Adventure Travel Through Thailand

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Thailand

Adventure Siam

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking and Elephant Riding

(11 Days)

This trip is a winner for outdoor enthusiasts looking to get physical in a destination bursting with spiritual and cultural flavour. A whole slew of transportation modes make up the itinerary from biking and hiking to kayaking and elephant riding. We start in Bangkok and shoot north for a backcountry traverse alongside the borders of Laos and Myanmar. We’re exposed to grandiose Buddhist temples glistening in the morning sunrays, where monks draped in brilliant saffron robes meander barefoot making their daily offerings. As we wind further north, we'll meet various ethnic groups that reside in the hillsides and dress in distinctive colourful attire. If you're in search of an active adventure combined with cultural flavour, this trip will knock your socks off!

Trip Highlights

Biking the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Training Elephants and riding them through the hills of Chiang Mai for a mud bath
Hiking in Doi Mae Salong through terraced rice plantations and hilltribe villages

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Bangkok

A BikeHike Adventures representative will be awaiting as your plane touches down in Bangkok, welcoming you to the ‘Land of Smiles’. You’ll be escorted to your hotel and introduced to the local surroundings. Sit back, relax, enjoy a swim and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2: Bangkok (Tuk-Tuk, Motorcycle, Train and Boat)

This day is simply incredible! Today we’ll tick off five must-see sites, while using all forms of urban transport (tuk-tuk, motorcycle, rapid train and boats) in a citywide blitz of temples, alleyways, rivers, canals and fine eats to give you a true appreciation of the ‘City of Angels’. Today you’ll see the Golden Mount, the stunning Grand Palace, Wat Po (reclining Buddha), Wat Arun and the urban-canals of Bangkok Noi, to name but a few of our stops. Not only can you tick Bangkok off your list, but you’ll do it in swinging style! (B,L)

Day 3: Ancient Ayutthaya (Mountain Bike)

Prior to its sacking by the Burmese in 1767, Ayutthaya was the crowning jewel of Siam. We’ll board a private shuttle from Bangkok, and then board a longtail boat for a 1-hour journey up river to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we'll use Mary-Poppins-style bicycles to explore the ancient ruins and stone palaces that make up this fascinating destination. The best part is there are no ropes between you and the sites, affording an up close and personal look at these historic stone temples. After our day exploring, we’ll blast back to Bangkok in our private shuttle and catch an early evening flight to the country’s northernmost province, Chiang Mai, where we’ll spend the next two nights at The Shewe Wana Hotel. Riding: 10km/6 miles on paved roads. (B,L)

Day 4: Chiang Mai (Elephant Training and Riding)

Hang on for a day you’ll never forget. After breakfast we'll transfer to the Thai Elephant Home, located 45 minutes from Chaing Mai. Upon arrival, we will meet and greet the elephants and begin our mahout training. We'll learn basic commands for riding, bonding and responding to the elephants. Eventually we’ll learn to control our pachyderms and form a system of standard communications. Thereafter, we'll take our elephants for a ride in the forest where we'll break for lunch. We'll continue our ride to the area's natural black mud reserves - this is a wellness spa, elephant style! From here it is bath time in the river for us and our elephants, before riding back to camp. We'll have snacks at the camp and then transfer back to our hotel in Chiang Mai. (B,L)

Day 5: Chiang Rai - Into the Bush (Mountain Bike)

Today's a gorgeous one as drive from Chiang Mai towards Chiang Rai. We'll visit a couple of sights en route before getting on our bikes and heading towards the far-flung town of Mae Salak. We can either take a tough dirt path or hilly paved road there; either way the ride is amazing. You'll pass jungle covered mountains, lush fields and smiling locals along the way. A short longtail boat ride takes us to our lodging for the night - a very cool bamboo resort along the banks of the Mae Kok River. The resort is peaceful and truly away from civilization. Enjoy the rest of the day swimming in the pool, relaxng on your balcony and exploring the Lahu hilltribe village next door. Riding: 50km/34 miles, depending on group abilities, on dirt trails and paved roads. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Paddlers Paradise (Kayak)

