SpiceRoads Cycling

Bangkok is one of the world’s most desired travel destinations. While many come to experience the city's unmistakable high-octane energy, cyclists know that a trip to the 'Big Mango' isn't complete without discovering the vast rural hinterland of Central Thailand that lies just beyond its urban sprawl. On this 4-day adventure, we transition from the coconut groves of the Mae Klong Delta to the jungle-clad mountains of Kanchanaburi and to the temple-studded plains of Ayutthaya. Combining gentle cycling routes suitable for all levels, must-see historical sites, cultural immersion, an unforgettable encounter with elephants, delicious Thai cuisine, and delightful riverside accommodations, this is a Bangkok city escape you don’t want to miss!

But if you come to Ecuador with SpiceRoads this is exactly what happens! Stretching from the capital Quito to the edge of the Amazon basin, the “Avenue of Volcanoes” is a high-altitude world of giant cones, wind-swept ridges, sheer canyons, green valleys, and indigenous villages. This is a bucket list mountain bike tour designed for those who want to go remote without sacrificing comfort in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes.

We begin in Quito with an acclimatisation ride on a traffic-free Sunday to discover Latin America’s best-preserved Spanish colonial old town. Then it’s into the great outdoors for six back-to-back riding days on a mix of dirt, gravel, singletrack, and rural roads. Early highlights include the mighty Cotopaxi Volcano, lush Andean patchwork farms clinging to the mountainsides, and the sacred crater lake of Quilotoa. We then unwind in the colourful highland town of Salinas de Guaranda before an epic descent from Chimborazo Volcano, the closest point on the planet to the sun. A final transition leads into the subtropical cloud forests surrounding Baños, the “Gateway to the Amazon”, before returning to Quito for a final night.

The route is designed with an approximate 25/75 split between paved and unpaved surfaces. The condition of the unpaved sections varies widely, ranging from hard-packed and level to loose, bumpy terrain; meanwhile, paved roads are either tarmac or concrete and, though often smooth, can contain potholes and debris. Although much of the journey follows quiet countryside roads or dirt tracks with minimal traffic, we will occasionally share the space with cars, motorbikes and buses. There are a handful of unavoidable sections along provincial main roads, though these are few and far between. Rain is common in the Ecuadorian Andes year-round and the Avenue of Volcanoes, in particular, can be prone to fog, but heavy downpours are usually brief. We generally ride rain or shine, though at the guide’s discretion — or based on your own comfort level — modifications to the route can be made. Whether the roads are muddy from rain or dusty from the sun, it is all part of the Andean adventure!

Join us and ride Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes!

This exhilarating trip through the high altitude mountain region of Ladakh, India, takes you over passes, into remote valleys, alongside glacier–fed rivers, across sand dunes, and through Tibetan villages.

After arriving on a flight from New Delhi to Leh, we begin the adventure with a 3-day acclimatization loop, gradually adjusting ourselves to the high altitude conditions. We gently cycle along the valley floors in search of vestiges of the ancient Ladakhi Kingdom scattered around the expansive landscape surrounding Leh. Monasteries here are dramatically perched on top of cliffs and etched into the hillside, reflecting the ancient and rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural background of the region.

Once acclimated we will depart Leh and burst up the Warila Pass before cycling through the beautiful Sakti and Nubra Valleys. You will be looking down spectacular gorges and up to snow-capped peaks while getting a true window into life deep in the Himalayas. Traversing the vast and expansive high altitude desert terrain of the Nubra Valley - skirting along rivers and cruising through villages - you will also discover a world of sand dunes, Bactrian camels and star filled nights. The tour ends on the highest note possible: a cycle up (and of course down) the highest motorable road in the world.

The road surfaces are predominantly paved; however, given the extreme high-altitude environment, riders should expect sections where the road has disintegrated due to snowmelt, frost heave, or landslides. These patches may be potholed, gravelled, or even water-splashed. While the Border Roads Organisation (the Indian Army’s engineering wing) works tirelessly to maintain these roads, the landscape is in constant flux. Weather in Ladakh is highly unpredictable. Daytime temperatures are typically around 20°C, but the sun is exceptionally strong and requires high-factor protection. On the passes, temperatures can drop to near 0°C very quickly. Strong winds are common, and wind-chill is a significant factor on all descents. You must bring a versatile layering system to manage these rapid temperature shifts. Rainfall is rare, but it can happen. We generally ride rain or shine, but at the guide’s discretion, or depending on your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!

Vietnam’s Central Coast is a stunning fusion of elements where the Annamite Mountains meet the South China Sea. Pedal along tranquil routes through lush rice fields, past crashing surf on pristine beaches, over challenging mountain passes, and to untouched seaside refuges, exploring layers of history from the Hindu Cham civilization down through the Nguyen dynasty and the war years. You will experience the prosperity and dynamism of the thriving new Vietnam, rest at cozy hotels, and savor meals shoulder to shoulder with the locals.

