Northern Thailand Mountain Biking
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (4 days of great cycling)
Departures: Regular departure every Monday from Chiang Mai
Activities: Mountain biking; off-road trails and small country roads; motor boat, cave exploration
Fitness Level: Easy cycling with off-road trails. Suitable for fit participants. Cycling experience is recommended to fully enjoy the tour.
From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, join us and experience our most popular mountain bike route over four days of great cycling from the hills of Chiangdao down to the Maekok river. Discover small villages and the ethnic hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Ride your sturdy mountain-bike through scenic areas with plenty of exciting trails and sights. Ride at your own pace on a well organized program, with full support of our dedicated local staff.
Itinerary
- Day 01 – Chiang Mai-Chiangdao (L/D)
- Around 8:30 am, pick up participants from various Chiang Mai hotels and drive north by covered pickup to Chiangdao region. Stop at elephant camp in jungle. Watch elephants bathing and demonstrating their skills. Explore Chiangdao caves, followed by lunch in local restaurant.
- Then we start our bike ride through rural back roads first, continuing on off-road trails, across a pristine landscape leading to small hill tribe villages. Visit Lahu, Lisu and Akha villages, and discover the Palaung people from Myanmar (only a few settlements in northern Thailand). End our ride at Palong Village and spend the night at the Padeng Lodge, a basic lodge settled in the nature. Enjoy a succulent Thai dinner served at the lodge. (Basic comfort).
- Day 02 – Chiang Dao-Thaton (B/L/D)
- Intense and fantastic cycle tour through nature! However, the route is not too difficult and the escort vehicle is always nearby. After breakfast, ride exciting trails (30 km) then onto paved road. Lunch stop and visit Buddhist forest temple and caves. Afternoon cycling around 25 km, mostly off road, then car transfer to Ban Thaton for overnight stay on the banks of Maekok river, near the Burmese border. Night and dinner at hotel.
- Day 03 – Thaton-Chiang Rai (B/L/-)
- Early morning, after breakfast, we cycle through the Maekok river valley, past rice fields and plantations. Then we follow an exciting riverside trail. Next we ride a local longtail boat downriver. We continue cycling to a Karen village on the riverbanks. We proceed by bike or transfer by car to our Chiang Rai hotel. Evening and dinner free at leisure.
- Day 04 – Chiang Rai (B/L)
- Cycling itinerary is flexible today and to some extent will depends on the season. We ride out of the city and follow the river bank to discover exciting new trails. Cycle up the mountain village, and down another route. We ride more trails to reach a waterfall for a local lunch. Relax and shower at the waterfall before an overland transfer back to Chiang Mai (3 hours) with our vehicle. Arrive around 7pm and drop off at your hotel.
Monday (around 30 to 45 km cycling / 18 to 28 miles)
Tuesday (30 to 60 km cycling / 18 to 38 miles)
Wednesday (45 to 60 km cycling / 28 to 38 miles)
Thursday (cycle between 20 to 40 km / 12 to 24 miles)
End of tour suggestions / options:
- Stay some extra night(s) individually in Chiang Rai hotel, then depart by flight, when you want.
- Direct flight to Bangkok (we recommend TG143, depart usually around 20:00 – please see update THAI schedule).
- Additional day cycling to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen (available on request for a minimum 4 persons).
General Information
- Anyone in good physical condition can join our regular cycling trips. Experienced bike riders will best enjoy trip.
- Monday departures year round from Chiang Mai.
- Private tours can depart any day, subject to prior advance notice and availability.
- Small groups not exceeding 12 persons. We can accommodate larger private parties group if required, with departure at your convenience.
- Best (coolest) cycling season from September to late February.
Accommodation
Padeng Lodge: Basic wooden Thai house with separate rooms. Comfortable bedding under mosquito net. Western toilets and hot shower outside the rooms. Great location, surrounded by moutains and with views of Doi Luang.
Thaton: Thaton Chalet, a tourist class hotel located on the bank of the Maekok river (or similar).
Chiang Rai: Rimkok Resort and Hotel, A large tourist class hotel usually catering to tour groups. Nice location and comfortable rooms on the bank of the Maekok River. Swimming pool. Free shuttle to night bazaar. Traditional Thai massage service.
Pricing:
Rates per person in Thai Baht. Valid from Nov 2009 to 31 Oct 2010
| Code NT101 | Rate / person | Departure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Join Tour | 12,900 | Every Monday | |
| Private Tour | 2 – 4 persons | 15,500 | Every day |
| 5 – 6 persons | 11,000 | ||
| single room supplement | 2,000 | - | |
(Single room supplement is compulsory when booking alone)
Included
- Tour as per itinerary. Transportation/escort vehicle is a covered pickup truck. Share twin room. American breakfast at hotel. Elephant camp, cave admission fees. Boat transfer.
- We provide quality, well maintained 24 speed mountain-bikes with front-suspension (Model TREK 4300). We supply helmets and water bottles. English-speaking tour guides/mechanic assistance.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. Drinking water and fresh fruits always available in escort vehicle.
Not Included
Meals not mentioned, beverages. Personal spending, tips and optional tours, domestic airport tax. Travel insurance, possible required gala dinner at hotels.
Participants must bring own cycling gear or appropriate equipment.
Remarks
- No reduction for participants bringing own bicycles. (Please contact us for groups)
- All programs subject to our general conditions.
- Itinerary changes are sometimes necessary, depending on weather conditions.
- Anyone in a good physical condition can join our regular cycling trips!
- Participants should have some previous cycling or mountain biking experience.
- We welcome accompanying non-cycling participants, to travel in the escort vehicle.
Risk of Adventure?
Participants understand this type of adventure travel incurs some risks. We require participants to sign full liability release before trip departure.
For more general information on our cycling trips, see our main cycling page.
Please make an inquiry below; our online reservation officers will get back to you within 24 hours!