NORTHERN THAILAND CYCLING

Arrival & First Day Itinerary ✈️🏨

Upon your arrival, the Vietnam Adventure Cycling team will greet you at the airport and escort you to the Rembrandt Sukhumvit Hotel (or similar) for check-in and some well-deserved rest. In the afternoon, we’ll gather for a bike fitting session 🚴‍♂️🔧 to make sure your equipment is perfectly adjusted for the road ahead.

As evening falls, join us for a welcome dinner 🍽️🥂 where our guide will provide a briefing on the journey, sharing essential details and tips to prepare you for the exciting days to come.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Fitting

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Welcome Dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Rembrandt Sukhumvit Hotel or similar

Our journey kicks off with a two-hour transfer from Bangkok to the quieter outskirts of Kanchanaburi, where your bike will be prepped and waiting 🚴‍♂️.

From here, we begin riding along peaceful paved country roads, winding through traditional Thai villages dotted with rice paddies, fruit orchards, and golden Theravada pagodas. Along the way, the warm smiles of local people and tranquil rural scenes create a picture-perfect introduction to Thailand’s countryside 🌾.

As we follow the riverbank, we make water stops and take in views of the historic Death Railway—constructed during World War II by Allied prisoners and Asian laborers under Japanese command. The story of its tragic past still echoes through this quiet landscape.
Later in the day, we’ll visit the Elephant World sanctuary, a heartwarming encounter especially for those seeing these gentle giants up close for the first time 🐘.

We end our ride at a scenic riverside resort, the perfect place to relax and reflect on a day full of discovery and connection.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 60 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Tara River Kwai Resort or similar

Wake up to a new adventure as we leave the city behind and begin with a one-hour transfer to our cycling point.

From here, we ride along peaceful dirt roads that lead us deep into rural Thailand 🚴‍♂️. The route winds through remote farmland where fields of cassava and corn stretch across the landscape. Along the way, we’ll pause to hydrate and enjoy some fresh local fruits, offered straight from nearby orchards 🍍🌽.

As we pedal onward, the road remains calm and quiet, ideal for soaking in the tranquil countryside. We arrive at a local eatery for a well-deserved lunch 🍽️, then continue our journey through gently rolling terrain. The afternoon brings us to a charming resort surrounded by nature, where we’ll settle in for the evening. Enjoy a hearty dinner and rest up for the next leg of the journey.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 80 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Uthai Thani Resort or similar

Begin your day with a peaceful ride from our quiet resort tucked just outside the town center 🌿.

We cross a small local bridge to the other side of the Sakae Krang River and continue following its path as it merges with the mighty Chao Phraya River. Today’s journey takes us along serene country backroads, offering a beautiful glimpse into authentic Thai village life 🚴‍♂️—fields, river views, and warm smiles from locals along the way.

Midday, we’ll stop for a relaxing riverside lunch in Nakhon Sawan, right where the Ping and Nan Rivers meet to form the Chao Phraya 🌊. After completing around 80 km of cycling, we’ll hop in the van for a transfer along Highway 1 to the historic town of Kamphaeng Phet. There, we’ll settle in at a charming riverside hotel, perfect for unwinding after the day’s ride.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 80 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Navarat Heritage Hotel or similar

After breakfast, your bike will be ready and waiting at the front of the resort 🚴‍♀️.

We begin the day with a scenic ride to Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park—a peaceful complex of ancient ruins and part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns 🏛️. Spend time exploring the timeless temples and stone structures that tell stories of Thailand’s early kingdoms.

From there, we continue our journey along quiet countryside roads that run beside Ramkhamhaeng National Park 🌳, cycling past rural villages and green landscapes. By early afternoon, we’ll pause for a delicious local lunch, then pedal onward toward the ancient capital of Sukhothai, founded in 1238 AD. Before checking in to our hotel, we take time to explore the iconic ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park—a truly magical experience as the sun dips over centuries-old temples.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 85 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa or similar

Today’s ride takes us deep into the heart of rural Thailand, where the changing landscape offers a truly immersive cycling experience 🚴.

Setting off from the hotel, we pedal through a patchwork of sugarcane fields, quiet villages, lush rice paddies, and sweeping views of distant mountains 🌾⛰️. The scenery is stunning and ever-shifting, giving you a fresh perspective at every turn.

As this area is remote, we’ll enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by nature, fueling up for the second half of the ride. The road begins to roll gently as we cycle through tranquil jungle terrain, shaded by towering trees and filled with the sounds of the forest 🌳.

