Southern Thailand: Bangkok to Phuket Bike Tour
Overview
This beach hopping trip takes us to the thick of things in Southern Thailand where old school meets the new and lush countryside and pristine beaches go hand in hand with bustling fishing villages, charming beach sides, and national parks. There is something for everyone who ventures here.
Explore rainforests, enjoy bucolic island life, snorkel at Ko Tao, or seek out some of the world’s best warm water beaches. Welcome to Thailand!
Bangkok | 17:00hrs
Phuket
casual
easy to moderate
65km or 40mi
Age: 16+
Highlights
serene landscapes
Energize you mind, body and soul in the serene hills, springs, beaches and islands of South Thailand
Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Place | Hotel | Meals | Distance | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Bangkok | X2 Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel | D | ||
| DAY 2 | Hua Hin | Asira Boutique Hua Hin | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
| DAY 3 | Kui Buri | Kuiburi Hotel and Resort | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
| DAY 4 | Ban Krut | Baan Grood Arcadia Resort | B,L,D | 75km / 45mi | cycling |
| DAY 5 | Saphli | Nana Beach Resort | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
| DAY 6 | Lang Suan | Ban Lae Resort | B,L,D | 80km / 48mi* | cycling |
| DAY 7 | Laem Thong Beach | Laem Sai Resort | B,L,D | 80km / 48mi* | cycling |
| DAY 8 | Cheow Larn Lake | Phupha Waree | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi* | cycling |
| DAY 9 | Cheow Larn Lake | Phupha Waree | B,L,D | ||
| DAY 10 | Khao Sok National Park | Khao Sok River Lodge | B,L,D | 50km / 30mi* | cycling |
| DAY 11 | Khao Sok National Park | Khao Sok River Lodge | B | ||
| DAY 12 | Khao Lak | The Leaf on the Sands | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
| DAY 13 | Phuket | Nai Yang Beach Resort | B,L,D | 90km / 54mi | cycling |
| DAY 14 | Phuket | B |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok and settle into your hotel. Today you can plan your own day visiting some of the classic highlights of Bangkok. Our guide meets you at 17.00 pm at your hotel lobby for a tour briefing. We convene tonight to celebrate the start of our awesome journey on a bike.
Day 2: Hua Hin
Our guide meets you at your hotel lobby at 7:30 am and we transfer about two hours before the cycling begins. Today we ride past a vast expanse of paddy fields and palm trees. End the day with a ride along the coast to a splendid crescent beach situated in the middle of an airbase.
Day 3: Kui Buri
A flat terrain combined with a few hills to a dam takes us to Sam Roi Yot National Park having spectacular limestone mountain scenery and freshwater marshes. The last leg of the ride is along the beach to Kui Buri.
Day 4: Ban Krut
After a hearty breakfast, we begin riding off-the-beaten-track with spectacular views of winding paths, wooden fishing boats, coconut groves, and palm oil plantations.
Our route skirts the coast with sea views to the left and rugged mountains to our right, passing numerous bird condos that are built to collect the nests of swiftlets for bird’s nest soup. We end the ride at our beachside hotel in Ban Krut.
Day 5: Saphli
An easy ride day on a bike today along the deserted coastline passing through a little fishing community, tropical countryside, past tree-canopied rice farms, and lush green fields and paddies.
Day 6: Lang Suan
A relatively flat ride today as we cycle through shrimp farms, fishing villages, and along coconut palm plantations and mangrove forests. Along the way, we break to see a shrine of Prince of Chumphon, founder of the modern navy in Thailand, and then continue cycling along the coast to Chumphon.
Day 7: Laem Thong Beach
We continue riding south and are now truly off the beaten track with endless sandy beaches. Today, we are riding to Chaiya, one of the oldest cities of Thailand, dating back to the 5th to 13th centuries when it was a regional capital in the Srivijaya kingdom, based in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our accommodation tonight is a bit more rustic as it is where local Thais stay. For those with energy in the evening, a squid fishing excursion can be arranged.
