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Cycle the Thai Frontiers

Cycle the Thai Frontiers

Where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. A mix of culture, nature and tough cycling.

From 1,850 €

per person · land only

DURATION

9 days

RIDING DAYS

8 days

DAILY DISTANCE

93 km/day

DAILY CLIMB

1,470 m/day

DIFFICULTY

Sporty

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Ride the ultimate mountain expedition

This 9-day cycling adventure is a high-altitude crossing of the Golden Triangle region, designed for experienced riders. The bicycle route navigates a series of demanding mountain passes where the daily ascent often exceeds 1,400 meters.

The journey follows the Mekong River as it carves through the rugged terrain that separates Thailand from Laos and Myanmar.

The atmosphere of this cycling trip is defined by the multicultural blend of the borderlands, visible in the architecture and markets. The riding moves through rubber plantations and high-elevation forests, visiting villages where traditional life remains largely unchanged.

It is a rigorous cycling tour of the geographical extremes and cultural overlaps of the northern border.

Tour Highlights

  • Cycle to the point where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet the Mekong

  • Tackle punishing mountain passes with over 1,400m of daily climbing

  • Trade with local vendors in vibrant, multicultural border markets

  • Speed through winding roads shaded by dense rubber tree forests

  • Experience the old-world riverside charm of Chiang Khong

  • Climb to remote ethnic villages perched high on the mountain ridges

Tour Map

Tour Itinerary

→ Expand/Collapse all days

1

Day

Chiang Rai → Chiang Rai

30 km · Flat

We meet after your check-in early afternoon, get to know each other and head out for an easy ride to test the bikes and proceed with the necessary adjustments. We ride along the river to the outstanding White Temple, a marvel not to be missed while in Chiang Rai! Back at the hotel for a pool dip, and out again to visit the night market for dinner.

Highlights of the day

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2

Day

Chiang Rai → Thaton

126 km · 2,410 m

We start our trip with a long day on the saddle and a good flat-ish stretch at first. We soon hit the beginning of the mountains, but the scenery of farming villages, local crops and splendid hills will amaze you enough for you to forget the gradient! We stop for lunch at a great panoramic stop, before we start the exhilarating descent towards our goal of the day: Thaton, along the banks of the Mae Kok river. Enjoy some well-deserved rest, chill by the pool or go for a massage.

Highlights of the day

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3

Day

Thaton → Chiang Saen

100 km · 850 m

Today will almost feel like a rest day after yesterday's ride! We start on easy roads until we reach the two only climbs of the day. We will pass farmers going about their daily business, hilltribe children waving at these crazy people on their bikes and some more rural, peaceful scenes. We will enjoy a long and relaxed downhill all the way to our hotel by the river, overlooking Laos on the other side. For the most daring, another itinerary may give us the chance to visit the Chinese village of Doi Mae Sa Long (122 kms, 1,980 meters of ascent).

Highlights of the day

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4

Day

Chiang Saen → Chiang Khong

71 km · 720 m

This is the closest we will have to a rest day, as we will keep the afternoon free for relaxing. We will ride by the Laos border along the mighty Mekong on flat-ish and fast quiet back roads. Some time to soak in the always amazing landscape and feel the frontier vibe. We reach our hotel by lunch time, so you can relax, wander at the local market and go about visiting the old town and its beautiful Wats.

Highlights of the day

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5

Day

Chiang Khong → Phu Chi Fa

84 km · 2,130 m

The day starts with a nice, relaxed ride to get the legs warmed up, until the main challenge of the day: a 13kms stretch with almost 1,000m of vertical gain and sometimes double-digit gradients! We rest and have fruits, fresh drinks and coffee at the plateau at the top, and then keep going on beautifully undulating terrain until our resort for the day. Enjoy the cool air at night!

Highlights of the day

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6

Day

Phu Chi Fa → Phayao

131 km · 870 m

The climb was taxing yesterday? Well, you get rewarded with a 15kms, 800m descent stretch of road to start the day! We then continue riding on relatively flat valley roads for the rest of the day. We stop and cool down at a hot spring along the way before keeping on, watching local life unfold before our eyes and far from the crowds. We end the day at the peaceful lakeside town of Phayao, where we'll have dinner by the water.

Highlights of the day

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7

Day

Phayao → Wiang Papao

92 km · 1,220 m

After a slow waking up and a good breakfast, we head out around the lake and go from valley to valley with a strong climb or two in the middle, but nothing much compared to the previous days. We take it easy, stop at the Tan Tong Waterfall to enjoy the local vibe and then hop on our bikes again for the last stretch of road. A small climb, and then it's an easy flat ride through beautiful rice paddies to close the day and finish in an off-the-beaten-path town.

Highlights of the day

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8

Day

Wiang Papao → Chiang Mai

104 km · 2,140 m

Today is our last riding day, and what a day! As a last challenge of the trip, we start climbing after the first 10kms of flat roads. The road takes us through a wild rainforest where you will hear nature cheering you up on your nearly 1,400m ascent. We take a comfortable break at the top before rolling down a fantastic 19kms-long descent. Enjoy the ride! The rest of the day goes through scenic tropical orchards and rice paddies, until we conclude the trip with a oh-so-good dip at Bua Thong Waterfall. We then transfer to our beautiful hotel in central Chiang Mai.

Highlights of the day

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9

Day

Chiang Mai

The day is yours to visit the charming town of Chiang Mai and all the culture it has to offer, chill by the pool, have a massage or catch your next flight to the Southern beaches.

Highlights of the day

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Itinerary
Included

What is included:

  • Support vehicle

  • Accommodation (twin-sharing basis)

  • Meals

  • Snacks and drinks during activities

  • Tour leader

  • River boat ride

What is excluded:

  • International and domestic flights

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off

  • Visa fees

  • Alcohol

  • Bicycle rental (can be arranged at an extra cost)

Photos from the road

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