Northern Thailand Bicycle Tour

Your Itinerary          

1: Meet in Chiang Mai, enjoy northern style Khantoke Dinner.
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

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

3: Cycle north to visit Mae Sa Valley, pedal through lush forests to diminutive Baan Rai.
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 and a butterfly farm. In the 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

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

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 stupa 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

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

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