You're in Thailand, so mai pen rai—no worries! Bike an oxcart path among lush rice paddies. Admire an ornate Buddhist temple in a jungle-filled valley. Relish a homemade curry. Stare at jagged limestone hills that haven't changed for a thousand years. Ask yourself, "Is it Tuesday?" It doesn't matter because you're in Thailand. Mai pen rai.
Days 1-2 Experience a fascinating convergence of Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Chinese cultures | Receive a blessing from the village elders and visit with the resident monk | Spin into the countryside past thriving rice and garlic fields, and stands of papaya and teak | Learn from a local gardener how to plant and harvest rice | Get a behind-the-scenes look at how traditional Thai dishes are prepared.
Days 3-4 Be welcomed by curious locals as you bike gorgeous rural roads through remote villages | Beneath the white Buddha, offer alms to monks at sunrise | A scenic descent leads to the trading center of Fang and temple-rich Thaton.
Day 5 Float in longtail boats down the Maekok River | Ride through a peaceful village-dotted landscape into vibrant Chiang Rai | Embark on a culinary adventure, wandering the streets of Chiang Rai and sampling some of Thailand's unique delicacies and delicious street food.
Days 6-8 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 | Spin to the spectacular Chom Kitti temple | Browse Sop Ruak's market for a refreshing Thai iced tea and one-of-a-kind handicrafts.
Riding through Thailand is a memory I will never forget. Seeing it by bike is perfect as the countryside is filled with quiet, tranquil scenes that are not disturbed as you silently pass. The accommodations are lovely. Wonderful rooms and such pleasant staff. And I can't even begin to describe the amazing food we had throughout the trip.- Salt Lake City, UT
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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This impeccable hotel, amid rice paddies, mountains and lush gardens, sets the industry standard for luxury. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Basic teak-framed rooms and a fantastic riverside location await at this authentic Thai-style inn. (pool)
A large yet inviting resort with modern furnishings and an idyllic setting along the banks of the Kok River. (pool, spa)
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)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Displaying reviews 1-5
Comments about Thailand Bike Tour:
Riding through Thailand is a memory I will never forget. Seeing it by bike is perfect as the countryside is filled with quiet, tranquil scenes that are not disturbed as you silently pass. The accommodations are lovely. Wonderful rooms and such pleasant staff. And I can't even begin to describe the amazing food we had throughout the trip.
Comments about Thailand Bike Tour:
One of the best experiences of my life.....seriously (sounds a little exaggerated, but true)
Comments about Thailand Bike Tour:
Thank you for creating such an awesome way to explore a country. I have never loved feeling like a tourist and Backroads lets you immerse yourself in a country's way of life. Just the way I like to see a country. I love when we can visit someone's home or have lunch at a local place. We got to see and do things we would never get to do but for experiencing it on a bike. The hotel at the elephant camp was breathtaking and the day we rode the elephants was a thrill. The Thailand bike trip is not to be missed!
Comments about Thailand Bike Tour:
An amazing time in northern Thailand...expertly designed bike routes, superb service from Backroads' staff and fine hotels. If you're thinking of taking a bike trip in Asia, this is a 'must do'.
Comments about Thailand Bike Tour:
From start to finish, our week in Thailand was an exceptional experience in every way.
Excellent biking with leaders, cultural guide and support team who catered to everyone's preferences.
Wonderful hotels, handpicked lunch spots and amazing experiences along the way (from temples to long tail boat trip to bare back elephant riding) that immersed us in the local culture.
This was our third Backroads trip - all fantastic though this week in Thailand raised the bar even higher. A truly wonderful vacation!
Displaying reviews 1-5
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 12* | 300 | 24 | 700 | ||||||
| 2 | 17* | 1200 | 22 | 1500 | 33 | 1100 | ||||
| Rice Planting Activity (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 17* | 600 | 30* | 1000 | 51* | 1400 | ||||
| 4 | 18* | 900 | 26 | 1700 | ||||||
| Sunrise Walk (1.2 Miles) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 12* | 1200 | 17 | 1400 | 38 | 2800 | ||||
| Maekok River Long-Tail Boat Ride (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 20* | 600 | 28* | 1000 | 48 | 1800 | ||||
| 7 | 11* | 800 | 20 | 1000 | ||||||
| 8 | Conclusion of the Trip | |||||||||
Note: There is less than 20% of riding on hard-packed dirt on this trip. Since the overwhelming majority of the trip is paved, we've elected to use standard road bike tires on our titanium road bikes. Most guests find this to be the right answer. If you prefer to skip the dirt, a shuttle is always a possibility.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
For nearly 25 years we've created biking routes that take you deeper into Thailand, winding through forests, farmland and small hamlets that are well off the beaten tourist path. A great day of riding in gorgeous surroundings becomes all the more special when you're greeted by farmers, shopkeepers and monks who know Backroads well and invite you to stop in for a visit. We're confident you won't find that kind of welcome with any other company.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Thailand, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
Most companies' trips in Thailand are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Thailand, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politics – and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
Our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. By the same token, we pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides who know how to cater to your needs while cracking open the culture or natural history in ways that are meaningful, memorable and often magical.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
A great bike is obviously critical for a great biking trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.
In Thailand you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
We design and support our Thailand trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. As you browse our unrivaled selection of trips and dates, you can count on finding a trip in Thailand that's geared exclusively to your choice of traveling companions.
It may seem obvious to say the great hotels we tell you about are the ones you'll actually stay in. But the fact is many companies haven't even booked the places they promise and are later forced to settle for inferior alternatives. We book our hotels and exact rooms long in advance—often over two years—so you stay where you expect to stay.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group of 8 or more. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