Enjoy a leisurely morning and then we'll go up river to the "Tha Ton", a riverside town near the Thai-Myanmar border. Here we'll learn about the Shan people that inhabit the area and have a look at local weaving shops before the main event - kayaking. We'll board sit-on-top kayaks for a journey down the quiet Mae Kok River, passing hilltribe villages and lush fields. A riverside picnic will round things out and an optional short hike back to the hotel is the capstone to a perfect day. Paddling: 3-4 hours. Hiking: 1-2 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Hilltribe Hiatus (Hike)

Today it's off to one of Thailand's most stunning destinations - Doi Mae Salong. Nestled amoung terraced tea plantations, this area was once opium country, but is now home to Thailand's premier Oolong tea production, and Chinese who fled China during the Cultural Revolution. Put on your hiking shoes for a day trekking through terraced tea and rice plantations, hilltribe villages and stunning rolling mountains around the Doi Mae Salong area. Today is a photographer’s dream and great shots abound. Locals are sure to be as curious about you as you are with them. We’ll also sample local teas, visit a mountaintop temple and a local school. The evening is yours to explore other nooks and crannies. Hiking: 15km/9 miles on dirt footpaths. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Doi Mae Salong -Into the Sticks (Mountain Bike)

An early morning shuttle through the mountains takes us to one of the kingdom’s most renowned community development projects – Doi Tung, run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Here we’ll learn about the foundation’s successful eradication of opium production, then head out for a challenging day in the saddle. We’ll pedal to the top of Doi Chang Mub, one of the province’s highest mountains and along a spectacular road that literally straddles the Thai-Myanmar border, passing through several military checkpoints along the way. Hang on to your handlebars as dramatic descents bring you to the country’s northernmost city Mae Sai. Here we’ll have lunch, stroll colourful markets and check out the bustling border trading. Then it’s back on the bikes for a final ride through flat farmland to the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Tonight we’ll sleep at the ‘Greater Mekong Lodge’, run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Biking: 65km/40 miles on hilly paved and backroads. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Mae Sai - Golden Triangle (Mountain Bike)

Get ready for the final ride of the adventure! Today’s pedal is stunning! We ’ll make our way through lush farmland, over a couple of small mountains and finally along the banks of the Mekong River to our destination Chiang Khong. Tonight we’ll stay in a riverside teak hotel and enjoy the best Mexican food in Thailand! Biking: 65-80km/37-50 miles on paved and country roads. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Bangkok - Mekong Life (Boat and Plane)

Our final day in the far north is a great one to sit back, relax and take it all in. Chiang Khong serves as a border crossing point between Thailand and Laos. This small town is full of ultra laid-back characters and effuses a charming, quiet bliss. Enjoy the morning to do as much or little as you like. In the early afternoon we’ll shuttle to the Chiang Rai airport for our flight back to bustling Bangkok. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to a super-comfy airport hotel to recuperate from our northern escapades. (B,L)

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast we’ll transfer you to the airport to connect with your international flights home. Pop Gan Mai Na Krap (until next time)! (B)

Bring on the beach with the Krabi Extension!

Located 850km/530 miles south of Bangkok, Krabi is quickly becoming ‘the’ sun and fun destination in Thailand. This exhilarating experience at the far southern beach paradise and rock climbing mecca of Ao Nang & Railay Bay is the perfect way to round out your time after your adventure.

You’ll stay in a charming bungalow, backing on to jungle-covered mountains, providing easy access to all that’s happening and quiet solitude as well.

Nearby Railay Bay, where climbers dangle from limestone cliffs that rise hundreds of feet straight from the ocean is just a short longtail boat ride away and a perfect place to waste your days away on one of the many beaches. For the more adventurous, the area is a perfect place to paddle a sea kayak, take a climbing course, snorkel, scuba dive, hike, bike or learn how to be a fire-juggler from one of the locals.

Ask us for more details on the Krabi Extensions.

Feb 9, 2012	-	Feb 19, 2012
Mar 15, 2012	-	Mar 25, 2012
Apr 7, 2012	-	Apr 17, 2012
May 5, 2012	-	May 15, 2012
Jun 9, 2012	-	Jun 19, 2012
Jul 7, 2012	-	Jul 17, 2012
Aug 4, 2012	-	Aug 14, 2012
Sept 8, 2012	-	Sept 18, 2012
Oct 6, 2012	-	Oct 16, 2012
Nov 10, 2012	-	Nov 20, 2012
Dec 8, 2012	-	Dec 18, 2012


Hotel
10 Nights