Yunnan to Laos: Cycling, Trekking and River Routes — 14 Days
From Kunming through the Tea Horse Route to Luang Prabang, combining cycling with trekking, boat travel and stays in trading towns and hill villages.
This 14-day itinerary crosses two countries by bicycle, foot, and water. The first half moves through Yunnan Province—cycling the historic Tea Horse trade routes that connected imperial China to the Tibetan plateau. You'll pass through territories of the Naxi, Yi, and Bai peoples, stay in preserved trading towns with cobblestone streets and timber-frame architecture, and ride between mountains and lakes at elevations between 1,960 and 2,400 meters. A high-speed train then carries you south into Laos, where the pace and landscape shift markedly. The second half combines cycling in rural areas with boat journeys down the Nam Ou River, trekking to waterfalls, and visits to villages where local economies still center on subsistence agriculture and small-scale trade. You'll end in Luang Prabang, the former royal capital. Throughout, English-speaking guides and a support vehicle travel with the group, allowing riders to set their own pace and allowing optional rest days or vehicle transfers. Most accommodation is in hotels or guesthouses in towns; meals are sourced locally.
Highlights
- Cycling 30 km around Baisha village through Naxi and Yi farmland to Yufeng Temple at 2,400 m
- Shaxi Old Town, a preserved Tang Dynasty trading post on the Tea Horse Route and UNESCO-listed site
- Cycling 100 km from Eryuan Hot Springs to Dali Old Town between Er Hai Lake and Cangshan Mountain
- Train crossing from Kunming to Oudomxay on the China–Laos international high-speed line
- 100 Waterfalls Trek from Nong Khiaw through streams, rice paddies and jungle in the Nam Ou valley
- Pak Ou Buddha Caves and overnight in a floating guesthouse on the Mekong River
- Kuang Si Waterfalls trek and visit to Laos Water Buffalo Dairy, a community education project
Day by day
1Arrival in KunmingKunming airport · your hotel
You arrive at Kunming airport, where your guide meets and transfers you to your hotel. In the evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to local Yunnan cuisine and covers the itinerary ahead. Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, has a year-round mild climate. The city has museums, parks including Haigeng Park on the shores of Dianchi Lake, and access to the Western Hills scenic area if you arrive early. The surrounding region is home to multiple ethnic groups and served as a historical trading nexus connecting southeastern China to Southeast Asia.
2Lijiang and Cycling to BaishaLijiang · Suhe · Naxi and Yi villages and farmland · Yufeng Temple · Lijiang's old streets · local restaurants
After breakfast, you take a 3.5-hour fast train to Lijiang, arriving at mid-elevation (2,400 m). After checking into a hotel in the old town (Suhe), you cycle a 30 km route through Naxi and Yi villages and farmland. The ride includes one significant climb to reach Yufeng Temple. Road surfaces are mixed—off-road tracks and village paths. In the evening, you have time to wander Lijiang's old streets or sample local restaurants.
3Lijiang to Shaxi Old TownShaxi Old Town · Tai'an village · backroads toward Shaxi · Jianchuan
You transfer to Tai'an village (20–30 km), then cycle backroads toward Shaxi. The route descends onto a main road near Jianchuan, where you stop for lunch, then climbs a series of short passes before a long descent into Shaxi Old Town. Total distance: 80 km. Elevation drops to 2,100 m. Shaxi is a preserved trading post from the Tang Dynasty (618 onward), formed as a staging point on the Tea Horse Route—the network of paths used for transporting tea, salt, and other goods between imperial China and the Tibetan highlands. The town's cobblestone streets, timber-frame architecture, and carved wooden doors remain largely intact. Sideng Square, at the town center, is the original marketplace.
4Shaxi to Eryuan Hot SpringsShaxi to Eryuan Hot Springs · Eryuan Hot Springs
Today's 100 km cycle follows a valley route through villages, forests, and farmland. As you gain elevation, views extend across the landscape; a pass through dense pine forest marks the highest point of the day's ride. The descent from the pass features numerous hairpin turns on paved road. You finish by cycling down through a ravine into Eryuan, arriving at 2,060 m. The hotel has naturally heated hot springs fed by local geothermal sources. Most riders use the evening to soak and recover.
5Cycle to Dali Old TownDali Old Town · Er Hai Lake to Cangshan Mountain
Today's 60 km ride takes you between Er Hai Lake and Cangshan Mountain through farming communities, fishing villages, and ancient temples. The route is paved and shared with local traffic. As you approach Dali, you climb steadily toward the old walled town, gaining altitude to 1,960 m.
Dali has been home to the Bai people since at least the 3rd century BC. They established two significant kingdoms in this region: the Nanzhao Kingdom (649–902) and the Dali Kingdom (937–1253), before Mongol incorporation into greater China. Today, over 1.5 million Bai people live in and around Dali, and their culture shapes the region's character.
The old town showcases fine woodworking and architectural detail for which the Bai are known. The combination of landscape, climate, and local hospitality creates a laid-back atmosphere.
In the evening, you have dinner to mark the completion of your cycling journey through Yunnan.
