Bike, Hike & Kayak Northern Thailand

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enquire now 7 Days From NZD $1,850 pp twinshare
Small group
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Explore Thailand’s backroads by bike, hike to remote villages and kayak through stunning natural landscapes.

This active adventure begins with a ride in the countryside, enjoying the backroads and country lanes from Chiang Mai by bike. Next visit the highest point in Thailand and enjoy three days trekking in Doi Inthanon National Park. Delight in delicious authentic Thai culture with local family as hosts and experience homestays while hiking to local villages. Finally take on a kayak expedition on the Mae Ping River and enjoy the natural surroundings of the Mae Tang Forest Reserve. Throughout the trip your knowledgeable guide will offer fascinating insights into Thailand’s history and your natural surroundings. This fascinating journey begins and concludes in Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival into Chiang Mai
Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 Chiang Mai countryside by bike
This morning, after a bike fitting and briefing we pedal to the railway station to catch the train to Lamphun. Bike from the Lamphun railway station through quiet streets and lanes past the ancient city wall to the sacred Temple of Phra That Hariphunchai with its imposing golden chedi. Pedaling out of the city, the bike tour will cut across the countryside towards Chiang Mai, wandering through fruit orchards and along canals. We take a break in a small village on the banks of the Ping River for some deliciously simple Thai food. After lunch bike across the Ping River and on through rice paddies arriving at the wood carving village of Ban Tawai. Parking our bikes we will take a few moments to admire the carved wood splendour of the wood carvers’ temple. Bike from Ban Tawai along the main road to the Hang Dong District Market. At the market hop off the bikes for a tour of the local market and take the opportunity to have some cold drinks and local Thai snacks. Cycling the backroads and country lanes making our way through small villages, out across the plain to forested lanes in the foothills of Doi Suthep. Along the way we will stop at an ancient shrine and a beekeeping training centre. After a few rolling hills we come to the renowned forest temple and meditation centre of Wat Umong. Leaving the bikes once again, we take a stroll through the temple’s caves. Back on the bike for the last stretch into the city passing the University of Chiang Mai campus along the way. Eventually you and your bicycles will arrive back at the bicycle shop in Chiang Mai’s old city to conclude the bike tour. (B, L)

Day 3 Trekking in Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand’s most famous national parks and for good reason. The park boasts the greatest diversity of forest types and bird species found in any single park in the country and features some beautiful waterfalls, dramatic views and extraordinary nature. This scenery will be the setting for your three days nature trek. At the spectacular Wachirathan Waterfall we will have lunch. After lunch we trek through dense forest and continue our trek today to the White Karen Village of Ban Mae La. Dinner and overnight will be in the village where your guide will tell you the fascinating history of the local people. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Hike Ban Mae La to Khun Na Sa Village
After a delicious breakfast prepared by your guide we will continue our trek. In the morning we will walk mainly downhill to the White Karen Huay Nam Aoon village. You will have time to look around in the village and practice your language skills while your guide prepares lunch. After lunch we will walk up and down through the forest until we reach the White Karen Khun Na Sa Village. This is a small and quiet village. Your guide will ask you to assist you with the preparation of dinner tonight. He will explain the herbs and ingredients he uses. After dinner you will visit a village house to get to know some of the villagers. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Hike Khun Na Sa Village to Chiang Mai
After an early morning breakfast we say goodbye to the village and trek uphill, then downhill, to a pretty waterfall where we will spend some time relaxing, swimming and enjoying nature. After this continue to the Shan Village Baan Huay Pong. The Shan are also known as Thai Yai and are directly related to the Thai. After lunch in Baan Huay Pong we will have a look around the village and from there we will start to make our way back to Chiang Mai. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Kayak Mid Valley, to Mae Taeng Forest Reserve, to Chiang Mai
Today we transfer to Mae Ngat Valley. Following some instructions about safety and technique in basic kayaking we can start our journey. Gliding along the shady side at the Mae Taeng Forest Reserve the Mid Valley Trip river section has all the fun turns and twists the Mae Ping River has to offer here in the Mae Ngat Valley. After the initial easy entry at the dam flow, the river challenges us to pick the right line between the sand banks and the river shores. The mighty Ping River here a playful “large Creek” gives a handful of opportunities to practice our art of river navigation. Because of its mild consequences but challenging nature of this terrain it is a favourite for new comers to the sport. In the late afternoon we drive back to Chiang Mai. (B, L)

Day 7 Chiang Mai
The trip concludes this morning in Chiang Mai after breakfast. (B)

Inclusions

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
Expert bilingual guide
Comfortable hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
Basic hilltribe homestay on a multishare basis, bedding & mosquito net
Private vehicles
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary

WEX-BHN

Images courtesy of World Expeditions

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Bike, Hike & Kayak Northern Thailand

Explore Thailand’s backroads by bike, hike to remote villages and kayak through stunning natural landscapes.

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