Riding the Hills of Chiangdao
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Departures: From Chiang Mai, regular departure every Friday. Or any day as a private tour.
Activities: Forest trails and off-road mountain biking, cave exploration.
Fitness Level: Suitable for participants in good fitness condition! Off-road riding experience is necessary to fully enjoy the tour. Some hills, but no long climbs as we cycle in the valley.
From Chiang Mai, join us and experience fascinating landscape and intense off-road trails. Probably the greatest mountain bike loop in the area. Discover small hill tribe villages and pristine rural life. A great trip for experienced mountain bikers.
This trip is pure biking fun — no elephant camps, no bamboo rafts, just great cycling through stunning natural surroundings. See the itinerary below for more details.
Pricing:
Join in basis, Min. 2 persons depart on Fridays: USD 260 / person
Private Trip
2-4 Persons: USD 315 / person
5-10 Persons: USD 217 / person
Single Room Supplement: USD 30 (to add when booking alone)
Itinerary
- Day 1 – FRIDAY > Ride 30 to 40 km (25 miles)
- Drive north to Mae Taman area. Ride rural country lanes in the flat valley for warm-up, mostly on paved road. After lunch transfer by car, or cycle a short stretch on the main road, to reach Chiangdao valley. Begin riding on off-road trails. Cycle through small hill tribe villages (Lahu, Lisu and Akkha). Finish cycling at a hill tribe village for an overnight stay. Very simple accomodation.
- Day 2 – SATURDAY > Ride 60 km (38 miles)
- Today is an intensive and fantastic cycling day in nature! Long, wide off-road trails through forest and plantations (40km+). Thanks to our support vehicle, which is always near by, our picnic lunch can be taken anywhere. Stop at small Buddhist forest temple and caves. Car transfer to hotel for overnight in peaceful wooden huts nestled in the forest. Overnight and Dinner at a resort.
- Day 3 – SUNDAY > Ride 30 to 60 km (up to 38 miles)
- After breakfast, start with a good climb, followed by great trails surrounded by forest and limestone peak formations. Then paved road and off-road again through small villages and plantations. End up at the Chiangdao Caves for a short exploration and relax, before transfer to Chiangmai (drop off at hotel or airport).
General Information
Departure possible all year long. English speaking tour guide. Quality mountain bike provided. Participants must bring personal cycling gear including shorts, helmet and sunglasses. Best (coolest) season is from September to end of February. Itinerary subject to change according to season.
Accommodation
One night in a hill tribe village, sleeping in a dormitory — one of this tour’s highlights, a real village experience! One night in forest lodge, medium comfort.
Included
- Transportation and support vehicle.
- Experienced Northern Trails guides/mechanics
- Quality mountain bike 21 speeds
- Full board
For more general information on our cycling trips, see the main cycling page.