Bangkok to Phuket Backroads

Day 1

Kaeng Krachan - Pranburi Beach

64 kms / 570m total ascent

We pick you up very early from you hotel in Bangkok and head towards the start of our riding, 2.5 hours away.

After a brief bike fitting, we start riding in the hills of Kaeng Krachan and go downhill (with a few bumps) towards Hua Hin and Pranburi beach.

Today we ride directly from our resort on country roads through mango and lemon orchards, fields of many sorts, and beautiful pineapple plantations, soaking in countryside life and remote roads that are a cyclist’s paradise.

We keep riding to the lesser-known Tham Laplae Monastery where we will visit a surprising cave-temple and get shelter from the heat, before riding again a short distance to our lunch place at Monsoon Valley, overlooking the beautiful vineyards and learning about local wines.

After a long and deserved break, we cycle or transfer to a hidden plateau stuck in ancient times and where life seems to just follow the rhythm of the sun…

Reaching Pranburi later in the afternoon will be the start of our daily habit of refreshing ourselves the hotel’s swimming pool or in the Gulf of Thailand. Enjoy!

Day 2

Pranburi Beach - Prachuap Khiri Khan

92 kms / 540m total ascent (option to shorten the ride for those who want)

We leave Pranburi beach at sunrise towards Sam Roi Yot (300 Peaks) National Park. This park has spectacular limestone formations and freshwater marshes in between the peaks. We ride on quiet backroads along beaches with striking limestone peaks as our background.

Today we have breakfast at a gem of a spot 22kms into the ride, before we continue towards the highlight of the day. We will stop at the park and take a short boat ride to go visit Phraya Nakhon Cave and the incredible temple it hosts.

After the park, we have a short ride on the main road, about 20 km, before heading back to the coast, passing many small villages. The final section is along the beach to Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The town is known for being a holiday spot for locals, and so we’ll feel the relaxed vibe and feast on local specialties at dinner.

Day 3

Prachuap Khiri Khan - Ban Krut

68 kms / 370m total ascent

We leave the hotel and ride along the beachfront road before hitting the main (but very quiet) road. We’ll ride through the local military airstrip before a nice early coffee stop.

We keep going well away from the main tourist areas and alternate between pleasant beach side stretches and winding roads through never-ending coconut plantations. A slow paced, contemplative ride just to be lived…

We head to our resort for the day along a serene beach. Time to relax and listen to the surf or walk through the quiet fishing village and discover the fine art of net fixing.

At sunset, you should not miss the visit of Wat Tang Sai hillside temple overlooking the beach, built to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th year of reign. One of the most beautiful temples in Thailand!

Day 4

Ban Krut - Bang Saphan

Optional 30 kms / 220m total ascent

This is a rest day, so you can decide to ride the 30kms that take us to our next beautiful resort, or just take the van to let those legs of yours fully rest.

During the day, you can relax by the pool, at the beach or wander through the village.

You may even decide to go snorkelling nearby at the splendid tiny island of Koh Talu.

Day 5

Bang Saphan - Chumphon

101 kms / 790m total ascent

Today we ride along the Royal Coast Road, an amazing stretch giving us views of the sea and fishing villages again to one side and majestic mountains to the other. We are passing through Thailand’s narrowest part as the border with Burma is less than 20 kms away at some points.

We pedal through rubber tree and palm forests on some of the quietest roads until reaching the Kaeo Prasert Temple where we enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding peaks.

From there we either transfer to our lunch place by the sea, or keep riding there through undulating roads to feast again on amazing local delicacies.

We end the ride just north of Chumphon, and enjoy the last dip of the trip in the sea or in the comforting salt-water pool.

Day 6

Chumphon - Ranong

143 kms / 1,350m total ascent

We are going from coast to coast today as we cross the Thai isthmus from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea.

We head inland from Chumphon at the very best place, as this is where the peninsula is the narrowest. We ride through jungle-covered hills and peaks on perfectly smooth winding roads, undulating to make the ride interesting.

Reaching the midway point, we start riding on the border with Myanmar for a few kilometres until we go down towards our stop of the day, the little fishing town of Ranong with its own interesting atmosphere.

Day 7

Ranong - Khuraburi

116 kms / 940m total ascent

Today’s route goes from valley to valley, with no mountains but a few minor climbs to entertain us. We ride through beautiful rainforest and local villages giving us a good glimpse of life on that side of the peninsula.

The more we go South, the more we notice the influence of Muslim communities which make for a great cultural blend – and brings their own delicacies for us to try out!

We end the day in a pleasant secluded hotel where we are able to soak in the moment and listen to the surrounding wildlife.

Day 8

Khuraburi - Khao Lak

73 kms / 570m total ascent

Our riding today keeps taking us South to Khao Lak, a region of lush forests and crystal-clear waters. The road is undulating, and our relaxed pace will lead us to the little town of Takua Pa, home to well-preserved colonial-style buildings, reflecting its historical importance as a major trading port during the tin mining era.

We will stop and explore the old town area, wander through narrow streets, and discover traditional shophouses, temples, and local markets.

We keep going another 18 kms until we reach our beautiful hotel by the beach and let the relaxing begin!

Day 9

Khao Lak - Phuket

113 kms / 940m total ascent

Our last riding day presents no major difficulty, so it should be a fast day for us to enjoy the scenery and marine breeze. Take in the seaside vibe, stop for coffee and tropical fruits, and keep riding to Phuket, Thailand’s biggest and most famous island.

We’ll finish on small coastal roads before crossing the bridge that connects it to the peninsula where we’ll stop briefly to realize what we have accomplished – and ride on to our last hotel for a celebratory drink!

For those who may want to add a challenge to this last day, we’ll make a detour via Naithon beach, Banana beach and Bang Tao beach for some short but serious climbing.

Day 10

Phuket

Our tour finishes here, and we bid farewell over breakfast. You may want to stay on the island for some more discoveries, take a multi-day diving trip to the incredible Similan islands, or fly back to Bangkok or Chiang Mai for your next adventure! Tip: we never recommend enough the island of Koh Yao Noi just a short boat ride away and yet so much more laid back than its famous neighbour - we can help you arrange your onward journey.