Duration : 12 days (9 days cycling)
Start & Finish : Bangkok
Skill Level :
Support : 1 Thai Tourism Authority of Thailand guide, 1 bike mechanic, 1 bag shuttle vehicle
Group Size : 4-20
Best Time : Nov–Jan, but can run Nov-May
This superb adventure is a customized mountain bike trip featuring some of the most charming venues in Thailand and epic mtb rides. Conceived from 10 years of living and riding Thailand’s northernmost province, in the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, get ready for a ride you’ll never forget. Mountain biking tours you dream about.
This superb adventure is a customized mountain bike itinerary featuring some of the most charming venues in Thailand and epic rides. Conceived from 10 years of living and riding Thailand’s northernmost province, in the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, get ready for a ride you’ll never forget. From the ins’ and outs’ of Bangkok, its canal system by bike, exploring ancient Siamese ruins atop an ancient cycle, then multiple days covering all kinds of terrain in the kingdom’s far north along the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Laos borders, this trip is the ultimate Siamese mountain biking adventure.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Bangkok!
We’ll be waiting when your plane touches down, brush off the airline peanut shells and welcome you to ‘The Land of Smiles’. You’ll be whisked to your home away from home and introduced to your surroundings. Upon check-in you’ll an ‘Adventure Kit’, containing maps and lots of neat tidbits and a complimentary group mobile phone. Sit back, relax and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Meals: none
Accommodation: Hotel Manhattan, http://www.hotelmanhattan.com
Day 2: Bangkok Multi Transport Adventure
Prepare to be hosted! As one of the world’s great cities, Bangkok is best seen from an insider’s perspective. Home to over 10 million people, ‘The City of Angels’ is the largest city in Southeast Asia and also one of the most chaotically-planned. Using the elevated Skytrain transit system, canal boat, motorcycle taxi, three-wheeled tuk-tuk, longtail boat and local “Rocket Boats” to see more in one day than most folks see in three. The only question is what you’ll enjoy more – the sites or getting to them!
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hotel Manhattan
Day 3: Bangkok’s Canals and Alleyways
Known as the Venice of the East, much of modern Bangkok is built upon canals but the urban poor still live along the canals. Mount a mountain bike and explore the inner workings of this amazing city, its alleys, canal paths and all sorts of amazing nooks and crannies. The afternoon and evening is left open for personal exploration as you wish.
Riding: 4 hours, 35km, paved roads, dirt track, elevated canal paths
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hotel Manhattan.
Day 4: Ancient Ayutthaya on Ancient Bicycles
The ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya was the crowning glory of the kingdom from 1350-1767. Preserved in history, Ayutthaya remains a magnificent site to be seen.
Today’s ride is really more of a cultural warm-up than an all-teeth cruiser. We’ll use Mary Poppins-style bicycles to explore the prime sites. Along the way we’ll enjoy an authentic ‘Isaan’ (northeastern Thai) lunch and fill you in on lots of nifty historical facts. This intimate exploration of Ayutthaya gives you a genuine appreciation for the city’s significance to the Thai people.
After exploring we’ll bring you to the airport to catch an early evening flight to Chiang Rai. Check in and enjoy the evening as you wish.
Riding: 20km (paved roads, old-school bikes)
Meals: B, L
Flight Details: evening flight, arriving about 20:00
Accommodation: La Luna, http://www.lalunaresortchiangrai.com
Days 5: Northern Thailand’s Finest Riding
Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost province, borders Myanmar (Burma) on the west and Laos on the east to create the infamous 'Golden Triangle' - a perfect venue to truly gain a taste of northern Thai life. Using mountain bikes as our main form of transport and fun, we'll see the many faces of Chiang Rai province, from jungles and hilltribe villages to multi-cultural mountain communities and enchanting life along the Mekong River. Hang on and prepare to be dazzled!
