Redesigned

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bike

Price from
US$ 1,150
Duration
4 Days / 3 Nights
Distance
156 - 204 km
Tour Code
THA-TCM
Next departure
09-Dec-2024
Number of Cycling Days4
Average Distance Per Day: 39
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 297
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance156 - 204 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireIncluded
Single SupplementUS$ 160
Child PricingUnder 5: free; Age 5-11: 15% discount
Client Rating (based on 103 reviews)

About this Cycle Tour

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are two of northern Thailand’s must-see cities. While a national highway connects them, why not take the road less travelled and embark on a leisurely 4-day biking journey through some of the region’s most stunning landscapes? We cycle from one scenic valley to the next, discovering the rustic charm of northern Thailand, or “Lanna” – the land of a million rice fields – as the locals call it.

Starting with hotel pickups in bustling Chiang Mai, we transfer to a nearby waterfall and kick off our adventure with a ride through jungles, farmlands, and past a shimmering reservoir. After visiting the glittering temple complex of Wat Ban Den, we continue to the Chiang Dao Valley, home to Thailand’s third-largest mountain, where we explore a sacred cave and cycle through villages and orchards. Next, we journey to the far north of Thailand, immersing ourselves in the rich mosaic of cultures in the highlands near the Myanmar border and unwind at a riverside hotel. On our final day, we hop on a boat and cruise downstream on the Mae Kok River before cycling through a narrow, forest-clad valley that leads into the rice-growing plains surrounding Chiang Rai. We saddle-off at the fantastical White Temple and the tour concludes with a transfer to your post-tour hotel in Chiang Rai City.

Join us on this storied and relaxed ride into the heart of Lanna!

Book Your Cycling Holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

We start at Bua Tong Waterfall, where you can climb its “sticky” cascades before we cycle through forests, farmland, and villages. Highlights include Mae Ngat Reservoir and Wat Ban Den’s vibrant temple complex. The day ends in Chiang Dao, with views of Thailand's third-highest peak towering over the valley.

Day 2

Today we visit two sacred cave temples, Wat Tham Chiang Dao and Wat Tham Tap Tao, while riding through scenic countryside framed by limestone massifs. An optional afternoon ride or van transfer takes us to the town of Fang, where we spend the night.

Day 3

We ride to the far north of Thailand, passing by rice paddies, orange orchards, and village temples. Though mostly flat, there’s the option of a short but spicy climb to a hilltop temple before unwinding at our tranquil riverside hotel near the town of Tha Ton.

Day 4

We take a long-tail boat down the Kok River, then cycle through a narrow valley to the rice field-covered plains of Chiang Rai. After a final stretch to the eccentric White Temple, Chiang Rai’s top attraction, we end the ride and transfer you to your post-tour hotel.

Elevation Profiles

Day 1 - Chiang Mai - Wat Ban Den - Chiang Dao  Ride 32km. +156m / -317m.
Day 1 - Chiang Mai - Wat Ban Den - Chiang Dao Ride 32km. +156m / -317m.

Reviews

This was one of my all-time favorite travel experiences. I expected the views during the rides to be great but our guide, driver, the food, and the cultural experiences made it a truly top-notch trip.

I had high expectations for this trip and it exceeded every one of them. Ji, Mr. Egg, the food, and the bike course were all fantastic! If I did another bike ride through Thailand I would insist on doing it with Ji and Mr. Egg.

RobO1280February 2020

Just a memorable experience! So amazing words just can not describe! A perfect way to explore a country it's culture, nature and food. You will remember for a lifetime.

Raphael RohnerFebruary 2020

My husband and I had an amazing time, on the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai trip. The organisation of the trip was faultless and we were able to relax and enjoy the ride. The guide (named Ayay - not sure how to spell it) was friendly, knowledgeable, always cheerful; a perfect combination of expertise and friendship. Mr Thai our driver was always there for us in the minibus, sorting out our bikes and setting up delicious fruit, drinks and thai snacks as a break on our rides. The rides themselves were very pleasant, through villages, paddy fields, farms, countryside, along the river etc, and it was wonderful to see the country at such close quarters. We are both over 50 (I am less fit than my husband) but we managed the ride fine; it was undulating and between 35 and 50 km per day but we finished by 2-3 pm and were then able to relax in our accommodation. The hotels were of very good quality, in beautiful landscaped resorts, with individual rooms or chalets, a pool, and nature all around. We even had two excellent thai massages in the privacy of our room (much needed after a day in the saddle. Ps ladies: the bikes are excellent and robust but they have sporty saddles. If you want more comfort bring your own saddle which is well worth the space in your suitcase). The food was excellent. Ayay helped us to order a selection of dishes to share and enthusiastically explained to us what they were and how they are cooked. When we were dropped at Chiang Rai airport at the end, Ayay even went to the extra effort of booking a car for us and negotiating a fee to be taken round the sights in Chiang Rai as we had several hours' wait before our flight. We are already looking up what trip to do next. We would definitely choose Spice Roads as our tour company again, and our friends have also used them 3 times!

Nicole OlavesenFebruary 2020

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