Chiang Mai Countryside Expedition by Bike
(5D4N)

Tour Code: CNX-18 Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Discover the amazing beauties of Chiang Mai and learn more about its colourful culture that will captivate your heart!

Highlights:

• Explore the Amazing Beauties of Nature in Chiang Mai
• Immerse Yourself and Learn more About the Local Culture Through Participating in Their Daily Activities
• Spend time with Thailand’s National Animal - the Majestic Elephants

Tour Description:

Day 1 - Chiang Mai / Sri Lanna National Park / Mae Ngat Reservoir / Buffalo Island

Upon picking you up in Chiang Mai, we will be transferred outside downtown Chiang Mai which will be a short ride. We will then start our cycling journey with a relaxing ride on quiet back roads near the countryside. Along the way, you will cycle through small local villages, numerous paddy fields, fruitful fruit orchards with a range of mountains as the background of them. Not long after, we will ride across the dam of the sixth largest national park in Thailand, Sri Lanna and end at Mae Ngat Reservoir. Sri Lanna is a mountainous national park and is the source of several tributaries of the Ping River. Once we reach the reservoir, we change our gears into those for kayaking and prepare for the next adventure. We will first take a boat out to a floating restaurant to enjoy our lunch. After lunch and rest, we take up our paddles and go on kayaking around buffalo island. Buffalo island as the name has indicated is lived by buffaloes. Back onto our rafts, you are free to jump into the stream-fed waters. After the kayaking activity, we will go back to the shore and cycle a short distance to our resort that has its own organic farm.

Day 2 - Chiang Dao Cave / Wat Ban Den / Mae Jo Baan Din

After a breakfast, the first destination of our second day will be Chiang Dao Cave. We will explore the cave where you will be able to see numerous natural formations of limestone and crystals. The cave complex consists of over a hundred caves but only a few are open to the public. The caves inside have shrines, statues and Buddha images. After exploring the beautiful cave, we will take a short transfer to Wat Ban Den. The temple can be easily seen from afar as it stands prominently on top of a small hill. You will be able to check out the Lanna architecture as well as the glittering Nagas in the temple. Next, we get on our bicycles and ride along the countryside. We will be cycling along dirt tracks that follow the irrigation canal and stop by several villages. You will be able to feel the warmth of friendly Thai locals and make some new friends on the way. Our next destination will be Mae Jo Baan Din which is also known as Earth Home. It is a small organic farm that promotes sustainable living. We will immerse ourselves in the famous Thai cuisine as we learn about the ingredients, how to prepare and cook them. Our host will also take us to the organic garden and to know more about the vegetables and herbs used in Thai dishes. After picking our ingredients, we will prepare for our dinner. Tonight, we will have a unique experience overnighting in an adobe hut built with all natural materials.

Day 3 - Buffalo Village / Lisu Ethnic Village

After a hearty breakfast, we will be able to see Buddhist monks on their morning ritual, walking in a peaceful manner for their daily alms from villagers. Thailand is the world’s most heavily Buddhist country with over 90% of the people are Buddhists. Thai Buddhists give alms with their highest respect. After that, we will transfer to the Buffalo Village. At the village, we will be able to learn about the important role the water buffalo has played in ancient rice farming techniques. You can even participate in a hands-on demonstration of planting and harvesting rice. After having lunch, we will be back on our bikes to cycle through rice fields with a different perspective after learning so much about it. We cycle through the flat terrains along the fields and enjoy the scenery impossible to find in urban areas. Tonight, we will spend some time with the ethnic Lisu. There are approximately 55,000 Lisu living in Thailand presently in six main tribes. A villager will escort us through the village and take us to a local house to have a cup of tea. They will also teach us about traditional medicine at the shaman’s house.