Day 5: Bikes, Boats & Elephants
Today we'll place our bikes on a private longtail boat and head upriver to a charming hilltribe village. This Karen settlement is surrounded by limestone mountains and is an ideal venue for an elephant ride, some hilltribe cuisine and the starting point for
an epic day in the saddle. On today's ride we'll navigate back roads leading out of the village, up and over some medium-grade mountains on dirt road and blaze down some wonderful single-track, passing by Ahka and Lisu villages. The final push will see us enjoy a nicely paved sundown ride back to Chiang Rai city, stopping along the way for spectacular photos (known as rest stops to some). A day biking deserves a northern Thai feast; tonight we'll sample local specialties at one of the city's hippest restaurants. The night is yours: spend the evening bargaining at the Night Bazaar, sipping Thai whiskey, or top it all off with a traditional Thai massage to soothe those aching legs.
Riding: 4 hours, 50km, sealed road, dirt road, single-track
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: La Luna
Day 6: An Epic
Today’s ride is simply epic and a huge one. We’ll shuttle (1.5 hours) early in the morning to the top of the province’s highest mountain Doi Chaang, only accessible by steep dirt road. From here we’ll ride through lush coffee fields, through remote villages, along mountain ridges, plummet down sleep mountain tracks and earn every beer at the end of the day. Midway there’s an opt-out point for those who are overwhelmed. For those wanting more buckle in for another three hours riding cross country through the mountains right back to the hotel. An epic day!
Riding: 8 hours, 55km, single-track, dirt track, a bit of sealed road
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: La Luna
Day 7: Out There
We’ll ride hotel to hotel today. Roughly 20km of charming paved roads takes us to the dirt track and a challenging rolling 30km along the Mae Kok River to our final destination next to a Lahu hilltribe village. Along the way we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, stop and have a look at multiple villages and quickly realize you’re way out there. In the afternoon enjoy a dip in the pool (yes there’s one way out here), rent a kayak for a paddle on the river or stroll the village.
Biking: 6 hours, 55km, paved road, dirt road, a bit of singletrack
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Huai Khum Resort, Mae Salak, http://www.huaikhum.com
About the accommodations
The Huai Khum Lahu Resort is an enchanting riverside hideaway. All private bungalows are handmade with bamboo, stone and natural materials from the region. In addition, the resort features a stunning backdrop onto the Kok River and has its own riverside swimming pool, pier and restaurant. Started as the architectural passion of the owner, Huai Khum is a darling retreat in the hills of northern Thailand.
Day 8: Hilltribe Hiatus
Today we'll shuttle (about 1 hour) to the enchanting mountain town of Doi Mae Salong. Bring your legs for a day riding through terraced tea and rice plantations, hilltribe villages and stunning rolling mountains around the Doi Mae Salong area. This region was settled first by indigenous hill tribe groups such as the Ahka and Lahu peoples and more recently by Yunnanese from China, who fled the Communist Revolution. Riding here is either up or down with almost no flat stuff, but awesome scenery abounds. At the end of our two riding loops we’ll sample locally grown 'Oolong' teas.
Riding: 5 hours, 30km, hilly dirt footpaths, 2 - 15km loops
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Mae Salong Villa (simple mountain lodge)
Day 9: Back Tracks
This ride is sure to keep your heart beating, legs working and you’re guaranteed not to run into another foreigner. Cycle point to point leaving Mae Salong, climbing mountain paths, blasting through hill tribe villages and riding very remote footpaths a stone’s throw from the Thai-Myanmar border. You’ll finish and hang your hat in the far-flung town of Thoed Thai, a former opium stronghold.
Riding: 7 hours, 35km, hilly dirt footpaths
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Rimtaan Riverside
Day 10: Simply Gorgeous
Rise early for a shuttle (1 hour) to a flat valley to begin a huge day with everything. Ride 18km through beautiful, lush fields along dirt tracks and quiet country roads, then buckle up for a 12km climb (paved road) up Doi Tung, the north’s most famous mountain. Here sample locally grown coffee, peruse the bontanical gardens, then we’ll drop into a dirt track down the backside of the mountain and to our very nice mountain resort. Enjoy a swim, dip in the pool and soak it all in.
