Chiang Mai Mountain Challenge Cycling Tour

Day 1| Arrival in Chiang Mai, “The Rose of the North”
Individual arrival and transfer to the hotel where we will spend the next three nights. In the evening we will gather there for a welcome and orientation. You will receive all information regarding the tour and learn some interesting trivia about our host country. Each participant then receives a high-quality Siam Bike Tours Team cycling jersey.

Day 2 | 1st Stage: Doi Suthep Mountain & Prologue
28 km | 700 m ascent | B included
In the morning we take an optional excursion by bus to the famous Doi Suthep temple, which overlooks the city from an altitude of 1,056 masl. Then we visit various art workshops that give insights into the production of silk, paper umbrellas and lacquer work.

In the afternoon we will return to Doi Suthep again, however this time on our bikes. It is the first of a several classic Chiang Mai rides we will be doing. With it’s 11 km steady climb of an average 6% flanked by trees that offer a pleasant shadow it is the ideal warm up stage.

In the evening we take the opportunity to visit the night market or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Nimmanhaemin, the cool bohemian quarter with its numerous restaurants and cafés in which our hotel is located.

Day 3 | 2nd Stage: Samoeng Loop
89 km | 1,460 m ascent | B/L included

A classic of the local cycling scene. After twenty flat kilometers the road gradually begins to rise. The winding road leads us past rice fields, plantations and mountain villages. We cycle through forest areas and great mountain landscapes to the highest point of the stage at 1,150 meters above sea level. After the long descent through the Mae Sa Valley, we ride from Mae Rim along Canal Road back to our hotel.

Day 4 | 3rd Stage: Chiang Mai – Pai
127 km | 2,060 m ascent | B/L included

The first, almost flat 50 kilometers lead us along rice fields into the mountains. We tackle four longer inclines with 220 to 400 meters of altitude each. The winding road runs through the jungle-covered mountain landscape past traditional villages. The highest pass is at 1,360 meters above sea level. Our stage location Pai is located in a picturesque high valley.

Day 5 | Rest day in Pai
B included
Today’s rest day is to be spent in Pai, a cozy village located in an idyllic valley. Once a trading center for the opium trade, today Pai is a trendy hub for the backpacker and music scenes.

Day 6 | 4th Stage: Pai – Mae Hong Son
115 km | 2,700 m ascent | B/L included

A real challenge, but a spectacularly beautiful stage. As you exit Pai, the road climbs to the first pass at 1,443 meters above sea level, where we are rewarded with a wonderful view of the mountain landscape. We master further climbs, past plantations and mountain villages to the stage destination in Mae Hong Son on the Burmese border. Mae Hong Son, is known for its variety of hill tribes, including the Meo, Lawa and the famous long-necked Karen. We will stay in wonderful remote resort outside the city.

Day 7 | 5th Stage: Mae Hong Son – Khun Yuam
63 km | 1,070 m ascent | B/D included

Today’s short stage with two longer climbs of two hundred meters vertical each runs through an original, wild mountain landscape. Khun Yuam is a traditional Thai village with a simple village life and friendly residents.

Day 8 | 6th Stage: Khun Yuam – Mae Sariang
97 km | 1,450 m ascent | B/L included

We ride up and down, through countless curves past plantations through many small villages. Most of the locals here belong to the hill tribes. Our hotel is located directly on the Salawin River which forms the natural border with Burma.

Day 9 | 7th Stage: Mae Sariang – Chom Thong
143 km | 2,270 m ascent | B/L included

The first long and even incline begins after a few kilometers. After twenty kilometers we reach the top of the pass at 1,210 meters above sea level. On the high plateau, the vegetation and smells of which are sometimes reminiscent of the Mediterranean, a few shorter climbs and descents alternate before we are rewarded with a 10 km descent. Our resort is located almost directly at the entrance to Doi Inthanon National Park.

Day 10 | 8th Stage: Chom Thong – Doi Inthanon National Park – Chiang Mai
120 km | 2,290 m ascent | B/L/D included

Another challenge awaits us on our final stage today. We climb on Doi Inthanon road until we reach Khun Khlang Village. There we turn right and – after a coffee break – make our way up to the top of Doi Inthanon National Park at an altitude of 1,700 m. After several descents with one more noticable climb between them, we reach picturesque Mae Wan Valley. We cross this valley along a mountain river and will finally have a few more flat kilometers back to Chiang Mai.
We look forward to our beautiful five star hotel, in which we have already spent the first three nights. We toast the great tour and our great achievements over dinner together.

Day 11 | End of the tour
B included
Extension or individual onward journey