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CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK
From the mountains and jungles of the North to the temple-filled plains of central Thailand, cycling through these regions offers unforgettable scenery and cultural experiences. The famous Thai smile, quiet back roads and some of the world's best cuisine--these are a few of the many attractive Thai aspects that are featured on this exciting road cycling tour from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Starting in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, we ride south along shadey roads that lead to the historic city of Lampang. Here, our path becomes more secluded thanks to flanking paddy fields, ripe fruit orchids, and stretching plantations. These minor roads through provincial Thailand eventually give way to the ruins of the former capital of Siam, Sukhothai.
Sukhothai was once a thriving religious and commercial centre during the 13th and 14th centuries. Its majestic architecture and exquisite ceramics are renowned by UNESCO, which put this "First Thai Kingdom" on its World Heritage Site since 1978. Cycling these ruins offers breathtaking views and impressive insights into Thai culture.
Charming, rural roads lead us to another impressive UNESCO site: Khampeng Phet. Unknown to most tourists, this important archaeological site attests to the splendor of Thailand's "Golden Age", offering a relaxing, yet visually stimulating, cycling experience.
The last leg of our bike trip is comprised of back roads through local communities to the historic Ayutthaya. After visiting its famous temples, we ride past Bang Pa-In and the summer palace before ending our journey in the north part of Bangkok.
By way of Thailand's greatest ancient cities, this adventure is a historical ride through stunning ruins and scenery. Discover the real Thailand, up close.
TRIP PROFILE
This tour is 100% road cycling. The bike trail is approximately 980km. on good asphalt roads, making it suitable for road, touring and hybrid bicycles. The trip is point-to-point, apart from a small transfer at the end, and it is fully-supported--a SpiceRoads minibus will shadow us throughout the journey.
The rides are all on flat terrain with a few minor climbs.
You should be confident of your physical condition, as some rides take in many kilometers, and you should be confident riding long days.
| ITINERARY (11 days, 10 nights starting in Chiang Mai and finishing in Bangkok.) | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Chiang Mai, pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. Assemble bikes and enjoy Chiang Mai or go for a warm up ride in the area. |
| Day 2 | We leave Chiang Mai on the old highway and stop to visit an elephant camp and one of the oldest and most religious Chedis in Thailand, before a steep climb to Lampang -- the cowboy town. |
| Day 3 | Today we have three sets of hills to go over as we ride through teak forests, past reclining Buddhas and some beautiful temples. |
| Day 4 | We really head off the beaten track today as we ride quiet country roads through rice paddies towards the first capital of Thailand, Sukhothai. |
| Day 5 | Cycle around the historic park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 193 ruins surrounded by three moats and bridged by four gateways. Bikes are the best way to enjoy this ancient city. |
| Day 6 | Ride to Khampeng Phet on pleasant country roads with plenty of activity going on to keep your attention before you reach the former military fortress used to help defend Sukhothai from invading armies. |
| Day 7 | Look out for water buffaloes wallowing in a puddle and for ducks taking a dip in a rice field as we ride towards Nakorn Sawan and our charming resort surrounded by lily pads. |
| Day 8 | Cycle on back roads that pass through many small towns. Stop in Ang Thong to marvel at the the 60-foot long reclining Buddha. |
| Day 9 | Today we reach the old Siamese capitol of Ayutthaya – the centre of old Siam for over 400 years until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 – and visit the temples by bicycle. |
| Day 10 | Taking country roads we stop at Bang Pa-In, the former summer palace of King Chulakorn, before transferring to our hotel on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. |
| Day 11 | Free day to enjoy Bangkok and pack your bikes. |
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost | USD $1350 Single Supplement: USD $285 |
| Bike Rental | USD $120 |
| Total Distance | 880 kilometres |
| Number of Days | 11 days / 10 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | Eight full days and two half days. |
| Road Surface | All the cycling is on good asphalt roads. |
| Support | One or two air-conditioned minibuses specially rigged to take bikes and bikers. |
| Group Size | Minimum 2. Maximum 16. |
| Staff | English-speaking guide(s), plus, drivers and assistants. For groups of 10 or more an extra local bike guide also joins. |
| Accommodation | 2 night 4-star hotel, 3 nights in 3-star hotels, 5 nights provincial hotels All hotels have en suite facilities a/c, fridge TV and most hotels have a swimming pool. Wherever possible we use hotels with charm and local character. |
| Food | All meals are included except breakfast and lunch on the first day and lunch and dinner on the last day. |
| Biking Grade |
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Simon De Vere hadn't done any serious biking for more than 25 years when he decided to join the SpiceRoads Chiang Mai to Bangkok tour in December. Read how he fared on his blog.
~Simon De Vere Chiang Mai to Bangkok Tour, December 2009
We are really looking forward to seeing Spice Roads again in 2008!!!
~Paul & Penny Lapping
Chiang Mai to Bangkok Tour, September 2007
Read more reviews in our Guestbook.
