Lima sites and Secret War Trails

Touring Information

Whilst the Vietnam war was ongoing, next door in Laos, there was a secret war going on. Undisclosed to the rest of the world, the US was bombing Laos day and night. In the north, the ground war against the NVA was led by General Van Pao from his mountain fortress, Long Tieng, with his SGU units. Backed by the CIA, Long Tieng (sometimes Long Cheng or Long Tieng)) was truly the most secret place on earth. After the war, it remained off-limits for nearly 50 years. Now it’s open to the public along with its secrets.

There were many places of significance, such as Long Tieng and Lima sites 20A, 85,14 and 5. The tour starts and ends in Luang Prabang. During that loop, we take in some of the best-known War sites in Laos, along with many cities, places of interest, and natural beauty. Mostly off-road trails, with some tarmac sections. Accommodation will vary from Hotels, and guest houses. Tour Code LAT01

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION. Luang Prabang.

DEPARTURE TIME. The tour will start at 8.30 am. Please be informed, that you should arrive at least one day before the tour starts in Luang Prabang.

RETURN TIME. The tour will finish at about 4/5 pm.

GEAR. We recommend bringing your gear to be the most comfortable. But we also offer some gear rental, helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, and knee guards. Please be informed, that we do not offer trousers due to hygienic reasons.

INCLUDED.

10 Day Tour

Accommodation for 9 nights, Single Rooms.
Motorcycle Honda CRF300/250L.
English-speaking professional tour Guide/Mechanic for the whole Tour.
Breakfast and dinner, lunch in the local restaurants.
Gasoline.
Drinking water.
Third party Bike insurance.
Travel Permits.

NOT INCLUDED.

Flight Fare/Train Fares.
Travel Insurance.
Personal expenses.
Tips for Tour and non-tour staff such as guides, mechanics, drivers, waiters, porters, shoe shiners, etc.
Telephone bills.
Visas.
Alcoholic Beverages.
Any damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider in full.
Support Vehicle.

Price. 2475.00 USD PER Person/ Deposit 200.00 USD ( booking deposit / *refundable security deposit*) 200.00 USD WILL SECURE YOUR BOOKING-ON ARRIVAL THE BALANCE WILL BE PAID BEFORE TOUR STARTS, THEN THE BOOKING DEPOSIT WILL BECOME YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT.

* Security Deposits- in the case of bike damage, the security deposit will be used to repair the bike. If there is no damage the funds will be returned with 24hours.*

Start Point

Luang Prabang

Finish Point

Luang Prabang

Distance

1,200 km

Level

Experienced

Vehicles

Honda CRF 250L/300L

Terrain

70% off road

Day 1: Luang Prabang to Muang Song. 160 Kilometers 5-6 Hrs riding. We start our tour by leaving Luang Prabang and heading west to Phonxai district, from there we will pick up the dirt. There are some steep mountain climbs on this route, with spectacular views, not much in the way of people or villages, a challenging route to get you fired up. Muang song is home to Lima site 11, and the famous T28 pilot Lee Lu.

Day 2: Muang Song to Long Tieng. 140 Kilometers 4-5 Hrs riding. A pleasant ride into Long Tieng Via some rather remote trails and some old Lima sites in the mountains. We will also Pass through Xam Thong LS20 the home to USAID during the war. Then onto Skyline ridge before descending into Long Tieng via the old trail, now there is also a new bypass road , which cut’s skyline ridge in 2. On arrival we can kick back and enjoy the history.

Day 3: Long Tieng to Anuvong. 70 Kilometers 2 Hrs riding. Set in a valley surrounded by limestone karsts, you’ll see how Long Tieng got the nickname “the most secret place on Earth”. It was the country’s second biggest city until the mid-1970s with its airport then the busiest in the world. Once at the center of a guerilla-led clandestine war on communism, it was backed by the CIA. From the past to the present, we will spend the morning looking around before heading of Anuvong, to Anuvong via LS14, formerly called Xaysomboune, The Special Zone.

Day 4: Anuvong to Phonsavan. 120 Kilometers 4-5 Hrs riding. After breakfast, we will leave Anuvong after taking in the sights, such as LS5 and ride to Phonsavan. We will pass through some beautiful countryside, with more Lima sites on route to see, this was the main route into this area during the war. On arrival we’ll visit the Museum and the Plain of Jars, before heading to out Hotel for the evening.

Day 5: Phonsavan day tour. 70 Kilometers. A relatively short day riding as we take a loop around Xiang Khoung . We explore some sites of interest such as Tham Piu Cave, scene of a tragic bombing, along with the crater fields, then its back to Phonsavan for the long climb up to Phou Keng tunnel complex, which makes for an interesting day.

Day 6: Phonsavan to Xam Neua. 230 Kilometers 6-7 Hrs riding. An early start as we head North to Xam Neua which is quite a ride. It will take us most of the day to get to our eventual destination of Xam Neua. There’s a lot to see along the route though, including the Hintung Archeological site. Apart from seeing the site, you will be continuously treated to spectacular, natural views in some really remote locations.

Day 7: Xam Neua (Vienxai Underground Cave Complex) 60 Kilometers. A late start today as we will visit the caves. The complex used by the Phatet Lao is not only ingenious, it’s also very sophisticated. Caves were split into living areas connected by tunnels to larger communal areas, military barracks, and government quarters. There were also school and hospital caves, as well as a theatre used for weddings and film screenings. You will see all this and more in a very interesting day of recounting local history. The tour takes a few hours to complete, plus the view point. Afternoon can be spent relaxing, recharging.

Day 8: Xam Neua to Muang Hiam (Veingtong). 193Kilometers 6-7 Hrs riding. We head into the Hills for another full day and ride to Lima Site 85. LS 85 was upgraded in 1967 to one with an all-weather night bombing facility (Tacan). The North Vietnamese retaliated and attacked the site in March, 1968. In a ferocious one-day battle, they destroyed it. Fifty years later, we take the steep climb to that mountain top and are rewarded with breathtaking views. We leave the site and head for Muang Hiam (Veingtong). Once there, we enjoy the Hot Springs and stay overnight in a local guest house.

Day 9: Muang Hiam to Nong Khiaw. 167 Kilometers 5-6 Hrs riding. A beautiful ride back on the mountain ridges as the trails follow the Nam Xeng River. The final part of the ride on tarmac, after the long ride you will be rewarded with a comfortable Hotel. We will visit the Newley opened caves, which the Phatet Lao used to hide from the bombing.

Day 10: Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang. 130 Kilometers 4-5 Hrs riding. We will leave Nong Khaiw and take the road to some cool trails, which will bring us out at Pak Ou. We will Visit Pak Ou caves, home to many during the war. We will then return and go to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Returning from the Falls to your hotel. Tour& Services Ends.

Lao Adv Tours: Please be informed, that our tours are all-inclusive. So you can completely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and Laos. There are no hidden costs or other surprises – our tour prices are final. Come ride with us – we got you.