6Dali: Free Time and Return Train to KunmingDali · Kunming · Cangshan Mountain · Dali train station
Morning and early afternoon are unscheduled. You can walk the old streets, visit markets, or hike partway up Cangshan Mountain. Late afternoon, you transfer to Dali train station for a 2-hour journey back to Kunming. Your hotel is located next to Kunming South Station.
7High-Speed Train to Laos and Cycling from OudomxayKunming · Oudomxay station · Oudomxay to Kat River
The international high-speed train departs Kunming, crossing into Laos at the border. Bring a packed lunch for the journey. You are met at Oudomxay station in the afternoon. From the station, you cycle approximately 30 km to your hotel on the banks of the Kat River, arriving by late afternoon.
8Oudomxay to Muang Khua CyclingOudomxay to Muang Khua · Muang Khua
A 100 km cycle with gentle grades and long descents takes you to Muang Khua at the gateway to Phongsaly Province. The route passes through villages of Phu Thai, Thai Lu, Hmong, Thai Dam, Lao, and Khamu ethnic groups. Tourism infrastructure is limited in this region. Muang Khua is a border trading town where multiple languages—Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese, and Mandarin—are heard in markets and restaurants. You overnight in Oudomxay.
9Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw by BoatNong Khiaw · Nam Ou River · rural riverside communities · Muang Ngoi
After breakfast, you travel to a dock to board a traditional long-tail boat for a day-long cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. You stop at rural riverside communities along the way and pause at Muang Ngoi to visit a local cave complex before continuing downriver. Nong Khiaw is a small riverside settlement. The boat ride covers approximately 60 km, and wildlife including birds and fish is often visible.
10Nong Khiaw: 100 Waterfalls TrekNong Khiaw · 100 Waterfalls · Nam Ou River · 100 Waterfalls cascade system · top of the falls
The day begins with a morning boat ride on the Nam Ou River. You stop at a small village, then transfer to hiking. The trek leads through streams and rice paddies to the base of the 100 Waterfalls cascade system. For several hours, you walk through jungle and among waterfalls, guided by a local guide who prepares lunch on-site. You ascend a narrow villagers' trail to the top of the falls, which offers views of the Nam Ou valley. The descent returns you through active farmland. You return to Nong Khiaw for the night.
11Nong Khiaw to Pak Ou: Valley Cycling and Buddha Cavesthe valley to Pakmong · Hadpang · Pak Ou's limestone caves · Mekong River · floating guesthouse · Mekong River bank
Cycle 30 km through the valley to Pakmong, then transfer by vehicle for one hour to Hadpang before continuing to Pak Ou's limestone caves. The caves hold Buddha statues left by pilgrims over centuries. You have time to swim in the Mekong River and rest on the bank before settling into your floating guesthouse for the night.
12Pak Ou to Luang Prabang: Short Ride and Craft VillagesPak Ou to Luang Prabang · handicraft villages · Hmong night market
A 35 km morning cycle brings you to Luang Prabang. En route, you stop at handicraft villages where local artisans produce traditional mulberry-fiber paper called Saa. The afternoon is free; you can rest or visit the Hmong night market, a regular gathering of vendors selling food, textiles, and local goods.
13Kuang Si Waterfalls Trek and Community VisitKuang Si Waterfalls · Long Lao · Laos Water Buffalo Dairy · Khaiphean restaurant · Long Lao to Luang Prabang
A short transfer takes you to Long Lao, a Hmong village of approximately 80 families. The community maintains an 8 km trail that ascends to Kuang Si Waterfalls. You hike to the top, swim in the pools, and have lunch. On the return journey to Luang Prabang, you visit Laos Water Buffalo Dairy, a community enterprise focused on animal husbandry education and welfare. The dairy produces ice cream sold locally, generating income for participating families. Later, a farewell dinner is held at Khaiphean restaurant, an NGO that provides vocational training to youth in the area. The day includes approximately 30 km of cycling.
14Luang Prabang: Departureairport
Your guide escorts you to the airport at the time of your departure flight.
Where you go
- 1Suhe
- 2Yufeng Temple
- 3Lijiang's old streets
- 4Shaxi Old Town
- 5backroads toward Shaxi
- 6Jianchuan
- 7Eryuan Hot Springs
- 8Dali Old Town
- 9Er Hai Lake to Cangshan Mountain
- 10Dali
- 11Cangshan Mountain
- 12Muang Khua
- 13Nong Khiaw
- 14Nam Ou River
- 15Muang Ngoi
- 16Nong Khiaw
- 17100 Waterfalls
- 18Nam Ou River
- 19100 Waterfalls cascade system
- 20Pak Ou's limestone caves
- 21Mekong River
- 22Kuang Si Waterfalls
- 23Laos Water Buffalo Dairy
Included
- All sightseeing as described in program above
- Bike Rental, Helmets and Locks
- Transportation in private a /c vehicles-
- 5 Nights Accommodation in hotels (Twin or Double)
- English speaking guide
- Meals: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- Lao PDR governmental tax and service charge
- Luggage handling
- All Boat Transfers
- Souvenir Cycle Jersey
Not included
- International air tickets to/from Laos
- Visa fee (approximately US$30/pax, depending on nationality)
- Travel insurance of any kind
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips, drinks, personal expenses and other expenses not described in the program above
- Single room surcharge on request
Activities: Cycling