Mountain Biking Trip

Explore the spectacular and panoramic scenery of North Thailand's mountain ranges. Ride through rolling hills, passing interesting natural and cultural sites, such as little-explored caves and Buddhist sanctuaries.
Bike challenging, winding trails to remote hill tribe villages in lush forests and jungle.

From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in NORTH THAILAND, join us and experience our most popular mountain-bike route over four days of great cycling from the hills of Chiangdao to the Maekok river valley. Discover small villages and ethnic hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Cycle through scenic area with plenty of exciting trails and sights. Meet with the locals and spend a night with a hill tribe family. Excellent riding and great guides!

Details

(MB-376)

Price Includes

English speaking cycling guide.

Support vehicle through the tour, including tansfers.

Full board (see meals details, stated as B, L, D, in program)

Mountain-bike rental. 24 gears TREK mountain-bikes.

Snacks, drinks while on the road.

Elephant camp, caves admission fees. Boat trip.

Luggage transport in support vehicle.

Price Excludes

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.

Suitability / Level

Moderate

Theme

Small Group Travel (Click to Search All)

Max Group Size

Itinerary & Highlights
Outline Itinerary - Package 4 days / 3 nights (4 days of great cycling!)

Sunday >> individual arrival in Chiangmai.
Overnight hotel (Tourist Class, located in night bazaar area)

Monday (ride 30 to 45 km cycling / 18 to 28 miles)
Day 01 - Chiang Mai-Chiang Dao (B/L/D)

Around 8:30 am, pick-up participants from various Chiang Mai hotels and drive north by covered pickup to Chiang-Dao region. Stop at elephant camp in jungle. Watch elephants bathing and demonstrate their skills. Explore Chiang-Dao 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). Finish cycling at hilltribe village where we spend the night as guests of the village headman's family. Excellent Thai dinner served by your guide.

Tuesday (ride 30 to 60 km / 18 to 38 miles)
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 forestry temple and caves. Afternoon cycling around 25 kilometers, mostly off road, until car transfer to Ban Thaton for overnight stay on banks of Maekok river, near Burmese border. Night and dinner at hotel.

Wednesday (ride 45 to 60 km / 28 to 38 miles)
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. (Dinner not included). Eventually enjoy a stroll at nightly night bazaar, or take a traditionnal Thai massage to revigor the muscles!

Thursday (cycle 20 to 40 km / 12 to 24 miles)
Day 04 - Chiang Rai (B/L/-)

Cycling itinerary is flexible today and depending on the season. Cycle out of town and follow the river to discover exciting new trails. Cycling up the mountain to a waterfall and down via another route. Lunch, relax and shower at waterfall, before car transfer back to Chiang Mai (3 hours). Arrive around 7pm and drop off at hotel.
-End of the tour-

Tour information
Anyone in good physical condition can join our regular cycling trips. Experienced riders will best enjoy trip.
Sunday departures (arrival day in Chiang Mai), all year round. Rain or shine.
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.

Season: best (coolest) cycling season from September to late February, however we run the trip all year round.
The return from Chiang Rai back to Chiang Mai on last day (Thursday) is with our support vehicle, which is a "covered pick up truck". For additional comfort we can organize air-cond. van at extra cost. Many clients stay on their own in Chiang Rai, or take a flight directly from Chiang Rai (CEI) to Bangkok (flight TG143 is recommended). see Thai Airways schedule or contact us.

Accommodation & Center Details
Hilltribe village experience...
Very basic, dormitory style, with mats + sleeping bag. Toilet outside and shower at the stream (no Western toilet facilities). The experience will certainly compensate for lack of comfort!

Thaton:
Thaton Chalet, a tourist class hotel located on the bank of the Maekok river. Ensuite toilets, Air-cond. Great location. Excellent restaurant.

Chiang Rai:
The Golden Triangle Inn, Tourist class hotel, excellent location in the center of town. Ensuite toilets, Air-cond. A mere 2 min. walk to small and attractive Chiang Rai night bazaar.