Today you will start with a steady ride on country lanes to get your first impression of Thailand. Cycle along sprawling rice paddies, small villages and fruit orchards to the Mae Ngad Reservoir. Here you can swap your bikes for a kayak and paddle down Ping River keeping an eye out for grazing buffalo and other rich wildlife. Lunch will be in a floating restaurant.
You will start the day crystal spotting in the Chiang Dao cave before an incredibly peaceful cycle through rural land, encountering plenty of friendly locals. Your end destination is an organic farm named Mae Jo Baan Din, where you can dine on local cuisine. There’s also the chance for you to eat what you cook if you fancy making some Thai cooking.
The bright orange robes of the monks will be a constant feature of your day today. Today is a day away from the bike and instead you’ll visit an elephant sanctuary where you can get up close with these majestic animals. Prepare food for the elephants, feed them and even have a go at washing them if you’re up for a challenge.
Observe the Buddhist monks on their morning ritual before transferring to the local farm to learn about the important role of the water buffalo in the areas farming techniques. Participate in a hands-on rice planting and harvesting demonstration and have lunch at a unique ginger farm. In the afternoon, enjoy a flat 15km ride and observe the spectacular wood carvings of the local craftsmen and the historical ruins of Wiang Khum Kham.
It’s time to get crafty today as you make your own bamboo paper umbrella, a signature San Kampaeng village art. Your last cycle of the trip will be along flatland, passing schools, farms and temples, with stunning mountains in the backdrop. After relaxing in hot springs it will be time to say goodbye after a magical adventure.
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city that has grown significantly in the last decade. You will enjoy the delights of the northern capital as well as getting off the beaten track as you head towards Chiang Dao. You can immerse yourself in the heart of the northern countryside as you ride through rice paddies, past flowing streams and into the north’s rural plains.