Dirt & Secrets

Yes, please do 🤠 The 3g/4g network is extremely good in Laos and a $5 top up should easily be enough to last you the trip.

As this is a largely inclusive tour, you won’t need much. You will only need money for the items not listed as inclusions, which is mainly just alcohol, souvenirs, one evening meal and any other personal spending. $100 should be quite sufficient.

Yes – only two of the overnight accommodations don’t have wi-fi.

We only schedule our Laos motorcycle tours during the dry season, so we’re unlikely to get caught in too much rain (although it’s always possible, so we recommend bringing a lightweight waterproof layer that you can stuff into your backpack).

There will be a fairly wide range of temperatures, from as low as 10°c (possibly even lower if we’re unlucky!) in the hills, up to 35°c in the lower altitudes. It’s therefore important to carry a backpack with some extra layers inside.

Laos locals enjoy their meat and there is very little on the standard menu that is 100% vegetarian or vegan. While we never let you go hungry, and we will bring extra supplies with us if required, please be aware that the options will be quite limited. We’ll ask you about your dietary preferences in a pre-tour form and we’ll plan accordingly.

As for food allergies, we will make every effort to communicate your requirements to the kitchen. If you have concerns, please do get in touch so we can discuss these with you.

This depends where you are from originally, but the likelihood is that you’ll need a visa for Laos. You can get a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport or you can apply for an e-visa online in advance.

Follow this link for the most up to date entry requirements for Laos. This link to the UK foreign office website – if you are not a UK resident, please search for the equivalent info from your home country’s foreign office.

Visa costs, if applicable, are not included in the tour price.

To secure your place we simply need a 20% non-refundable deposit (subject to a minimum of £500). The remainder does not need to be paid until 60 days prior to the tour start date.

Yes. Here at Ride Expeditions, we take the necessary precautions to ensure that we protect both ourselves and you as the customer, with insurances covering financial failure, public liability, professional indemnity and employers liability (you will need your own travel insurance).

To obtain this insurance we must meet strict safety standards and local regulations. We must also carry out thorough risk assessments about all aspects of a tour before tyres can hit tarmac (…or dirt!).

Yes. All passengers booking with Ride Expeditions Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy also includes repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Ride Expeditions Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Travel through Evolution Insurance.

Not riding the motorcycle, no (although this will of course depend on the extent of your limited mobility). However, we may be able to accommodate you in our support vehicle. We advise you to give us a call and we can discuss.

For the most accurate and up to date info, we advise you visit the ‘Travel Health Pro’ website.

Please also consult with your own doctor at home at least 8 weeks before your trip.

To be legally riding in Laos you are required to carry your local driving licence, which must cover the size of bike you will be riding. This will also be a stipulation of any travel insurance company too.

You will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is basically an official, multi-language translation of your driving licence.

It is also a legal requirement that you carry your passport with you at all times. The police may issue a fine if you’re unable to present ID when asked.

Average group sizes are 8-9 riders and we limit the groups to 12 riders.

If you cancel your booking before departure, cancellation charges will be applied as follows:

• 61 days or more before tour start date – retention of deposit
• 42-60 days before tour start date – retention of 50% of tour price
• 28-41 days before tour start date – retention of 70% of tour price
• 0-27 days before tour start date – retention of 100% tour price

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for further info regarding cancellations, changes and transferring your trip to a friend.

For the most accurate and up to date info on travel advice for Laos, we advise you to visit the foreign office website.

Follow this link for Laos advice from the UK foreign office. As we are a UK company, this is the official government advice we follow. If you are not a UK resident, we advise you search for the equivalent info from your own country’s foreign office, as travel advice may differ.

This tour is predominantly unpaved, both on dirt roads and singletrack trails. While a good amount of off-road experience would be beneficial, you certainly do not need to be a pro. This tour is not suitable for riders with no off-road experience.

There are some technical sections on the route, but the most difficult of these is optional (we can split the group if required, allowing you to ride the easier dirt road).

There are also some fairly long days in the saddle, so you’ll want to have some previous experience riding a motorcycle over long distances.

If you are unsure of your experience level, please let us know and we will talk you through the riding. We may also recommend you take an off-road adventure rider training course prior to signing up to the trip.

The official local currency of Laos is ‘Kip’, however you do not need to acquire any of this prior to your arrival. You can either withdraw Kip from an ATM when you arrive, or easily change up major currencies in the major towns & cities.

Don’t forget to tell your bank you are heading to Laos as without this information they will most likely think some rogue hacker is dipping into your account and promptly block your card.

The minimum required number for this trip to run is 6 riders. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if this number is not met and we will provide you with a minimum of 56 days notice. Please know that this is an absolute last resort for us and we will always do everything in our power to avoid this happening.

We accept GBP payments by Visa, Mastercard & American Express and direct bank transfers. Please get in touch if you would rather pay in another currency – we’ll do our best to accommodate!

Laos have an array of plugs and sockets: type A, B, C, E and F.