Our journey begins with an elegant ride in Hue, Vietnam’s capital under the feudal Nguyen dynasty, replete with meticulously-crafted palaces, tombs and gardens designed by geomancers in this serene countryside. Riding south, we witness the awesome scale of Vietnamese fisheries and aquaculture amid a surreal background of jagged jungle-covered mountains jutting high over topaz saltwater lagoons. Soaring above Da Nang on the iconic Hai Van Pass, we enjoy an exhilarating descent and plunge into the exotic atmosphere of Hoi An, redolent with the legacy of the spice and silk trades that continue to shape its identity. We cycle to My Son, the capital of the ancient Hindu Cham civilization, then follow seaside roads into rustic villages on a rugged coastline that sparks the imagination and tests the legs. A visit to the memorial site of the My Lai massacre will connect us to the war years and the ferocious conflicts that consumed this region within living memory. We fittingly relax at the end of the trip with a stay on Whale Island, a sparkling ocean paradise where we can soak in the unmarred natural beauty and truly kick back after our days in the saddle.

North Thailand is a captivating arena for road cyclists, with smooth roads curling up jungle-clad mountains and stretching across valleys of endless rice paddies. On this 10-day tour, we take on some of the north’s most scenic cycling routes, challenge ourselves with iconic climbs, savour breathtaking views, enjoy local cuisine, and unwind in cosy accommodations

We meet in the provincial capital of Chiang Rai, where we kick off with a warm-up ride to the must-see White Temple. Next, we venture into the highlands, making our way to the small town of Tha Thon. From there, we cross the hills of Mae Salong before traversing vast plains to reach the unique Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge at the Mekong River. After some gentle rides southward, we face the epic ascent to Phu Chi Fah, revealing some of the north’s most spectacular views, relatively unknown to tourists. We then enjoy a thrilling downhill back to the plains, spending a night in the lakeside city of Phayao. Finally, we hop valley-to-valley to Chiang Mai Province, where we visit the unique “sticky” waterfall, before concluding with a ride on the classic Samoeng Loop. The tour ends in Chiang Mai City.

Wind and water went to work on this plateau creating a fairy tale landscape of cones, pillars, pinnacles, mushrooms, and chimneys. Thousands of years ago, humans took a cue from Mother Nature carved tunnels into the soft rock, and an underground urbanized landscape was created, living at one with nature rather than imposing upon it.

This moderate mountain biking tour is a journey of adventure and discovery, taking to a network of little used dirt roads and not too technical single track MTB trails as it winds its way across the region – including the Ihlara Canyon, Soganli Valley, and the “Fairy Chimney” landscape that stretches from Mustafapasa to Goreme.

Combining the best of remote, wilderness off road adventure biking with plenty of sights, sounds and new experiences along the way. It’s this mix of attractions that makes Cappadocia such a compelling destination and we discover the most captivating highlights, escape the tourist crowds and discover the true character and charm of this magical place and it’s people, by bicycle!

We ride 191 km, about 80% off road, in 5 cycling days. There are first-class single-track trails to gentler dirt roads. We will be riding through valleys, alongside and into streams, and there will be some climbing. There is limited vehicle support on this tour due to the remoteness of the trails. In case of an emergency, we will be able to call for assistance. 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.

Peru is a remarkably diverse country. One day you find yourself in the heartland of the Incas perched high in the Andean mountains, and the next you are surrounded by the dense jungle canopy of Amazon Rainforest. This mountain bike tour has been designed to capture this contrast at its most spectacular, utilizing a network of roads and trails that span the Sacred Valley of the Incas and parts of Manu National Park in the Amazon Basin. Included in the tour is a visit to Machu Picchu, simply a must-see when visiting Peru!

Starting in Cusco, one of the world’s highest altitude cities (3,300 m ASL) and the former capital of the Inca Empire, we ride north surrounded by towering peaks and scenic valleys where agricultural terraces cascade down the hillsides. We then rise to the Peruvian Altiplano before making a gradual yet epic descent to Manu National Park, experiencing a mesmerizing visual shift as we drop from the edge of the Andes to the cloud forest of the Amazon. We spend a day at a remote lodge in the jungle (only accessible by river boat!) before returning to the Sacred Valley of the Incas where we enjoy 3 days of blissful cycling to discover Incan ruins, colorful towns, indigenous villages, the picturesque Maras Salt Pans and oh so much more. On Day 9 we visit the “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu – and we’ll get there and back via one of the world’s most stunning train journeys. A hallmark of this tour is the frequency of exhilarating downhill blitzes, and we save some of the best for last when, on Day 10, we ride 1,500 m downhill from the Lares Valley into the town of Calca. The tour concludes back in Cusco.

The Gobi. Even for as wild and remote a destination as Mongolia, the southern desert remains an isolated and mysterious place. In 7 riding days, ride 410 kilometers through this desert full of strange wonders: sand dunes that sing, cliffs aflame, and camels with two humps instead of one. Camp under impossibly starry skies, the clear desert weather and hundreds of miles of uninhabited wilderness are the perfect conditions to gaze upon the milky way and countless constellations. This is truly wild and unforgettable mountain biking adventure, in one of the most undiscovered and remote places on earth!

