Chiang Mai To Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are two of northern Thailand's must-see cities. While a national highway connects them, this four-day biking journey takes the road less travelled through some of the region's most stunning landscapes. The route moves from one scenic valley to the next, discovering the rustic charm of northern Thailand, or "Lanna", the land of a million rice fields, as the locals call it.

Starting with hotel pickups in Chiang Mai, riders transfer to the "Sticky Waterfall" and kick off the adventure with a ride through jungle, farmland and past a shimmering reservoir. After visiting the glittering temple complex of Wat Ban Den, the night is spent at a rural resort in the district of Mae Taeng.

The next morning continues to the Chiang Dao Valley, home to Thailand's third-largest mountain, exploring a sacred cave and cycling through villages and orchards. From there, the journey heads to the far north of Thailand, immersing riders in the rich mosaic of cultures in the highlands near the Myanmar border, unwinding at a tranquil riverside hotel.

On the final day, riders hop on a boat and cruise downstream on the Mae Kok River before cycling through a narrow, forest-clad valley leading into the plains surrounding Chiang Rai. The tour saddles off at the fantastical White Temple, concluding with a transfer to the post-tour hotel in Chiang Rai City, on a storied and relaxed ride into the heart of Lanna.

Highlights:

• Climb the limestone cascades of Bua Tong ("Sticky") Waterfall
• Visit the glittering temple complex of Wat Ban Den
• Explore the sacred Chiang Dao Caves beneath Thailand's third-largest mountain
• Learn about Lahu hill-tribe lifeways and spirituality in a highland village
• Cruise the Mae Kok River by long-tail boat through a forest-clad valley
• Finish at Chiang Rai's eccentric White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Surface and terrain:
Roughly 75% paved, 25% unpaved (farm trails, gravel, some singletrack). Terrain is rolling through valleys and farmland, with short climbs but no prolonged or steep ascents. Average climbing is 276m/day. Good handling helps on bumpy or gravelled sections, though nothing technical.

Weather:
Tropical, humid climate. Hot and dry March–June (27–40°C days), rainy July–October (brief heavy bursts), cooler dry season October–February (20–30°C). Departures avoid the wettest months; northern Thailand's March–April agricultural burning season is also avoided, though some early burning can occur in February.

Suitable for:
Rated "Moderate" difficulty. Suited to riders with reasonable fitness; a leisurely pace with plenty of rest stops makes it welcoming to less experienced riders too. Group size 2–16, minimum age 12.