Thailand Family Biking
The Golden Triangle near Laos & Myanmar
Bordering Laos and Myanmar, Thailand's Golden Triangle is a region of jungle-filled valleys, meandering rivers and ornate temples. Here, indigenous people still thrive on isolated mountainsides and time seems to stand still. More than a biking vacation, this Backroads journey is an exploration of the traditions and lifestyles of this peaceful Buddhist-influenced region. Pedal past lush rice paddies and along the banks of the famed Mekong, hike to hilltribe villages, float down the Maekok River by boat and venture through forests astride elephants. With ornate temples, cultural revelations, divine cuisine and wonderfully friendly people, Thailand offers unique riches to the active traveler.
- 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
- A ropes course and scavenger hunt that turn the outdoors into a classroom
- A fascinating convergence of Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Chinese cultures
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 mae suai
Gather in Chiang Mai 
Get acquainted over a tasty Northern Thai lunch at the hotel Bike in the surrounding countryside, where villagers greet us with a smile Receive a blessing from village elders and meet the resident monk.
Days 3-4 ban thaton
Visit an Akha hilltribe village, then enjoy the scenic downhill and flat ride leading to the trading center of Fang Savor delicious and distinctive Thai barbecue cuisine Pedal along quiet rural roads with grazing water buffalo as your audience.
Day 5 chiang rai
Greet the sunrise by offering alms to monks on a hilltop beneath the shadow of the White Buddha Board long-tail boats for a ride down the Maekok River Visit the Karen settlement of Ruam Mit for an elephant trek through the jungle During downtime, take a Thai cooking class, explore local markets, spin through the surrounding countryside or treat yourself to a massage while kids learn about teamwork on a ropes course and enjoy a jungle cookout.
Days 6-8 chiang saen
Bike alongside the Mekong River on the Laos border, past tobacco fields and rice paddies into the ancient kingdom of Chiang Saen Visit Sop Ruak's market stalls to sample delicious Thai iced tea and shop for local handicrafts Kids attend a mahout (elephant driver) camp.
Adult Route Rating What's this?
- 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.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Just returned home from the Backroads Thailand bicycle adventure. I am exhilarated, enthused and disappointed that it had to end. This was my first experience with Backroads, and all aspects of the trip were exceptional. Your organization sets a very high standard of customer service, and it is very much appreciated. The leaders were exceptional. Their enthusiasm for their jobs and their lives is contagious, and their dedication to service is obvious. What a pleasure to spend a week in such an exotic location and have these great people take care of everything. The complete success of each day was never doubted. You can be assured that I will travel with Backroads in the future, and will probably become a Backroads junkie! Thanks for a great trip.- Seattle, WA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. 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 Family Biking
THAI TASTE: Premiere Inns*
Suanthip Vana Resort
Mae Suai (2 nights) A countryside retreat that perfectly blends Thai and Western comforts, including a pool, a spa and an open-air restaurant overlooking forested surroundings.
Maekok River Village Resort
Ban Thaton (2 nights) A casual authentic Thai-style inn with a pool, simple teak-framed rooms and a riverside setting.
* Casual Inn
The Legend Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai (1 night) With panoramic views of the hills, mountains and river, this small boutique resort features Thai design and art, a pool and spa.
Anantara Resort & Spa
Chiang Saen (2 nights) With traditional Thai architecture, this luxurious hotel offers stunning vistas of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
Thailand Family Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned above, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 21 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walk 1.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 21, 25, 46 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 16, 29 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walk 1.2 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 11 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 24, 35, 48, 58 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 24 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Conclusion of Trip