Biking Across Northern Thailand (9 days)

Meet up with your tour group in the afternoon and get to know your riding companions. Have a relaxing, leisurely warm-up ride for the trip ahead. The pleasant journey will help you adjust to biking in Thailand. Bikers ride on the left side in Thailand, which is often a change for many travelers. Bike through stunning rice paddy fields following the Mae Lao River until reaching the Wat Rong Khun - famously known as the White Temple. A local architect created the temple in a unique style. Refresh at your hotel for the night - we recommend either Anantara Golden Triangle or Four Seasons Tented Camp, before perusing the bustling night bazaar and indulging in Northern-style Thai food (with a delicious, savory flavor all its own) for dinner.

Begin the day with the perfect warm-up with a 25-mile flat section. Next it’s time to begin our ascent. Enjoy the incredible views of crops ranging from sugar cane to maize. Smile at the local farmers as you pass through their small villages. Stop and enjoy a panoramic of the area before finishing your 76 mile ride in Mae Salak. The town is situated next to a Lahu village. The local children will come and perform traditional music and dance that night.

Ease into the day - you won’t need to start pedaling hard until 10 miles into the ride. Begin a gradual climb, followed by a short downhill section. Pass hilltribe farmers hard at work in their fields. You will probably pass a massive water buffalo or two grazing in the open range. Make your descent into the quaint 7th-century town of Chiang Saen along the Mekong River. All of the ancient walls surrounding the city are still standing.

It’s an easy day of riding with a fast and flat ride in the morning! The rest of the day is free for your relaxation needs. The ride traces the Mekong River, which forms the border between Thailand and Laos. Finish your 48-mile ride in the border town of Chiang Khong. Check into a local hotel before hitting the town in search of savory northern curries or flat-egg noodle dishes.

Start the day by heading south to Phu Chi Fah for an incredible view. Warm up for 25 miles at a leisurely pace before beginning to bike up the steep ascent. Pause along the way at viewpoints for an unrivaled view of the surrounding valleys and lush nature. The finish is atop an amazing cliff formation unlike any other in the region. After biking 50 miles, spend the evening relaxing at the accommodation of your choice.

It’s time to make your way back down the mountain with an exhilarating descent. The ride levels out and you will pass through a blooming vibrant valley. Watch locals about their business as you pass through rural villages and towns. The 84-mile ride ends at Phayao Lake - an artificial lake home to 22 species of fish. Enjoy the welcoming, relaxed town and check into your hotel before heading over to the lake to enjoy a feast.

Spend the morning at leisure in the laidback atmosphere for which Phayao is famous. After lunch, climb back on your bike and travel to the next valley, biking through the mountain range. After reaching over 3,000 feet, pause and enjoy the stunning views. Ride through the foothills of the mountains as the sun dips in the sky. Reach your resting place for the night after finishing a 45-mile ride.

It’s a fun day of climbs and riding through the dense forests. Look for exotic birds flitting in and out of the trees. Continue the 65-mile ride through rice fields and orchards until you reach the Bua Thong Waterfall. Take a refreshing dip and keep your eye out for freshwater crabs! Finish the day with a transfer to Chiang Mai. Rest in comfort at the hotel of your choice in the city center.

Enjoy an amazing sense of accomplishment after touring the north of Thailand by bike. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the cultured city or begin your flight back home. You also have the option to extend your stay in Thailand.