( ECO.CL 05 : 3 days)
Unparalleled cycling adventure in the surroundings of Chiang Mai
Day 1 : around 50 km flat ( L, D)
We will leave the hotel after breakfast. Following a well planned route of narrow lanes you can admire Chiang Mai's picturesque neighborhoods where tourists are rare visitors. Outside the city we will follow the Ping River and ride over ordinary country roads. We will witness the farmer's daily life activities and introduce you to "the real Thailand". Our first night will be spent in a resort in the countryside. It has a nice swimming pool. The nearby irrigation dam and its interesting surroundings will tantalize you for a exploration.
Day 2 : around 30 km, including 6 km gently rolling ( B, L,D)
Relaxed and fit we begin the second day's tour that lead us deeper inside Thai society. We will
visit a beautiful temple located on top of a hill. Its monks are involved with the support of the many HIV-carriers and AIDS-patients among the local population. After this example of socially engaged Buddhism we will continue our trip through rice fields, orchards an tiny villages. We'll follow mainly narrow country roads and tracks. The last six kilometres include a number of gently rising slopes, which will pose no problem since our bikes are equipped with 21 gears. This day the tour will end at a resort with plenty of facilities, as traditional massage, mud baths, sauna and Jacuzzi, all for reasonable prices. The hot water in your bath room and in the swimming pool is directly tapped from a hot spring. Don't hesitate to indulge in these luxuriates in order to recuperate from the strains of the day.
Day 3 : around 60 km, including 10 km gently rolling ( B, L)
This day includes the longest tour of the program. The first ten kilometres we have to cross some low hills. The surroundings are beautiful. Then we'll pass more fields and tiny villages in flat countryside. While the Big city is getting near, we will visit a leper colony that has been established almost a hundred years ago. Its lush green surroundings are impressive. Nowadays the main activity is to revalidate former leprosy patients. After a clever detour to avoid Chiang Mai's traffic jams we return to your hotel, where you will surely look back with pleasure at the highlights of this adventurous tour.
Price:
departure with 2 or 3 people = USD 160 per person,
4 to 12 people = USD 135 per person,
a single supplement = USD 25
Route: most of the cycling will be during the relatively cool mornings. So during the afternoons there is plenty of time to explore the surroundings and for other recreational activities after the daily ride. You will enjoy various types of landscapes and get in touch with local people.
Condition: any person with a good condition will have no problem to finish this tour.
Meals: are included as mentioned ( B breakfast, L lunch and D dinner).
Bicycles: excellent, slightly adapted mountain bikes with luggage carrier and bags.
Category: leisure cycling (but it is compulsory to wear a cycling helmet).
Beverage: because of the tropical heat it is advisable to drink a lot. We will stop along the way at local shops where the guide can buy water for you. (no beer)
Clothing: bring your own, gloves, bicycle shorts, SPD shoes and pedals (saddle). A cycling
helmet will be available.
Escort vehicle: there is no support vehicle as we don't need one for this environmental friendly tour.
One
Day Cycling Tour North of Chiang Mai
One
Day Cycling Tour South of Chiang Mai