Chiang Mai Mountain Challenge Cycling Tour
About this tour
This Chiang Mai cycling tour is a thrilling adventure in the mountains of Northern Thailand! The excellent roads make every altitude difference a pleasure.
After every climb, prepare to be awe-struck by breathtaking mountain scenery. We will also encounter mystical hill tribes along the way.
This trip will take you to several of Chiang Mai’s cycling monuments: Doi Suthep, Samoeng Loop, Mae Hong Song Loop, and finally Doi Inthanon National Park are on the bucket lists of many. If you are a fan of Alpine passes, this Chiang Mai cycling tour is perfect for you!
11 days | 10 nights | 8 stages from 28 to 143 km | Total 783 km | 14,000 m ascent | Rest day in Pai
Tour Package: 62,000 THB
Tour Package incl. Single Supplement: 79,000 THB
STARTS IN Chiang Mai
ARRIVE AT
Chiang Mai Intl Airport (CNX)
ENDS IN Chiang Mai
DEPART FROM
Chiang Mai Intl Airport (CNX)
TOTAL CYCLING DISTANCE
783 KM
DISTANCE PER DAY
28 - 143 KM
Tour Highlights
- Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand
- Doi Suthep
- Samoeng Loop
- Mae Hong Song Loop
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Rest day in trendy Pai
- Mountain landscapes and pass roads
- Traditional hill tribes
- Full service
Included
Not Included
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
![Chiang Mai Mountain Challenge Cycling Tour Map](https://siambiketours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Tour-E-Eng-715x900.jpg)
All of our cycling tours will be arranged into small groups and guided by an experienced tour guide. Our bike tours are suitable for any enthusiastic cyclist in reasonable shape.
The group will determine the riding speed on any stage; faster riders may go ahead together, regrouping at selected refreshment stops with the others. During our tours it is mandatory to wear a helmet.
The Siam Bike Tours minibus will transport all luggage, spare parts, wheels, tools, etc. During all of the rides we will offer water, soft drinks and fresh fruit. If desired, any rider may complete the day’s stage by bus.
The Thai currency is the baht. ATM’s, which are abundant, are the easiest ways to get Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Banks or the rarer private money changers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need baht for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.
We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.
All nationalities require a passport for entry into Thailand. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay in the country. If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced.
Thailand generally has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. The North and Central region have a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. Northeast Thailand has a humid hot and dry weather alternatively with medium rain while the coastal areas of the east are humid and hot with intermittent rain. The South of Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27˚C/80 F and 40˚C/104 F, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. During this time it will not rain continuously, but in sharp bursts, and the sun can come out quickly. The cooler season is from October to February, with average temperatures between 20˚C/68 F and 30˚C/86 F
Completion of Contract
A contract is being completed between you and Siam Bike Tours (SBT) by inscribing yourself. The terms of the business of SBT are the basis of this contract. The person inscribing will be held responsible for the liability of all person inscribed by him.
Services
Our services are being described within the present website. Any special requests or side agreements will only be part of the contract if confirmed unconditionally by SBT in written form.
Payment
Upon receiving SBT’s booking confirmation, you will have to make a down payment of 25% of the amount due. The rest has to be paid 6 weeks ahead of the starting date of your trip. If the payment has not been made on time, SBT may deny the booked services and claim processing fees.
Withdrawal by Traveller
The traveler’s withdrawal will take effect after a written withdrawal declaration has come in at SBT. The following cancellation fees will be charged:
- 90 days before starting the tour: Admin expenses (Bank fees, any costs caused by cancellation)
- 60 to 89 days before starting the tour: Deposit paid
- 45 to 59 days before starting the tour: 50% of tour price
- 15 to 44 days before starting the tour: 70% of tour price
- 0 to 14 days before starting the tour: 100% of tour price
Change of Reservation
There is no legal right to make changes with respect to the date of the journey and the destination after concluding the contract. If changes of reservation are possible and Siam Bike Tours agrees to them, the following cancellation fees will be charged. You have to alert us to this change in writing.
- 59 to 45 days before departure: THB 10,000
- 15 to 44 days before departure: THB 15,000
SBT reserves the right to change the catalog of services and prices/rates before your booking. If this is the case, SBT will duly inform you before the completion of the contract. Any increase in prices and rates may be necessary for the cost of transport or the hotel rates increase, or if the currency exchange rate is modified.
Minimum Number of Participants
All offered trips will take place at a minimum number of 4 participants. If this number is not reached, SBT may cancel the trip until 14 days before its starting date.
Cancellation
SBT is entitled to cancel the trip if by your acts or omissions you are creating a justifiable cause. In this case, SBT will refund the traveling price paid. You are starting a trip but cannot finish it. If due to any reason you abandon a trip ahead of time, no refund can be made.
Changes of Programme, Failure of Service
If during the trip a change of program has to be made (e.g. due to weather conditions) that affects a considerable part of the planned trip, SBT will refund the possible difference between the agreed travel price and this of the services adduced.
Force Majeure
Any events of force majeure such as riots, catastrophes, epidemics, etc. may cause SBT to cancel the trip. In such a case SBT will inform you as soon as possible.
Travel Cancellation Insurance
A travel cancellation insurance is not included in SBT’s tours. Such an insurance may be contracted with any travel insurance company.
Liability
SBT is liable within the limits of its obligation to exercise diligence for all specified services. The traveler takes part in the trip at his own risk. Particularly, the traveler is responsible for his state of health, his road behavior, the observance of the traffic regulations and all other local regulations regarding traffic. In no case, SBT may be held liable for any physical or material damages, that the traveler may suffer or cause by practicing cycling, even when riding in an SBT’s group or with a guide.
Court of Jurisdiction
The Court of Jurisdiction is in Thailand.