Off-beat Northern Thailand: Bike, Hike, Raft

thailand bike tour 9

Overview

Thailand is a lot more than just beautiful, sun-kissed beaches. Come to the north and be mesmerized by a world of lush green forests, lazily meandering rivers with elephants languidly bathing, and zesty mountain streams that provide some excellent white water rafting.

This Thailand multi-sport adventure takes you from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai through a route that few tourists have traveled before. An undulating route that combines the Golden Triangle with Chiang Mai through a myriad of activities; bike, hike, raft. Amidst lush jungles and limestone mountains pedal your way through bright green hues of paddy, and fruit plantations, and along the meandering Kok river, unfolding one dramatic scenery after another.

Hilltop farming to tea plantations, ancient wats, hill-tribe culture, bamboo huts by the river, and elephants lazily relaxing in the river – this is Thailand at its most authentic best!

Start

Chiang Mai

Finish

Chiang Rai

Lodging

casual

Level

easy to moderate

Avg. dist. cycled

60km/37mi

Group size

Min. 2, Max. 12

Fly-In

CNX

Fly-Out

CEI

Highlights

Highlight Image

bike, hike, raft

Set out to experience Thailand in myriad ways; bike, hike, raft

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

DayPlacecasual Inns or similarMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1Chiang MaiAksara HeritageD
DAY 2Mae Taeng Baan Rai LannaB,L,D55km/34micycling
DAY 3Mae NgatMountain FloatB,L,Drafting
DAY 4PhraoKhum Lanna B,L,D60km/37micycling
DAY 5 Doi LuangHomestayB,L,Dhiking
DAY 6PhraoKhum Lanna B,L,Dhiking
DAY 7PhraoKhum Lanna B
DAY 8Phayao Naga Tara ResortB,L,D60km/37micycling
DAY 9Chiang KhamRico ResortB,L,D70km/43micycling
DAY 10Hike Phu Sang National ParkLaluna B,L,Dhiking
DAY 11DepartureB

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary Image

Day 1: Chiang Mai

Our guides meet you at your hotel and then shuttle you to the visitor center of Wiang Khum Kam. After getting fitted to your bike, you will ride through the ruins of Chiang Mai's original locations some 725 years ago. Enjoy lunch at a small cafe before continuing the ride to Baan Tawai a village renowned for its woodworking. Returning to Chiang Mai, you will be treated to a traditional Khantoke dinner with a classical dancing demonstration and northern foods.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Aksara Heritage
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Day 2: Mae Taeng

After breakfast, your guides will lead you out of Chiang Mai, along quiet riverside roads, passing morning markets, school kids walking to school, and out into the countryside. We follow the river north, until lunchtime. The afternoon leg traverses quiet agricultural lands, perhaps emerald green with the latest rice crop, historic temples, and diminutive villages. Our lodge for tonight is tucked away in the forest surrounding Mae Malai.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 55km/34mi
Accommodation: Baan Rai Lanna
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Day 3: Mae Ngat

In the morning we will shuttle a short way up the Mae Taman valley to meet with our rafting guides and get outfitted for an exciting morning of class 3 & 4 whitewater. From the river takeout, you will go by van to the extensive, colorful Wat Ban Den for a stroll through the ornate temple buildings and grounds. You head next to Mae Ngat lake where a long-tail boat whisks you to our floating hotel, with free time for swimming, canoeing, and relaxing.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Mountain Float
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Day 4: Phrao

Returning to the shore after breakfast, the bikes await for a ride along the edge of Sri Lanna National Park, through lush forests and green farmlands, and visit Bua Tong (Sticky Falls) with its limestone "stairs". Upon reaching our overnight stop in Phrao, we will visit Wat Tham Dok Kham (reclining Buddha in a cave ) and perhaps learn a bit about local culture from our hosts. Plant lovers in the group can opt to visit a commercial orchid grower.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 60km/37mi
Accommodation: Khum Lanna
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Day 5: Doi Luang

