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Outdoors

Luang Prabang Mekong Ride

You ride the flat old-town peninsula along the Mekong to Wat Xieng Thong at the tip, where the Mekong meets the Nam Khan, then back along the Nam Khan side below Mount Phousi. When the seasonal bamboo bridge is up you can cross the Nam Khan, or take the ferry over the Mekong to Hmong villages around Chomphet.

For The Reps · Updated

bike ride scenery for Luang Prabang Mekong Ride near Luang Prabang
Photo: Landscape of Luang Prabang with a temporary wooden footbridge by Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Luang Prabang, Laos

The route

Old-town peninsula loop along the Mekong and Nam Khan, with an optional ferry to Chomphet.

Start in the old town, where several shops hire mountain and city bikes, for example on Kingkitsarath Road.

When to go

The dry season from November to April is best; March to May is very hot, and smoke from field burning between late February and April can irritate eyes and lungs.

Permits and fees

Wat Xieng Thong charged 20,000 kip entry as of January 2024, and Wikivoyage lists the Mekong ferry to Chomphet at 5,000 kip.

Before you go

  • Expect to pay around 60,000 kip a day for a bike.
  • Cover shoulders and midriff at temples.
  • For a longer day, Kuang Si Falls is about 29 km south on a twisty, paved road.

What to bring

  • Helmet
  • Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
  • Water and snacks
  • Front and rear lights
  • A layer for descents and stops

Getting ready for it

Time in the saddle matters more than speed.

If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.

Staying safe

  • Traffic is growing and can be dangerous at times; watch for sand-filled potholes on roads out of town.
  • Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
  • Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against en.wikivoyage.org, en.wikipedia.org and en.wikipedia.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.