We commence from the hotel, following the road along the banks of the Nam Pak River, a tributary of the Nam Ou, one of the most important rivers in Laos. The morning ride is moderate, an undulating road alongside the river, passing tribal villages, and tiny wooden stilt houses along the road, and through the lush forest. We'll pass small towns and tribal villages along the river banks. These are home to more than 12 different ethnic groups.

In the afternoon, we take a moderate climb to the mountain pass at an elevation of 750m through the tropical forest before descending to Udomxai town.