Tour I: Chiang Mai - Golden Triangle

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

With a short ride through the city we say good bye to Chiang Mai (984 feet above sea level). After 12 miles easy rolling we visit the outside of Mae Rim located Tiger Kingdom. In close proximity we can play with the tigers, take pictures of them or we watch conveniently the impressing big cats from the restaurant. A wavy ride will take us along imposing jungle covered mountains to Chiang Dao. Here is the spring of the Maenam Ping, the biggest river in Chiang Mai province. The Doi Chiang Dao catches our eyes, which is due to the 7,135 feet it rises above sea level the third highest mountain in Thailand. Nearby is the famous Dao cave (Tham Chiang Dao), which we can explore if one wish too. Our comfortable resort is located in an awesome natural scenery.

Along the jungle covered mountain landscape the road is wavy and slight slopes lead us through hamlets until Thaton. Ban Thaton is a little village in the very north of Chiang Mai province, bordering Myanmar, and located at 1,148 feet altitude. The Maekok river passes nearby, crossing into Myanmar, passing by the tiny town and flows from there to the capital of the province Chiang Rai. Nearby some hill tribe-villages are located. The Wat Thaton temple grounds perching on top of the hills settled above the town. We will reside here in a very beautiful resort directly by the riverside. You can choose from relaxing by the pool, enjoying an unwinding Thai massage, a tour to the temple or a cruise with a long tail boat on the Maekok river.

This stage leads us through a hilly landscape with uncountable rice paddies. We drive through little fruit orchards and idyllic hamlets. Outside of Mae Chan, a small road leads us a to a hill. Here is the Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa located in the middle of a forest, offering a breath-taking view. The pure luxury of this estate, will be an unforgettable accommodation for all of us - "where luxury meets nature" . From the gigantic terrace we enjoy the sensational landscape, or we relax by the pool side.

Today we roll our bikes into the little border town of Mae Sai "The northern most town of Thailand", which borders Myanmar. Here is a multitude of shops and market booths which sell cheap handiwork from Burma and kitsch from China. While we are staying, everyone can explore the city of their own. This flat stage of our tour leads us to the former infamous golden triangle. This area was the key area in which Opium - and therefore Heroin production and drug trade was rampant, being notorious within south east Asia. The term derives from the year 1971. It recognises the triangle shape formed by the three countries Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Laos. Most likely also due to the gold, which the Chinese traders used as currency in former times to buy the Opium. Our Hotel is located where the two rivers Mekong and Ruak join. Relax by the pool, a Thai massage or a river cruise along the banks of the golden triangle, - your choice for the afternoon.

The first few miles we are pedalling along the Mekong river towards Chiang Saen and then we are turning into the direction of Chiang Rai. An ocean of uncountable rice paddies, along the way. Chiang Rai is the northern most provincial capital of Thailand. Located 454 miles to the north of Bangkok with an altitude of 1,903 feet above sea level, the town is nestled in the midst of a splendid mountain range in the golden triangle and lays at the right side of the Maekok river bank, a river contributing to the mighty Mekong river. Here we will stay the next two nights in the luxury resort Le Meridien - Chiang Rai and enjoy the magnificent estate.

The Le Meridien is the only 5 Star Resort in Chiang Rai province, and offers 159 guest rooms which are both luxurious and stylish. The resort is seated in a huge estate, directly by the river bank of the Maekok, and only a few minutes away from Chiang Rai. A multitude of activities are on offer, as Spa therapy, refreshing and cooling off in the beautiful pool, or simply enjoying the splendid beauty of the place. The hotel offers on request also trips to the surrounding attractions. Surely you are also able to explore yourself the thrilling region full of culture called Chiang Rai.

Today we start for a change after lunch instead of breakfast. This way we have more time to enjoy this dream like resort a bit longer. The bike tour today is basically flat with a few wavy parts. We drive by countless rice paddies and through little countryside hamlets. The city of Phayao is located within an imposing mountainous landscape, on the banks of a 4 miles long and 2,5 miles wide lake, the Kwan Phayao lake. Phayao itself is too far off the beaten tourist path, - too remote is this area, therefore only simple accommodation is on offer. A delicious dinner awaits us in a restaurant located directly by the lakeside.

Today we are happy to pedal our king-stage, with a few longer, but not steeper rides. We roll through and along beautiful hills and forest landscapes. In traditional villages friendly locals greet us. Easy rolling we pass the last 12 miles towards our tour destination Chiang Mai, where we will be happy to check into the now familiar hotel again. While enjoying our dinner together, we will toast to the fantastic tour we had, and reflect on our experiences and impressions.