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NORTH THAILAND
Mountain bikes are the perfect way to discover the wild spirit of untamed North Thailand, region of jungle filled valleys, mountain-top temples, meandering rivers, and cultural encounters.
Tourism Thailand Award Winner 2008
Our journey takes us from the northern Thai City of Chiang Mai through the mountains to the Golden Triangle, where the Mekong River marks the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos. In addition to riding outstanding mountain bike trails, we trek on elephants back to hill-tribe villages, boat down jungle rivers, and sample some of the world's best cuisine.
Heading north, we ride through the spectacular limestone mountains of Chiang Dao and the scenic village of Mae Salak, straddling the Mae Kok River. We follow wonderful trails and back roads that have little traffic and fantastic scenery and each night stay in charming, Thai style jungle lodges.
On one day, we use a combination of bikes, boats, and elephants to reach a remote Lahu village where we experience a unique night as guests to a local family, sleeping in their long-house.
Before arriving at the Golden Triangle we visit Doi Mae Salong, where the descendents of the Kuomintang still live in a unique Chinese village. We'll also tackle an awesome off-road/on-road descent through spectacular mountains where our trail's end will take us to rest at the beautiful Puchaisai Spa and Resort. Along the way, we ride up Doi Tung to visit one of the region's oldest temples and check out the Burmese markets in Mae Sai.
Finally we arrive at the Golden Triangle. After a day's ride along the Mekong River, we transfer you back to Chiang Mai.
The accommodation on this tour is varied and interesting. As well as staying at the charming Huai Khum resort, the beautiful Puchaisai Resort, and the comfortable Imperial Golden Triangle Resort, we use lodges that are in tune with north Thailand and its traditions. On five days we have swimming pools to enjoy at the end of our rides.
TRIP PROFILE
This is a mountain bike tour designed for riders with at least some off-road experience. Approximately 30% of the 500-kilometres we cover is off-road; the rest is on small back roads with little traffic. When we hit the asphalt, it's of good quality and there are plenty of opportunities to stretch out.
Although our escort vehicle is always close by and our guides have powerful two-way radios, some rides are not supported.
You should be confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills. Some climbs are challenging and some rides are off-road, but overall the trail isn't too technical. It can be managed by most riders.
| ITINERARY (10 days/9 nights, starting and finishing in Chiang Mai) | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | We start our tour with a nice and easy ride along the Ping River to the arts and crafts center of Ban Tawai where you have time for some shopping before heading back to Chiang Mai. |
| Day 2 | Take a boat ride across a reservoir to the trail head where we ride an outstanding single track trail through a scenic teak forest to a waterfall. After lunch on the lake we ride an elephant trail to our resort near Chiang Dao. |
| Day 3 | Visit Chiang Dao caves and then ride through rice fields among soaring limestone cliffs before hitting dirt roads cut by local hill tribes -- the Akha, Lisu, Lau and Palaung people. |
| Day 4 | Ride to Tub Tao Caves and temple retreat and continue cycling on back roads through small villages before lunching in Fang. A flat afternoon ride takes us to the small town of Mae Salak and our riverside resort. |
| Day 5 | From the resort we ride to a Lakhu village then hitch a ride on a long-tail boat (with our bikes) downriver and then cycle off road to Ban Ruamitr. After lunch we ride elephants up the mountain to a remote Lahu village where we spend the night. |
| Day 6 | Morning trek through the forest arriving at a scenic waterfall where we have a picnic lunch. Ride up Doi Mae Salong and down to Mae Salong and our overnight resort amidst tea plantations.. |
| Day 7 | After a morning visit to a temple we descend through the forest along some glorious trails and arrive at our resort in time to enjoy the pool. |
| Day 8 | A spectacular day with an off road ride through lychee orchards, a visit to a horse temple, an uphill to Doi Tung, where the Thai royal family has a palace, a ride along a ridgeback road that ends with a fast downhill ride into Mae Sai and then to our h |
| Day 9 | Cycle a scenic loop deep into the heart of the countryside surrounding the Golden Triangle in the morning, a visit to Chiang Saen on the Mekong River before driving to Chiang Mai and a farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant. |
| Day 10 | Drive up to Chiang Mai’s most impressive temple, Wat Doi Suthep, then head down on Thailand’s most exciting mountain bike trail. a fitting finale to an amazing cycling adventure. |
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost | USD $1350 - Single Supplement USD $350 |
| Bike Hire | USD 120 |
| Total Distance | 500 km |
| Number of Days | 10 days / 9 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | Seven full days and one half-day |
| Road Surface | Surfaces range from good asphalt roads and vehicle-width tracks to off-road trails, some single track, so some off-road riding skills are an advantage. |
| Support | One or two air-conditioned minibuses specially rigged to take bikes and bikers. |
| Group Size | Minimum 2. Maximum 16. |
| Staff | SpiceRoads local cycling leader, plus drivers and assistants. For groups of 10 or more an extra local bike guide also joins. |
| Accommodation | 4 nights charming 4-star resorts, 2 nights in 3-star lodges, 2 nights in tourist class lodges, one night in a guest-house and one night in a tribal village. All hotels have en suite facilities and a/c, except the tribal village where there is no a/c. We use hotels with charm and local character. |
| Food | All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to lunch on Day 10. |
| Biking Grade |
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The riding was great, the accommodations were terrific, and the food was fantastic. I can't wait for our next SpiceRoads tour, and I hope Tee and Jen will join us again for another excellent adventure!
North Thailand, March 2009
~Paul Lindley
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