10-day self-guided cycling tour around Chiang Mai |
Code: CNX-CLSG 10NPJBS
Code: CNX-HSSG 10NPJBS including guided half day tour south
Itinerary
Day before the trip
- CNX-CLSG 10NPJBS: At around 17:30 - 17:45, you will be picked up from your hotel or guesthouse in Chiang Mai for a meeting and briefing at our office about the self-guided tour.
- CNX-HSSG 10NPJBS: After the guided tour, you will get a final briefing at our office.
Day 1: About 65 km, with 10 km gentle uphill.
After leaving Chiang Mai you will cycle through beautiful ever changing scenery, with orchards, paddy fields, irrigation canals and small villages. You will enjoy the countryside as only a cyclist can see. The overnight stop is at a beautiful resort on the banks of the river Ping with a swimming pool. Thai massage available.
Day 2: About 50 km (B).
Early in the morning, you can visit the nearby Chiang Dao elephant training center and observe these beautiful animals bathing. This morning ritual is followed by a demonstration of the work they used to do in the forest. Afterwards, you can make a trip on the back of an elephant if you want. Your cycling trip continues towards Chiang Dao, famous for the mountain scenery, where you can visit the Chiang Dao Caves. A nearby monastery is worth a visit as well. The night is spent at a nice resort with a swimming pool. Thai massages are available.
Day 3: About 60 km, with 7 km uphill (B, D).
Today’s route is very nice but probably a demanding stage because you will have some serious climbs ahead of you. However, these additional efforts will be rewarded with great sceneries and views of impressive rock formations as you cycle through beautiful varied landscapes. Tonight you will sleep in a lodge, with simple but nice clean rooms. The property is entirely in harmony with nature and its staff consists of local people. Today, dinner is included.
Day 4: About 55 km, with 10km uphill (B).
Another wonderful day of cycling on good, well-paved hilly roads is scheduled for today. Tonight you will stay at a small but superb resort in the middle of nowhere with a small but very nice swimming pool with a stunning view. The food is great and very good Thai massage is available. If you arrive in the early afternoon, you can, for a small fee, make a 2 - 3 hour very interesting walk with the gardener who can show you the area and parts of the jungle around the resort.
Day 5: About 36 km, the last 6 are uphill (B).
The first part of the cycling of today is on one of my favourite routes, very good country roads and very nice, ever changing scenery. The last part is a serious climb of which the first two km are the steepest. If you wish you can visit the Mae Sa waterfalls on the way up. After check-in you can visit the nearby Queen Sirikit botanical garden or enjoy the view at the swimming pool. Your rooms are nestled on a hillside overlooking the nice garden and part of the valley. Different massages and workshops are available.
Day 6: About 53 km (B).
The first 6 km are downhill, so take it easy. There are plenty of different things to see and to visit during the next 5 km, if this is your cup of tea. An orchid farm may be worth a visit especially early morning when there are no tour groups. Once you leave the Mae Rim valley and cross the main road you are back in the Thai countryside. While cycling along an irrigation canal, you will have the chance to observe Thai farming life. You pass a Chinese cemetery and glimpse tantalizing views of a temple on top of a hill. You can visit this beautiful temple, which is also an important social centre and school for the area. Visit the nearby local market before you continue to cycle through small villages and paddy fields. Your accommodation for tonight is a small scale project; it has only a few but very nice and well decorated bungalows in a very peaceful setting. The resort has a nice swimming pool and the food is great.
Day 7: About 42 km, 10 km gently rolling hills (B).
Today’s cycling will give us further insight in the Thai way of life. You continue to cycle through rice fields, orchards, and small villages. Along the way you can also visit some local hot springs, caves and an interesting temple. Today’s accommodation is a small lodge in a local village. It has only a couple nicely decorated rooms available. The lodge has a nice swimming pool with bar where excellent cocktails are served. The restaurant has a very good choice of delicious Thai food. Thai massage is available.
Day 8: About 44 km, mainly flat (B).
After a short warm up the next few kilometres are uphill. Then the country flattens out and you are back into an area of paddy fields and local villages. The scenery of today is completely different again. You pass a large standing Buddha protruding from the flat countryside. Afterwards you will cycle along canals and through small villages until you reach your very nice accommodation of today. This luxury bed and breakfast in a private country villa has only a few, very nicely decorated guest rooms. The infinity swimming pool has an open air gazebo and pool side bar. The food is great as your host is an excellent cook. Thai massage is available.
Day 9: About 45 km flat (B).
Today you will cycle to Lamphun. You can visit the Wat Phrathat Haripunchai, one of the most revered temples in Northern Thailand (dress nicely). As the trip of today is not that long, you will have time to visit some other interesting places as well. Our route description avoids the traffic to cross Lamphun and the cycling continues on quiet back roads. The last part is through a village where time has stood still. On either side you will discover chedis and ruins, some of which are over seven centuries old. Your overnight accommodation is in a resort converted from old tobacco barns. It is tastefully and luxuriously decorated in a quiet and peaceful surrounding. It has a large swimming pool. They offer several different massages and an art & cultural workshop as well.
Day 10: About 50 km flat (B).
During the first part of today you will ride through mainly longan orchards. Families in this area make sa paper still using traditional methods. Via nice routes you cycle to Ban Tawai, a small village famous for wood carving artisans. You have enough time to look around the various stalls. If you want good quality souvenirs for a very good price, this is the place to be. (It’s your last cycling day anyway). Soon after leaving Ban Tawai you will join the Ping River that will lead you back to Chiang Mai again.
Tour Facts
Duration: 10 days, 9 nights.
Distance: Total biking distance is about 500 km.
Included:
- modified mountain bike.
- waterproof "Ortlieb" panniers.
- cyclometer, pump, lock, repair kit, inner tubes and multi tool.
- helmet, local insurance and backup.
- a light poncho will be provided during the rainy season.
- detailed route description.
- local map and map holder.
- the best guidebook of the area.
- accommodation.
- meals as specified in the itinerary: B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner.
Not included: overnight before and after the cycling tour.
Grading: 
General information
Bicycles: Adapted mountain bikes, also known as comfort bikes, with 24 gears and front suspension are used for their multifunctionality and comfort. The bikes are equipped with water bottle carriers and racks. Frames for both men and women are available.
Personal gear:People with particular requirements are advised to bring their own pedals, shoes, saddle, helmet, gloves or other cycling clothes.
Meeting: We will answer all your remaining questions and your bicycles will be setup according to your needs. You will receive all supporting material and will be briefed how to read the route description and use the cyclometer.
Clothes: Suitable clothes are shorts and firm footwear. Please no loose fitting dresses that can get caught up in wheels, and no flip-flops. Your safety is a major concern to us. We provide a light poncho during the rainy season.
Packing list: Sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, pocket money and a small camera. You will receive a complete packing list after your booking of this cycling tour is confirmed.
Support: This environmentally friendly cycling tour does not need a support vehicle; however, backup is provided when necessary.
Supporting material: All route descriptions, maps, guide books and equipment are the property of Click and Travel Ltd. and must be returned to Click and Travel Ltd. after the tour.
GPS: The use of GPS or other tracking devices is not allowed during our tours.
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