After covering 90 km, we hop in the support van for a comfortable transfer to Chiang Mai. The evening is yours to unwind at our hotel in the heart of the city. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant to celebrate another memorable day.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 90 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Kiri Hotel Chiang Mai or similar

Today is a well-deserved rest day — a chance to relax, recharge, and explore the charm of Chiang Mai at your own pace 🌞.

As the largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai offers a perfect blend of ancient temples, vibrant markets, cozy cafés, and peaceful corners waiting to be discovered 🏯🛍️☕.

Stroll through the Old City, visit a local spa, or simply unwind at the hotel — the day is entirely yours. Whether you’re craving cultural discovery or quiet reflection, Chiang Mai invites you to enjoy its beauty in your own way.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Rest, Explore

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Kiri Hotel Chiang Mai or similar

Today begins with a one-hour transfer out of Chiang Mai to our cycling start point 🚐.

From here, we dive straight into the adventure — riding along singletrack trails through a scenic teak forest, surrounded by fresh air and mountain beauty 🌳🌄. Our midday break is a refreshing stop at a hidden waterfall, where we’ll enjoy a well-earned local lunch 🍽️💧.

This ride is a true challenge for mountain biking enthusiasts, with off-road climbs that wind through dramatic landscapes shaped by local hill tribes. We pedal across dirt roads lined with rice paddies and pass through remote ethnic villages home to the Akha, Lisu, and Palaung peoples. The Palaung women, in particular, are known for their vibrant clothing and traditional brass waistbands — a striking cultural sight in the fields 🌾👣.

Dinner and overnight in the peaceful town of Chai Prakan.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 60 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • AnTon Hotel or similar

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we kick off the day’s adventure on two wheels 🚴‍♂️.

Today’s route offers a relatively gentle ride—a welcome warm-up before the more challenging climbs ahead.

We cruise along quiet backroads that wind through peaceful villages, where farmers tend to their rice paddies and fruit orchards under the morning sun 🌾🍊. It’s a perfect glimpse into rural life, with friendly faces and green landscapes all around.

Our ride continues through these scenic communities until we arrive in Malika, where a delicious local lunch awaits us 🍛. After lunch, we hop aboard our support vehicle for a comfortable transfer up to Doi Mae Salong, perched at 1,400 meters above sea level and just 6 kilometers from the border with Myanmar 🏞️.

We arrive in time to settle in and enjoy dinner surrounded by cool mountain air and stunning views. 🌄

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 70 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Phu Chaisai Resort & Spa or similar

After a few days of rewarding rides, today offers a slower pace and the chance to truly soak in the charm of Doi Mae Salong 🌄.

With its breathtaking mountain views and warm hospitality from the local hill tribe communities, this highland retreat is the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature and culture alike 🏔️🌿.

Spend the morning exploring at your own rhythm—whether it’s strolling through tea plantations, chatting with friendly villagers, or simply relaxing in the cool mountain air 🍃☕.

Around midday, we depart the resort and begin a scenic drive to Chiang Rai 🚐. Along the way, we stop to marvel at two of the city's iconic landmarks: the dazzling White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the serene Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) 🎨⛩️. These stunning works of art blend spiritual symbolism with surreal design—an unforgettable cultural experience.

By evening, we check in at our hotel in Chiang Rai, where you can settle in and enjoy a restful night.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Rest & Explore

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    

    • The Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel and Convention or similar

We begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before setting off on our ride through the northern countryside 🚴‍♀️.

Today’s route features a mix of gentle hills and flat stretches, offering both a bit of challenge and plenty of chances to soak in the scenery.

We pedal past rows of rubber plantations and through wide rice fields, where water buffalo plow the land and farmers carefully sow seeds into the earth—a timeless rhythm of rural life 🌾🐃.

As we ride onward, the peaceful landscapes guide us to Chiang Saen, home to one of the region’s ancient temples and nestled just south of the famous Golden Triangle 🛕. After visiting the site, we hop in the van and enjoy a scenic transfer to tonight’s special stay—a peaceful lodge tucked in the heart of a H’MONG village 🌿🏞️.

With sweeping views of untouched valleys and a refreshing mountain breeze, the rest of the day is yours to unwind. You’re free to relax at the lodge or take a quiet walk through the village, where the traditions of daily life continue much as they have for generations.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 86 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • The Imperial Golden Triangle Resort or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for another day of exploration on two wheels 🚴‍♂️.

Heading south, we follow a smooth country road that gradually narrows into smaller village lanes, guiding us deeper into the heart of northern Thailand.

Along the way, we pass through quiet communities where everyday life unfolds—wooden houses shaded by banana trees, children playing by the roadside, and farmers tending to their fields 🌿🏡. This is a chance to witness the rhythms of rural living, far from the tourist trail.

