| Cycle Touring Routes > Laos > Vientiane to Savannakhet > Map > Day |
| Day 6 Thakhek to Xeno Kilometers 109 Miles 65 |
Ride/Road - Highway 13 South is sealed with a two lane
road. Traffic constant. This ride had the most traffic we
have experienced since we left Vientiane. Shoulder comes
and goes.
Hills - Two hills worth mentioning first one comes about 20
kilometers (12 miles) south of Thakhek and the second
around kilometer 42 (25 miles).
Weather - Started the ride with a headwind that would pop
up every so often. After kilometer 60 we picked up a
tailwind and made a better time. Dusty, dry ride. Scenery
is mostly small villages. Saw patches of deforestation.
Logger trucks. Some replanting.
Food/Facilities - Passed a town with a big open market
around kilometer 20 (12 miles). A good size market with
food and fresh vegetables and fruit at kilometer 44 (26
miles). Cluster of town and restaurants at kilometer 50 (30
miles) after a scenic river crossing.
Other accommodations on this ride - No accommodations
until Xeno.
Xeno town is not much of a town at all. It's just a
development that sprouted at the intersection of two
highways 13 and 9. That said, it does have the all the
amenities a traveler would need; markets, restaurants, food
vendors and accommodations.
Slept - Second guesthouse on the left as we came into
town from the north. Didn't get the name, but the
guesthouses are hard to miss. They are all well signed.
Cost - 70,000 ($7.00)
Location - On north end of Hwy 13 before Xeno and the
junction with Hwy 9.
Amenities - Motel-style guesthouse in a huge complex with
several buildings full of accommodation options and prices.
We choose a basic room, small with a/c, TV (w/ 1 English
channel), double bed, en suite bath with western toilet and
hot shower. .
Rolled bikes into the room for night security. A bit tight.
Other accommodations in town - On the north end before
the junction with Hwy 9 we saw two guesthouses. Two
other guesthouses near the crossroad with Hwy 9.
road. Traffic constant. This ride had the most traffic we
have experienced since we left Vientiane. Shoulder comes
and goes.
Hills - Two hills worth mentioning first one comes about 20
kilometers (12 miles) south of Thakhek and the second
around kilometer 42 (25 miles).
Weather - Started the ride with a headwind that would pop
up every so often. After kilometer 60 we picked up a
tailwind and made a better time. Dusty, dry ride. Scenery
is mostly small villages. Saw patches of deforestation.
Logger trucks. Some replanting.
Food/Facilities - Passed a town with a big open market
around kilometer 20 (12 miles). A good size market with
food and fresh vegetables and fruit at kilometer 44 (26
miles). Cluster of town and restaurants at kilometer 50 (30
miles) after a scenic river crossing.
Other accommodations on this ride - No accommodations
until Xeno.
Xeno town is not much of a town at all. It's just a
development that sprouted at the intersection of two
highways 13 and 9. That said, it does have the all the
amenities a traveler would need; markets, restaurants, food
vendors and accommodations.
Slept - Second guesthouse on the left as we came into
town from the north. Didn't get the name, but the
guesthouses are hard to miss. They are all well signed.
Cost - 70,000 ($7.00)
Location - On north end of Hwy 13 before Xeno and the
junction with Hwy 9.
Amenities - Motel-style guesthouse in a huge complex with
several buildings full of accommodation options and prices.
We choose a basic room, small with a/c, TV (w/ 1 English
channel), double bed, en suite bath with western toilet and
hot shower. .
Rolled bikes into the room for night security. A bit tight.
Other accommodations in town - On the north end before
the junction with Hwy 9 we saw two guesthouses. Two
other guesthouses near the crossroad with Hwy 9.