Central Thailand Bike Ride

Central Thailand Bike Ride

Day 1 >> BANGKOK – SAMUT SONGKRAM – KANCHANABURI (CYCLING FOR ABOUT 32 KM) (-/L/D)

Starting in Bangkok we drive south to start our bicycle exploration of the Mae Klong Delta area at Damnoen Saduak floating market, the biggest and most colorful in Thailand and a must for any visitor. After discovering the sights and sounds of the floating market, we embark on a long tail boat and cruise through a maze of canals cutting through local villages and various plantations. This eye-opening boat ride offers a glimpse of Thailand of old where local people are going about their daily life with the canal as the focal point. Arriving at a riverside temple, you can enjoy the surroundings of the temple before the bikes are fitted and a general briefing is given. Our ride takes us through coconut, aloe vera plantations and fruit orchards. Riding quiet back roads and jeep trails we stop to visit interesting temples and appreciate the countryside. Depending on the season, you will see grapes, lychee, pomelo, guava and coconuts ripe for picking. One of the temples we visit is the Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, the birth place of Rama II. Next on the tour is Wat Bang Kung, this quirky temple is held up by a huge banyan tree but you can still step inside and see the Buddha image. This temple is housed in the old Bang Kung army camp, which was used to garrison soldiers when regaining Thailand’s independence from Burma. We also visit the exceptional carved temple of Wat Bang Kae Noi where the inside of the Wat has carved panels depicting the story of the enlightenment of Buddha. Having enjoyed a delicious Thai lunch at a riverside restaurant, we continue cycling on picturesque trails through lush vegetation towards the starting point of the floating market. After loading the bikes we will transfer 1.5 hours to Kanchanaburi for our first overnight stop. Dinner and overnight at ROYAL RIVER KWAI RESORT.

Day 2 >> KANCHANABURI (CYCLING DISTANCE 30 KM) (B/L/D)

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Kanchanaburi to visit the local sites, war museum and the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. We then board the local train for a stunning ride on the Death Railway. After lunch at Kraset caves we start biking along some great trails passing by some teak plantations, small Thai villages on our way to Wat Prasat Muang Sing. This historical site covering some 74 hectares and is believed to have been used by the Khmer empire as a trading point along the Kwai Noi River. We ride around the park and visit the museum before packing up the bikes and driving the short way back to our riverside hotel. Dinner and overnight at PHUNG WAN RESORT.

Day 3 >> KANCHANABURI – AYUTTHAYA (CYCLING FOR ABOUT 30 KM) (B/L/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a chance to further explore this very scenic province. We will ride of the hotel and head off on quite country trails. We pass small communities and finish with a crossing over a wooden suspension bridge, on our way to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, where we have a chance of swim before having lunch. After lunch we drive via Suphanburi to the former capital city of Siam, Ayutthaya, which is located approximately 80 kilometers to the north of Bangkok, the ancient city of Ayutthaya is known as the "Venice of the East", and it lies along the Chao Phraya River, the tributary of which surrounds Ayutthaya province. Dinner is on your own account – the guide will be happy to provide recommendations. Overnight at KRUNGSRI RIVER HOTEL.

Day 4 >> AYUTTHAYA – BANG PA IN – BANGKOK (CYCLING FOR ABOUT 30 - 35 KM) (B/L/-)

Today we offer an optional early-hours tour (06:00 AM) to visit the morning market to buy fresh food, which you will then donate to the monks who are making their rounds to receive alms from the local people. It is the traditional practice for Thai Buddhists which is a meaningful experience for foreigners. Then return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we a have a chance to see the glory of the Ayutthaya Empire (1350-1767A.D.) which is evident in the remains of temples. The first visit of the day is by van to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. This well-tended temple was founded by King U-Thong in 1357 as a center for monks returning from study in Sri Lanka. The white reclining Buddha near the entrance was built by King Naresuan. The massive pagoda was also built by King Naresuan to celebrate his victory over the Burmese at Suphanburi in 1593 by killing their crown prince in a single-handed combat on elephants. We then transfer a short way to Wat Phra Mahathat, with the Buddha head entwined in the tree routes, before we get on the bikes to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the old palace and Wat Chai Wattanaram. After the visit to Wat Chai Wattanaram we really head into the countryside and we ride the small back roads that follow the Chao Praya river to Bang-Pa In, here we have lunch and visit the summer palace before heading back to Bangkok.

Joint tour: Departure every Tuesday from Bangkok with English speaking bike guide (minimum 2 persons / maximum 16 persons).

Private tour: Daily departure from Bangkok with English speaking bike guide (minimum 2 persons).

Our package prices are inclusive of transfers in air-conditioned van, accommodation in twin shared rooms, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in the itinerary, drinking water and snacks whilst cycling, bike hire, helmet & spares, English speaking cycle guide, accident insurance, service charges and Taxes. Not included are beverages during meals, travel insurance, meals other than described, personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, souvenirs etc), food donation to monks on day 4, tips for guide.

Please complete the form below to get our latest rates for this AMAZING travel programme. You will get your free quote within 24 hours.