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North Thailand by Road Bike
Duration
10 days
Site savings
$71
From
$2,279 USD
From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, travel through the rural north of Thailand on smooth tarmac roads, winding through hills, valleys and mountains, taking in lush and fertile lands and stretching your legs to the max. During this challenging and rewarding tour of a stunning and peaceful region, you will encounter the friendly hill tribes that populate and work these lands and experience the tantalising cuisine produced locally. An incredibly fulfilling and joyful adventure awaits!
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration10 days
- Culture LevelAdventurous
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainHilly
- Distance489.6 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance54.7 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration10 days
- Main DestinationNorth Thailand
- Distance489.6 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance54.7 miles
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainHilly
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Chiang Rai
You will meet in the afternoon for a warm-up ride to make sure the bikes fit. There is then a nice and easy ride through the outskirts of the city to get you accustomed to riding in Thailand and on the left side of the road. You will cycle through rice paddy fields and follow the Mae Lao River to the exquisite Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple. Created by Thailand's National Artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, this temple stands out for its distinctive style. After the visit, you will head back to the hotel, so you can refresh before an outing to the night bazaar and dinner.
- 18.6 miles
423.2 ft
423.2 ft- Laluna Resort
- Dinner
- Day 2Chiang Rai to Thaton
Today you will be heading up to the hills of Wawee, but you will have a nice fast flat stretch of 40 km (24.8 mi) to warm up your legs before the real work begins. The first climb is through a variety of fields from sugar cane to maize, small farming villages, and endless mountain views, enough to distract you from the effort of ascending 800 m (2624 ft) in just 15 kilometres (9.3 miles)! You will stop for a scenic rest stop with panoramic views before a fast 10 km (6.2 mi) descent. The remainder of the ride will be undulating on quiet roads in good condition. You will finish at Thaton along the banks of the Maekok River where your resort with a swimming pool awaits. You'll have ascended almost 2,000 m (6561 ft) in 123 km (76 mi), a respectable first day!
- 76.4 miles
- 183.7 ft
6,368.1 ft
6,184.4 ft - Maekok River Village Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 3Thaton to Chiang Saen
You will have a gentle start to the day as you won't be pushing the pedals very hard until kilometre 25 (mile 15). Then it's time to climb, but you will only gain about 350 m (1148 ft) over 10 km (6.2 mi), for which you are rewarded with a short downhill and another climb. During your cycle, you'll pass hill tribe farmers working their fields and be greeted by children and possibly a water buffalo or two. Your true reward will be the long, gentle descent all the way to the town of Chaing Saen on the banks of the Mekong River. This town dates to the 7th century; however, it was around 1328 that the city walls, which are still standing, were built. Your hotel is directly on the river and overlooks Laos on the other side. Your total vertical climb today is 800 m (2624 ft).
- 60.9 miles
- 265.7 ft
2,342.5 ft
2,608.3 ft - Siam Triangle
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 4Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong
Today is a semi-rest day as you will have a fast, flat ride in the morning, leaving the afternoon free for you to relax. The ride today is along the Mekong River, which also forms the border with Laos, on a quiet, smooth road. You will arrive in the border town of Chiang Khong in time for lunch, and the afternoon is free for you to sit on your balcony overlooking the river, explore the local market, or take a wander through the bicycle museum. Dinner is on your own tonight.
- 42.3 miles
- 42.7 ft
1,991.5 ft
2,034.1 ft - Chiangkhong Teak Garden Riverfront Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks
- Day 5Chiang Khong to Phu Chi Fa
You will ride out of Chiang Khong and head south to Pu Chi Fa for a stunning viewpoint. You will warm up for 50 km (31 mi) on a leisurely level route and then it's time to go up, up, up. You will rest after the first ascent of almost 800 m (2624 ft) up to a plateau. Here there will be a few undulations along a ridge at 1,200 m (3937 ft) to your resort. The mountains here have a patchwork of fields growing a large variety of crops, from cabbage and corn to strawberries to lychee farmed by Hmong. Tonight, you can enjoy fresh cool air in your cozy bungalow.
- 49.1 miles
- 2,860.9 ft
4,996.7 ft
2,135.8 ft - Ukrist Forest Hill
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 6Phu Chi Fa to Phayao
What goes up must come down. You will start with an exhilarating descent down the mountain, and then the ride flattens out as you cycle through a wide and fertile valley. You will stop for a break at Phu Sang Waterfall, where the water comes from a hot spring with water temperature around 33-35 degrees. The riding from here on is flat with just a few rises. You will cycle on to have lunch in the small town of Chun and then finish at the lakeside town of Phayao. You will pass many small towns and villages and see locals going about their daily business as they herd their cattle or till their fields. You will end the ride at Phayao Lake, an artificial lake that is now home to more than 22 species of fish. The town is very laid-back, and after checking into your hotel, you'll head to a lakeside restaurant for a feast.
- 77.7 miles
- 2,703.4 ft
2,132.5 ft
4,836 ft - Green Hill Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 7Phayao to Viang Papao
This morning, you will ride around the lake before starting the first serious climb of the day, an 11 km (6.8 mi) ascent. You will top out just under 1,000 m (3280 ft) after a climb of 500 m (1640 ft) or so and have views back into the valley you just left. Looking ahead, you will enjoy the downhill, with a stop to take photos at Tan Tong Waterfall. After lunch, you will get back on your bike and cross into the next valley by crossing a small mountain range. The ride ends with a flat ride through rice paddies. You will stay in a funky resort with individual artwork in each room.
- 52.8 miles
- 508.5 ft
3,805.8 ft
3,297.2 ft - Full House Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 8Viang Papao to Chiang Mai
Today's ride has a refreshing end in a waterfall, but before you get there, you will have your work cut out! You'll be cycling up to 1,400 m (4593 ft), and though the climbs will be tough, they won't be unrelenting. The road winds up through a lush forest, and you'll hear birds seemingly encouraging you on.
After a break at the top, a freewheel of 20 km (12.4 mi) awaits! Your scenic ride continues through rice fields and orchards filled with exotic fruits. You will arrive at Bua Thong Waterfall where you can have a dip in the crystal clear water, but watch out for the freshwater crabs! You will then transfer one hour to Chiang Mai and your centrally located hotel.
- 65.2 miles
- 52.5 ft
6,384.5 ft
6,437 ft - Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 9Samoeng Loop
The loop takes you around Doi Suthep, the mountain that overlooks the old city. You will have a very short transfer out of Chiang Mai to avoid traffic. You will start pedaling on quiet country roads with lots of coffee places to stop at along the way. There's also going to be a major climb in the morning, which will be after a descent with some sharp curves. By midday, lunch will be at the village of Samoeng. As you come around the mountain, you will have one more tough rise, but once over the top, it's downhill to the fertile foothills north of Chiang Mai. Back to the hotel to clean up and prepare for your farewell dinner.
- 46.6 miles
- 3.3 ft
5,479 ft
5,475.7 ft - Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
- Day 10Departure