Has anyone made this trip overland?

How are the roads?
About how long is the journey?
Can you book the whole thing in Chaing Mai as a "package"? I hope to include
a trip down the mekong into Luang Prabang....

Can one get a visa at the Laos border?
How is the scenery?
Any experiences or advice are appreciated.

Thanks

> Has anyone made this trip overland?

Yes, by cycle.


> How are the roads?

Fine as far as Chiang Kong, in Lao some roads tend to be either very dusty
(in the dry season) or almost impassably mucky (in the wet season)

> About how long is the journey?

One day to the Chiang Kong. Then, it depends, if you go by slow boat it is
two days from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang if you go by speed boat one day. If
you go overland there are plenty of things to see up north so it is easy to
spend a week or more en route.

> Can you book the whole thing in Chaing Mai as a "package"?

Probably, but why do it?

> Can one get a visa at the Laos border?

No, get it in Bangkok.

> How is the scenery?

Lao is all forested ridges, nice country.

Per

http://www.lowdin.nu/MTB/sea02/album1.html

"Per Löwdin" <Perlowdin@hotmail.com> writes:

>
>> Can one get a visa at the Laos border?
>
> No, get it in Bangkok.


Agents in Chiang Khong can arrange it in 1 day. But the price is
higher there than in BKK.

>
>> How is the scenery?
>
> Lao is all forested ridges, nice country.

Yep, very beautiful, esp. further north of Luang Phabang.