Redesigned

North Thailand by Bike

Day 1 Meet in Chiang Mai

Welcome to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”! In the early afternoon, we meet at our tour hotel south of the city. Following a trip briefing, we fit the bikes and saddle-up for a gentle warm-up ride in the plains of the Ping River. Maneuvering our way out of Chiang Mai’s outskirts, we first reach Wiang Kum Kam, an archaeological site showcasing the remains of an ancient city predating the foundation of Chiang Mai. From here, we follow the course of the Ping River south for about 15 km, cross a bridge, and loop back north along quiet roads lined by longan trees with their distinctive wide canopies. In the evening we reconvene for a welcome dinner at a lovely riverside restaurant with a good cause. If you need help with airport transfers or pre-tour hotel bookings, just let us know.

Amata Lanna Village
Dinner
Ride 46km
+174m
-174m

Day 2 Chiang Mai - Mae Rim - Mae Taeng

A 30-minute transfer fast tracks us from Chiang Mai to the agricultural district of Mae Rim where we saddle up at an ornate Buddhist temple. We quickly find ourselves on village lanes and farmer paths crisscrossing a vast patchwork of rice paddies, making it clear why locally this region is known as "Lanna" — "The Land of a Million Rice Fields.” After the 20 km point we pick up the pace on a smoothly paved secondary road, tackle a series of mild climbs, and take a cheeky detour along a forest trail to reach the farmlands at the edge of mountainous Sri Lanna National Park. Here we follow rural roads and after stopping for lunch at around 50 km, we rise up to the sturdy dam walls of the Mae Ngat Reservoir with stunning views over the calm waters of the lake. The final 15 km of today’s ride take us on a mix of gravel, dirt, and concrete roads through longan orchards and rice fields in the district of Mae Taeng. Before arriving at the day’s hotel, we swing by Wat Ban Den, a sprawling temple complex renowned for its large sculptures of creatures from northern Thai mythology.

Phusanfah Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 66km
+309m
-303m

Day 3 Mae Taeng - Chiang Dao Loop

A quick 30-minute transfer takes us north into the Chiang Dao Valley, home to Thailand’s third largest mountain. Here we hop on our bikes and explore this beautiful rural area, cycling through bountiful farmlands framed by the silhouettes of towering ridges and peaks. In the morning we draw a wide 50 km arc around the valley floor, riding on undulating paved minor roads to reach the sacred Chiang Dao Caves. By foot, we enter narrow chambers housing an eclectic mix of stalagmites, stalactites, Buddha images, and other religious relics. We have lunch nearby and then get back on our bikes for 15 km of mixed surface riding through the forests and farms lying at the base of the majestic Chiang Dao Mountain. The rest of the day is free to lounge by the pool and enjoy the views at our resort nestled amidst the rural idyll of the valley.

Buraphat Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 66km
+675m
-673m

Day 4 Chiang Dao - Chai Prakan - Fang

Starting from the resort, we ride across the Chiang Dao Valley, ascending a low ridge on a paved minor road cutting through extensive corn fields. After the 30 km mark, the road surfaces get rougher: we first skirt past teak forest plantations on concrete paths before a fantastic stretch of gravel tracks and hard-packed dirt trails leading through mango farms and Lisu hilltribe villages. The final section involves some steep and rocky singletrack that requires pushing the bike. By around 46 km, we are back on asphalt for a fast-paced 20 km rollercoaster ride of steady ups and downs into the Fang Valley. We stop for lunch in the district of Chao Prakan. You then have the option of a gentle afternoon ride along paved backroads into the town of Fang, where we spend the night at a simple but modern-style hotel. This optional ride covers around 50 km with 300 metres of elevation gain — feel free to opt for a lift in the van if you’ve had enough for the day!

Sleeping Tree Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64-115km
+985m
-842m

Day 5 Fang - Tha Ton

Today is a milder day, covering just under 50 km on relatively flat terrain. The first half of the route is predominantly paved, cycling on minor roads through a region dominated by orange groves. At the 20 km point, after some low-gradient climbs, we stop in a Lahu hilltribe village pressed up against the highlands which separate Thailand from Myanmar. Should the occasion present itself we may be invited for some local tea and learn about traditional Lahu lifeways and spirituality. We then cruise downhill back into the plains where seemingly every inch available is covered by rice paddies. This is the arena for the second half of today’s ride, navigating small dirt and gravel trails that follow irrigation canals and embankments. Paved surfaces are few and far between all the way to the market town of Tha Ton which sits on the banks of the Mae Kok River. We arrive in time for lunch at a local restaurant and then ride a very short distance to our riverside hotel replete with peaceful gardens and a refreshing pool. The afternoon is yours to relax. We can also arrange an optional drive up to a nearby hilltop temple with panoramic views.

