Av. daily distance: 50km ( 31 miles) No. of days cycling: 12 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: surface mostly good but with some broken tarmac and unsurfaced sections. Routes follow main roads, but Laos lacks the heavy traffic of other Asian countries. Laos is mountainous and there are some tough climbs and long downhills, but vehicle support is always available. The heat can make the going tough. Group: min. 7, max. 18, plus leader and drivers. Min. age 16. Accommodation: 15 nights hotels ( 2 nights basic), 1 night sleeper train. Food: 15 breakfasts and 3 lunches included. RIDE PROFILE TRIP DETAILS BIKE HIRE Grade B/ C Cycle into another world and time while discovering one of Asia's hidden treasures Cycling in Laos & Northern Vietnam L aos, the land of a million elephants, is now the land of a million smiles, with a stunning mountainous landscape and a laid back atmosphere, the result of a long isolation from its neighbours. Our route takes us through some spectacular scenery, from narrow roads shaded by jungle vines to shimmering rice paddies and mountains which are home to a mix of ethnic groups. Out of the saddle, we walk through villages and bamboo forest and visit Luang Prabang, one of Asia's most attractive towns, with colonial buildings, tree- lined avenues and colourful temples. The Plain of Jars is one of Southeast Asia's most important archaeological sites, but one with more questions than answers. Located in one the most heavily bombed places on earth, it is steeped in wartime history. We also visit the Vietnamese capital Hanoi and finish our trip in bustling Bangkok. The cycling is demanding at times, but our reward is to have roads almost to ourselves in Southeast Asia's friendliest and least known country. ITINERARYI 19 DAYS ROAD - VIETNAM, LAOS & THAILAND 41 Laos: Trek 4300 with front suspension £ 110, paid on booking. From UK:£ 145, paid on booking. To book call 0845 863 9626 or visit www. exodus. co. uk DATES & PRICES Trip Code MOL . 19 days Sat to Wed StartEndFlight Land 2010inc. only 20 Feb10 Mar18691099 03 Apr21 Apr19991099 13 Nov01 Dec18991099 18 Dec05 Jan21991099 2011 prices to be confirmed 05 Feb23 Feb19991169 16 Apr04 May21491169 ? Dates and prices are correct at time of publication ( see page 9) ? Optional single supplement £ 225( hotel nights only) ? Land only start Hanoi day 2, end Bangkok day 18 ? Insurance £ 92 Day 1Fly to Hanoi. 2Arrive Hanoi; free to explore. 3Ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter and on to West Lake; afternoon city tour. 4Cycle to Tam Coc through stunning limestone scenery and villages; paddleboat ride on lake. 5Transfer/ cycle to Cuc Phuong N. P.; cycle amid lush scenery; visit Primate Rescue Centre. 6Cross into Laos; scenic drive to Viengsai. 7Visit caves used as military bases during Vietnam War; cycle to Sam Neua with some challenging hill climbs. 8Drive through picturesque countryside to Xieng Khuang province and Phonsavan. 9Cycle to the old capital of Muang Khun; visit the Plain of Jars. 10Drive to Luang Prabang. 11Cycle to beautiful Kwang Si Waterfalls for lunch and a swim. 12Cycle to the Pak Ou Caves by the Mekong River. 13Offer alms to the monks at dawn; scenic drive south; cycle to picturesque Vang Vieng. 14Free day; relax or go kayaking or tubing. 15Cycle and drive to Vientiane. 16City tour and cycle over the Thai/ Lao Friendship bridge into Thailand; sleeper train to Bangkok. 17Morning city tour; afternoon free. 18Free day; evening fly to London. 19Arrive London.

ROAD - NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA Av. daily distance: 45km ( 28 miles) No. of days cycling: 12 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: surface: 80% tarmac, 20% groomed dirt road with some moderate climbs. Routes mainly follow quiet backroads. RIDE PROFILE TRIP DETAILS BIKE HIRE Grade B/ C Discover Central America's natural wonders, colonial cities and friendly people by bike Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama ITINERARYI 16 DAYS 42 Group: min. 6, max. 16, plus leader and driver. Min. age 16. Accommodation: 14 nights hotels. Food: all breakfasts included. C entral America's narrow isthmus lends itself perfectly to exploration on two wheels. Starting in the graceful colonial city of Granada and ending in bustling Panama City, our route takes us into Costa Rica's steamy cloud forests, alongside several active volcanoes and to the tropical island paradise of Bocas del Toro. We visit the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua, ride the ' Chocolate Road' to the Pacific coast at San Juan del Sur, search for the Howler Monkeys as we take a boat trip on the Tenorio River in Costa Rica. Riding past some impressive volcanoes, we descend to the Caribbean coast and take some time out for snorkelling on Panama's reefs. A ride along the impressive Panama Canal is included at the end of the trip - a great climax to an unusual and interesting itinerary. Day 1Fly to Managua; transfer to historic Granada. 2Short ride along shore of Lake Nicaragua; afternoon visit artisan market and Masaya Volcano National Park. 3To Catarina for views of Apoyo Lagoon; ride through Pueblos Blancos towards Pan American Highway; ferry transfer to Ometepe Island. 4Ferry to mainland and ride to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific. 5Ride to and along the Pan- Am Highway to Costa Rican border; transfer to Canas. 6Morning raft trip on Tenorio River; transfer to Lake Arenal and cycle around lake. 7Cycle to La Fortuna, near active Arenal Volcano; 8Ride through jungle and rural areas with stop at refreshing springs; evening visit thermal springs. 9Ride down to the tropical lowlands; transfer or cycle to Cahuita on the Caribbean coast. 10Cycle alongside towering mountains and through banana plantations into Panama; boat transfer to Bocas del Toro Islands. 11Free day for optional activities. 12Return to the mainland; transfer to Fortuna Dam; fast descent to Pan- Am Highway; transfer to Santiago passing traditional indigenous villages. 13Ride through tropical lowland forest and farmland around Santiago; transfer to Panama City, stopping to see Panama Hat production. 14Ride along Panama Canal from Miraflores Locks to Lake Gatun. 15Depart Panama City. 16Arrive London. For Trip Notes, availability and up- to- date prices visit www. exodus. co. uk DATES & PRICES Trip Code MUC . 16 days Sat to Sun StartEndFlight Land 2010inc. only Nicaragua: Haro Escape with front suspension £ 135, paid on booking. From UK:£ 125, paid on booking. 16 Jan31 Jan20991379 13 Feb28 Feb20991379 13 Mar28 Mar20991379 17 Apr02 May20991379 16 Oct31 Oct21391379 13 Nov28 Nov21591379 04 Dec19 Dec22391399 2011 prices to be confirmed 08 Jan23 Jan22291449 12 Feb27 Feb22291449 12 Mar27 Mar22291449 16 Apr01 May24791499 ? Dates and prices are correct at time of publication ( see page 9) ? Optional single supplement £ 235 ? Land only start Granada, Nicaragua day 1, end Panama City day 15 ? Insurance £ 83