The ancient kingdoms of Lanna and Khmer, flourished for many centuries in Southeast Asia, leaving behind a legacy of temple complexes and legends. Today the Lanna style lives on the region around Chiang Mai, while Khmer influence has faded remaining only in ruins. Our Tale of Two Kingdom spends time exploring both of these historic regions on a 10 day bike tour.

Our journey starts in Chiang Mai, tucked away in the northern mountains of Thailand. Here we find temples dating back to the earliest years of King Mengrai's legacy set right next to modern office buildings. We will explore the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam on the outskirts of the city, as well as temple complexes inside. Then we roll north through the forests and fields, exploring the small villages, hot spring parks, ancient temples built in caves and the ethnic hill tribes that still inhabit the region. Many of our overnight hotels feature the traditional Lanna style architecture that evolved in the region.

Enjoying the modern convenience of a quick flight, we cover what took weeks to journey back during the ancient times, reaching Siem Reap outside the Angkor Wat Park. During our stay here we will have time to explore most of this vast complex of beautiful ruins by bike. Plus enjoy the conveninece of not changing hotels each day. We will also explore the unqiue floating cities of Tonle Sap Lake, traveling by boat to visit houses, schools and more built on floating mats of reeds. Its a unique bike tour through two of the regions historic legacies and a journey not soon forgotten.

Itinerary (day-by-day)

Day 1 - Your bike tour group will gather today in the vibrant northern city of Chiang Mai. After checking into our lodge, we will get everyone set up with their bikes, then head out for a traditional northern Khan Toke dinner with classical and hill tribe dancing.

Day 2 - This morning we head south of town to explore the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, site of the first city built by King Mengrai some 700 years ago. Unfortunately his choice of land was subject to frequent floods, so after a short while he moved the city to it's current locale. In the afternoon we will wend our way back into the town, exploring the old town area with its historic Wats (temples) and ancient fortifications. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our favorite restaurant perched on the banks of the Mae Ping (Ping River) which flows through the heart of the city. 22 mi / 35 kms

Day 3 - We head north this morning, following small roads along the Mae Ping through villages and past flower farms. Lunch time will find us in the town of Mae Rim, where we will break from cycling to visit an orchid grower, butterfly farm and the Mae Rim Elephant camp, where we enjoy a demostration of the elephant's former work. IN late afternnon, we remount our bikes for a beautiful ride through emerald rice paddies and past colorful temples enroute to our overnight stop in the village of Baan Rai. 31 mi / 50 kms

Day 4 - Our morning ride takes us first to Mae Malai, where we visit a traditional market featuring a broad selection of local vegetables, fruits and fish, along with a tasty array of prepared foods from pad seuy (noodles) to fried insects. We will also visit the magnificient Wat Baan Den, before heading north into the rolling, forested countryside. Our bike tour winds down the day at a picturesque resort tucked in amongst the impressive karst hills ... relax by the lake with a cold Singha beer or on the porch of your teak cottage hidden in the trees. 57 mi / 92 kms

Day 5 - After breakfast this morning, we will pedal up to a beautiful giant Buddha, perched beneath the golden cliffs, then enjoy a thrilling descent onto the agricultural realm around Fang. We will also visit Tham Tub Tao, an ancient temple complex with 100s of Buddha images inside a giant cavern. Each year a gathering of 2500 monks takes place at this temple and has been happening for hundreds of years. In the afternoon we arrive at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, Thailand's answer to Yellowstone with geysers and hot springs. Our bungalows overlook the geyser field and we can enjoy soaks in pools fed by natural hot springs. 39 mi / 63 kms

Day 6 - The last day of this Thailand bike tour pedals across the flat plains of the far north. Our first stop is in Mae Ai, where we will spend some time exploring Wat Mae Ai Luang, with its historic wooden temple featuring Burnmese architecture. Then we roll further north to Tha Ton, our overnight stopping point. After lunch beside the river, we will set out on a beautiful ride along the Mae Kok through farmlands and forests, culminating in a climb to Baan Yapa, a Padaung Village. The Padaung are also known as Long Neck Women and you have the opportunity to watch them create their traditional woven scarves. Our last night's celebratory dinner will be at a great restaurant overlooking the Mae Kok River. 40 mi / 64 kms

Day 7 - After an early breakfast we shuttle to the Chiang Mai Airport for our flight to Siem Reap. In the afternoon, we will set out to explore the town or you can relax poolside at our hotel.

Day 8 - We pedal the short 10km from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat, and start our explorations of this unique temple complex. Depending on the groups' desire, we can cycle anywhere from 17 to 24 kms of 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. 31 mi / 50 kms

Day 9 - Today's ride takes us on the Grand Circuit, starting from the magnificent rose sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, with it's magnificent carvings. The 31km Grand Circuit explores the ruined, jungle temple of Preah Khan, Neak Pean Temple, famous for its sacred pools and Banteay Kdei. In late afternoon we will roll back to Siem Reap via picturesque country lanes. 33 mi / 53 kms

Day 10 - 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 floatting 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. Khap khun khap, sawasdee khap

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