Muang Sing Biking Tour (1 day)
An easy one day bicycle ride that is good for understanding and learning the culture, traditions and communities of the ethnic groups in Northern Laos. You will bicycle between the different villages of the ethnic communities in Northern Laos.. As you go your guide will introduce you to and teach you about the Lolo, Tai Dam, Tai Nuea, Hmong, Akha, Yao and Tai Lue ethnic peoples. He will tell you about their history, culture and traditions.
You will depart the trekking agents office at 8:30 in the morning and your first stop will be the at a Lolo village where you will spent 10 minutes walking around the village. Then it's back on the bicycles for 10 minutes until you get to the Tai Dam village of Ban Nong Bou to see the weaving. Next on the agenda is Lao whiskey and the Tai Neua village of Ban Koum, here you will spend 20 minutes learning how to produce Lao whiskey and there will be a chance to taste some.
Another 30 minutes on the bicycles and a short 15 minute walk up a hill will bring you to a Stupa, That Xieng Tung. You will then cycle another 40 minutes until you reach the Hmong Village of Ban Kang Mai, where there will be 20 minutes to explore. Kao Soi or Rice Noodles anyone, because the village of Ban Silihuang the second of the Tai Neua villages you will visit is next. Here you will be taught how to make Kao Soi or Rice Noodles.
An hour's break for lunch at the Phou Iu Restaurant will give you a chance to relaxing and revive yourself for the afternoons activity. 40 minutes on the bicycles will bring you to Ban Namdaet Mai which is an Akha village where you will be able to walk around the village for half an hour. Next are the Yao villages of Ban Nammai, Ban Jongkha and Ban Saileck, where you will spent half an hour.
Three o'clock heralds the arrival of another 20 minute ride to the second Akha village, on the itinerary, and a 15 minute walk around the village. The last stop for the day will be visit the Tai Lue ethnic minority where you will have 15 minutes to explore the village of Ban Donchai before returning to Muang Sing and the trekking agent's office.
Participant Guidelines
Included in price is;
Lunch at Phou Iu Guesthouse, bicycles, water, a local guide English speaking guide from the town, forest conservation permits and all local taxes.
What to bring
Good shoes for hiking, mosquito repellent, sunscreen/hat, optional (binoculars, camera, money to purchase handicrafts and nature guidebook)
Important do's & don'ts
Please do not give individual gifts of sweets or money to children. Ask before taking photos of people or spiritual items. Help keep the trails clean by not littering. Please purchase handicrafts but do not purchase antiques. Do not remove any archaeological remains from the site of the ancient temples. Stay with the guides at all times. Do not use drugs.
Any participants for this tour should meet at the trekking agents office at 8:15am in Muang Sing. The trekking agents office is located on the main road coming from Luang Namtha Town. Just after you enter the town of Muang Sing and before you get to the old morningmarket you will see a dirt road on your left hand side. On the corner of the main road and the dirt road you will see the Phou Iu Trekking Office.
