Luxury bikepacking Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang – 7 days, 500+ km, epic climbs, remote villages, and stunning landscapes. An unforgettable cycling adventure through Thailand & Laos.
Seven days, over 500 km, and some of the toughest climbs I’ve ever tackled. This bikepacking trip from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang was epic.
From fast highway sections and remote jungle climbs to gravel roads where I didn’t see another soul for hours, every day brought challenges, surprises, and incredible scenery.
There were moments of pure exhaustion. Hauling my 35 kg bike up 18% gradients, running out of water in the middle of nowhere, and questioning my sanity on brutal climbs.
But there were also moments of pure magic. Kids cheering me on in tiny villages, sunrise rides along the Mekong, and rolling into Luang Prabang on a ferry, knowing I’d made it.
This trip pushed my limits but rewarded me in ways I never expected.
In this article, I share my exact route and the places I stayed.
If you’ve ever thought about bikepacking through northern Thailand and Laos, this might just be the adventure you’re looking for!
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This YouTube video showcases my luxury bikepacking adventure from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. It features the route, stunning views, and highlights of my journey.
Bikepacking Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Itinerary
| Day | Start | End | Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Chiang Rai | Mae Sai | 79.4 km | 1.530 m |
| Day 2 | Mae Sai | Pak Tha | 140 km | 1.060 m |
| Day 3 | Pak Tha | Ban Namkha | 31.5 km | 320 m |
| Day 4 | Ban Namkha | Pakbeng | 68.2 km | 2.060 m |
| Day 5 | Pakbeng | Hongsa | 83.3 km | 2.150 m |
| Day 6 | Hongsa | Pak Long | 109 km | 3.140 m |
| Day 7 | Pak Long | Luang Prabang | 15.5 km | 170 m |
Day 1: Chiang Rai to Mae Sai – From Traffic to Total Isolation
Today marked the first stage of my bikepacking journey from Chiang Rai, Thailand, to Luang Prabang, Laos. 213 km of adventure ahead!
The first 40 km flew by, mainly on the main highway. Traffic was heavy but manageable, and I made great time, covering the stretch in just 1.5 hours.
But as soon as I turned onto small side roads, everything changed. The smooth pavement gave way to gravel, and suddenly, I was deep in the mountains. Just me, my bike, and endless farmland.
Then came the real challenge! A 17 km climb, starting at km 43 and ending at km 60. I thought it would be an easy ascent, but with gradients between 10-12% and sections hitting 20-22%, it was a brutal grind.
Especially with a 35 kg loaded bike!
Every pedal stroke was a fight, but reaching the military outpost at the top was worth every drop of sweat. The views were unreal!
From there, I followed the border road to the northernmost point of Thailand, stopping at a café with stunning views of a sheep farm for a quick break.
After a photo at the landmark, I climbed up to a beautiful purple temple near the immigration office before finally checking into my hotel. A well-earned massage and a solid meal wrapped up an epic first day!
Accommodation: Navy Home Hotel
Day 2: Mae Sai to Pak. Tha – A Border Crossing and an Unexpected Push
What a day! The plan was simple: cycle 93 km to the border town on the Thai side, stay overnight, and cross into Laos tomorrow. But as always with bikepacking, plans tend to change.
The first 30 km to the Golden Triangle were a breeze. Fast, smooth, and incredibly fun.
I stopped for a few photos, chatted with a family from Myanmar, and soaked in the atmosphere of this famous meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
A quick breakfast/lunch stop later, my motivation hit a low. With 50 km still to go, I just wasn’t feeling it.
Then came the only major climb of the day and, with it, an unexpected surge of energy. The climb was pure joy, and the rolling hills afterward made for an exhilarating ride all the way to Chiang Khong, my planned overnight stop.
But when I got there, I just didn’t feel like stopping. So I made a last-minute decision: cross the border today.
The crossing was fast and straightforward. There were barely any people, and having an eVisa made it even smoother.
One thing to note: the immigration officer asked for a THB 50 “service fee.” I told him I wasn’t supposed to pay anything since everything was already included in my eVisa fee. He wasn’t happy (clearly hoping to pocket the cash), but in the end, he gave me my stamp without further issues.
Another thing: you can’t cycle across the border bridge. You must take a bus, which costs 100 THB for the bike and 20 THB for yourself.
They claim it’s because there’s no dedicated bike lane, but with almost no traffic and plenty of space, it feels more like a money-making scheme. That said, it wasn’t expensive, and the wait was short, so it was no big deal.
Once in Laos, I still wasn’t ready to call it a day. I pushed on for another 35 km to Pak Tha, racing against the fading daylight.
The first 15 km were smooth, but then the road turned into a dusty, unpaved mess. Trucks kicked up clouds of dirt, covering me and my bike in grime, but I kept pedaling, arriving just as darkness set in.
Thankfully, I found a guesthouse and managed to grab a decent meal. Options were limited, but anything tastes great after 140 km and 1,100 m of climbing. It was an epic first day in Laos, and definitely a ride I won’t forget!
Accommodation: Phetoudomphone Guest House
Day 3: Pak Tha to Ban Namkha – No Such Thing as an Easy Day
Today was meant to be an active recovery day. I was going to ride a short and easy 29 km to my next stop. But as I quickly learned, Laos does not have easy cycling days.
The entire route was on rough, dusty gravel roads, making even a short ride challenging. At times, the dust was so thick I could barely see ahead.
My legs felt heavy from yesterday’s long ride, but despite the exhaustion, it was still an enjoyable ride with quiet roads, small villages, and friendly locals.
One of the highlights? A man on a motorcycle pulled up next to me and handed me a bag with water, an apple, and an energy bar. Such a simple gesture, but exactly what I needed at that moment.
