Northern Thailand Bike Tour

7 day Thailand bicycle & food tour from $2675

creating Thailand experiences since 1987

cycling, hiking, paddling
PEDALERS

Chiang Mai, the ancient kingdom of King Mengrai dating back 700 years, is well known to tourists around the world but its surroundings are often missed by visitors to Thailand. We invite you to explore Chiang Mai and it surroundings in depth on our Northern Highlights bike tour. Discover ethnic hill tribes still living in thatched villages on the hill tops dressed in their colorful garments, explore ancient temple ruins and city fortifications, taste the delicious cuisine that Thailand is renowned for worldwide and meet the friendly Thais.

Your week long Thailand bicycle tour begins in Chiang Mai, where 700 year old stupas co-exist side by side with modern offices, where vegetable and fish markets open every morning at 5 am and where teeming night markets spring up on the sidewalks where business men in suits ply by day. We'll explore the city before heading north through vast farmlands and spectacular landscapes. Ride an elephant through the jungle, soak in a natural hot spring feed pool and discover daily lives of the Paduang and Karen tribes.

Your cycling holiday winds down in the northern reaches of the kingdom, pedaling along the Mae Kok River through lush forests and green rice paddies. Enjoy a variety of excellent accommodations, ranging for delightful city lodges to remote mountain resorts, and fine dinners at our favorite local restaurants featuring the best of the region's cuisine. Join us for an awesome bike tour through the best of northern Thailand.

let the fun begin!

day:1

Meet in Chiang Mai, enjoy northern style Khantoke Dinner, launch fire balloons.

Your bike tour group will gather today in the vibrant northern city of Chiang Mai. After checking into our lodge, we will get everyone set up with their bikes, then head out for a traditional northern Khan Toke dinner with classical Thai and hill tribe dancing.
Meals: D

day:2

Cycle through the ruins of ancient Wiang Khum Kam, explore the wood working shops of Baan Tawai, dinner at our favorite riverside restaurant.

This morning we head south of town to explore the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, site of the first city built by King Mengrai some 700 years ago. Unfortunately his choice of land was subject to frequent floods, so after a short while he moved the city to it's current locale. After lunch we will explore the wood working village of Baan Tawai and then return to Chiang Mai. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our favorite restaurant perched on the banks of the Mae Ping (Ping River) which flows through the heart of the city.
Cycling: 22 mi / 35 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D

day:3

Visit an elephant camp for demonstrations and a ride through the jungle, pedal the rural countryside to a remote lodge.

We head north this morning, following small roads along the Mae Ping through villages and past flower farms. Lunch time will find us in the town of Mae Rim, where we will break from cycling to visit an orchid grower, butterfly farm and the Mae Rim Elephant camp, where we enjoy a demonstration of the elephant's former work. In late afternoon, we remount our bikes for a beautiful ride through emerald rice paddies and past colorful temples en route to our overnight stop in the village of Baan Rai.
Cycling: 31 mi / 50 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D

day:4

Discover the ornate colorful temple of Wat Baan Den, cycle through the lush Mae Ping Gorge, enjoy dinner while relaxing in a hot spring.

Our morning ride takes us first to Mae Malai, where we visit a traditional market featuring a broad selection of local vegetables, fruits and fish, along with a tasty array of prepared foods from pad se yu (noodles) to fried insects. We will also visit the magnificent Wat Baan Den, before heading north into the rolling, forested countryside. Our bike tour winds down the day at a delightful resort with a dramatic sunset view of Doi Chiang Dao, Thailand's second tallest mountain. We'll enjoy a post ride soak in a private hot spring pool at the base of Doi Chiang Dao.
Cycling: 57 mi / 92 km, Terrain: flat then small hills at end, Meals: B L D

day:5

Cycle the Chiang Dao Hills, passing golden Buddhas, then wander into the 1000 year old Temple Cave at Tab Tao.

