Cycling the best of Asia, Alaska and the Pacific since 1987
Thailand Bicycle Tours & Cycling Holidays Central Highlights 7 days, Inn to Inn
“Explore the colorful world of Northern Thailand beyond Chiang Mai. Discover its charm and cuisine. Delve into its history and culture.”
A ride through central Thailand is a journey through an exotic paradise, giving you a particularly broad view of Thai history, culture and landscapes as you pedal from village to village, from the Chao Phraya Plains, through the western mountains, and to the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Siam. Part of this route also follows the “Tour of Siam” bike race route. Starting at the fabled ruins of Ayutthaya, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will explore the many temples and historic sites the national park has to offer.
Pedaling west, you cycle through vast areas of emerald rice paddies, still tended by water buffalo, to your lodge outside the market town of U Thong. The Western Mountains begin to surround you with gentle foothills as you ride into the area known for its abundance of sapphires and other gems. Arriving in Kanchanaburi, you can visit the site that inspired the movie "The Bridge Over the River Kwai" before relaxing in the gardens of your hotel perched on the Mae Kwai riverbanks. Your ride through the hills and lush green valleys of the Western Range will earn you a soak in the Bo Khlueng Hot Springs, surrounded by fantastic scenery.
As the morning sun illuminates the foothills and distant peaks, you will descend eastward to the Gulf of Siam, first through rice fields and vegetable crops, then across salt plains where sea salt is dried and harvested for the world market. Explore Petchaburi on the way to your tranquil resort on a beach that has escaped the development found in other parts of the country. Your last day of pedaling takes you down the flat coast, first to Cha Am - a popular stop for Thais, and a perfect place for a traditional Thai beach brunch under an umbrella - freshly grilled tiger prawns with tangy namjim dipping sauce. Finish riding in Hua Hin, then celebrate a great ride through Thailand with dinner at an open air restaurant perched over the ocean, with seafood so fresh, it was swimming just minutes before. On this fantastic adventure, you will enjoy lush natural beauty, irresistible cuisine, awe-inspiring temples, and the legendary hospitality of the Land of Smiles.
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Central Highlights
8 days (6 days cycling)
Inn to Inn
Level
Price
$2050 - 2 to 5 guests
$1895 - 6 or more
Next Departure
At Your Request from October thru February
Itinerary
Day 1 - transfer Ayutthaya; Day 2 - bicycle Ayutthaya; Day 3 - cycle to U-Thong; Day 4 - bike to Kanchanaburi; Day 5 - pedal to Bo Khlueng Hot Springs; Day 6 - cycling to Petchaburi; Day 7 - bicycling to Hua Hin; Day 8 - depart
Route Character
Paved roads, moderate traffic, mixed terrain
Mileage
Total: 294 mi / 474 km
Daily Avg: 49 mi / 79 km
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Thailand Bike Tours » Central Highlights
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Your new group of friends will gather today at Bangkok Airport and then travel the short distance north to Ayutthaya. A couple of shuttles will be offered at 4:30 pm for folks already in Thailand and around midnight for folks flying in from North America.
