One of the most exciting parts of what we do here at Pure Adventures is dreaming up tours that take adventure travellers “off the beaten path” for an experience they will never forget. Right here, right now, we’ll walk you through one of these tours – leaning towards the more physically challenging end of our trip spectrum. One that will have you riding through the back alleys of Bangkok, have you soaking up the rich history of the temples and cultural sites, and travelling the winding pathways of Chinatown to see, feel and hear the street life.
From Bangkok to the northern capital of Chiang Mai, this cycling tour of Thailand is geared to the traveller who isn’t afraid to kick it up a notch, and push themselves to their own personal limits. Although this isn’t a self-guided tour, we’ve done our best to make it feel totally hands off. You’ll have access to support on all rides just in case you need it.
Let’s take a closer look at “Thailand – Chiang Mai Cycling Adventure” shall we?
Why will I love it?
Day 1: You’ll stay at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort: Set on the banks of the grand Chao Phraya River, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is a thriving oasis offering a unique way to experience the City of Angels. Majestic palms swaying in the breeze. Spa treatments hidden within lush tropical gardens. Luxurious suites lit by the twinkle of the city skyline. Delectable meals fusing tastes from around the globe. Situated on 11 riverside acres of verdant gardens, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort seamlessly blends the thrill of urban living with the serene charms of tropical luxury.
Day 2: Bangkok 7km cycling through Chinatown: After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up and drive you to Chinatown square where you start an interesting walk through one of the oldest parts of Bangkok. Walk along Yaowarat Road where you visit interesting shops selling birds’ nests and shark fins, continue to a very old teashop to enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with the locals before heading down Trok Leng Moi Eia (a small soi)to Talad Kao for a busy local market with variety of fresh food, fresh & dry fruits, Chinese herbs, groceries. End the walk at Wat Leng Nei Yi to visit the Taoist temple. Afternoon is free at your leisure. Overnight in Bangkok; breakfast included.
Day 3: Bangkok to Chiang Mai; Short 7km Cycling and Walking: After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up for a transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Upon arrival, your next guide will pick you up and it’s time to put on your walking shoes and head out to explore the highlights of this charismatic South East Asian city by foot! What better place to start our day of discovery than the banks of the Mae Ping River! From here, we join the bustle of Waroros market, a favorite for Chiang Mai locals for exotic species, colorful fruits, an endless variety of rice and bizarre new culinary delights. From here we continue by rickshaw to Tapae Gate and continue to explore ancient Chiang Mai on foot. Tapae Gate is Chiang Mai’s main entrance to the old walled city. In days gone by, it was the gate through which traders, diplomats and visiting monks passed when they had business in the city proper. From here, we continue our walk to Three Kings Monument and the city’s most beautiful temples Wat Chedi Luang, where the famous Emerald Buddha was once enshrined, and Wat Phra Singh, home to a very old and sacred Buddha image. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai, breakfast included.
Day 4: Chiang Mai to Doi Saket (cycling distance: up to 40 km): Transfer south of Chiang Mai to the grounds of Wiang Kum Kam or The Lost City, once the capital of then Lanna Kingdom. After a short cycling around the main site, transfer to Fa Ham, mount the bikes and take off east through the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Have lunch at a local restaurant nearby the dam. At the Mae Kuang Dam, board the long tail boat taking us across the lake. Walk a hill and continue a short ride before arriving at the tree house resort. Here our adventure for today ends. At the resort, just relax, take a walk in the organic garden or continue cycle to the nearby village and visit the Coca Cola trail or the bat cave. Overnight in Doi Saket; breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Day 5: Doi Saket to Mae Taeng (cycling distance: up to 50 km, kayaking approximately 1.5 hours): This morning we start early and ride right out of the resort, cycling the picturesque road bordering Sri Lanna National Park to Buatong Waterfall. Most of the route is paved concrete or asphalt which makes the cycling pleasant and fun. Before lunch arrive at the Mae Ngat Dam for some fresh fruit and drinks. Leave the bikes and change gear, off the road and into the water we go! Take a 20 boat transfer to the floating restaurant in the dam, paddle the lake in sit on top kayaks. At the raft house, dive into the water for a refreshing swim and get seated for lunch. In the afternoon, take a long tail boat ride back and start cycling from the dam through Mae Taeng district. Dinner and Overnight in Mae Taeng; breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Day 6: Mae Taeng to Mae Rim (cycling distance: up to 55 km): Checkout from the resort and begin today’s ride at the resort, cycling the undulating roads south to Mork Fa Waterfall. Hike on the nice path through the jungle and visit the 60 meters high waterfall. Continue Riding through local communities on small roads before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. Follow the Mae Rim River south challenging a set of mountain-side hills before arriving at your resort for the night. Dinner and Overnight in Mae Rim; breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Day 7: Mae Rim to Chiang Mai (cycling distance: up to 30 km): Time to explore Mae Rim! Start riding right from the resort on the hillside roads, including a few easy climbs. As we leave the green lush (seasonal) areas behind and start moving closer to more populated areas we get a good glimpse of Chiang Mai “suburbs”, a less travelled area of Chiang Mai where the new blends with the old. By the Mae Sa canal we find the temple Wat Pa Darapirom. What better than a coffee or soft drink after visiting the temple, drop a local coffee shop for a freshly brewed organically grown coffee of your choice. Visit the royal initiated project of the King and learn about sufficiency economy. The Sufficiency Economy is a philosophy developed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand through his royal remarks over the past three decades. Thailand values this new economics philosophy as a practical tool to effectively manage capitalism in a way that aligns and engages it with social sustainable development. Transfer to Huay Tung Tao Lake for lunch before heading back to hotel in Chiang Mai. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 8: Departure Day: After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up for a transfer to Chiang Mai Airport. Breakfast included.
What do I get?
•7 Nights Lodging – choice of First Class or Superior First Class
• English Speaking certified Adventure Guide
•Additional local guide for 8-16 pax
•Drinking water including 3 litres per person per day
•Bike, helmet and kayaking equipment where mentioned in the itinerary
•Vehicles: Private air conditioned van for pax transfers and pickup for bikes and luggage
•1 first aid kit per guide
•Sightseeing tickets and zone entrance fees where mentioned in the itinerary
•Flight reconfirmations
•Luggage transfer
•Meals as mentioned in the itinerary