We pause midday to enjoy a delicious local lunch, recharging before the final stretch of our ride. By late afternoon, we roll into Chiang Khong, a peaceful riverside town nestled along the banks of the Mekong River 🌅.

Check in to our beautiful hotel with views of the water, and enjoy a well-earned dinner as the sun sets over the river.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 72km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Fortune Riverview Hotel or similar

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning—today’s ride is one of the most demanding, but also one of the most breathtaking 🚴‍♀️💪.

We begin by cycling along the border, with stunning views of Laos just across the river 🇱🇦. The route quickly becomes a true highlight of the journey: undulating roads, occasional flat sections, and a steady climb that takes us up to 1,400 meters above sea level 🏞️. It’s a test of endurance, but every pedal stroke brings us closer to a spectacular reward.

At the summit, we take a well-deserved break and enjoy a picnic lunch with panoramic mountain views—nature’s own reward for the morning’s effort 🍱⛰️.

In the afternoon, the hard work pays off with a glorious downhill section followed by a peaceful, easy ride through the countryside. We pass through emerald rice paddies where water buffaloes work the land and farmers tend to the fields in the golden light of the late day 🌾🐃.

By evening, we arrive at our charming resort tucked away in the quiet fields of Chiang Kham—a perfect place to rest and reflect after an unforgettable ride.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 88 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Chiang Kham Grand Villa or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for another rewarding day in the saddle 🚴‍♂️.

Leaving the borderlands behind, we ride deeper into the heart of northern Thailand, where the landscapes shift and the scenery becomes even more untouched and tranquil 🌿🏞️.

The road today is wonderfully forgiving—rolling gently with a few small hills but mostly offering smooth descents. It’s the kind of ride where you can simply pedal, breathe in the fresh air, and maybe even whistle a tune as you glide past quiet villages, forested stretches, and wide open countryside 🎶🚴‍♀️.

We pause for a tasty local lunch along the way before continuing our journey, eventually completing a solid 80 kilometers. From there, we hop into the support van for a comfortable transfer to the charming town of Phrae 🛻.

Check in to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening with a well-earned dinner.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 80 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Huern Na Na Hotel or similar

We begin the day with a 3-hour transfer to our starting point, where today’s ride begins on smooth, quiet roads that lead us deeper into central Thailand 🚐🚴‍♀️.

Our route winds alongside the gentle flow of the Yom River, a vital water source that nourishes the surrounding farmland 🌾💧. It’s a peaceful ride, with lush greenery on either side and the river glimmering beside us—a perfect setting to simply enjoy the rhythm of the road.

We stop for a delicious local lunch, then continue pedaling through a series of small villages, where daily life moves at a slower pace and warm smiles greet us along the way 🏘️🙂.

As the afternoon unfolds, we complete our ride and arrive in Nakhon Sawan, where our hotel awaits. Enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner in this quiet city, often called the “Gateway to the North.”

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 70 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Grandhill Resort & Spa or similar

We begin the day with a short transfer to escape the morning traffic and reach the quieter countryside 🚐.

From there, we hop on our bikes and ride along peaceful rural roads that weave through emerald rice fields and sleepy villages, offering yet another glimpse into Thailand’s authentic heartland 🌾🚴‍♂️.

After a flavorful local lunch, we continue our journey following the gentle curves of the Chao Phraya River—the lifeblood of central Thailand—toward the historic city of Ayutthaya 🏞️🛶.

Once the grand capital of the Siamese Kingdom, Ayutthaya is rich with history and ancient ruins that echo the glory of centuries past. We arrive in time to check into our riverside hotel and relax after a fulfilling day.

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 80 km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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  • HOTEL:
    
    • Krungsri River Hotel or similar

Our final cycling day begins right from the hotel, with a gentle and easy ride to close out this unforgettable adventure 🚴‍♀️🌞.

We follow quiet, paved paths through Ayutthaya, visiting some of the city’s most iconic and historic sites.

First, we explore Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, once the royal temple of the ancient capital, followed by a stop at the stunning Wat Mahathat, famous for the serene Buddha head entwined in tree roots 🛕🌳. These sacred ruins offer a powerful glimpse into Thailand’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

We enjoy our last lunch together in Ayutthaya, then board the bus for a comfortable transfer back to Bangkok, where the journey officially comes to an end 🚐❤️.

Thank you for being part of this incredible ride!

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  • ACTIVITIES:
    
    • Bike Cycling

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  • CYCLING DISTANCE:
    
    • 35km

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  • MEALS:
    
    • Breakfast, lunch

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  • END OF TOUR:
    
    • No Accommodation