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 massages are available.
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. Your cycling trip continues towards Chiang Dao where you can visit the Chiang Dao Caves, a nearby monastery may be worth a visit as well. After these visits you cycle back to your resort where you spend another night.
Along today’s cycling route you will have the chance to visit a fancy temple rarely visited by foreigners. The third night you stay at a small but superb resort in the middle of nowhere; it has a nice swimming pool with a stunning view. The food is great and very good Thai massages are available. If you arrive early afternoon, you may go for a walk with the gardener (for a small fee) who can show you the area and parts of the jungle around the resort. As your resort is situated out of town you don’t have much light pollution, so it is perfect for some star gazing.
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 are available.
The first 6 km are now 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 area you are back in the Thai countryside again. 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. You may 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, the food is great and their massages are excellent.
Today’s cycling will give us further insight into 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.
After a short warm up the next few kilometres are up hill, 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 continue to 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.
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, tastefully and luxuriously decorated in quiet and peaceful surroundings, with a large swimming pool.
The first part of today you will ride through mainly longan orchards. Families in this area make sa paper 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.
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights.
Distance: Total biking distance is about 425 km.
Included:
Not included: overnight before and after the cycling tour.
Grading:
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.
Rates
Prices start at about 1250 Thai Baht per person per day for 2 or 3 people sharing a room.
The price per day using single rooms starts at about 1750 Thai Baht.
Depending on the period of your cycling trip, prices might be different.
If you make a reservation, we will make you an exact offer.
This tour description is the property of Click and Travel Ltd.
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