare
  • The guide should collect water from the office and go with the transfer to meet guests. Guide should distribute water to the guests at the boat pier.
  • Guide should stop in Ban Som to explain about the rice farming – how they do it and when. Guide should also be able to explain a little bit about Wat Had Siaw – the walking meditation corridor and hill for meditation. Wat Chompet – 123 steps, built in 1888
  • Explain clearly to the guides the client’s profile and the guests’ expectations.
  • Should have a list of client names and their corresponding bike number.
  • Guide should have the phone number of the support truck driver.
  • Should prepare and check that the water and snacks are ready before the tour.
  • Guide must do the briefing before starting cycling – he needs to announce:
    • Cycling rules and sign to follow during the ride
    • Oblige the travelers to wear the helmet – it is mandatory
    • Distance and duration of the cycling day
    • Where they will go, what they will visit, and points of interest
    • Type of terrain
    • Share some local insight and information about the locations, sites, culture before departure
    • Should give information about the code of conduct, how to behave on the destination respecting environment and locals
    • Should check the climate conditions before the tour to avoid risks (for example, bring rain coats) and be careful during the tour not to put the lives of the guests in danger.
  • Cycling guide must be flexible on the spot: adapt the speed to the needs of the clients
  • Detailed timing: Departure- early morning from hotel, in order to enjoy the cool weather. Pick-up at 07:30
  • Guide must stop and allow the guests to take photos and interact with locals if they wish; important to allow guests to experience local life of the country.
  • Language – use polite language and adapt the behavior depending on the guests’ character and behavior
  • Shoes – proper shoes – please no sandals or flip flops
  • Bike uniform – guide must dress properly, wearing cycling clothes (Easia Travel T shirt if available)

Different Choice

Contact

  • Bike supplier and support truck (Mr. Alounsack) – 020 55545444

English

Cycling the Charming Trails of Chompet

You will embark on a unique mountain bike excursion into a rarely visited rural area of Chompet District. Your journey begins with a Mekong River crossing before reaching a bustling village. The road here is perfect for warming up before the dirt tracks that you will be riding on through small settlements and farms. You will cycle towards Ban Na and Ban Som-idyllic Lao Loum villages nestled on the slopes amongst the rice paddies. After taking a refreshment stop in Ban Som, your journey continues along varied terrain and across a small river before joining a single-track trail used by local residents and children to travel to the farms and school. After you leave the single-track trail, the path continues through several smaller villages before taking you over the bridge, back into the UNESCO protected area of the city along the Mekong River. The adventure is rounded off by a visit to Wat Had Siaw, one of the only temples in Luang Prabang to have a Meditation corridor, followed by Wat Chompet, a hilltop temple built in 1888 and boasting one of the best views overlooking Luang Prabang.

Level: 2
Distance & duration of cycling: 25 kilometers / 3 hours cycling (timing does not include visits, boat ride, breaks & lunch)
Total elevation gain : 0 meters (+316.5 / -316.5 meters)
Terrain: A mix of single-track dirt trails and dirt roads road and jungle trails / undulating with some short but steep uphill sections
Transportation: 10 minutes to the boat pier 

Notes: Duration of the full activity: approximately  – 07 h 30 – 14 h 00

French

Promenade à vélo sur les charmants sentiers de Chompet

Vous embarquerez pour une excursion unique en VTT dans une zone rurale rarement visitée du district de Chompet. Votre voyage commence par une traversée du Mékong avant d’atteindre un village animé. La route est parfaite pour s’échauffer avant d’emprunter les chemins de terre qui traversent les petites localités et les fermes. Vous roulerez vers Ban Na et Ban Som, deux villages lao-loums idylliques nichés sur les pentes au milieu des rizières. Après une halte rafraîchissante à Ban Som, vous poursuivrez votre route sur un terrain varié et traverserez une petite rivière avant de rejoindre un sentier à voie unique utilisé par les habitants et les enfants pour se rendre dans les fermes et à l’école. Après avoir quitté la piste unique, le chemin continue à travers plusieurs petits villages avant de vous faire traverser le pont, pour revenir dans la zone protégée par l’UNESCO de la ville, le long du Mékong. L’aventure se termine par une visite du Wat Had Siaw, l’un des seuls temples de Luang Prabang à disposer d’un couloir de méditation, suivi du Wat Chompet, un temple situé au sommet d’une colline, construit en 1888 et offrant l’une des meilleures vues sur Luang Prabang.

Niveau : 2
Distance et durée de l’activité à vélo : 25 kilomètres / 3 heures de vélo (sans compter les visites, le trajet en bateau, les pauses et le déjeuner)
Dénivelé total : 0 mètres (+ 316,5 mètres / – 316,5 mètres)
Type de terrain : un mélange de sentiers en terre à sens unique, de route de terre et de chemins à travers la jungle / la route serpente avec quelques courts tronçons de route escarpée
Transport : 10 minutes jusqu’au quai
Remarques : l’activité commence vers 7 h 30 et se termine vers 14 h.

