Laos Trip Planning Comments

Jan 12, 2003
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Laos-VangTao-GTR-IMG_2117.jpg
To keep the "Trip Planning" post's free of general comments, this "Comments" post is provided. This represents a departure from the norm, but its aimed solely at keeping the original plan/s uncluttered and easy to find and read.
 
Jan 12, 2003
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Apologies to original authors - these 2 posts were relocated out of the Trip Planning thread.

Message originally posted by Rod Page on 29th March 2012 at 07:27 AM:

SENSATIONAL Jurgen, nothing less.
Invaluable work; an invaluable contribution. Far superior to any guidebook.
Many thanks. In the not too distant future I'll be using it to plan my way through Laos & down on to Cambodia.
Well done!

Message originally posted by Jurgen on 29th March 2012 at 08:16 AM:

Thank you Rod, I only followed your model for Vietnam :).

I tried to collect as many information as possible from other GT-Rider contributors and hope that this sort of compendium will help bikers to find their way through the mine of data collected on the GT-Rider website.

I hesitated before posting this « unfinished » version, but then pondered that such reports are always evolutive, as updated information can always be added.

As I have not scheduled a trip to Vietnam yet, I am looking forward to meeting you somewhere closer to Chiangmai.
 

DavidFL

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Absolutely super Laos Trip Planner Jurgen!

Comment 1
Route 2E Oudom Xai - Muang La - Muang Khua - Sop Hun (Vietnam)
Information needed
My latest info is that
Oudom Xai - Muang Khua is asphalt
Muang Khua - Sop Hun is still dirt.

From our Cnx- Hanoi ride in 2010, there are some photos of Muang Khua - Sop Hun here
Chiang Mai - Hanoi Back Part 1
 
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Moto-Rex

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Amazing post Jurgen!

The information you have provided will a great benefit for anyone touring Laos.

Thanks for putting so much work into it.

Rex
 

Rod Page

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All we need now is the off-road section.......& who better than............Moto-Rex!
 
Oct 30, 2010
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Excellent work Jurgen! It's a mine of information and just what I was looking for towards my first ride into Laos this coming December 2012. Many thanks. Cheers!
 

Jurgen

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I have updated the 'paved road Laos trip planer" with the latest reports and information :


There are many other interesting contributions about Laos in the GTR forum (particularly from Rex) ... nevertheless, I did not reference them as they are about off road trails and will be the subject of a specialised trip planer.
 
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Jurgen

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To all Laos lovers, I am gratfull for comments and information and will be happy to include relevant details in the trip planer. Thank you in advance for your contributions in order to make the trip planer more precise and morfe usefull.
 

Rod Page

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Ditto for "Vietnam Trip Planning". Warmly welcome all comments & most certainly add relevant information, including updates to previously posted advice, as it comes to hand.
(Bump - awaiting Dfl's updates surrounding Sapa & will anticipate similar input from those I understand are planning to ride around Meo Vac next month).
 

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Update: the road from Phonsavan - Pakxan is now all asphalt.

Images & brief report here
 
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May 4, 2013
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Hi All,

Would appreciate any info regarding condition of Route 1D, commencing at Phontan (?) off Route 8 travelling northwards to Phonsavan (passing through Viengthong, Muang Noi, Muang Moc, amongst others!). Was considering this as part of a ride out in April 2014).

Cheers.

Andy.
 

DavidFL

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andyh1406;289982 wrote: Hi All,

Would appreciate any info regarding condition of Route 1D, commencing at Phontan (?) off Route 8 travelling northwards to Phonsavan (passing through Viengthong, Muang Noi, Muang Moc, amongst others!). Was considering this as part of a ride out in April 2014).

Cheers.

Andy.
Is this the one your talking about
 
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May 4, 2013
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Hi David,
Yes!! the very same. Sounds like it shouldn't present any problems.
The only thing that concerns me with all these road improvements is whether we even need an enduro and would be better off on a more comfortable road bike?

Thanks for your response.

Andy
 

DavidFL

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Davidfl;295977 wrote: Laundry & riverside bevvies done it was time to move on......Luang Prabang - Vientiane, via the new short cut road from Muang Nan to Kasi..

296186=19524-GPS%20Map005.jpg


and what a dramatic road it is!!

296186=19517-GPS%20Map006.jpg


The short cut starts from off the Xieng Ngern - Xayaboury road. That's R4 & it is under going road works - improvement & there aint too much road works left.

The start of R4 from Xieng Ngern.

296186=19518-IMG_2541.jpg


296186=19519-IMG_2545.jpg


more to come.....
Some light road works on R4

296186=19525-IMG_2548.jpg


296186=19526-IMG_2549.jpg


296186=19527-IMG_2550.jpg


From R13 to the turn off is 39 kms.

The turn off

296186=19528-IMG_2553.jpg


hardly sign posted, but it is basically the only real one.

