Tour of Chiang Mai Cycling

Day 1

Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep

47 kms / 1,627m total ascent

Welcome to the “Rose of the North”!

We meet up for a delicious Northern-style lunch to fill power reserves and get to know each other, fit the bikes, and discover the route of the day. We then proceed for check-in at the hotel and get ready for our first ride.

We ride through town and past some of the many temples it has to offer, before we start our steady yet punchy climb up Doi Suthep. We stay mostly within single-digit gradients, except for maybe a few turns. You’ll soon realize why this is one of the best rides out of town, with a mix of breath-taking views over the city and nice tree-covered sections.

Up at the top we’ll discover the beautiful Wat Doi Suthep, a revered Buddhist temple known for its intricate carvings, golden statues, and a magnificent chedi (stupa).

Follows a long twisting 18kms descent to the city make it back to the hotel on time for a dip in the pool or the first massage of the trip, and a relaxed introductory dinner.

Day 2

Samoeng Loop

89 kms / 2,670m total ascent

We are heading towards another cyclists’ favourite, the Samoeng loop. Today’s route will take us on a circumnavigation of Doi Suthep which we climbed yesterday for a completely different riding style.

Climbs and downhills are many though, as we pass through lush green forests, farmlands and charming rural villages.

We will stop at a local market to enjoy traditional snacks, before we get back on our saddles for the last challenging climb to Samoeng viepoint and back down to the city.

The day is filled with opportunities to test the legs but remember to keep some power for what’s ahead of us tomorrow!

The afternoon will be yours to relax or head out to discover Chiang Mai’s architectural and cultural gems.

Day 3

Doi Inthanon, the Roof of Thailand

98 kms / 2,160m total ascent (Option for expert riders: 131 kms with 3,510m ascent)

Today is the coronation of our cycling trip in this part of the Kingdom!

After a short drive out of town, we start on flat back roads to get the legs warmed up while enjoying the peaceful lowlands scenery. We then head into Doi Inthanon’s National Park where the climbing starts. We take the local, less direct and less travelled road that will take us through banana orchards and pine forests alike – a challenge for the legs but a pleasure for the senses.

Once reaching the high point of our route at the foot of the mountain, we’ll relax with coffee, snacks and local fruits depending on the season. The most experienced riders may decide to push and climb to the summit for an extra 33kms and 1,350m of ascent.

We later cycle down the amazingly smooth winding road out of the National Park and hop on the van back to our hotel.

Chiang Mai is full of great massage places (ask us for advice), charming cafes and vibrant bars. And plenty of amazing temples still to discover, so no doubt you’ll find your own way to enjoy the rest of the afternoon before a last festive dinner all together!

Day 4

Chiang Mai

Rest day

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.