CHIANG MAI HALF DAY by SpiceRoads

Tour Itinerary

With our SpiceRoads private air-con van, we'll pick you up from your Chiang Mai hotel and have you fitted to a quality bike and helmet. Suited for all riders, including families, our Chiang Mai half-day tour takes you on a memorable and informative tour of the city's most interesting sights and beyond the city walls to see temples, markets and an ancient city.

We'll have a leisurely start along the banks of the Ping River so you can get used to your bike. This tour will be an introduction to Thai culture and that can best be done by doing as the locals do and go to temples and markets. As we visit some temples, your guide will explain the importance of Buddhism in Thai culture. As we continue our ride we'll pass through a former leprosarium that is now a home for the elderly and a rehabilitation center for the disabled. Set in manicured, quiet grounds next to the river you can admire the colonial style white and cream buildings that include a church and hospital.

Heading through shady quiet country lanes we pass beautiful traditional teak houses and can say hello to the Thai men fishing in the Ping River. We enter some spacious grassy parkland and stop for a rest, some fruit and a cool drink under the shade of 100-year-old trees.

From there we will explore the ancient city of Wiang Khum Kham which dates back to the 13th Century. Just excavated in the 1980s after being buried under mud from the river, most of the sites are ruined chedis, however, there are two working temples we can visit -- one of which has a spirit house where a former king's spirit is said to reside.

We re-enter Chiang Mai's old city through Tha Pae Gate and stop at Somphet market have a look at the local fresh herbs that make northern Thai food so special. As you mingle with locals buying their dinner ingredients, your guide will tell you the names of the fruits, herbs and vegetables, and of course let you taste some of them. This will be a great photo opportunity as well.

For people who book this tour departing on a Sunday - we will travel the last section back into town by van due to the traffic created by the Sunday Market.

TRIP PROFILE

This cycle tour is suited for all riders, including families.

We ride approximately 30 km on good quality flat tarmac roads. An air-con support vehicle will follow and provide water and fresh fruit. There'll be plenty of opportunities for taking photos and just taking in the wonderful scenery.

To make sure we don't miss an important cultural event, this itinerary may be adjusted if there is a festival or other special activity nearby that will give you a unique insight into Thai culture.