Our trip starts at your hotel in Bangkok. We will hop onto a van and escape the crazy traffic, heading to the beautiful region of Kaeng Krachan 3 hours away. There you will have the time to test your bike, do any adjustments if needed, and explore the surrounding lake and rivers, or just chill by the pool waiting for the ride to start the next day.

We start in the hills of Kaeng Krachan and go downhill towards Hua Hin and Pranburi beach. Today we ride directly from our resort on country roads through mango and lemon orchards, via beautiful pineapple plantations, soaking in countryside life. 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 to our lunch place at Monsoon Valley, overlooking the beautiful vineyards and learning about local wines (tasting extra). After a long and deserved break, we cycle or transfer to a hidden plateau stuck in ancient times.

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. 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.

We leave the hotel and ride along the beachfront road before hitting the main (but very quiet) road. 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. 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!

This can be a rest day for those who want, in which case they will be transferred to the next resort in the morning and may decide to relax by the pool, at the beach or wander through the village.

Some may even decide to go snorkelling nearby at the splendid tiny island of Koh Talu (optional).

For the others, we start the day on a beautiful stretch of road, riding beneath coconut trees as the sun rises. Following the Royal Coast Road, the scenery shifts—coconut groves give way to pine trees, creating a refreshing change in atmosphere. The shade is welcome as we continue with the sea on our left and farmland stretching out to our right.

Along the way, we stop to visit the secluded and little-known temple of Wat Khao Tham Ma Rong. Leaving the bikes at the foot of a hill, we walk up to discover a magnificent cave filled with dozens of Buddhas—and home to a colony of friendly bats.

The final stretch is shorter and partly shaded. We pause by the red cliffs before continuing on to our seaside hotel for a relaxing dip in the pool.

Today is our last riding day, and 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. 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.

You deserve it, today is a rest day. Chill at the resort, enjoy local Thai food one more time. The day is all yours, until we go and catch our 7pm train at Chumphon Railway Station. We'll ride 1st Class sleeper (based on availability) and reach Bangkok Station early next morning. Note: it is possible to take a night train to Bangkok on the evening of Day 6 and skip the night in Chumphon. Please let us know at least 35 days in advance.