The journey begins at Dalanzagdad, the gateway to the Gobi, where we'll begin riding southwest into the wilderness. The first stop is in Yolin Am and Dungenee Canyon, perfect for exploring on rocky singletrack. Despite being located in a desert, this canyon was created by ice, and still contains a frozen glacier in the middle of Mongolian summer. Pushing further into the Gobi, pass through the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range, providing a change of terrain and scenery. This is pristine wilderness, and prime snow leopard habitat, but you'll need to be extremely lucky to catch sight of this elusive feline.

In the summer, this stretch of the Gobi blooms green, providing the perfect opportunity to meet local herders and their flocks as they roam the steppe. Then it's time to visit the true desert: the "singing" sand dunes of Khongor Els. From the dunes, ride to Bayan Zag, or the "Flaming Cliffs," another picturesque desert treasure. These prehistoric formations are full of fossils and singletrack, and make for an adventurous afternoon of technical riding and exploring. Before making your way back to civilization, spend the final evening in the Gobi relaxing in a traditional ger camp.

This route is a mix of off-road terrain, passing through different environments and ecozones of the Mongolian Gobi. Some of the riding is overland mountain biking through vast and expansive steppe. Climbs tend to be minimal, and gradual, but surfaces are bumpy, with rocks and tough desert grass. Days with singletrack are real highlights of this tour, freeriding through rocky environments, like the cliffs of Bayan Zag or Dungenee Canyon, or along animal trails with short and steep hills and technical sections.

With 54 ethnic groups, a staggering ecological variety, and a multiplicity of climates and terrain, it's easy to see why Vietnam has long proven irresistible to explorers! The country's S-shaped stretch of coastline and its spine of jagged inland mountains create a cultural and natural diversity with few parallels in the world. Cycling fits perfectly into the local way of life, where the roads are communal spaces shared by all, whether it’s an entire family loaded onto a single motorbike, a wedding tent packed with well-wishers, or a farmer leading a gigantic water buffalo to the rice fields.

Leaving the nation’s capital, we ride among the surreal geological forms of Ninh Binh and delve into the natural refuge of Cuc Phuong Park, where the rare species of the region are protected. Making use of the iconic Vietnamese train system, we rest in comfortable berths and wake up in Dong Ha, then see preserved tunnels of the Viet Cong and cycle across the wartime dividing line between North and South Vietnam. The imperial capital of Hue encapsulates layers of Vietnamese history that we will discover as we ride among its landmarks and serene rivers. Soaring above Da Nang on the Hai Van Pass, we will enter the heart of central Vietnam in the ancient trading port of Hoi An, with its commingled influences from near and far, and the Hindu Cham site of My Son, which offers glimpses into a lost empire. The abundance of Vietnam’s farmland and fisheries is evident everywhere in the rural regions around Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, and Tuy Hoa, each of which also has prosperous urban centres that draw us into the exuberant modern side of Vietnam. Dynamic coastal riding offers spectacular views over pristine beaches and hidden coves, while our carefully-chosen seaside resorts allow us to kick back and relax at the end of the day. Along the way, learn the history and perspectives of this complex country that has undergone so much change in the past century. Our journey culminates in Saigon, the country’s elegant and enterprising southern metropolis, a fitting location to celebrate and reflect on all we have seen.

This bike journey — much like Thailand's geography and history — is shaped by the flow of rivers. In the north, the Ping descends from the mountains into Chiang Mai. In the Central Plains, the Yom meanders through the ancient landscape of Sukhothai, while the Ping and Nan rivers converge to create the mighty Chao Phraya, the River of Kings. In the Mae Klong Delta, the rivers fan out and spill into the Gulf of Thailand. Along these valleys and plains, expansive rice paddies, villages, towns, and remnants of once-powerful empires come to life. Over 14 days, we wind along scenic backcountry roads for an in-depth exploration of what has made Thailand — the so-called “Land of Smiles” — the vibrant country it is today. With manageable daily distances, limited climbing, and plenty of off-saddle exploration, plus delectable Thai cuisine and cosy accommodations (many along rivers!), this is the ideal tour for those seeking an active yet immersive Thai holiday.

We start in Chiang Mai, exploring this storied city and its rural hinterland before heading south through the rustic countryside of “Lanna” (the local name for northern Thailand). Along the way, we discover glittering temples, charming heritage towns, and an agrarian world shaped by Buddhist and animist beliefs. Next, we venture into the heartland of the ancient Sukhothai Empire, visiting its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the grand capital and its pottery-producing satellite city of Sri Satchanalai, as well as the military fortress of Kamphaeng Phet. Riding through Thailand’s rice basket, we follow the Chao Phraya River, flanked by expansive paddy fields stretching to the horizon. By day 9, we reach Ayutthaya, where the UNESCO-listed ruins of the former Siamese capital offer a faded reminder of past glory. We then veer west into Kanchanaburi, where jungle-clad mountains loom over the plains of the historic River Khwai. The last leg of our journey takes us to the Mae Klong Delta, home to Thailand’s most famous floating market and endless coconut farms. Afterward, we transfer to Bangkok for a final ride through an urban oasis before bidding farewell over dinner aboard a converted rice barge cruising along the River of Kings. The tour concludes in Bangkok.