Tour E: Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai - the Rose of the North - is located about 700 km (450 miles) Northwest of Bangkok and is surrounded by jungle-covered mountains that rise up to 1,500 m (5,000 feet). In Northern Thailand, a Mediterranean climate prevails, providing an astounding richness of vegetation. Unique species of orchids and roses may be found as well as strawberries and numerous tropical fruits.

Chiang Mai hides treasures from almost seven centuries. Thailand's second city features more than a hundred temples and pagodas within a delightful old walled town. Among its countless backstreets travelers will discover restaurants featuring a distinctive local cuisine. This ancient trading stronghold is considered the centre of many sophisticated arts & crafts such as wood carving, silk weaving, embroidery, silver jewellery, furniture, pottery and many more. In its world famous nightmarket these objets d'art are displayed on the streets after sunset. Chiang Mai is an ideal starting point for our biking tour across fascinating Northern Thailand.
Find more information: www.tourismthailand.org

Day 1, Chiang Mai
Individual arrival and transfer to the hotel, where we will meet and spend the next two nights. In the evening we will gather for a welcome and orientation in the hotel lobby. You will receive all information regarding the tour and learn interesting trivia about our host country.
Subsequently you will be given a SIAM BIKE TOURS jersey. During a traditional Thai Kantoke Dinner together, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other.

Day 2, Chiang Mai
In the morning we take a trip in our minibus to the justly famous temple Doi Suthep, which perches 1,050 m (3,500 ft.) above sea level. 290 steps up the dragon staircase take you to the main entrance and to its centre, the holy pagoda containing Buddhist relics.

In the afternoon we may visit various arts & craft workshops that will give you an insight into the manufacture of silk, paper umbrellas and varnish.

Later in the evening the bikes will be set up and adjusted. You may use the rest of the evening to pay a visit to the nightmarket or simply enjoy the idyllic old town’s charm and exotic ambience.

After a short ride through the town, we bid farewell to Chiang Mai (300 ms / 1,000 ft. above sea level). After about 20 kms (12 miles) the road will slowly begin to climb. Our winding road takes us alongside rice fields, plantations and mountain villages. We will cycle through jungle and into an amazing hilly landscape before ascending to this stage's highest point at 1145 mts (3800 ft.) above sea level. The final 20 kms (12 miles) will find us rolling down through the valley of Mae Sa to Mae Rim. Our hotel is located in a wonderful environment. Numerous opportunities await us for the afternoon including visiting an elephant camp, orchid farm, Tiger kingdom, enjoying a massage or simply chilling-out at the hotel pool.

The initial 30 kms (19 miles) take us on flat roads along ricefields moving inexorably towards the mountains. We will then climb four longer ascents ranging from 400 to 500 meters (1300 ft to1.650 ft.) The winding road takes us across mountainous jungle-covered landscapes and through traditional villages. The highest pass lies at an elevation of 1.439 m (4,800 ft.) Our stage ends in the small town of Pai, set in a beautiful Alpine valley. This region used to be infamous as a transfer point in the opium trade. Being content with our self-produced endorphins, we will spend the night in a romantic bungalow resort overlooking the Pai River.

Upon leaving Pai, the gradually ascending road gives hints of the climbs to come. At km 10 (mile 6), we will tackle the slope towards the first peak. At an elevation of 1,443 m above sea level we will be rewarded with a stunning view of the mountain landscape. We will then enjoy the downhill and build our enthusiasm for several more climbs along the edges of plantations and through mountain villages. Our day's end will be Mae Hong Son, which lies on the Burmese border, home to the hill tribes of the Meo, Lawa and the famous "long-necked" Karen. For a long time, Mae Hong Son used to be incommunicado. It was not until the completion of the highway that this border town became connected up to the outside world.

Before starting out on today’s shorter stage, we take the opportunity to learn more about the every day life in the multicultural society of this provincial town. Today's moderately hilly ride consists of three longer climbs of 200 m (650 ft.) each. We will be passing through jungle and enjoying pristine scenery. In Khun Yuan, a tiny traditional Thai village, we will stay overnight in clean, modest bungalows. We will be wowed by the simple life and the inhabitants' friendliness and hospitality.

Up and down once again, we will pass plantations and plenty of tiny villages. The road takes us dead-straight to Mae Sariang. This place is characterized again by members of various hill tribes. The Salawin River forms the natural boarder to Burma and invites riders to go for a relaxing boat ride. Our hotel is situated right on the bank of the river.

The day's first climb begins shortly after we get under way. At km 20 (mile 12) we reach the pass after completion of an 860 m (2,800 ft.) climb to an elevation of 1,210 m (4,030 ft.). Thereafter, several other ascents follow as we cross through beautiful mountain and the jungle landscapes. A major reward will be a 10 km (6 miles) long descent through a beautiful forest. Another steep 500 m climb will have to be mastered at km 95 (mile 60) before passing large vegetable plantations all the way to Mae Chaem. This tiny romantic village is our day’s destination and we will spend the night in a bungalow resort overlooking the emerald green mountain forests.

The last day will be the “queen stage” of our tour of Northern Thailand: Climbing to the top of "Doi Inthanon", we will reach Thailands highest peak.
The road begins to climb immediately for the first 15 kms (9 miles) covering an ascent of 870 m (2.870 ft.) before reaching the first pass at an elevation of 1,520 m (5,000 ft.). About 5 kms (3 miles) further we pass a picturesque pagoda on the way the to the final 10 km (6 mile) climb, taking us to the "Summit of Thailand" at 2.565 m (8.565 ft.) above sea level. Here we take time for taking pictures and catching our breath before enjoying the downhill to Chom Thon. The last 70 kms (44 miles) are totally flat, so we will roll leisurely towards Chiang Mai. Upon return, we can look forward to spending another night in our delightful hotel and enjoying a group dinner where we may toast to a great tour and savour our impressions, experiences and accomplishments.