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KHAO YAI WINE TRAILS
There's a revolution in wine production today, as the new New World wines of Thailand are making a stunning breakthrough into the considered world of wine appreciation.
Produced and processed in the stunning Asoke Valley and sitting at an elevation of 350m above sea level, Thailand's vineyards are cool and dry, perfect for nurturing wine grapes. Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's oldest and best known nature sanctuary and is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The rolling hills and temperate climate makes this ideal for cycling and we have developed a wonderful little escape from Bangkok, that combines the best bicycle trails with some wine tasting and delicious Thai food.
What do we see? From Bangkok we drive north and east and enter Khao Yai Park from the south gate. The park covers some 2,168 sq kms and is home to over 2,000 different species of vegetation and more than 300 species of birds and animals. We travel through the park stopping at various view points and we also have a short trek through the jungle to the Heo Naraok waterfall before continuing to our resort to check in and enjoy a light lunch. In the afternoon we ride through patchwork countryside that could almost be France was it not for the banana trees and occasional coconut palm to our first vineyard, Gran Monte and our first wine tasting. Then we continue riding along quiet back roads to Khao Yai winery where we ride through the vineyards before stopping for our second wine tasting as well as a tour of the wine making facilities. After the visit it is a short ride back our resort.
The following morning you will wake up in the very charming Cabbages & Condoms resort, surrounded by Limestone Mountains and nature at its very best. After breakfast enjoy a pleasant ride through the valleys following different trails to the Hornbill Restaurant, which is part of the Khao Yai Winery estate, where you enjoy a mouth watering Thai lunch complemented by a glass of wine. It is then a short ride back to the resort where you can enjoy a swim before returning to Bangkok via Saraburi (two hour drive).
What is the riding like? The roads on day 1 of the Khao Yai Wine Trails are in excellent condition, there are a few ups and downs but generally, the riding is relatively undemanding and requires no technical ability. On day 2 we ride some off road sections and are some steeper ups and downs and can be handled by most people.
This tour has been designed for the discerning traveler; someone that enjoys the countryside, likes to ride a bike and has a penchant for good wine and good food. It is also a really good tour for families.
Gran Monte Winery: Set in 800 acres and planted with Shriaz, Tempranillo, Chenin Blanc, and Clombard grapes, Gran Monte produces excellent wines. The vineyards are family owned and operated. Set on 40 acres and grows a mixture of Syrah and Chenin Blanc vines to produce some great wines.
Khao Yai Winery: set on a valley plain 300 metres above sea level close to Khao Yai National Park. Khao Yai Winery claims to be the birthplace of Khao Yai wine. The 800 Acre plantation includes 200 acres of good quality grapes and a 3,000 square-meter factory including a fermentation room housing French-made 225-litre oak barrels with the capacity to mature 450,000 litres of wine, or 600,000 bottles a year.
A cellar door is available at both wineries, and any wine you want to buy will be packed for safe transfer back to the hotel.
Cabbages & Condoms Resort: Cabbages and Condoms are a small chain of restaurants and resorts owned by the Population, Community and Development Association, a Thai government organization set up by Khun Meechai Viravaidya. The PDA operates a wide variety of programs designed to serve and assist the rural poor of Thailand. These programs cover such diverse activities as free vasectomies, income generation programs at village level, forest replanting schemes, vegetable banks, industry relocation into rural areas, mobile health clinics, environmental education programs, and a democracy project.
Located in the small village of Sap Tai, our resort is beautifully situated in a scenic valley surrounded by steep limestone mountains and in the shadow of Khao Yai, the big mountain. The resort comfortable rather than luxurious but has a large swimming pool and a beautiful restaurant with a garden that is lit at night by hundreds of fairly lights. The food here is great and the service excellent.
Note: Those considering this tour as a private trip might like to consider upgrading the accommodation to the nearby five-star Kirimaya Resort & Spa.
Anything else? This really is a great trip for a family or for a small group of friends and we are happy to go any day of the week for private groups.
Of course, water, soft drinks and snacks are all included every day and SpiceRoads supplies a TREK mountain bike and helmet. The trip is fully supported by our air conditioned minibus, fully equipped with a two-way radio and Thule bike rack.
To turn a short trip into a real holiday you can add our Khao Yai Wine Country tour to either our Kanchanaburi or Central Thailand tours and receive a 5% discount on the total price.
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost |
THB 6750 Single Supplement: THB 900
THB 7750 Single Supplement: THB 1050 (from November 1, 2008) |
| Number of Days | 2 days / 1 night |
| Pick up Time | 07h30 to 08h00 at your hotel on day one. |
| Drop Off | Usually around 16h30 at your hotel in Bangkok on day two. |
| Departure Days | Every Saturday |
| Meal Basis | Full board from lunch on day one to lunch on day two. |
| Children | Children aged 12-16 years are welcome on this trip and receive a 25% discount. |
| Bike Hire | TREK mountain bike, helmet and water bottle are all Included in the tour price. |
| Total Distance | 60km |
| Biking Grade |
(out of five)
|
| Support | Fully supported by SpiceRoads driver and bike bus. |
| Insurance | Accident insurance is provided by SpiceRoads. Click here for information. |
| Group Size | Minimum 2. Maximum 12. |
The following services are included in our price
- All hotels and meals specified
- All transfers by a/c vehicles
- All entrances to parks, vineyards and sites mentioned.
- All water and snacks whilst riding
- Bike Hire for 2 days
- Local English speaking cycle guide
- Two lunches (Thai Food)
- One Dinner (Thai Food)
- Wine tasting.
- One glass of wine with lunch on day two.
The following are not included in our price
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Soft drinks and other beverages in the evenings
- Massage.
- Tips for guides.
Noi was an excellent guide - informative, always accomodating and orders good food! Charlie the driver always helpful and ready with cold towels and refreshments.
Have recommended you guys to our friends!
~Lee Family
Khao Yai Wine Trails, June 2008
Read more reviews in our Guestbook.
