Thailand10 days
Thailand: Bangkok to the Golden Triangle by Bike, Kayak & Trail — 10 Days
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the tri-border region via 50–80km bike stages, elephant sanctuary visit, Mae Kok River kayaking, and Doi Mae Salong trekking
This ten-day itinerary moves from Bangkok through Thailand's northern provinces to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, combining cycling, hiking, and kayaking with stops at cultural sites and an elephant rescue facility. The route follows established trails through agricultural terrain, hill-tribe villages, and river valleys, with 50–80km bike stages on mixed road and dirt surfaces, a full day at an elephant rehabilitation centre, three–four hours of kayaking on the Mae Kok River, and a full-day trek through terraced tea plantations at Doi Mae Salong. The pace alternates active days with easier transit and rest periods. Accommodation is mid-range hotel throughout. The journey is suited to riders with moderate fitness and previous cycling experience; some stages include dirt trails and mountain sections.
Highlights
- Cycle 65km across Doi Chang Mub, one of Chiang Rai Province's highest mountains, with the road straddling the Thai-Myanmar border
- Spend a full day at Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, a rescue and rehabilitation facility where visitors walk, feed and bathe rescued elephants without riding
- Trek through terraced Oolong tea and rice plantations on Doi Mae Salong, a former opium-growing region now settled by Chinese refugees from the Cultural Revolution
- Kayak 3–4 hours down the Mae Kok River past hilltribe settlements, with the option of a return hike to lodge
- Cycle through Bangkok's inner city by tuk-tuk, rapid transit, boat and streets, visiting the Golden Mount, Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Visit Ayutthaya's temple ruins and royal palaces by bicycle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sacked by Burmese forces in 1767
Day by day
1Arrival in BangkokBangkok · hotel
You arrive in Bangkok and are transferred to your hotel. Check-in and rest. Evening orientation and meal with the group (if arriving by midday).
2Bangkok: Temples and Canals by Tuk-tuk, Train and BoatBangkok · Golden Mount · Grand Palace · Wat Pho · Wat Arun · canals of Bangkok Noi
This day visits five major religious and historical sites across Bangkok using multiple modes of urban transport: tuk-tuk, scooter taxi, rapid transit train and longtail boat. Stops include the Golden Mount, the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (home to a reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), and the canals of Bangkok Noi. The route threads through alleyways and street markets. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
3Ayutthaya: Ancient Temples by BicycleAyutthaya · Bangkok · Ayutthaya archaeological zone
A private shuttle departs Bangkok for Ayutthaya, the former Siamese capital (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A longtail boat carries the group upriver for one hour to the archaeological zone, where you'll cycle approximately 10 km on paved roads through temple ruins, royal palaces and Buddha images. Return shuttle to Bangkok and early-evening domestic flight north to Chiang Mai. Overnight accommodation arranged. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
4Elephant Nature Park: Walking, Feeding and Bathing Rescued ElephantsElephant Nature Park
Transfer from Chiang Mai to Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre. No riding occurs. Activities include observing elephants in natural behaviour, feeding snacks, accompanying the herd on a walk through their grounds, and assisting with river bathing. Picnic lunch provided within the park. Return to Chiang Mai by 18:30, transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
5Chiang Mai to Mae Salak: 50 km Bike Ride into Remote ValleyChiang Mai · Mae Salak · bamboo resort · Mae Kok River
Drive from Chiang Mai toward Chiang Rai with stops at notable sights. Main event: 50 km ride toward Mae Salak with two route options—a dirt path or a hillier paved road. Terrain varies with group fitness levels. Upon arrival, board a short longtail boat ride to a bamboo resort situated along the Mae Kok River. Evening free for swimming, private balcony rest, or visiting the nearby Lahu village. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
6Mae Kok River: Kayaking and Optional HikingMae Kok River · Tha Ton
Morning boat excursion upriver to Tha Ton, a riverside town near the Thai-Myanmar border, where you'll visit local weaving workshops. Main activity: 3–4 hours of kayaking in sit-on-top boats down the Mae Kok River, passing hill-tribe villages and agricultural fields. Picnic lunch provided riverside. Afternoon: optional short hike (1–2 hours) or return to lodge by boat. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
7Doi Mae Salong: Full-Day Trek Through Tea PlantationsDoi Mae Salong · mountaintop temple · local school
A full-day trek through Doi Mae Salong, now the centre of Thailand's Oolong tea production. The landscape consists of terraced tea and rice plantations interspersed with villages. The route includes a visit to a mountaintop temple, a local school, and tea tasting with regional growers. This area was settled in the mid-twentieth century by Chinese communities and remains visibly distinct in architecture and agricultural practice. Evening free for exploration. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
8Doi Chang Mub and the Golden Triangle: 65 km Border Ridge RideDoi Chang Mub · Golden Triangle · Doi Tung · ridge road that straddles the Thai-Myanmar border · Mae Sai · Greater Mekong Lodge
Early morning shuttle to Doi Tung, a community development project run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Cycling stage covers 65 km, beginning with an ascent to Doi Chang Mub (one of Chiang Rai Province's highest mountains). The descent follows a ridge road that straddles the Thai-Myanmar border, passing through several Thai military checkpoints. Route reaches Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost city, where lunch coincides with time to view the border market. Final flat farmland ride concludes at the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge at the Mekong River. Overnight at the Greater Mekong Lodge, operated by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
9Mae Sai to Chiang Khong: Final Mekong River RideMae Sai to Chiang Khong · Chiang Khong · Mekong River valley · riverside teak hotel
The final cycling day covers 65–80 km through farmland and over small mountain sections before descending to the Mekong River valley. The route follows the riverbanks all the way to Chiang Khong, a border town where Thailand meets Laos. Overnight at a riverside teak hotel. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
10Chiang Khong to BangkokChiang Khong · Chiang Rai airport
Morning free to visit Chiang Khong independently. Early afternoon transfer to Chiang Rai airport for the flight to Bangkok. Onward connections from Bangkok arranged by request. Meal included: breakfast.
Where you go
- 1Bangkok
- 2Wat Pho
- 3Wat Arun
- 4Ayutthaya
- 5Bangkok
- 6Chiang Mai
- 7Doi Mae Salong
- 8Golden Triangle
Included
- All accommodation (twin shared), meals as indicated, all transportation including two domestic flights, entrance fees, airport transfers, and English-speaking guides.
- MEALS:
- 9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 2 Dinners
- ACCOMMODATION:
- Hotel: 9 Nights
Not included
- International airfare, airport departure taxes, gratuities, meals not indicated and items of a personal nature.
Activities: Biking, Hiking and Kayaking