Redesigned

Road Cycling Thailand to Malaysia

Day 1 Meet in Krabi

Welcome to Krabi Town! We meet at our tour hotel in the late afternoon for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you require assistance with airport transfers and pre-tour hotel bookings. If it’s your first time here, consider arriving a few days early to explore Krabi’s beautiful beaches or take a boat trip into the karst-studded seascape of Phang Nga Bay.

Krabi Seabass Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Krabi - Pak Meng Beach

We manoeuvre out of lively Krabi Town, and within 10 km find ourselves on quiet secondary roads winding through expansive rubber and oil palm plantations, providing a first glimpse of the dominant agrarian landscape of the Malay Peninsula. Skirting the perimeters of Krabi airport, the road briefly widens and traffic picks up before we’re soon back on quiet stretches. Around the 30 km mark, we take a break at a local Buddhist temple. Shortly after, we merge with the main provincial throughway, cruising along the smooth shoulder for a fast-paced 40 km stretch. By the 80 km point, we veer onto secondary roads that lead us through endless plantations and communities that sustain them. The final 5 km along Pak Meng Beach’s coastal road offer stunning views over the Andaman Sea, and we finish the day at an eco-resort dedicated to the conservation of dugongs, the beloved yet endangered sea mammals which graze in the seagrass beds of nearby islands.

Dugong Village
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 117km
+456m
-456m

Day 3 Pak Meng Beach - Pak Bara

Today’s ride begins with a refreshing 5 km along the coast, where we glide beneath the canopies of sea oaks. We then venture inland to explore the tranquil backwaters of Trang Province. At 27 km, we reach a wide river and hop on a boat to cross to Kantang, a charming vintage town famous for its historic train station, one of Thailand’s oldest and most beautiful. From there, we embark on a long stretch of riding along various minor and occasionally major provincial roads into the province of Satun. While we’ll still be passing by many Buddhist temples, you’ll begin to notice an increasing number of mosques as well, signalling the transition into Thailand’s Muslim-majority deep south. By the 90 km mark, the road winds through a terrain of limestone massifs before leading us into the estuarine landscape of Pak Bara, where we end our ride in a harbour town along the Andaman shore.

BARA BARA
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 136km
+739m
-738m

Day 4 Pak Bara - Satun

This morning you have the option of taking a boat trip to Prasat Hin Pan Yod, or the "Thousand Spire Stone Castle." Part of Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, this stunning natural formation features jagged, crenellated stone pillars encircling a serene lagoon. Access to this hidden gem is only possible by kayak, paddling through narrow passages, winding between the towering spires and maybe even spotting a fossil or two along the way! This is an optional excursion - just let the guide know in advance if you will be joining or taking it easy at the hotel instead. Either way, after lunch we hop on our bikes for a pleasant afternoon ride to Satun’s provincial capital. Our route follows a mix of major and minor roads, passing familiar scenes of the distinct tropical, rural backwaters of southern Thailand. We spend our last night in the Kingdom at a charming boutique hotel designed to reflect Satun’s rich Malay-Muslim heritage.

Navakiri Boutique Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 70km
+466m
-457m

Day 5 Satun - Alor Setar

From Satun, we cycle 30 km to the Thai-Malay border crossing at Wang Prachan. Separating these two monarchies is a vast expanse of protected rainforest, home to tigers, sun bears, and king cobras, providing a wild and rugged backdrop for our morning ride. At the border, we complete immigration formalities and officially enter Malaysia. Our bikes and Thai cycling guide accompany us, now joined by a Malaysian support team. Just a few kilometres in, we face a cheeky welcome: a short but steep climb up Wang Kelian Pass! After being rewarded with panoramic views, we enjoy a thrilling downhill before settling into the remainder of today’s ride. We traverse the flat, rice-growing plains of northern Peninsular Malaysia, allowing the transition from one country to another to sink in as we observe scenes of daily life unfolding around us. Some sections of the final 50 km take us directly along the coast. After a long day in the saddle, we conclude our ride in Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah, where we’ll spend the night. Time permitting, you can head up to the observation deck of the iconic Alor Setar Tower, which sits in the centre of town.

Grand Alora Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 132km
+578m
-589m

Day 6 Alor Setar - George Town

Today, we are introduced to the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Departing from Alor Setar, we quickly find ourselves on quiet secondary roads cutting through seemingly endless rice paddies. After about 45 km, we reach Pantai Murni Beach, greeted by the foaming waves of the Straits of Malacca. We then climb over a headland and board a ferry to cross the wide mouth of the Merbok River. Continuing along peaceful rural roads, at around 80 km we reach a bridge over the Muda River, bringing us into the state of Penang. Here, things begin to get busier as we enter more densely populated urban areas, ultimately riding through Butterworth to catch a ferry to the bustling city of Georgetown on Penang Island. A short ride from the pier takes us to our hotel, located just a stone’s throw from the UNESCO-listed historic core of George Town. This evening, we hit the town to discover firsthand why George Town is known as Malaysia’s food capital!