Maekok River Village Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 47km
+271m
-289m

Day 6 Tha Ton - Chiang Rai (White Temple)

Today’s ride is all about the Mae Kok River, the bloodline of Chiang Rai Province. This waterway enters Thailand from the rugged hills of Myanmar’s Shan State just a few kilometres from where we’re staying in Tha Ton, and from there it flows southeast through a narrow valley towards the city of Chiang Rai. Our route follows the Mae Kok on this downstream path, riding on a river-hugging road used by hilltribe communities such as the Karen to reach their farms and villages carved into the forested hillslopes. Starting from our resort, the first 15 km are predominantly paved as we manoeuvre out of the plains. Once in the narrower valley, the surfaces become more inconsistent, with concrete, gravel, and dirt all making an appearance as we rise and fall with the contours of the hilly terrain for around 45 km. Eventually, we spill out onto the plains surrounding Chiang Rai, concluding our ride at the eccentric White Temple, Chiang Rai’s top attraction, where traditional Thai temple architecture meets modern art and pop culture. We then transfer around thirty minutes to our hotel in the city.

Le Patta Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 77km
+889m
-936m

Day 7 Chiang Rai Rest Day

With a solid week of cycling behind us - and with two more big days ahead - we give our legs a break today. And there’s no better place for it than Chiang Rai City with its laid-back vibe and plenty on offer to fill a relaxed day. Within walking distance of our hotel you’ll find no shortage of spas to soothe your muscles with a Thai massage, cafes & pubs to unwind, and eateries to indulge in local or international fare. We are here on a Saturday which means you can also visit the popular, once-a-week only, “Walking Street”; a pedestrian zone chock full of street food and northern Thai products. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. For those keen on ticking off some more of Chiang Rai’s sights, we can organise a morning visit to the eclectic Black House, renowned for its dark, mysterious art collection, and the Blue Temple, with its striking azure architecture. Entrance fees are not included in the tour cost.

Le Patta Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle - Chiang Saen

Today's ride leads us to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge at the confluence of the Mekong River. We begin with a quick transfer out of Chiang Rai and ride deep into rice and corn fields along the Mae Kok River for around 10 km. We then join a well-paved provincial road for a fast-paced boost further north. At 45 km we veer towards the river on concrete, then switch to asphalt into hillier terrain where pineapple plantations reign supreme with neat rows of spiky green crowns draped across the slopes. Post-lunch we up the dosage of dirt and gravel as we weave through an area of wetlands, rubber tree plantations and rice fields. Keep your eyes peeled for herds of water buffaloes. By 70 km we’re back on paved roads, riding past more pineapple plantations, skirting around a large lake, and, by around 96 km, reaching the famed Golden Triangle. We end our ride and hop into a boat for a 20-minute zip down the mighty Mekong River to the town of Chiang Saen where we spend the night at a riverside hotel.

Siam Triangle Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 81km
+491m
-497m

Day 9 Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong

We begin with a 7 km loop through the ancient town of Chiang Saen, with tree-entwined fortification walls and moss-covered brick temple ruins creating an atmospheric backdrop. Then, after a 10 km stretch along the shoulder of a wide provincial road, we enter an area of rugged hills clad with rubber tree plantations. Here, a few kilometres of dirt trails lead to a paved minor road coiling its way uphill for around 5 km through shady forests and bamboo stands. A rewarding downhill then transitions into rolling terrain with crunchy gravel and bumpy concrete roads leading us back to the banks of the Mekong River where we stop for lunch at around 50 km. In the afternoon, we diverge from the river for about 10 km to head back into farmlands dominated by rubber trees before rejoining the main Mekong road to carry us to the small border town of Chiang Khong. These final 20 km feature smooth asphalt, a short but spicy double digit climb, and a dash to the finish line along a designated bicycle lane on the riverside promenade leading into Chiang Khong. Tonight we toast our achievement at a Mekong-style farewell dinner.

Chiang Khong Teak Garden Riverfront Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 84km
+847m
-851m

Day 10 Chiang Khong Departure

Our cycling tour has ended but you can extend your adventure from Chiang Khong with a Mekong River boat cruise in Laos, a scenic journey to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. We're happy to recommend cruise operators and provide a drop-off at the border crossing. For those flying out or continuing their stay in northern Thailand, we offer a shared transfer to Chiang Rai Airport or any Chiang Rai City hotel (approx. 1.5-hour drive).

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.