Thailand

Thailand » Fridays in Thailand

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - We will meet you at Surat Thani Airport rhis afternoon, then transfer to our nearby lodge. After checking into our hotel, we will set up everyone's bike before tour orientation and your first taste of the awesome Thai cuisine prepared in this part of the country.

Day 2 - After breakfast, we are off on our bikes, pedaling through the flat coastal agricultural areas surrounding Surat Thani. Off in the distance, you will see the rugged outlines of the Karst mountains slowly growing taller and more distinct as we approach. As we reach this seemingly impenantrable mountain range, you will discover it is actually numerous tall narrow peaks with flat spaces in between allowing easy passage through. Our goal is Khao Sok National Park nestled in amongst the peaks. 41 mi / 66 km

Day 3 - Pedaling to the coast today, we will first be riding to Takua Pa town and then on to our stop for tonight in Hat Khao Lak. This up and coming beach area sits just to the north of the National Park with the same name. The picturesque beaches of Hat Khao Lak, while seeing an increase in development, still present a quiet getaway. Our lodge tonight is perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the bay and town. 49 mi / 73 km

Day 4 - This morning we will leave the bikes behind and enjoy a sea kayaking trip through the breathtaking islands of Phang Nga Bay, including a visit to what is known as "James Bond Island". This island was featured in the movie "007 The Man With The Golden Gun". Rent the dvd and check out the spectacular landscapes of Scaramanga's base in "China", which was actually filmed here in Phang Nga Bay.

Day 5 - We will leave the coast behind for most of today's ride as we head inland and wind our ways through the heart of the isthmus. This area is filled with small villages, farms and rubber plantations, where they still harvest the sap and make rubber the traditional way. Our lodging for tonight will be outside Phang Nga town, surrounded by the towering limestone cliffs that proliferate throughout the region. 40 mi / 64 km

Day 6 - Our day of pedaling takes us on a meandering route through the fantastic karst landscapes. Our route is inland and not along the coast today, but the views are awesome and the cycling pretty flat. We will leave the main road before we reach Krabi town itself and head back to the coast, to our lodge at Ao Nang Beach one of the prettiest in the region . . . towering cliffs dropping straight into deep blue waters. 60 mi / 96 km

Day 7 - Once again, we take to the ocean, exploring the Ao Thalane region near Krabi by sea kayak. This bay has dramatic canyons and thick mangrove forests that we paddle through, as stark contrast to the open seas and scattered islands of Phang Nga Bay. Perhaps we will spot monkeys or Komodo Dragons lounging in the forests. You have the afternoon free to relax before enjoying an awesome dinner of fresh seafood.

Day 8 - Our last cycling leg continues south along the Andaman Coast through the ever present karst out croppings. We are enroute to the island of Koh Lanta for our last night's stay. While much of our day is cycling, we will also travel by ferry to reach the quiet island and its beautiful beaches. One last delicious Thai dinner featuring seafood fresh for the sea will wind down our Thailand Land & Sea multisport tour.

Day 9 - After breakfast we will be shuttling folks to Krabi Airport for your flights home on onward to more adventures.

Angkor Wat add-on:

Day 9 - After checking into your hotel, we will pedal to Siem Reap's countryside. Today's ride will bring us to 9th century Rolous temple group which includes the oldest temples of the Angkor Complex. Following the tranquil rural trails, we cycle past Khmer villages, pagodas, rice field. Before getting to Rolous, we visit Lolei, Bakong anf Preas Kor Temple. After discovering the fabulous temple ruins, we return to town by bike. The rest day is at your leisure to relax and explore Siem Reap. In the evening enjoy a traditional Cambodian meal and performance by Apsara dancers. (25 to 40 kms)

Day 10 - Embark on a 10km ride from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat, stopping to explore the temple complex and to enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, cycle an additional 17 to 24km on the Small Circuit between Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakeng, with stops at the Death Gate, Victory Gate, Terraces of Elephants and Leper King, and Srah Srang. Watch the sunset from Phnom Bakeng. (50 kms)

Day 11 - Take a shuttle bus to the rose sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, then explore the temple's magnificent carvings and embark by bicycle on the 31km Grand Circuit to the ruined, jungle temple of Preah Khan. Bike to Neak Pean Temple, famous for its sacred pools, breaking for lunch before riding another 21km to Banteay Kdei and Siem Reap via picturesque country lanes. (52 kms)

Day 12 - This morning we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place to place following water levels and current. Return to hotel for check out and transfer to airport for your onward flight.

Ask us about continuing on the Sai Gon, via one of the hotel boats that ply the mighty Mekong between Siem Reap and the delta.