SpiceRoads Cycling

After an early morning start just outside Chiang Mai. We drive to visit a beautiful waterfall and begin our ride slowly as you get used to your bike on quiet country roads that take us through paddy fields, fruit orchards with backdrops of stunning mountains and on into the Sri Lanna National Park. We are privileged to be allowed to ride across the dam, with a veiw comprised of valleys and mountains, endless number of streams. This national park is fringed with forests and the mirrored surface of the water reflects the peacefulness of the park. We take off our bike helmets and put on our life vests and launch our kayaks for the next phase of our adventure. We will paddle along the jungle edge of the lake, looking for monkeys, and perhaps sighting a colorful kingfisher bird. We stop and have lunch at a floating restaurant and have free time to explore the area. In the late afternoon we'll start paddling back to our put out point as we end our active yet relaxing day.

Visit Kyoto's must-sees before embarking on a breathtaking circuit encompassing natural vistas, traditional villages, onsens (hot springs), majestic temples, peaceful shrines, manicured tea plantations, delectable cuisine and so much more. These are some of the best roads for cycling in all of Japan - perfect for first time visitors and frequent travelers to the country alike!

The adventure begins in historic Kyoto, pedaling back in time as we explore the stunning legacies of the city’s history and some of Japan's most valuable cultural heritage. The following days we cycle on a lovely route taking us through an undulating landscape of forests and rice fields dissected by mountain streams and dotted with traditional villages, farms, Shinto shrines, and legendary temples. We skirt the shores of the beautiful Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and then ride on a series of scenic roads leading to Nara, a quaint city lovingly referred to as “mini Kyoto”. Along the way we’ll explore the Edo-era canals of Omihachiman and pass through the Wazuka region, a truly stunning rural area comprising tea fields expertly carved into the hillsides over many centuries. We will spend two nights in Nara, where we’ll cycle to discover its proud heritage sites and take part in a sushi making class! The last day we ride along the Uji River back to Kyoto, where the tour ends.

This is quintessential Japan done right!

This trip is 256 kilomtres entirely on tarmac in good condition and on a mixture of secondary roads and paved bicycle paths. Some of the days cycling in Kyoto and Nara are on primarily flat terrain, however the countryside surrounding Kyoto can be hilly with some steep sections. The support van will always be nearby if you need a rest or a lift to the top! 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. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

This area is a dream to ride through. Starting with quick visit to Damnoen Saduak floating market, the biggest most colourful in Thailand, we take a longtail boat ride through a maze of canals cutting through local villages and various plantations. This eye-opening boat ride offers a glimpse of Thailand of old where local people are going about their daily life with the canal as the focal point.

Towering chedis amidst crumbling ruins create the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Situated just north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya once claimed Thailand's capital, but that governance ended abruptly in 1767 when the city was sacked by Burmese invaders. Despite destruction, the ruins emanate the city's prior dominance, beauty, and rich history.

What you will see? Meet us at SpiceRoads office and we'll take you on a magical tour of Chiang Mai. This old city never sleeps as we ride through small back roads and alley ways to see the lives of its people. Some fun started just after the sunsets, from a tranquil park where locals practice Tai Chi for their excercise, ancient temples where thier golden spires illuminate at night, to a night market with various type of delicious local food, you will discover the charm of this ancient city like no other.

We cycle off the main roads as much as possible, so we can explore long stretches of beaches, the beautiful island of Koh Talu, and scenic areas around Koh Kho Khao and Khao Lak. We have a true Thai experience when we venture off the beaten track, staying overnight at a traditional fishing community with a family.

We meet in Bangkok and transfer to quiet roads to begin our tour with a glimpse at a traditional way of life along canals. From the floating market, we take our first boat trip and see wooden houses from water level. From here, we head south to explore the beautiful coastal provinces on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, visiting friendly fishing villages on our leisurely cycle. We ride through the stunning mountain scenery of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, take a speed boat to the tranquil island of Koh Talu where snorkeling in the crystal clear water is possible right from the beach, spend the evening with a fisherman to catch squid, and boat through a mangrove.