After breakfast this morning, we will pedal north, visiting a local hill tribe market offering fresh produce from various Royal Projects, along with delicious teas and dried fruit. Then up to a beautiful giant Buddha, perched beneath the golden cliffs, before enjoy a thrilling descent onto the agricultural realm around Fang. Our last stop is Wat Tham Tub Tao, an ancient temple complex with 100s of Buddha images inside a giant cavern. Each year a gathering of 2500 monks takes place at this temple and has been happening for hundreds of years. We will walk into the giant caverns to visit a stupha deep in the heart of the mountain that allegedly dates back more than 1000 years. Our stop is a few miles further up the road in Chai Prakan.
Cycling: 39 mi / 63 km, Terrain: moderate climb, then flat, Meals: B L D

Show Me More

day:6

Cycle through remote rural valleys and farms, explore Burmese style temples, enjoy dinner on the banks of the Mae Kok River.

The last day of this Thailand bike tour pedals along rural roads through the flat plains of the far north. Along the way discover Burmese style temples with Buddha statues made from woven wicker. Enjoy numerous photos ops with emerald rice paddies, quiet villages and remote temples. Our last night's celebratory dinner will be at a great restaurant overlooking the Mae Kok River.
Cycling: 40 mi / 64 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D

day:7

Return to Chiang Mai to prepare for your next adventure. Sawasdee

Our cycling holiday must come to an end today. We will shuttle back to the Chiang Mai Airport in our vans, one last chance to enjoy the scenery through which you pedaled for the last few days. Khap khun khap, sawasdee khap.
Meals: B

details, details

7 days / 6 nights
Fun: Bicycling
Sleep: Classic
Level: A

Paved roads, moderate traffic, mixed terrain

Total: 189 mi / 304 km
Daily Avg: 37 mi / 61 km

Tour meets and ends in Chiang Mai, Thailand (CNX)

Boutique inns and resorts
3 and 4 star

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What's Included:

Expert local bilingual guides
Daily breakfast, lunch, snacks*
Dinners featuring fine local cuisine*
Handpicked lodges, ensuite rooms, double occupancy
Support van with drinks, snacks and lifts
Free use of bicycles
Airport pick up and drop off
Entrance fees

*as noted in itinerary

What's Not:

Airfare to/from Thailand
Gratuities for Guides and Crew
Travel Insurance
Visa fees or service
Internet, laundry, phone services

Scheduled Dates

21 Sep 2019
19 Oct 2019
16 Nov 2019
21 Dec 2019
31 Jan 2020
21 Feb 2020
5 Jun 2020
25 Sep 2020
23 Oct 2020
20 Nov 2020
25 Dec 2020

Make new friends join a scheduled group
$2675

Single room: $550
Bicycle rental: free
Airport pick up: free

Go When You Want

When To Go? Tour is available year round. November through February is winter with cooler temperatures and no rain. March through May is summer and quite hot. June through October is rainy season, but still suitable for the adventures.

Just the two of you private trip for two
$3425

Single room: $550
Bicycle rental: free
Airport pick up: free

Bring the family 3 to 5 persons
$3150

Single room: $550
Bicycle rental: free
Airport pick up: free

The gang's all here 6 or more persons
$2875

Single room: $550
Bicycle rental: free
Airport pick up: free

All costs are per person in US Dollars. Seasonal supplements may apply on private trips.

In all respects, this was a fabulous tour....The route was excellent, with visits to significant historic sites as well as roads that gave us the chance to see the beauty of rural Thailand....The guides were tops, and we appreciated having an English speaking native guide who could answer questions about the culture and customs of the country--and order fabulous meals for us ...Side visits to markets, hill tribe villages, etc. were thoughtfully chosen and added to our insider's view of the Thai heritage....We used the rental bikes, and found them to be excellent--definitely not worth the hassle of bringing our own bikes on this trip. MJ

delightful nights

Rim Chiangmai Resort

Baan Rai Lanna Resort

Chiang Khum Luang

Saimoonbury Resort

Maekok River Village

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