& here's how the new short cut goes

296186=19529-GPS%20Map008.jpg

up & down over the one mountain for 67 kms.
This short cut takes approximately 100 kms off the old R13 Luang Prabang - Vientiane road.
And travel time should be reduced by 1.5 (2?) hrs if your riding reasonably fast.
But being my first time I pottered along taking photos.

296186=19530-GPS%20Map009.jpg


The road & views

Starting from the north Muang Nan end

296186=19531-IMG_2554.jpg


296186=19532-IMG_2556.jpg


an early view

296186=19533-IMG_2560.jpg


296186=19534-IMG_2562.jpg


296186=19535-IMG_2564.jpg

296186=19536-IMG_2573.jpg


Power on up the mountain.....having a drag

296186=19537-IMG_2574.jpg


296186=19538-IMG_2576.jpg


296186=19539-IMG_2578.jpg


296186=19540-IMG_2581.jpg


296186=19541-IMG_2582.jpg


296186=19542-IMG_2583.jpg


296186=19543-IMG_2586.jpg


Approaching the plateau on the top - a green moon like landscape

295993=18214-IMG_2591.jpg

almost devoid of any trees

295993=18219-IMG_2609.jpg


295993=18217-IMG_2600.jpg

295993=18215-IMG_2595.jpg


295993=18218-IMG_2606.jpg


Upward

295993=18216-IMG_2597.jpg


295993=18220-IMG_2617.jpg


Then you cross the ridge line for the descent, only to be stuck with road works & /or a landslide.

It's a big one.

295993=18223-IMG_2622.jpg


295993=18222-IMG_2621.jpg


Vehicles held up & waiting below for the road to be cleared

295993=18221-IMG_2620.jpg


I was lucky & only had to wait 40 minutes, but the first vehicles had been held up for 3 hours, so perhaps it is not always a short cut, or at least until they get the road stabilized & finished.

One of my Lao Ducati rider friends with connections who has flown over the road a few times in a chopper told me that 16 people had already died in downhill crashes on this road. The worst being a local government official who went straight over the edge at the top of the land slide, to be totally crushed in his pick up which landed up side down & flattened. Yuk!

The descent into Kasi

295993=18224-IMG_2623.jpg


295993=18225-IMG_2627.jpg
 

DavidFL

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There is a new short cut between Luang Prabang & Vientiane: the Kasi - Muang Nan road, cuts off about 100 kms & saves 1 1/2 hrs travel time.
Photos & info are here
Davidfl;295977 wrote: Laundry & riverside bevvies done it was time to move on......Luang Prabang - Vientiane, via the new short cut road from Muang Nan to Kasi..

296177=18283-GPS%20Map005.jpg

and what a dramatic road it is!!

296177=18284-GPS%20Map006.jpg


The short cut starts from off the Xieng Ngern - Xayaboury road. That's R4 & it is under going road works - improvement & thee aint too much road works left.

The start of R4 from Xieng Ngern.

296177=18285-IMG_2541.jpg


296177=18286-IMG_2545.jpg


more to come.....

Full report from: https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/39273-Chiang-Mai-Muang-Sing-Phonsavan-Vientiane-Chiang-Mai

Davidfl;295993 wrote:
Some light road works on R4

296177=19520-IMG_2548.jpg


296177=19521-IMG_2549.jpg


296177=19522-IMG_2550.jpg


From R13 to the turn off is 39 kms.

The turn off

296177=19523-IMG_2553.jpg

hardly sign posted, but it is basically the only real one.

& here's how the new short cut goes

295993=18198-GPS%20Map008.jpg

up & down over the one mountain for 67 kms.
This short cut takes approximately 100 kms off the old R13 Luang Prabang - Vientiane road.
And travel time should be reduced by 1.5 (2?) hrs if your riding reasonably fast.
But being my first time I pottered along taking photos.

295993=18199-GPS%20Map009.jpg


The road & views

Starting from the north Muang Nan end

295993=18200-IMG_2554.jpg


295993=18201-IMG_2556.jpg


an early view

295993=18202-IMG_2560.jpg


295993=18203-IMG_2562.jpg


295993=18205-IMG_2570.jpg


295993=18206-IMG_2573.jpg

295993=18204-IMG_2564.jpg


Power on up the mountain.....having a drag

295993=18207-IMG_2574.jpg


295993=18209-IMG_2578.jpg


295993=18210-IMG_2581.jpg


295993=18208-IMG_2576.jpg


295993=18211-IMG_2582.jpg


295993=18212-IMG_2583.jpg


295993=18213-IMG_2586.jpg


Approaching the plateau on the top - a green moon like landscape

295993=18214-IMG_2591.jpg

almost devoid of any trees

295993=18219-IMG_2609.jpg


295993=18217-IMG_2600.jpg

295993=18215-IMG_2595.jpg


295993=18218-IMG_2606.jpg


Upward

295993=18216-IMG_2597.jpg


295993=18220-IMG_2617.jpg


Then you cross the ridge line for the descent, only to be stuck with road works & /or a landslide.