After about two hours, I reached my destination, found a great guesthouse, enjoyed some good food, and finally got the rest I needed. Tomorrow, the adventure continues!
Accommodation: Phonemany guesthouse ເຮືອນພັກ ພອນມະນີ
Day 4: Ban Namkha to Pakbeng – A Brutal Climb, No Food, and a Big Feast in Pakbeng
Today was tough. Almost 70 km and a whole lot of climbing.
The plan was simple: 40 km uphill, then 30 km of smooth downhill on paved roads. In theory, it sounded manageable. In reality, it was anything but.
The climb peaked at 1,560 m, and with cloudy skies and just 11°C at the top, the conditions were actually perfect for a long ascent.
Once again, I passed through small villages, where kids waved, cheered, and even ran alongside me. Some even tried to push me up the steep hills, which was both hilarious and much appreciated.
The real challenge, though, wasn’t the elevation. It was the lack of food and water.
My only breakfast was a small bowl of noodle soup with a few tiny pieces of pork. Definitely not enough for a full day in the mountains. There were no food stalls, no shops, and no water stops for the entire ride.
I had a few cookies, but that was it. Usually, I would have stopped in a village, but with no internet for translation and not wanting to lose momentum, I just pushed through.
After six hours on the bike, I finally rolled into Pakbeng, which felt like a metropolis compared to the remote villages.
Hotels, restaurants, actual choices! I wasted no time: I found a place to stay, walked straight into a restaurant, and ordered two full main courses.
I decided to stay two nights in Pakbeng to recover before tackling the last three heavy stages to Luang Prabang. The rest day was well deserved!
Day 5: Pakbeng to Hongsa – Climbing into the Clouds
After a rest day in Pakbeng, it was time to hit the road again. 82 km with over 2,300 m of elevation gain. A brutal day on paper, but after a break, I was ready for the challenge.
I started early in the morning, and with temperatures around 11°C, it was freezing by Laos standards. The first 10 km followed the Mekong River, offering stunning views, before I crossed a bridge and headed into the mountains.
After three days of rough gravel, today’s ride was all on smooth asphalt. A much-needed relief. With almost no traffic, I cruised through quiet villages and endless mountain landscapes, enjoying the pure solitude of the ride.
The day ended in Hongsa, a small town mainly known for its massive power plant. Not much was happening here, but the local market was lively, and I got a great massage, which was perfect after all the climbing.
Food options were pretty limited, especially compared to Pakbeng, but I found a good local meal to refuel for tomorrow. It was a tough day, but it was an incredible ride!
Day 6: Hongsa to Pal Long – 100+ km, 3,000+ m Climbing, and a Surprise Ending
Today’s ride from Hongsa toward Luang Prabang was supposed to be tough. But it turned out even harder than expected.
There are two possible routes: the new highway via Xayaboury (longer, fewer mountains, heavy truck traffic) or the old 4B road (shorter, but way more climbing and no services). I went for the 4B route—because why not suffer a little more?
The first half of the stage featured two massive climbs, both reaching 1,400 m above sea level. The first was long but with rolling sections, making it manageable.
The second? Pure pain. Steep, relentless, with sections hitting 16-18%, all while hauling a 35 kg loaded bike. After the second climb, the route kept rolling up and down. No real relief, just constant effort.
I had planned to stop after 93 km, where Google Maps showed an accommodation. It didn’t exist.
No big deal. I continued to the next village. Still, there was no guesthouse. Locals told me there was one 5 km further. Cycled there.
Nothing!
At this point, there was no option but to keep going.
Finally, after 109 km, I stumbled upon a luxury camp in a nature park. And what a reward!
A stunning pool, a comfy room, and the best place to recover after what was probably the hardest stage of the trip so far.
I’ve done longer rides and more elevation gain, but never 100 km with 3,000 m of climbing on a fully loaded bike.
Brutal? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Accommodation: Luxury Camp at Green Jungle Park
Day 7: Pal Long to Luang Prabang – The Last 16 km to Luang Prabang
After yesterday’s brutal 109 km with 3,000+ m of climbing, today’s final stage was pure luxury.
Just 16 km to Luang Prabang. I took it slow and easy, starting the day with a relaxed morning and a fantastic breakfast at my hotel before finally rolling out around noon.
Not long after leaving, I reached the ferry crossing, as Luang Prabang sits on the other side of the Mekong River.
Crossing by ferry was a perfect way to arrive. It was scenic and peaceful, and a well-earned moment to soak in the journey. It was just 2 km from the ferry terminal to my hotel, and suddenly, the adventure was complete.
I checked into the 3 Nagas Luang Prabang—MGallery, a stunning luxury hotel in a UNESCO Heritage building in the heart of the city.
Luang Prabang was the perfect place to unwind after days of challenging climbs, gravel roads, and remote villages. This was the ultimate reward.
An epic journey from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang is done.
Accommodation: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery Hotel Collection
Luxury Stay at 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – The Perfect Place to Unwind
After days of challenging climbs and remote roads, I couldn’t have chosen a better place to relax than the 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery.
This stunning boutique hotel is set in a UNESCO World Heritage building, right in the heart of Luang Prabang, making it the perfect mix of luxury, history, and comfort.
Check out my whole experience in the YouTube video below!
Tim Kroeger, founder of Universal Traveller, is a Luxury Wellness & Active Travel Specialist with over 15 years of experience exploring the world.
Through his work with leading luxury hotels and travel brands, Tim helps connect premium travelers with exceptional experiences. His expertise spans hospitality trends, digital nomad lifestyles, and luxury bikepacking, combining adventure travel with comfort and style.