Riding: 6 hours, 50km, dirt track, paved road
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Phu Chaisai Resort, http://www.phu-chaisai.com
About the accommodations
The Phu Chaisai is an oasis of spirituality for urban dwellers that seek refuge from the wear and tear of the city. Noted interior designer ML Sudavadee Kriangkrai found Phu Chaisai a home for solace and peace of mind. Luxury villas are made of bamboo, clay and natural materials. In the warm embrace of Mother Nature, many can make peace with their inner selves. Fine dining and a renowned spa make the Phu Chaisai an integral part of the Thai experience.
Day 11: Run for the Border
This is it, the most epic day of the trip. Be sure you're fully fuelled up for this day that would even challenge Lance Armstrong. An early morning 30 minute shuttle takes us to Doi Tung Royal Villa, the country's premier reforestation and drug rehabilitation project (Mae Fah Luang Foundation). Enjoy a locally grown cup of coffee then it's off and up, for a steady but moderate 12km, 500 vertical meter climb to the top of Doi Chang Mub. From here, hang on to your handlebars for a dizzying 20km descent along a road that literally forms the Thai-Myanmar border to Mae Sai, the kingdom's northernmost town. Enjoy lunch along the border then push on 30km through flat farmland to the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge on the Mekong River. If you’re up for an adventure then tonight affords a special time to dine on legendary Mekong river fish and spicy soup along the storied river!
Riding: 7 hours, 40-65km paved, steep, windy mountain roads
Meals: B, L, D (local dinner included, or hotel meal on own account)
Accommodation: Greater Mekong Lodge
Day 12: Golden Triangle
Rise as you wish, then check out the fascinating Hall of Opium which documents the history of this drug and the role it played in the region. We’ll then board longtail boats for a blast on the Mekong River before enjoy a final lunch together, then shuttle to the Chiang Rai airport for our flight back to Bangkok. Until next time…
Meals: B, L
About the Biking
While cycling in the Thailand's northernmost province, Chiang Rai, we use quality, 24-27-speed Shimano-equipped mountain bikes with front suspension. A variety of sizes as well as helmets, riding gloves and bottles are available. Rides are flexible and can be expanded or collapsed as you wish. A professional bike technician and support vehicle follow us providing assistance.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
We’ve built this trip to be very comprehensive, which will make guests feel truly hosted and they’ll be surprised how little money they spend while they are here. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 11 nights of quality accommodations
- 27 of 31 possible meals – great meals too
- 2 internal air tickets
- fulltime support vehicle with bike mechanic
- vehicle to move bags from hotel to hotel
- 1 Thai, Tourism Authority of Thailand guide (western host for groups of 13+ included)
- drinks/snacks during all rides
- airport pickup at Bangkok whether someone arrives on their own or as a group
- all internal transfers
- all internal transport
- all admissions
- ‘Adventure Kit’ containing maps, a Tips package, ear plugs, mosquito wipe and other handy items – we can customize this as you like
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfare to Thailand
- Personal medical/travel insurance
- Laundry
- Alcohol
- Souvenirs
- Tips for hosts
PRICE
4-6 Guests: R19520/pp
7-9 Guests: R15920/pp
10-12 Guests: R14640/pp
13-15 Guests: R15680/pp
16-20 Guests: R14640/pp
Single Supplement: R3040
Bike Rental: R1080
Add Western Host for Smaller Groups: R1600/day
These prices are not caste in stone as the exchange rate fluctuates considerably. We reserve the right to increase the prices should the Rand depreciate to lower levels.
THE RIDE AWAY SERVICE DIFFERENCE
We understand implicitly that a perfect adventure is more than nice hotels, great meals and hassle-free logistics. All pieces must work together like a symphony. It’s the fine details which our guests appreciate most, like cold face towels after a hike, electrolyte beverages after cycling, and wine uncorked when the moment is right. From maps to bottled water and colorful.
Please email us to book this trip.