Spanish

Excursión en bici por los encantadores caminos de Chompet

Emprenderá una excursión única en bicicleta de montaña por una zona rural poco visitada del distrito de Chompet. Su viaje comienza con el cruce del río Mekong antes de llegar a una bulliciosa aldea. La carretera aquí es perfecta para calentar antes de las pistas de tierra por las que circulará a través de pequeños asentamientos y granjas. Pedaleará hacia Ban Na y Ban Som, idílicas aldeas de Lao Loum enclavadas en las laderas entre arrozales. Después de hacer una parada en Ban Som, el viaje continúa por un terreno variado y cruzando un pequeño río antes de unirse a un sendero de una sola pista utilizado por los residentes locales y los niños para ir a las granjas y a la escuela. Una vez abandonado el sendero de una sola pista, el camino continúa a través de varias aldeas más pequeñas antes de llevarle sobre el puente, de vuelta a la zona protegida por la UNESCO de la ciudad a lo largo del río Mekong. La aventura se completa con una visita a Wat Had Siaw, uno de los únicos templos de Luang Prabang que cuenta con un corredor de meditación, seguido de Wat Chompet, un templo construido en 1888 en lo alto de una colina y que goza de una de las mejores vistas de Luang Prabang.

Nivel: 2.
Distancia y duración de la excursión en bici: 25 kilómetros / 3 horas de excursión en bici (el tiempo no incluye las visitas, el trayecto en barco, las pausas ni el almuerzo).
Diferencia de altitud: 0 metros (+316,5/ -316,5 metros).
Terreno: una combinación de caminos de tierra de un solo carril y carreteras de tierra y senderos en la selva / terreno ondulado con algunas secciones ascendentes escarpadas pero cortas.
Transporte: 10 minutos hasta el puerto. 
Notas: duración de la actividad completa: aproximadamente de 7:30 a 14 00.

Italian

In bicicletta tra gli incantevoli sentieri di Chompet

Partite per un’escursione unica in mountain bike in un’area rurale raramente visitata del distretto di Chompet. Il viaggio inizia con l’attraversamento del fiume Mekong prima di raggiungere un vivace villaggio. La strada qui è perfetta per riscaldarsi prima delle piste sterrate che percorrerete attraverso piccoli insediamenti e fattorie. Pedalerete verso Ban Na e Ban Som, idilliaci villaggi Lao Loum adagiati sui pendii tra le risaie. Dopo una sosta di ristoro a Ban Som, il viaggio prosegue su un terreno vario e attraversa un piccolo fiume prima di unirsi a un sentiero a binario unico utilizzato dai residenti locali e dai bambini per raggiungere le fattorie e la scuola. Dopo aver lasciato il sentiero, il percorso prosegue attraverso diversi piccoli villaggi prima di tornare, attraverso il ponte, nell’area protetta dall’UNESCO della città lungo il fiume Mekong. L’avventura si conclude con la visita al Wat Had Siaw, uno degli unici templi di Luang Prabang ad avere un corridoio per la meditazione, seguito dal Wat Chompet, un tempio in cima a una collina costruito nel 1888 che vanta una delle migliori viste su Luang Prabang.

Livello 2

Distanza e durata del giro in bicicletta: 25 chilometri / 3 ore di bicicletta (i tempi non includono visite, giro in barca, pause e pranzo)

Dislivello totale: 0 metri (+316,5 / -316,5 metri)

Terreno: misto di sentieri a corsia unica, strade sterrate e sentieri ondulati nella giungla, con alcune brevi ma ripide sezioni in salita

Trasporto: 10 minuti al molo della barca

Note: Durata dell’attività completa, circa: dalle 07:30 alle 14:00

German

Radtour auf den malerischen Wegen von Chompet

Sie begeben sich auf einen einzigartigen Mountainbike-Ausflug in eine selten besuchte ländliche Gegend im Distrikt Chompet. Ihre Reise beginnt mit einer Überquerung des Mekong-Flusses, bevor Sie ein belebtes Dorf erreichen. Die Straße hier ist perfekt zum Aufwärmen vor den unbefestigten Wegen, auf denen Sie durch kleine Siedlungen und Bauernhöfe fahren werden. Sie radeln in Richtung Ban Na und Ban Som – idyllische Lao Loum-Dörfer, die an den Hängen zwischen Reisfeldern liegen. Nach einer Erfrischungspause in Ban Som geht es weiter durch abwechslungsreiches Gelände und über einen kleinen Fluss, bevor Sie auf einen einspurigen Weg stoßen, der von den Anwohnern und Kindern genutzt wird, um zu den Höfen und zur Schule zu gelangen. Nachdem Sie den einspurigen Weg verlassen haben, führt der Weg weiter durch mehrere kleinere Dörfer, bevor Sie über die Brücke zurück in das UNESCO-Schutzgebiet der Stadt entlang des Mekong-Flusses gelangen. Abgerundet wird das Abenteuer durch den Besuch des Wat Had Siaw, einem der einzigen Tempel in Luang Prabang, der über einen Meditationskorridor verfügt, gefolgt vom Wat Chompet, einem 1888 erbauten Tempel auf einem Hügel, der einen der besten Ausblicke auf Luang Prabang bietet.

Level: 2
Strecke & Dauer der Radtour: 25 Kilometer / 3 Stunden Radfahrt (diese Zeitangabe berücksichtigt nicht die Besichtigungen, die Bootstour, Pausen & Mittagessen)
Gesamt-Höhenunterschied: 0 Meter (+316,5 / -316,5 Meter)
Terrain: Eine Mischung aus einspurigen unbefestigten Wegen und Schotterstraßen sowie Dschungelpfaden / hügelig mit einigen kurzen, aber steilen Bereichen bergauf)
Transport: 10 Minuten bis zum Bootspier
Hinweise: Dauer der Ganztagsaktivität: etwa von 7.30 bis 14 Uhr