Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos

10 Day Hardcore Dirtbike Adventure Down the Original Ho Chi Minh Trail

Availability

This adventure heads out of Vientiane on December 09, 2024 and returns to Vientiane on December 18, 2024.

Spaces are extremely limited. Get in touch if you want to join the adventure.

Book Now

Tour Highlights

Conquer the Infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail

A wide river crossing south of Muong Phin

Original Trail cobblestones deep in the jungle

A 250 pound bomb north of Ta Oi

Challenging trails south of Sepon

Cold beers after another fantastic day on the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Jungle stream crossing south of Muong Nong

Wing tip of an F-4 Phantom fighter jet near the Mu Gia Pass

Ruins of a destroyed Vietnamese truck south of Ta Oi

Ruined tank east of Attepeu

Washed out stream east of Bualapha

Tour Description

Laos motorcycle tour

Experienced dirt bikers will relish riding the original cobblestoned Ho Chi Minh Trail through ultra-remote jungle.

Location

southern Laos

Duration

10 days, 11 nights

Total Distance

2,150 km

Motorcycle

Honda CRF 250

Pillion

unsuitable for pillion riders

Difficulty

off-road experience essential

The Motorcycle

Honda CRF 250

Engine

Engine Type	liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement	249 cc
Bore X Stroke	79 x 50.9
Ignition	computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Fuel System	PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio	13.9:1

Transmission

Engine Type	liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement	249 cc
Bore X Stroke	79 x 50.9
Ignition	computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Fuel System	PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio	13.9:1

Dimensions and Weight

Engine Type	liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement	249 cc
Bore X Stroke	79 x 50.9
Ignition	computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Fuel System	PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio	13.9:1

Wheels, Suspension and Brakes

Engine Type	liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement	249 cc
Bore X Stroke	79 x 50.9
Ignition	computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Fuel System	PGM-FI fuel injection
Compression Ratio	13.9:1

Tour Itinerary

Loop from Vientiane

Day 1: Vientiane – Lak Sao

Day 2: Lak Sao – Bualapha

200 km
motel
Mu Gia Pass and Ban Phanop Valley
A day that starts with lovely tarmac cruising through dramatic karst limestone peaks leading to the base of the Mu Gia Pass. We’ll explore Ban Phanop village and valley, which was absolutely smashed by USA bombing. There are so many craters that the entire area looks like the moon when seen from above.

Day 3: Bualapha – Sepon

210 km
hotel
Ban Laboy Crossing, Ban Karai border pass with Vietnam, Route 20, The Chokes and caves filled with NVA war material
A challenging day to tackle single tracks in the jungle and explore the cobblestoned trails and caves near the infamous Ban Laboy Crossing, a route the Vietnamese used to enter Laos. This area was also smashed by relentless bombing and is the real deal.

Day 4: Sepon

150 km
hotel
tunnel HQ of the NVA leadership that controlled the Trail and a cave with a 500,000-litre NVA petrol tank
We’ll strike up into the hills above Sepon and explore the former HQ of the 559 Corps, a tunnel complex hidden in the forest. Then head towards the Vietnamese border to discover a supply cave that houses enormous petrol tanks.

Day 5: Sepon – Sekong

220 km
motel
military museum at Ban Dong, a 200-metre long bamboo bridge, challenging single tracks, the infamous Oscar 8 battle site and the mighty Sekong River
An early start is imperative because we have some excellent cobblestones to ride in the morning before riding across an impressive 200-metre-long bamboo bridge. If the group is strong enough, we’ll take on the challenge of riding a deteriorated section of the Trail before hitting the tarmac and settling down in the riverside town of Sekong.

Day 6: Sekong – Attepeu

200 km
riverside hotel
ruined tanks and SAAM missiles
Tackle small cobblestone trails through dry, sandy pine forests, past ruined tanks, surface-to-air missiles, and very remote hill tribe communities. We’ll end our day swimming in the Sekong River as the sun goes down.

Day 7: Attepeu – Saravan

150 km
hotel
an easy morning by the river
We deserve some time off the bikes, so we’ll take it easy in the morning, enjoying brunch by the Sekong River. An afternoon ride on easy tarmac gets us to Saravan, where we’ll take it easy and explore an enormous market and enjoy a BBQ feast.

Day 8: Saravan – Villabury

180 km
motel
forest trails and the ruins of the Tad Hai Bridge
Time to head northwards up former French Colonial Route 13 on sandy forest trails, past the ruins of the Tad Hai Bridge, before heading up another dirt trail used by the NVA during the war.

Day 9: Villabury – Thaket

130 km
riverside hotel
heavily bombed Chokes area of the Trail, lovely karst scenery and the former colonial town of Thaket
An easy, delightful day up through the infamous ‘Chokes’, a series of interdiction points ruthlessly bombed during the war, past villages that still contain many war relics. Then we’ll ride past beautiful karst mountains. Before we know it, we’ll be sitting comfortably by the banks of the Mekong River, enjoying the afternoon in the former colonial town of Thaket, which boasts beautiful old French architecture.

Day 10: Thaket – Vientiane

Tour Gallery

Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos

Pricing Options

Per Rider

Rider US$3,300

(private accommodation)

Pillion N/A

(this ride is unsuitable for pillion riders)

Inclusions and Extras

All-Inclusive Laos motorcycle tour

Motorcycle Hire

You’ll be riding a 250cc Honda CRF.

Support Vehicle

On tours with five riders or more, a support vehicle carrying tools, luggage, and a spare motorcycle is standard. If your group has fewer riders than six, you can be accompanied by a support truck for an additional charge of US$150 per day (shared between all the riders as an extra cost).

Accommodation

Enjoy a private room throughout and a night in Vientiane both before and after the adventure.

Meals

All meals are included.

Western Guide and Local Guide/Mechanic

Each adventure will be led by Digby Greenhalgh, a world expert on the Trail’s history, who has been exploring it since 2004, and a Laotian guide/mechanic.

Petrol, Personal Expenses and Alcohol

Carry a little extra cash to pay for petrol.

Travel and Medical Insurance

You will need to have good medical and evacuation insurance.

Damage to the Motorcycle

Any damage to your motorcycle must be paid for at the end of the ride.

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Mongolia Adventure

Take a Wild Ride intoMongolia

BBC

Channel 4

BBC

Fox International

BBC

HCM Trail Then and Now

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 2)

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 3)

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 4)

Jet Crashes and Hidden Treasure

Ride With Us

History

Partners

Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos

10 Day Hardcore Dirtbike Adventure Down the Original Ho Chi Minh Trail

Availability

Book Now

Tour Highlights

Conquer the Infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail

Tour Description

Laos motorcycle tour

Location

Duration

Total Distance

Motorcycle

Pillion

Difficulty

The Motorcycle

Honda CRF 250

Tour Itinerary

Loop from Vientiane

Tour Gallery

Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos

Pricing Options

Per Rider

Inclusions and Extras

All-Inclusive Laos motorcycle tour

Tour Video

The Experience

Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos

Conquer the Infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail

Himalayan Adventure

Explore the Highest Roads in the Himalayas

Mongolia Adventure

Explore Mongolia's Open Steppes

Navigation

Ride With Us

Explore

Take a Wild Ride into
Mongolia