We end our cycling on the coast of the Andaman Sea in Khao Lak, where the beaches are seemingly endless. Cycling Thailand’s coastline, we discover more about the history, culture, scenery, and of course the beaches of this beautiful country.

The cycling is on a mixture of tarmac and dirt roads, mostly on flat terrain.

What do we see? Our day of excitement starts on our bikes after a drive north of Chiang Mai to the lush and green mountains and valleys of Mae Taeng. We ride up on mixed trails through the hills overlooking the river that we will shortly be zipping over. We break for a lunch of local Thai dishes before it's time to soar over the treetops!

This trip starts off where the wild things are. We cycle to and spend two nights in the midst of Malaysia's largest wildlife reserve, where you are sure to sight monkeys and a teeming birdlife. Next it's on to a boat to cruise through the mangroves of the Kinabatagan River and hopefully sight proboscis monkeys, found only in Borneo. To see proboscis and orang utans up close we'll go to two different sanctuaries before we switch tracks and cycle off road following part of the Sandakan Death March route. Then, from our position up high with spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu we descend to the stunning coastline and are rewarded for all our efforts with a night at a luxurious resort.

The storied and beautifully weathered city of Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe, welcomes us to Bulgaria. Riding starts in the northern foothills of the Balkans, alongside the Beli Vit River, before climbing up to the Bogoi Pass en route to the village of Chiflik – where a tasty local plum brandy, or two, awaits.

Once over the highest Balkan Mountain pass, the Beklemeto, cruise downhill through the gorgeous forests of the Sredna Gora Mountain and into southern Bulgaria. The sparklingly preserved town of Koprivshtitsa invigorates road-weary legs and sends us on the way across rolling roads to the thermal spa town of Hisarya. For our rest day, we transfer to Plovdiv, "The City of the Seven Hills", where a walk will take us back to antiquity as we discover its Roman amphitheater. A wander along the town's cobblestone streets will lead us to St. Marina Church and an Ottoman Empire mosque.

The journey finishes in a flourishing ride through two spectacular gorges en route to Velingrad, the spa capital of Bulgaria. It's Bulgaria at its unspoiled best, a cache of natural beauty and ancient history, comfortable accommodations, and fresh cuisine in idyllic surroundings!

This tour follows a mixture of good sealed roads. No off-road riding experience is required. A support vehicle is almost always available to help you, and you will always have your guides with you at all times.

On this 9-day peninsular traverse, we plant our wheels on Korea's world-class cycling paths to follow meandering rivers, climb and descend through forested hillscapes, immerse ourselves in a tradition-rich yet rapidly modernising cultural heritage, and rub shoulders with locals over barbecues and endless refills of kimchi. With moderate daily distances and elevation gains, an entirely point-to-point route with no required vehicle transfers, cosy lodgings, and great food, this is the ideal tour for anyone looking to take a big bite out of South Korea by bike!

We kick off with a warm-up ride on mini e-bikes through the backstreets of Seoul before switching to our cross-country bikes and heading south along the Han River Bicycle Path. Transitioning from urban sprawl to rural bliss, we cycle through lush farmlands, visit an ancient Buddhist temple, soak in hot springs, and try our hand at the art of Korean paper-making. By day four, after some climbs through the Sobaek Mountains, we join the Nakdong River Bicycle Path, tracing Korea’s longest river past weirs, scenic bridges, and expansive rice paddies. In Sangju, we stay overnight at a hanok, a beautiful wooden house typical of pre-modern Korea, and in Waegwan, we visit a sombre Korean War Memorial. The last stage takes us through wild marshes filled with tall reeds before an epic finale over the “Busan Alps” leads us to the sprawling city of Busan, pressed up against the East Sea Coast. The tour ends with a celebratory dinner by the beach and a night in Busan.