Hotel Neo+
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 113km
+247m
-237m

Day 7 George Town Rest Day

After 5 days of riding behind us, a rest day is in order. And there’s no better place for it than George Town, the cultural centre of Penang. For centuries this important port town served as a key trading hub between East and West in the Straits of Malacca, imbuing the townscape with a distinct multicultural heritage which still exists today. A ramble through the old quarter reveals British colonial buildings, Chinese clan houses, Hindu temples, and mosques all sharing the same streets. A few of our favourite landmarks to check out are the iconic Khoo Kongsi clan house, the ornate Kapitan Keling Mosque, Fort Cornwallis, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and the Clan Jetties — a series of floating wooden villages on stilts. Don’t miss the famous street art and, of course, the incredible variety of local cuisine which has made George Town the food capital of Malaysia! With influences from Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures, you can indulge in treats like Char Kway Teow (stir-fried rice noodles), nasi kandar (rice & curry), and cendol (a dessert of shaved ice and coconut milk). Lunch and dinner are not included today so the choice is all yours.

Hotel Neo+
Breakfast

Day 8 George Town - Ipoh

We fast-track down the peninsula with a 1.5-hour transfer to our cycling start point in the state of Perak. The route begins with stretches through vast rubber and oil palm plantations, before leading us into the city of Taiping, where we ride part way through the scenic Lake Gardens — a beautiful recreational park repurposed from former mining pools. To the east, hills mark the start of some climbing as we cross into the valley of the Perak River, Peninsular Malaysia’s second-longest waterway. We follow the course of the winding Perak south for roughly 40 km, surrounded by dense forests and estates, before stopping for lunch in the riverside town of Parit. Afterward, we ride into the Kinta Valley and end our journey with a ride through the streets of Perak’s state capital, Ipoh. Keep your eyes peeled for some funky street murals! Once checked into our hotel, you can unwind with a swim in the rooftop pool and take in the mountain views that frame the city.

M Roof Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 143km
+951m
-884m

Day 9 Ipoh - Cameron Highlands

It’s time for the tour’s most ambitious ride: the 2000+ metre climb into the Cameron Highlands! We start in Ipoh, navigating city streets and major roads before joining road 185, our main route into the Titiwangsa Mountains, the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia. The climb begins around the 20 km mark, leading us on a steady, winding ascent through dense jungle and panoramic mountain views. The gradients are manageable, allowing everyone to find their pace with breaks as needed. After around 60 km and reaching an elevation of about 1,400 metres, we regroup and enjoy a gentler stretch along quiet back roads lined with tea plantations and vegetable farms. Following a well-earned lunch, we tackle the final 10 km climb into the Cameron Highlands, a British colonial-era hill station cherished for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and timeless charm. At day’s end, unwind at our heritage-themed hotel, take in the views, and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of local tea.

Heritage Hotel Cameron Highlands
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 94km
+2489m
-1082m

Day 10 Cameron Highlands - Slim River

After yesterday’s big climb, we kick off the day with a long 50 km descent! Starting from the heights of the Cameron Highlands, nearly 1,500 metres above sea level, we make our way down to the river plains of Perak state. Settle into a relaxed pace as the scenery shifts from tea estates and greenhouse farms to various types of forests, eventually revealing the towns, villages, and fields of the lowlands. After the descent, we ride along the shoulder of a provincial throughway before concluding our route with nearly 30 km on secondary roads through a vast rural hinterland dominated by rubber and oil palm plantations stretching as far as the eye can see. Our ride ends in the small town of Slim River, where we spend the night.

Summit Signature Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 123km
+1285m
-2696m

Day 11 Slim River - Batu Caves - Kuala Lumpur

It’s time for the home stretch! Departing from our hotel in Slim River, we head towards the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur (or simply “KL” as the locals call it), Malaysia’s vibrant capital city. As we navigate through the arteries leading to the country’s premier commercial hub, much of today’s ride takes place on busier main roads, but we also find some peaceful stretches on secondary roads winding through oil palm and rubber plantations. At the 65 km mark, we face one final challenge — a nearly 10 km climb through the densely forested hills of Selangor State Park, culminating in a steep finish! After conquering the ascent, we enjoy a thrilling descent and enter the northern district of KL. We conclude our ride at the iconic Batu Caves, famous for its massive limestone caves, vibrant Hindu temples, and the towering statue of Lord Murugan. Reaching the caves requires climbing 272 colourful steps, but this will be no problem for our road-cycling hardened legs at this point! After our visit we transfer around 30 minutes to our hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur, reconvening in the evening for a celebratory farewell dinner.

The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 94km
+1012m
-993m

Day 12 Kuala Lumpur Departure

Our tour has ended but feel free to extend your stay in Kuala Lumpur and discover what this world-class city has to offer. Please let us know if you require assistance with post-tour hotel bookings or airport transfers.

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.