Time to break out the walking shoes, as you depart for an overnight trek along the trails, ridgelines, and through the forests of Doi Luang National Park. This park sees very few tourists, so we will have the trails pretty much to ourselves. Our overnight stop will be in a homestay in one of the mountain villages that still exists within the parklands. Lend a hand with dinner preparation to learn a bit about local foods and cooking.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Homestay
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Day 6: Phrao

After finishing the trek, head for Phrao. The overnight stop will be in a Red Lahu Village and we will pass through Lisu villages.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Khum Lanna
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Day 7: Phrao

Today is a rest day. Here you have the options for a cooking class, Thai style vegetable carving, massage or simply in your verandah.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Khum Lanna
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Day 8: Phayao

Today's leg starts with a bit of climbing, as you cycle across the mountain range separating Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Provinces (1500m ascent over 20kms). Take a break from cycling to visit the Mae Poon Luang Royal Project, which was set up to educate hill tribe villagers about alternate money-making crops to drive out opium poppy growing. After lunch, we bike to Wiang Pa Pao, then shuttle to our hotel on the shores of Phayao Lake.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 60km/37mi
Accommodation: Naga Tara Resort
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Day 9: Chiang Kham

Our last day of cycling is through flat rural landscapes in areas that see few tourists. You will explore small villages, and colorful wats (temple compounds)en route to Chiang Kham home to Wat Namtaam, a huge Burmese-style teakwood temple. Discover more about the ethnic Tai people who inhabit the region at the Tai Lue Cultural Museum.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 70km/43mi
Accommodation: Rico Resort
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Day 10: Hike Phu Sang National Park

After breakfast, we will shuttle over to Phu Sang National Park, for a day hike to visit its unique hot spring-fed waterfall. After which we will head to Chiang Rai, to explore a couple of rather unique Wats, Wat Rong Kung, better known as the White Temple, and Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple. Celebrate the end of a great adventure at your guide's favorite restaurant, Thong Tueng.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Laluna

Day 11: Departure

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

Meals: B
Accommodation:

Ready to plan your adventure? Download a print-ready detailed itinerary.

Map

Dates and Prices

Members get an estimated 10% off when booking at least 6 months in advance.

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Single Supplement

From US $600

E-Bike Upgrade

From US $275



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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.

E-bikes

E-bikes are available (subject to availability) on this trip at a surcharge.

Exclusions

Airport pickup and drop

We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.

Beverages

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

Gratuity

Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.

Bikes

When you have a road and the thrill of a journey ahead of you, it’s imperative to have a good bike to enjoy it. Our fleet majorly consist of the below bikes as a part of this tour. However, sometimes due to height or availability constraints, we may provide a different but similar quality bike.

Bike Image

Merida Speeder T3 or similar

hybrid

Included in your trip price

Bike Image

Kaze or similar

ebike

Available at a surcharge

Weather

The northern highlands in which Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai are located have a cooler climate than the rest of Thailand. The cycle tour season here consequently runs from October to March. During the months of December and January, night-time temperatures may dip below the freezing point in some parts.

  • The best time of year is winter (November through February). It is the dry season and temperatures are cooler. The north normally has no rain. Temperatures in the north are in the mid to upper 20s.
  • March through May is quite hot in the north (the upper 30s and low 40s) and probably a good time to avoid trips north of Bangkok.
  • June through October is the rainy season (or green season as the hotels like to call it). In the north, rains peak in August and are winding down in early October. 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, however, it's good to avoid hiking during during this time.

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

As of July 2024, there are now 93 countries whose citizens can enter without a visa for periods up to 60 days as a tourist. These entries can also be extended once for an additional 30 days. (previously it was 64 countries & 30 day stays) You can find the full list of countries eligible for visa free entry here.

An expanded list of 31 countries can now apply for a Visa on Arrival for stays up to 15 days. The Visa on Arrival entries can not be extended. You can find the updated list of VOA eligible countries here.

Single Entry Tourist Visas (Type TR) now allow stays of up to 90 days and are available to all nationalities. The tourist visa can also be extended once for an additional 30 days.

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 (60 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-Immigrant 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.

Citizens of most countries can apply for a Thai tourist visa at the official Thai government website here.

If your country is not eligible for online applications, then visas must be applied for through the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.

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