It's a big one.

295993=18223-IMG_2622.jpg


295993=18222-IMG_2621.jpg


Vehicles held up & waiting below for the road to be cleared

295993=18221-IMG_2620.jpg


I was lucky & only had to wait 40 minutes, but the first vehicles had been held up for 3 hours, so perhaps it is not always a short cut, or at least until they get the road stabilized & finished.

One of my Lao Ducati rider friends with connections who has flown over the road a few times in a chopper told me that 16 people had already died in downhill crashes on this road. The worst being a local government official who went straight over the edge at the top of the land slide, to be totally crushed in his pick up which landed up side down & flattened. Yuk!

The descent into Kasi

295993=18224-IMG_2623.jpg


295993=18225-IMG_2627.jpg
 
Nov 12, 2013
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Just rode this road yesterday...absolutely sensational!
Bugger all traffic,and only a few spots of road works.
Will do a trip report when I get chance to edit some photos....

Best to get in now before the wet season starts to break the road up!

Heading to CM tonight....
 

DavidFL

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DavidFL wrote:

There is a new short cut between Luang Prabang & Vientiane: the Kasi – Muang Nan road, cuts off about 100 kms & saves 1 1/2 hrs travel time. Photos & info are here

Davidfl;295977 wrote: Laundry & riverside bevvies done it was time to move on……Luang Prabang – Vientiane, via the new short cut road from Muang Nan to Kasi..
296177=18283-GPS%20Map005.jpg
and what a dramatic road it is!!
296177=18284-GPS%20Map006.jpg
The short cut starts from off the Xieng Ngern – Xayaboury road. That’s R4 & it is under going road works – improvement & thee aint too much road works left. The start of R4 from Xieng Ngern.
296177=18285-IMG_2541.jpg
296177=18286-IMG_2545.jpg
more to come….. Full report from: https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-m...Mai-Muang-Sing-Phonsavan-Vientiane-Chiang-Mai

Davidfl;295993 wrote: Some light road works on R4
296177=19520-IMG_2548.jpg
296177=19521-IMG_2549.jpg
296177=19522-IMG_2550.jpg
From R13 to the turn off is 39 kms. The turn off
296177=19523-IMG_2553.jpg
hardly sign posted, but it is basically the only real one. & here’s how the new short cut goes
295993=18198-GPS%20Map008.jpg
up & down over the one mountain for 67 kms. This short cut takes approximately 100 kms off the old R13 Luang Prabang – Vientiane road. And travel time should be reduced by 1.5 (2?) hrs if your riding reasonably fast. But being my first time I pottered along taking photos.
295993=18199-GPS%20Map009.jpg
The road & views Starting from the north Muang Nan end
295993=18200-IMG_2554.jpg
295993=18201-IMG_2556.jpg
an early view
295993=18202-IMG_2560.jpg
295993=18203-IMG_2562.jpg
295993=18205-IMG_2570.jpg
295993=18206-IMG_2573.jpg
295993=18204-IMG_2564.jpg
Power on up the mountain…..having a drag
295993=18207-IMG_2574.jpg
295993=18209-IMG_2578.jpg
295993=18210-IMG_2581.jpg
295993=18208-IMG_2576.jpg
295993=18211-IMG_2582.jpg
295993=18212-IMG_2583.jpg
295993=18213-IMG_2586.jpg
Approaching the plateau on the top – a green moon like landscape
295993=18214-IMG_2591.jpg
almost devoid of any trees
295993=18219-IMG_2609.jpg
295993=18217-IMG_2600.jpg
295993=18215-IMG_2595.jpg
295993=18218-IMG_2606.jpg
Upward
295993=18216-IMG_2597.jpg
295993=18220-IMG_2617.jpg
Then you cross the ridge line for the descent, only to be stuck with road works & /or a landslide. It’s a big one.
295993=18223-IMG_2622.jpg
295993=18222-IMG_2621.jpg
Vehicles held up & waiting below for the road to be cleared
295993=18221-IMG_2620.jpg
I was lucky & only had to wait 40 minutes, but the first vehicles had been held up for 3 hours, so perhaps it is not always a short cut, or at least until they get the road stabilized & finished. One of my Lao Ducati rider friends with connections who has flown over the road a few times in a chopper told me that 16 people had already died in downhill crashes on this road. The worst being a local government official who went straight over the edge at the top of the land slide, to be totally crushed in his pick up which landed up side down & flattened. Yuk! The descent into Kasi
295993=18224-IMG_2623.jpg
295993=18225-IMG_2627.jpg

There's a January 2016 update on the Muang Nan - Kasi road here



GTR-IMG_0927.jpg
 
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