Day 2 - After a hearty buffet breakfast, we will get the bikes ready and enjoy a leisurely ride through the historical park, exploring the ancient temples and city ruins of this Unesco World Heritage Site. In early afternoon, you will pedal south to visit the Royal Palace at Bang Pa In, before returning for an excellent dinner at a floating restaurant on the Chao Phrayao River. 35 kms
Day 3 - Today we enjoy a leisurely flat ride through expansive emerald rice fields and farms. The quiet rural roads here are a delightful ride, where farmers stop their work to say hi and scooters slow down to chat with us. We will explore the temples of Suphan Buri, before reaching our overnight stop in U Thong. 75 kms
Day 4 - Thailand's border with Myanmar is marked by a large mountain range. This morning we pedal into the foothills of the this range to Bo Phloi, known for the fine sapphires mined in the area, then south to Kanchanaburi. This town is best known for the railroad bridge built by prisoners of war during WWII and brought to legendary status by the movie " Bridge of the River Kwai". We relax in a delightful hotel, that floats on the Mae Nam Khwae Yai (Big Kwai River). 69 kms
Day 5 - In the morning we will visit the Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park, before continuing southward through the thick forests and rolling valleys of the foothills. This quiet region is not often visited by foreigners, so schoolyards will be filled with kids yelling "hello" as you pass. Our goal is the rural town of Suan Phueng and the nearby Bo Khlueng Hot Springs. 105 kms
Day 6 - The beach resorts of the Gulf of Thailand call us today. We will pedal out of the hills and across the flat agricultural regions around Petchaburi. After exploring some of the city's sites, such as as the Royal Palace and Khao Luang Cave, you will pedal to your hotel on the beach a few miles outside of town. 108 kms
Day 7 - Our last day of riding rolls along the coastline, passing numerous beaches and small villages. At lunchtime in Cha Am, we will pause for a favorite Thai holiday activity, lounging in beach chairs under umbrellas eating freshly grilled prawns and other seafood. In early afternoon, we will reach our lodging in Hua Hin, a delightful beach resort town, with plenty of time left to hit the beach for a swim. We end the tour with a delicious seafood dinner at a restaurant perched out over the ocean. 82 kms
Day 8 - After breakfast we will transfer back to Bangkok Airport and our fond farewells.
Book Your Trip Request Trip Details
At Your Request:
Tour cost: $2050 (2 to 5 guests)
Tour cost: $1895 (6 or more guests)
Optional Costs:
Single supplement: $495
Bike rental: $130
Deposits):
Tour deposit: $200
Bike rental deposit: $25
At Your Request:
Private departures can be arranged pretty much year round. November thru March is best with warm temperatures and little rain. April & May are hot and sunny. June until October is the rainy season, cooler temperatures but a chance of several days of rain. Get your wheels rolling and request your At Your Request date today. Plan a trip for your bike club or corporate incentive, contact us for more details.
Lodging:
Boutique Hotels, Inns & Resorts
... More about this trip's inns.
What's Included:
6 nights Accommodation in the area's better hotels (double occupancy)
All meals from Dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 7
Water, sodas or beer included at dinner
Service of bilingual Team Pedalers Guide(s)
Full Van Support
Daily route directions and maps
Sightseeing and cultural activities
Airport pick up & drop off
Meeting & Flights:
The tour meets in the afternoon of Day 1 at Chiang Mai Airport. Guides will meet your incoming flight between 12 noon and 5 pm, please plan your flights to arrive accordingly. The trip ends at Chiang Mai Airport around 11:30 am on Day 7. Guests who have booked their post tour accommodations in Chiang Mai through our office will be dropped at their lodges after the airport drop off.
Fly into Chiang Mai (CNX) between 12 noon & 5 pm on Day 1
Fly out of Chiang Mai (CNX) after 1 pm on Day 7
Check current airfares to: Bangkok
Domestic Flights:
We suggest booking your flight between Bangkok & Chiang Mai separately from your international flight, as it will usually work out much more economical. For ease of connecting with international flights at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, we suggest using either Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways. For more info on the various carriers and links to their websites, please visit our Thai Travel page.
Route Conditions:
The entire ride is on paved roads, most with nice pavement and wide shoulders. Traffic is moderate to light and very bike friendly. The route is suitable for performance road, sport road and touring bikes. Terrain is a mix flat, with some moderate hills midway through the route and at the finish point.
Visas & Travel Documents:
Passports are required for all guests. Your passport should have at least 6 months validity past your intended travel dates. Visas are not required for citizens of the USA, Canada, UK, EU, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, a 30 day Entry Permit is issued upon arrival in Bangkok.
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Mt Everest seen from Pang La Pass during the Road to Everest Tour Sept 09
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Site Map | this page updated: 25Oct10
Pedalers Pub & Grille is a small boutique bike tour operator offering extraordinary cycling holidays in Asia, Alaska and the Pacific. We provide outstanding value with luxurious comfort on our meticulously planned road bike tours. Select from our exclusive collection of bicycle tours, cycling holidays and multisport adventures in Thailand, Laos, Bhutan, New Zealand, Bali, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, China, Nepal, Cambodia and Tibet. Our company has always traveled with cultural and environmental sensitivity and employed sustainable travel concepts.