Day 8: Cheow Larn Lake
Today we bike towards the small inland town of Ban Ka Thun and head inland, leaving behind the Gulf of Thailand we have traversed so far and trading the beach for the lush green jungle.
We ride past rubber and coconut plantations and bucolic villages. One short but steep climb takes us to the top of Ratchaprapa Dam, a sight for stunning water views of Cheow Larn lake.
Day 9: Cheow Larn Lake
Today plan your own day. Take a 30min boat ride to our rafts, and overnight on the lake. We have the opportunity to swim directly from a raft, set amidst spectacular karst cliffs, or go for a kayak or another swim.
Day 10: Khao Sok National Park
Today is an undulating terrain that winds through a series of magnificent limestone cliffs and green jungle along the edge of Khao Sok National Park, one of the world’s oldest rainforests. The towering rock outcroppings, colorful cliffs, and lush tropical forest surround the ride today.
Day 11: Khao Sok National Park
You are free to spend the day at leisure or take part in various activities around the park such as elephant bathing, jungle river canoe, and jungle trekking.
Day 12: Khao Lak
Ride along the edge of Khao Sok National Park to the outskirts of Takua Pa. Here ride through the old town and see traditional wooden buildings blended with Portuguese colonial buildings. En route visit the Tsunami Victim Cemetery which memorializes the victims from 39 countries.
We then take quiet backroads through small villages, shady rubber plantations, and cross rivers as we cycle to the small waterfall of Sam Rung. We keep following the mountain road and arrive at the coastal road, riding south for a fine beach time at Khao Lak.
Day 13: Phuket
This is our last day of riding along the Thailand coast and it’s a long ride. Enjoy it to the fullest.
We ride along canals, past palm and rubber plantations, and shrimp farms, and along the beach to the bridge that connects the island of Phuket with the mainland. Some riding is on the main highway. The last leg is with views of the Andaman Sea.
Enjoy Phuket at leisure. Extend your stay here or depart as per your onward travel plans.
Day 14: Phuket
If you have time, we recommend to visit Ko Phi Phi island which is about 2 hours boat trip from Phuket.
Map
Dates and Prices
Note:
Our base pricing is in USD. However, we can also quote in AUD, GBP, CAD, and EUR, and you can pay in the same. Please write us.
Couldn't find a trip with convenient dates?
Open your date as a join-in tour or customize further as private one.
We offer private departures on almost all our itineraries, and for groups of four or more, they cost the same as our standard trips!
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 that 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.
Weather
Southern Thailand is coastal and mostly flat. The cycle tour season here runs from November to March when the weather is sunny and pleasant. April to June are the hot summer months and July to October is the rainy season when southern Thailand receives considerable rainfall.
- The best time of year is winter (November through February). It is the dry season and temperatures are cooler. The south gets a scattered shower every few days. Temperatures in the South are in the low 30s.
- March through May in the South is warmer, but only fluctuates a couple of degrees during the year.
- June through October is the rainy season (or green season as the hotels like to call it). September and early October peak in the south. Rain tends to be short but heavy tropical downpours, then clearing out, usually happening in the afternoon or evening, so cycling tours are still possible.
In a nutshell, winter is great (Nov - Mar), and the rest of the year is ok in the South.
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.
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.
Reviews from our friends
Paul Norman from US
5.0an experience that I will never forget
The Southern Thailand bicycle trip was an experience that I will never forget. Woody, our guide and Mr. Sit our driver made sure that I journey was insightful and educational. This trip is for those who want to experience the real Thailand, not just from the travel brochures. I highly suggest this bicycle trip, It will definitely change your perspective.
Jane from AU
5.0superb service
The leader and driver worked extremely well together and provided superb service. We appreciated support team accommodating our requests for early start, configuring a bike for tall cyclist, and buying meals to accommodate allergy. The leader demonstrated initiative to show us local features (eg jackfruit farm, markets, numerous crop types) and made the trip a true unique experience for us. Our cycling trip leader acted as the local guide and she was extremely knowledgeable. Yai far exceeded our expectations.
End of reviews
