Loy Kratong Special: Cycle Bangkok to Chiang Mai

We will meet in the late afternoon at a hotel near Bangkok's main railway station. If you are flying in, we will gladly have you picked up from the airport. The sleeper train is still a viable alternative for long distance travel in Thailand. It is well run, relatively punctual and a pleasant way to travel. We have dinner before boarding the train and as we leave the metropolis of Bangkok, the rocking motion will almost certainly send you into an early sleep.

The train arrives early in Uttaradit, so we make use of some rooms at a guesthouse to shower and change into cycling gear and then have a great local breakfast before heading off on the bikes. As we leave town, we find Wat Phrathat Thung Yang, an ancient temple that is still in use today, with an unusual Buddha image. We are then out in the countryside, meandering through sugar fields and orchards over fairly flat terrain. We reach the small town of Si Satchanalai in the early afternoon and have an afternoon to explore this small town and relax.

This morning we will ride along country roads next to the Yom River visiting artisans who are weaving gold into cloth and creating various pieces of pottery, before we ride through the Si Chanalai Historical Park. This evening we settle in our hotel outside the city gate of Thailand's first capital, Sukhothai.

Today is our first opportunity to stretch out and enjoy the landscape of the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai. We start off with a gentle pedal through the Sukhothai Historical Park, visiting the scattered ruins of the ancient city. We then cycle south along the base of a mountain to a temple in the Ramkhamhaeng National Park.

Following lunch in the afternoon, we have a fun outing to explore the local community. You'll have the chance to see and experience local life as we join them in the rice fields and their places of work, checking out rural handicrafts such as weaving, woodwork or making coal.

Following a 1.5 hour transfer, today's ride brings us into hill country with lots of easy ups and downs, amidst some twists and turns. The journey is peppered with charming hilltop temples and stupas - the most impressive of these being Wat Prathat Huai Thom. At the end of the day's cycling, we transfer 1 hour to Chom Thong.

Starting off the shadow of Thailand’s tallest mountain Doi Inthanon, wend your way across ride paddies and small villages and towns to the site of the ancient Kingdom of Haripunchai, nowadays called Lumphun. From Lamphun riding out of town first along tree-lined roads, through fruit orchards, along irrigation canals and across paddy fields, you will eventually arrive in the artisan village of Ban Tawai. From Ban Tawai we will transfer that last bit by van into the city of Chiang Mai. This evening enjoy a special dinner and joining the Yi Peng and Loi Kratong ceremonies where the skies and waters are filled with light.

The journey concludes after breakfast today. Our team including your leader will be more than happy to assist you in confirming any onward travel plans and should you need to reach the airport, our van will be waiting for you, however we recommend that you stay on in Chiang Mai for at least one night to enjoy the Yi Peng or Loy Kratong festivities that will be taking place this evening. Meals: B

This ride is a mixture of flat terrain with a few days of rolling hills. Most of the trip is on rural back roads and occasionally on dirt roads and highways. This ride is achievable by anyone who can ride a bike for the distances involved (and if not just jump in the air-conditioned support vehicle for a rest). We take a slow and relaxed pace so this trip is well suited to fit riders looking for a relaxing ride or those new to cycle touring who are looking to find out what it's all about.