Mae Hong Son Highlands Loop by Road Bike

thailand bike tour 55

Overview

A classic loop of a lifetime in the verdant topography of Thailand’s interiors Mae Hong Son hills. Pedal along to your next destination across misty mountains, through deep valleys and riversides.

This tour takes you through the more remote landlocked region of Mae Hong Son.

Start

Chiang Mai | 13:00hrs

Finish

Chiang Mai

Lodging

casual

Level

moderate to challenging

Avg. dist. cycled

85km or 67mi

Suitable for

Age: 18+

Fly-In

CNX

Fly-Out

CNX

Highlights

Highlight Image

highland loop

A classic rolling highlands loop, one of the best in Thailand

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

DayPlacecasual Inns or similarMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1Chiang MaiAksara HeritageD
DAY 2Chom ThongDoi Inthanon Riverside ResortB,L,D75km / 45micycling
DAY 3Bo LuangPak Doi OK Farm StayB,L,D72km / 42micycling
DAY 4Mae SariangRiverhouse HotelB,L,D65km / 40micycling
DAY 5Khum YuanMitKhoonYoum HotelB,L,D100km / 60micycling
DAY 6Mae Hong SonPalmhouse Normal LoftB,L,D70km / 42micycling
DAY 7Mae Hong SonPalmhouse Normal LoftB
DAY 8SoppongSoppong River InnB,L,D68km / 42micycling
DAY 9PaiThe Quarter PaiB,L,D45km / 27micycling
DAY 10Chiang MaiAksara Heritage HotelB,L,D100km / 60micycling
DAY 11DepartureB

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary Image

Day 1: Chiang Mai

Meet with your guides in the early afternoon at our hotel to enjoy a walking tour through parts of the Old City section of Chiang Mai. Discover stupa ruins dating back 700 years and historic wats (temples) sprinkled in among the shops and houses of locals. Gather for orientation and bike fitting before heading out for some excellent Lanna cuisine.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Aksara Heritage
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Day 2: Chom Thong

Avoiding morning rush hour, we will shuttle out to Wiang Khum Kam Visitor Center to start our ride. Cycle around this area where Chiang Mai was originally founded 735 years ago, exploring the ruins of ancient temples. From here the route turns south cycling along the Mae Ping (Ping River) through small villages, past fish farms, and through expansive longan orchards. Tonight we relax riverside at our hotel in Chom Thong.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 75km / 45mi
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Day 3: Bo Luang

After breakfast enjoy a bit more riverside cycling before we turn towards the mountain and start the reason cyclists come here, alpine cycling. Today's ride starts in thick forests of teak and other trees, slowly gaining altitude along the Mae Chaem (Chaem River). Take a walking break to explore the Ob Luang Gorge, before reaching the tiny village of Bo Luang where we spend the night at a farm stay, enjoying a farm-to-table dinner.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 72km / 42mi
Accommodation: Pak Doi OK Farm Stay
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Day 4: Mae Sariang

Our route stays high in the Thong Chai Mountain Range, cycling up and down a number of smaller ridge lines as we cross over what many geologists believe to be the southeastern end of the Himalayas. In the afternoon we enjoy a downhill run to the Yuam River Valley and our overnight stop in Mae Sariang. Relax on the balcony of your room overlooking the river before dinner.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 65km / 40mi
Accommodation: Riverhouse Hotel

Day 5: Khum Yuan

Today you can plan your own day. Spend the day at leisure or take short walk around and explore some Wats.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 100km / 60mi
Accommodation: MitKhoonYoum Hotel
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Day 6: Mae Hong Son

Another day of rolling terrain through forests, farmlands, and small towns. Enjoy photo breaks at several overlooks, then faster descending at the end of the day, a quick stop at Pha Bong Hot Spring before rolling into town. Our hotel sits in rice paddies on the edge of town, yet within walking distance of all the interesting aspects of the town.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 70km / 42mi
Accommodation: Palmhouse Normal Loft
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Day 7: Mae Hong Son

The day is to your leisure, perhaps stroll around Nong Chong Park to explore the Burmese-style temple complex or the night markets.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Palmhouse Normal Loft
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Day 8: Soppong

Today is what you have been building up your legs for as we tackle a couple of big climbs crossing back over the Thong Chai Mountain Range. Take a short break from cycling to visit Tham Pla the fish cave and So Tong Bamboo Bridge, before starting the first big climb. If time allows go to visit Tham Lod and catch the evening return of some 300,000 swallows to the cave.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 68km / 42mi
Accommodation: Soppong River Inn
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Day 9: Pai

You have one long uphill this morning gaining 1000 meters in 17 kms, then a long downhill runs to the mountain town of Pai. You have the afternoon free to explore this old hippy paradise, perhaps a hot spring visit or ride out to Pai Canyon or simply relax at the hotel.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 45km / 27mi
Accommodation: The Quarter Pai
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Day 10: Chiang Mai

The grand finale of our alpine cycling tour takes us over one of the highest points of the ride and then we start a downhill roller coaster, descending and climbing again and again until we find ourselves at the edge of the Ping River Valley again. We finish our descent out of the mountains into the Ping River Valley. Passing Mae Malai our ride picks up quiet farm roads along the Klong Kiat, an irrigation canal, with beautiful panoramic views of the valley and its surrounding mountains and no traffic. We will end the ride at Wat Mae Ket Noi, with its Good & Evil teaching garden full of rather bizarre and colorful statuary. We shuttle from here to our hotel to avoid downtown traffic.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 100km / 60mi
Accommodation: Aksara Heritage Hotel

Day 11: Departure

Travel further as per your onward travel plans.

Meals: B
Accommodation:

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Map

Dates and Prices

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Single Supplement

From US $530


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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

trip leader

Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

shuttle

A Van support follows the group of riders and carries all belongings.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

refreshments

Refreshments and mineral water while cycling.

entrance

Entrance fees to most of the monuments and temples.

Exclusions

Airport pickup and drop

We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.

meals

Some meals may not be included. Please check your itinerary.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

January

Best

February

Best

March

Offseason

April

Offseason

May

Offseason

June

Mixed

July

Offseason

August

Offseason

September

Offseason

October

Good

November

Best

December

Best

Best

Good

Mixed

Offseason

Visa

Travelers wishing to enter Thailand have two options: through an airport or overland. Regardless of the mode of entry, the same rules apply to all travelers. Citizens of countries that can enter visa-free will receive a 30-day entry stamp, while those with a Tourist Visa will receive a 60-day entry stamp. Travelers from countries eligible for a Visa on Arrival will receive a 15-day entry stamp and a visa at the airport.

To comply with the rules, travelers entering visa-free or applying for a VOA must present an airline ticket that departs Thailand before their initial entry period ends (30 and 15 days, respectively). Other travelers may also be asked by the airline to show proof of a departing flight.

When applying for a VOA, travelers must be able to demonstrate that they have 10,000 THB for an individual or 20,000 THB for a family. For those entering visa-free or with a Tourist or Non-Imm visa, proof of financial ability must be shown in the form of 20,000 THB and 40,000 THB, respectively. It's important to note that cash is the only acceptable form of proof of financial ability, and credit cards or bank statements do not count. Any major currency is equivalent is acceptable.

Although the majority of travelers are not asked to show proof of financial ability, some travelers may occasionally be asked to do so at Immigration. Therefore, travelers should always be prepared to provide evidence of their financial ability.

Here is an excellent resource on Thailand visas that may be worth to look at.

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