Thailand Biking
Exploring the Golden Triangle near Laos & Myanmar
Language barrier, embrace it. Bookstore travel guide, dump it. Fear of street food, chuck it. Liberate yourself from all that. Wake up expecting anything. Mai pen rai (keep smiling). Because "hey, you're in Thailand." Cycle an uncharted oxcart path among lush rice paddies and garlic fields. Be startled by an ornate Buddhist temple quietly sitting in the middle of a jungle-filled valley. Relish a truly homemade curry and stare at the jagged limestone hills that have sat unchanged for thousands of years. Say to yourself, "Is it Tuesday?" Even that doesn't matter because you're in Thailand. So mai pen rai.
- Bike gorgeous backcountry lanes through remote villages, where school kids rush out to greet you
- Jungle trek aboard an elephant - hold on!
- Intriguing interactions with Buddhist monks at ornate temples
- Float down the Maekok River on traditional long-tail boats
- A fascinating convergence of Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Chinese cultures
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Receive a blessing from the village elders and visit with the resident monk 
Meet Ghing and Diak, our Thai guides who know the back roads of northern Thailand better than anyone Ride into the countryside on hard-packed paths, cutting through thriving rice and garlic fields, and papaya and teak forests Light a traditional fire balloon and make a wish.
Days 3-4 Bike gorgeous backcountry lanes through remote villages, where school kids rush out to greet you Fall for the handmade jewelry at an Akha hilltribe village A scenic descent leads to the trading center of Fang and temple-rich Thaton Savor Thai cuisine at an atmospheric café - and find inspiration for your upcoming cooking class.
Day 5 Jungle trek aboard an elephant - hold on! Beneath the White Buddha, offer alms to monks at sunrise Float in long-tail boats down the Maekok River Pedal on narrow lanes past small villages into vibrant Chiang Rai.
Days 6-8 A fascinating convergence of Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Chinese cultures Bike alongside the Mekong River on the Laos and Myanmar border, passing tobacco fields and rice paddies on the way to the ancient Burmese kingdom of Chiang Saen It's up to you: relax poolside, indulge in a massage or cycle to the spectacular Chom Kitti temple - en route you can browse Sop Ruak's market for delectable Thai iced tea and unique handicrafts.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Vietnam Biking China Biking Bali BikingOther Asia/Pacific Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This was my third Backroads trip, each of which has been fabulous. The Thailand trip was the best trip yet!!! The leaders were fabulous and incredibly accommodating.- New York, NY More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Thailand Biking
Premiere Inns*
Suanthip Vana Resort
Mae Suai (2 nights) A simple countryside retreat blending Thai and Western comforts with an open-air restaurant in forested surroundings. (pool, spa)
Maekok River Village Resort
Ban Thaton (2 nights) Basic teak-framed rooms and a fantastic riverside setting at this authentic Thai-style inn. (pool)
* Casual Inn
The Legend Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai (1 night) With panoramic views of the hills, mountains and river, this small boutique hotel offers an ideal location for exploring Chiang Rai. (pool, spa)
Anantara Resort & Spa
Chiang Saen (2 nights) Described by the Hideaway Report as a "stylish hill country retreat amid 160 acres of tranquil gardens in the Golden Triangle overlooking Burma." (pool, spa)
Thailand Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Optional Biking 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 21, 25 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walk 1.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 25, 45 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Optional Walk 1.2 miles
- Biking 16, 29 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking, Boats & Elephants 15 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 28, 40, 58 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Optional Biking 24 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Conclusion of Trip