If it is the thrill of adventure you are wanting, Thailand is your destination. In the city of Bangkok, you can easily take a boat, a cycle or a tuk tuk (motor rickshaw) if you wish to bypass the traditional modes of transit such as a car, bus or taxi. Outside of Bangkok especially in the north, mountain biking is the way to go. Many off the beaten path trails give you glimpses of village life, unseen any other way. Enjoy rafting the many rivers in the mountain region and hike the trails in the Himalayan foothills. Conclude your trip with a few days south snorkeling, diving, kayaking or parasailing in Thailand’s south islands. Adventure Thailand keeps you on the move!
Day 1 – Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok where you will be met and driven to your hotel. Your accommodations while staying in Bangkok are at a luxury boutique hotel which is a refuge from the fast pace of city life. Relax your first day in Bangkok with a traditional Thai massage and herbal steam. Have a meditation class with an English speaking monk arranged prior to your arrival.
Day 2 – Bangkok
Begin your day with a longtail boat ride on the canals or “klongs”. Visit Wat Pho and receive a monk’s blessing. See the flower and vegetable market. Relax with a two hour Thai massage at our favorite studio in a 90-year-old Thai home. Tonight embark on a walking tour of alleyways in Bangkok’s Middle Eastern quarter and visit some of the city’s top markets for which Bangkok is well known.
Day 3 – Bangkok
Cycling Bangkok’s outskirts through lush rice fields and elevated canal walkways to gain a perspective for how people on the edge of the city live. Tonight, explore the Old City by tuk-tuk or motor rickshaw, seeing golden temple lights.
Day 4 – Bangkok/Sukhothai
Morning exploring Bangkok’s Chinatown by foot, learning about the important role the Chinese have played in developing the country. In the afternoon fly north to the first capital Sukhothai and explore by bike. The Sukhothai Kingdom existed in an area around the city from 1238 – 1438. The old capital, now 12 km outside of New Sukhothai is in ruins and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage historical park.
Day 5 – Sukhothai/Chiang Mai
Morning at leisure, then drive on to Chiang Mai, and explore the town and evening markets. A city central to trade routes, Chiang Mai has always been well known for its array of handicrafts such as handmade umbrellas.silver jewelry and woodcarvings. Dine along the Ping River.
Day 6 – Chiang Mai
Hike up to Doi Suthep, the north’s most important temple. There are 309 steps from the temple’s base to the pagodas. Doi Suthep is an important site for Thai Buddhists. Ride mountain bikes down the mountain to a reservoir and take lunch on a floating raft. Relax the rest of the afternoon. Mountain biking is a great way to see Thailand and get away from the city life and north Thailand is a biker’s paradise. Riding the unmapped trails of the Himalayan foothills allows you to explore remote villages and terrain that you would not ordinarily get to see.
Day 7 – Chiang Mai
Today we head north and try bamboo rafting on the river then overnight at a charming, simple, but clean lodge along the Chang Dow mountain range.
Day 8 – Mae Salak
Climb (3 hours) early morning to the top of Chang Dow for stunning views of the valley below. This is the last ‘tooth’ in the Himalayan chain. Drive north to the small town of Mae Salak and overnight. Option: a gorgeous 40km ride-to the resort on mountain bikes (paved roads) which is great.
Day 9 – Mae Salak/Chiang Rai
Paddle sit-on-top kayaks (5 hours) to Ban Ruammit Elephant Camp, where you’ll take an (1.5 hour) elephant ride through the forest. A truck takes you onward to the town of Chiang Rai.
Day 10 – Chiang Rai/Doi chaang
Ride mountain bikes on off-road tracks along and through a small mountain range, passing through streams to a waterfall where you can enjoy a swim and take lunch. From here we’ll get in a 4×4 and drive to the top of Doi Chaang where we’ll enjoy some sundown coffee and drift off to sleep at a guesthouse with the sound of hill tribe villagers in the distance.
Day 11 – Doi Chaang/Chiang Rai/Ko Krabi
This morning you bike down the mountain and cycle back to Chiang Rai city (total ride 45km), shower and catch transfer to the airport for your flight south to Krabi via Bangkok. Your accommodation is a resort perfect for diving and island hopping.
Day 12 – Ko Krabi
The day is free for you to snorkel, scuba dive, parasail or island hop. We can also arrange activities with a guide if you wish.
Day 13 – Ko Krabi
The day is at leisure to explore as you wish.
Day 14 – Depart Ko Krabi/Bangkok
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
