Chiang Mai to Bangkok by bike
| country: | Thailand |
| location: | Northern Thailand, Central Thailand |
| trip type: | Introductory cycling holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 9 Nov, 14 Dec 2009: 25 Jan, 15 Mar, 7 Jun |
| price: | From US $1700 (14 days) excluding flights. Single supplement US $350. Bike rental US $150 |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This is a tour through Thailand’s beating heart. Cities that have laid quiet for a thousand years open their doors and expose their history.
The Kingdom’s ancient history and colorful culture will be revealed as you ride from one ancient city to the next. The Ancient Thailand tour offers you an intimate look at Thailand's history and an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of its culture.
This tour rides south from Chiang Mai, the capital of north Thailand, and follows the Chao Phraya river valley where Thai civilization began. It continues south through Lampang, Sukhotai and Ayutthaya to arrive in Bangkok.
The route follows quiet backroads where you will be amazed at how little traffic is encountered. You will also be pleasantly surprised at how few tourists are on this path. Although we do visit many of Thailand’s world famous attractions, by cycling well off the beaten-path, you avoid the masses and get the opportunity to see the real Thailand.
Not only will you visit the magnificent ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the temples of Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but you will also visit the lesser known towns of Phrae and Uthai Thani, where you will at last – find the “land of smiles."
The scenery is ever changing as it starts in the mountainous north, then continues through the emerald paddy fields of the central rice belt, and then to the rugged jungles of the Kanchanaburi area before arriving in the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok.
The riding is not hard, mostly on flat, paved surfaces covering an average of 50 km per day (total 485km over 8.5 days). We spend a fair amount of time sightseeing on this tour, and throughout the Ancient Thailand tour we have a team of two guides. One is a specialist biking guide and another one who specializes in Thailand's history and culture. This is the ideal tour for first time visitors to Thailand or repeat visitors who want to see the country from a different angle.
We stay at the best available hotels en route. All of which are clean and comfortable and mostly very charming. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we use 4-star city hotels well situated for sightseeing excursions, shopping, and fine dining. Group size 4-16 people.
The Kingdom’s ancient history and colorful culture will be revealed as you ride from one ancient city to the next. The Ancient Thailand tour offers you an intimate look at Thailand's history and an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of its culture.
This tour rides south from Chiang Mai, the capital of north Thailand, and follows the Chao Phraya river valley where Thai civilization began. It continues south through Lampang, Sukhotai and Ayutthaya to arrive in Bangkok.
The route follows quiet backroads where you will be amazed at how little traffic is encountered. You will also be pleasantly surprised at how few tourists are on this path. Although we do visit many of Thailand’s world famous attractions, by cycling well off the beaten-path, you avoid the masses and get the opportunity to see the real Thailand.
Not only will you visit the magnificent ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the temples of Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but you will also visit the lesser known towns of Phrae and Uthai Thani, where you will at last – find the “land of smiles."
The scenery is ever changing as it starts in the mountainous north, then continues through the emerald paddy fields of the central rice belt, and then to the rugged jungles of the Kanchanaburi area before arriving in the vibrant metropolis of Bangkok.
The riding is not hard, mostly on flat, paved surfaces covering an average of 50 km per day (total 485km over 8.5 days). We spend a fair amount of time sightseeing on this tour, and throughout the Ancient Thailand tour we have a team of two guides. One is a specialist biking guide and another one who specializes in Thailand's history and culture. This is the ideal tour for first time visitors to Thailand or repeat visitors who want to see the country from a different angle.
We stay at the best available hotels en route. All of which are clean and comfortable and mostly very charming. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we use 4-star city hotels well situated for sightseeing excursions, shopping, and fine dining. Group size 4-16 people.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive, meet & greet in Chiang Mai. |
| Day 2: | Sightseeing in Chiang Mai. |
| Day 3: | Ride to Lamphun / transfer to Lampang. |
| Day 4: | Ride to Uttaradit. |
| Day 5: | Ride to Sri Satchanali. |
| Day 6: | Ride around Sukothai and historical parks. |
| Day 7: | Ride to Kamphen Phet and historical parks. |
| Day 8: | Ride to Uthai Thani and boat tour. |
| Day 9: | Ride to Ayutthaya. |
| Day 10: | Temple ride in Ayutthaya / transfer to river Kwai. |
| Day 11: | Ride to Khanchanaburi. |
| Day 12: | Ride to the world famous Floating Market. |
| Day 13: | Sightseeing in Bangkok (optional). |
| Day 14: | Transfer to airport for onward travel. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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We passionately believe that Responsible Tourism can be of immense help to local communities; providing income, positive cultural exchanges and an incentive to protect the natural environment. Recognising that there is always room for improvement, we continually strive to narrow the gap between principle and practice.
Prior to our tours, we liaise with local community leaders to ensure we are welcome and in a manner that minimizes negative social and cultural impact. We visit local development and community projects specific to the region, encouraging our clients to donate and/or assist such projects in appropriate and sustainable manners.  In Thailand’s most underprivileged communities, educational programs tend to remain highly anaemic. We realized inline with our social responsibility program, that not only did we have the capacity to help change this, but we had the obligation to do so. By working to improve educational programs within the region, there is a corresponding positive trickle effect. We are committed to being a catalyst for this effect by raising awareness and financial support. Every catalyst needs ignition and we found ours in the fall of 2006. It came by way of creating a cycling event called “The Tour of Hope.” The Tour of Hope is a 26 day cycling tour from Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand, tasked to raise money for two significant purposes: to fund educational programs for underprivileged regions in Thailand, and for cervical cancer research and treatment within Asia. All proceeds from the event were donated to JHPIEGO (a John Hopkins University non-profit affiliate). Through sensitive hands on experience, we encourage cross cultural interaction and education between clients and the local communities. This is achieved by limiting tour group sizes, which also minimises any social and environmental impact. We also assist in the development of local infrastructure such as rural pathways. We make sure that where and whenever possible our tours positively benefit the local community. We stay at locally owned accommodation and visit cottage industries for local handicraft souvenirs, generating income for local businesses. We employ and train local guides, drivers and assistants on all trips to ensure that the local community benefits not only short term but with increased employment opportunities for the future. Adopting a “carry in – carry out” policy, we actively engage in environmentally responsible practices to minimise tourist impact upon the local habitat. From biodegradable soaps to re-usable water containers, we provide clients with the best information and means to help them identify and implement effective ways to positively protect local nature and communities. It is a vital ethos that can be passed on and abided by all, long after the trip has ended. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |