4-Day Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bike
View Trip Map
Download
Share
Terms and Conditions
Overview
This taster of northern Thailand will take you through the spectacular limestone mountains of Chiang Dao and the scenic village of Mae Salak, straddling the Mae Kok River. We follow local roads that have little traffic and fantastic scenery. Each night you will stay in charming, Thai-style lodges with swimming pools to enjoy at the end of our rides.
Thailand has an abundance of waterfalls, caves, rivers and temples and these won’t be missed on our tour. We will begin exploring Thailand by bike at Bua Tong Waterfall to a large reservoir on the edge of Si Lanna National Park. Our second day begins with a tour of the Chiang Dao Caves before heading out into the light and riding among soaring limestone cliffs on a mixture of dirt paths cut by local hill tribes.
The third morning we’ll follow the Mae Kok River to Mae Salak, one of the most scenic rides of the trip. Our last day, change vehicles to a boat as we hitch a ride on a long-tail boat and visit some temples to finish off our tour in Chiang Rai.
Cycling distance: 145 km (4 days)
Difficulty: moderate
We ride on small local roads with little traffic and some short off-road sections. The terrain is undulating with no major climbs, but just in case, our support vehicle is always close by. This tour is suitable for anyone with biking experience.
The trip is fully supported and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit.
The emphasis on this tour is Thailand’s scenery off the beaten track. This trip has a mixture of wide, hard-packed dirt trails, single tracks and smooth tarmac. An air-conditioned bus travels behind the group to support us. Participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group.
Thailand has an abundance of waterfalls, caves, rivers and temples and these won’t be missed on our tour. We will begin exploring Thailand by bike at Bua Tong Waterfall to a large reservoir on the edge of Si Lanna National Park. Our second day begins with a tour of the Chiang Dao Caves before heading out into the light and riding among soaring limestone cliffs on a mixture of dirt paths cut by local hill tribes.
The third morning we’ll follow the Mae Kok River to Mae Salak, one of the most scenic rides of the trip. Our last day, change vehicles to a boat as we hitch a ride on a long-tail boat and visit some temples to finish off our tour in Chiang Rai.
Cycling distance: 145 km (4 days)
Difficulty: moderate
We ride on small local roads with little traffic and some short off-road sections. The terrain is undulating with no major climbs, but just in case, our support vehicle is always close by. This tour is suitable for anyone with biking experience.
The trip is fully supported and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit.
The emphasis on this tour is Thailand’s scenery off the beaten track. This trip has a mixture of wide, hard-packed dirt trails, single tracks and smooth tarmac. An air-conditioned bus travels behind the group to support us. Participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group.
Itinerary
Day 1
Beginning of Tour - Mae Ngat Reservoir (30 km)
Hide details 
We transfer from the city to start exploring Thailand by bike at Bua Tong Waterfall. We cycle through a teak tree farm, and from there, we ride along country roads, along a canal and through rice paddies. We'll stop for a break at Mae Ngat Reservoir and enjoy the lakeside view from the dam. Tonight, you'll stay next to the dam in a leisurely hotel with a swimming pool.
Accommodation
Ban Phraya Lanna Rimnam★4 star
Activities
Cycle to Mae Taeng (30 km)
Bua Tong Waterfalls
Mae Ngat Dam & Reservoir
Transportations
Minivan from Chiang Mai to Bua Tong Waterfalls
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Kuet Chang
Mae Ho Phra
Ban Pao
Cho Lae
Day 2
Chiang Dao Tribal Trails (35 km)
Hide details
Transfer to the Chiang Dao Caves to explore before starting today's cycle. We'll ride through rice fields set among soaring limestone cliffs. We may meet some local tribe peoples –Akha, Lisu, and Palaung– from the area. We'll stop in our beautiful resort just in time to catch the sunset where you can rest for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation
Saimoonbury Resort★4 star
Activities
Chiang Dao Caves
Cycle to Chai Prakan (35km)
Transportations
Minivan from Ban Phraya Lanna Rimnam to Wat Tham Chiang Dao
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Cho Lae
Chiang Dao
Pong Tam
Chiang Mai
Day 3
Roads to Mae Salak (40 km)
Hide details
Transfer to Fang and to start cycling. From here we ride through many small villages where we can stop to rest and drink some water before continuing. The ride to Mae Salak follows the Mae Kok River and is one of the most scenic journeys of the trip. We end the day along the banks of Mae Kok River where your resort with a pool awaits.
Accommodation
Maekok River Village Resort★2 star
Activities
Cycle to Mae Salak (40km)
Transportations
Minivan from SaimoonburyResort to Fang
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Chiang Mai
Pa Daet
Tha Ton
Day 4
Ride to Chiang Rai (40 km)
Hide details
Transfer to a Lahu village where we then hitch a ride on a long-tail boat with our bikes on the Mae Kok River. Once back on solid ground we cycle along to some natural hot springs and then backtrack a little to head to Chiang Rai. We visit one of the most important temples of Chiang Rai, Wat Phra Kaew. We then ride on to Wat Rong Khun - the White Temple. Here we'll end our tour and transfer you to your hotel or to the airport.
Activities
Boat on the Mae Kok River
Cycle to Chiang Rai
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Rong Khun
Transportations
Minivan from Maekok River Village Resort to Lahu Village
Minivan from Mueang Chiang Rai to Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Tha Ton
Huai Chomphu
Doi Hang
Bangkok
Pa O Don Chai
Included in Price
- 3 nights accommodation
- 10 activities
- 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Airport transfer
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Notes
Support, snacks and a water bottle are also included.
Want to Read This Later?
Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!
Low season price starting fromAU$1,327
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
Book with Flexibility
Flexible Payment
Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
Extra Mile
Our dedicated Travel Concierge Team will work with you to manage any unforeseen changes, where possible.
Why Choose Designer Journeys
Access Exclusive Experiences
Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.
Extraordinary Local Expertise
Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.
Supported Every Step of the Way
Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.
Travel Designed For You
Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.
It is great having local people who are able to tailor a trip to my individual needs. I love that I can chat to my consultant to make changes. The turnaround times from my brief were excellent.
Prompt and knowledgable of many areas and things to do. We felt like our requests were heard and they went above and beyond to provide a mixture of plans for our budget.
Sangita was amazing. She was always available by phone if needed and we felt no hesitation to be in contact. She listened to exactly what we asked for and got it right. All the people we met that worked with her were very trustworthy and honest. I would recommend her and all the people she works with. It was a very personal and well managed trip.
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY
Why Travel with Designer Journeys
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.
At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.
Connect and Design With an Expert.
Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.
Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.
As seen on
Partners