Day 4 - Mae Taeng / Doi Saket

We leave our bikes aside today and spend our time with Thailand’s national animal - the elephants today. After a simple yet delicious breakfast, we transfer to the elephant park, get changed and prepare a day with the elephants. We will be able to learn how these gentle giants have been exploited in the logging and tourism industries. This camp serves as a sanctuary for the rescued elephants. We will be preparing food for the elephants and get close with them by helping them bathe and walking them. You will feel that these elephants are very intelligent and emotional animals. After a long time spent with the elephants, we will enjoy freshly prepared lunch served right at the park. Please note that we do not endorse any activities that will bring harm to the animals and therefore the elephant camp we bring you to will not allow any riding. Please stay attentive, take caution around the elephants and follow the instructions provided by the camp staff while having fun with the elephants.

Day 5 - Bor Sang Umbrella Village / San Kamphaeng / Chiang Mai

After enjoying the breakfast in the morning, we will transfer to Bor Sang Umbrella Village. Bor Sang is famous for its handmade parasols made from bamboo and rice paper. The village has made umbrellas for generations and the art has been passed down through a small number of families that live here. You can also create your own unique painted umbrella as a souvenir. After the visit at Bor Sang Umbrella Village, we will continue our cycling journey on the smooth tarmac road. The journey will be easy as it is mostly flat ride and small tarmac roads. We will pass by villages, fruit orchards, schools and temples. When we start to see mountains in the background, we are almost reaching our next destination which is the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs. It has many pools in the hot springs including one that can let you boil eggs. Dop into the hot spring as it reliefs your body. After having our lunch, we will end our tour and transfer you back to your hotel in Chiang Mai city.

Cancellation Policy:

For long tours (minimum of 7 days):

Days prior to trip start. Cancellation fee per person:

• 0-20 days or No-show: No refund 100% of tour price
• 21-41 days: 75% of the net rate
• 42-55 days: 50% of the net rate
• 56-69 days: 250 USD
• > 70 days: Admin expenses plus any non- recoverable expenses.* E.g. national park fees, flights etc.

Administration fees include bank fees, reservation or advance charges incurred for boats, guides transport, accommodation or restaurants and any other reasonable expenses.

For short tours (6 days or less)

Days prior to trip start. Cancellation fee per person:

• < 24 hours or No show: No refund 100% of tour price
• 1-2 days: 50% of the net rate*
• 3-4 days: 25% of the net rate *
• > 4 days: Full refund*

Pick-Up Time:

• 6:30 am - 7:00 am

What's Included:

• Water bottle
• Support vehicle
• Guide(s)
• Meals (as indicated)
• Hotel pick up
• Hotel drop off
• Accommodation
• Day 1 - Ban Phraya Lanna Rimnam
• Day 2 - Mae Jo Baan Din
• Day 3 - Lisu Lodge
• Day 4 - Horizon Village Resort
• Bike and helmet
• Snacks and drinks
• Accident insurance

What's Not Included:

• International flights
• Domestic flights
• Visa fees
• Alcohol
• Tips
• Any items not mentioned

Additional Information:

• The total riding distance is approximately 88 kilometres
• Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price
• Visitors must dress appropriately at some of these temples and if you are wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts you will be asked to cover up with a sarong. You can bring your own or rent one at the entrance. Also, please note that sandals must have an ankle or heel strap
• Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for. Please let us know at the time of booking
• Please check with Adventoro Concierge (Call / Whatsapp +6010 468 8011) for availability of sessions
• The supplier will recommend the time and meeting point. If the meeting point of your choice is outside of the normal pick-up points then you will be advised to meet at the nearest pick-up point or you will be given directions on how to arrive to the school independently
• It is recommend you use some sunblock or, if you prefer a natural option, sun sleeves for your arms and Buff headwear for your neck as the weather would be quite hot
• Transfer duration above are estimated and subject to traffic and weather condition, and not inclusive of any sightseeing tours
• Please adhere to strict pick-up time punctuality. Tour operators may forfeit tours for travellers if no-show during stipulated time
• Registered name of the traveller must be corresponding with photograph documentation (Example: Passport). Tour operators reserve the right to reject if registered traveller fails to provide photographed documentation of their own

Pick-Up Location(s)

Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.

List of Location(s):

Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Chiang Mai. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.