This tour is for those who wish to see Thailand's rural countryside and explore the rich history of Siam, all while enjoying an active holiday. The scenery is ever changing as you start to ride through the emerald paddy fields of central Thailand. Roads are mainly flatly which continue into some undulating terrain and a few gentle climbs in the northern hills. The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty.
SpiceRoads CyclingTravel back in time as you explore the historical sights and wonders of Thailand, but do so at the leisurely pace that only the two wheels of a bicycle can provide on this delightful adventure. The Chakri dynasty established the current capital of Bangkok or, as known by locals, Krung Thep, this is the starting point of the tour.
From here you will head north to the former Kingdom of Ayutthaya, once one of the wealthiest cities in the East during its heyday. The 33 kings of Ayutthaya ruled more than four centuries before the city was conquered and destroyed by the Burmese.
Cycling among the ruins you'll learn how the authoritarian god-kings of Ayutthaya ruled with an iron fist. Riding north through the rice basket of Thailand, you'll arrive at what is considered to be the first true Thai kingdom, Sukhothai. Under the Phra Ruang dynasty, the Thai alphabet was created, and Theravada Buddhism was established as the main religion in their short 130 years of power.
Riding further northward, the terrain becomes more rugged as mountains flank your path on both sides as you enter what was once known as the Lanna Kingdoms. Here, you'll cycle through the land once ruled by the Tai people and see their influence in the recently excavated ruins of the Haripunchai Kingdom. And finally you’ll arrive at the northern capital of Chiang Mai which was founded in 1298.
You can expect a fairly gentle ride each day with none of the distances being overly long. There are a few small hills and some dirt trails, but these can be tackled by anyone with even a moderate amount of fitness. The emphasis on this tour is Thailand’s history, culture, and scenery, all off the beaten track.
The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit.