Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Plus! Golden Triangle Bike Tour

Arrive in Chiang Mai and settle into your hotel. Our guide meets at your hotel, post-lunch at 13:00hrs for a bike fit followed by a walking tour of Chiang Mai. Today we visit some of the classic highlights of Chiang Mai.

We convene tonight to celebrate the start of our awesome journey on a bike.

Start with a shuttle, a short way out of town to avoid morning rush hour, then hop on the bikes for a spin along the banks of the Ping River. One of Thailand's four main rivers, its water flows all the way to Bangkok. Along the way pass by flower farms growing chrysanthemums for use as Buddhist offerings. After lunch, we pick up a tiny rural road through the lush Mae Rim Valley with its quiet villages and old wooden temples. Visit the fresh market in Mae Malai before reaching our hotel overlooking vast rice fields with a backdrop of forested mountains.

Today's ride starts with cycling through a couple of small villages with old traditional wooden houses before you reach the expansive Wat Ban Den (temple). Each of its viharn (temple buildings) has been built in a different style. Riding north from here, you will roll through the Mae Ping gorge with its unique "air conditioning", air flowing off the mountains along creeks blows cool across the road like an air conditioner. Last stop before reaching the hotel will be a visit to Wat Tham Chiang Dao, a temple complex built into limestone caves in Doi Chiang Dao (Thailand's 3rd tallest peak).

We start early on this day for a ride to Chaiprakan, crossing many local villages in the hinterland. Expect to see the valley whitewashed with bright green hues of paddy, jungles, and fruit plantations. We recommend talking walk to the nearby night market and enjoying street food in the evening.

Ride further from Fang to Thaton traverses across paddy fields. The fields cling onto the side of the village road for almost the entire way. The ride is mostly on flat roads, with occasional dips and climbs, which add to the interest of a cyclist. We also come across several villages on the way – perfect to get great photographs of the interiors of Thailand. The locals are quite friendly and don’t be surprised if you are invited to a home for a cup of tea (or red Fanta).

We pace out our journey to Thaton and arrive at this beautiful town at the edge of a River. Thaton is one of the last towns bordering Myanmar in this area. The great part of this is that one gets to see the blend of Burmese, Thai and Chinese influences in language and culture.

Ride along the river and make way to Mae Salong. The river meanders through a rich green valley, unfolding one dramatic scenery after another. Hilltop farming to tea plantations, bamboo huts by the river – this is Thailand at its most authentic best!

We’re back in the countryside this morning, with paddy fields for company. The ride is extremely refreshing as the crisp morning air and clear skies welcome you on the road. We reach Chiang Saen by afternoon and settle into the hotel. Relax for some time before setting out to see the confluence of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, and the site for the infamous Golden Triangle. A great way to see this is from Wat Phrathat Phu Kao Hill. Chiang Saen is one of the most historic cities. What makes it more intriguing is the access from here to Thailand and Burma.

We head out after breakfast and see the spectacular Wats and later visit the hall of opium. This usually piques everyone’s interest. This area was infamous as one of the largest producers of opium, naturally transmitting the habit to locals, making it a huge social menace for the local community.

The Royal Project and Doi Tung Development Project have spent years battling the trade of opium and its social repercussions. The Hall of Opium was built to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse and also traces the history from its first use 5,000 years. This is one of the most educative experiences of Thailand, in the context of the influence of drugs in the region. This one should not be missed.

We start early to utilize the full day. With the rich silted land by the Mekong River, a bike ride means that you tend to be surrounded by shades of green. There is agricultural land as far as your eyes can see. Ride past fruit orchards, paddy fields, and banana plantations and arrive at Chiang Khong.

Toady we ride along the Thailand Laos border, first along riverside, then down the valley of Phu Chi Fa mountain range which forms the border once the Mekong heads into Laos. Our home today is a mountain lodge sitting up on the mountain side, that look out over a sea of clouds at sunrise (sunsets are pretty good too). The lodge up on the mountain is a little simpler than elsewhere on our tour, but clean and comfortable with ensuite.

Ride past fruit orchards, paddy fields, banana plantations and arrive at Chiang Rai. The region is home to a distinct array of food, music, art, and lush landscapes. The rest of the evening is on your own to roam the night markets, full of local Bric-à-brac and street food stalls. Chiang Rai comes alive in the evenings with the streets packed with locals and tourists alike.

Extend your stay here or travel further as per your onwards plans.