Southern Thailand by Bike CTH
Visiting: Thailand
TOUR DURATION9DAYS
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select.
Arriving in Bangkok today we have a free afternoon to enjoy something of Thailand's vibrant capital, before meeting up this evening to prepare the bikes for the adventure ahead. The evening then provides an opportunity to join an optional night cycling tour through the city, a different way to explore the heart of this captivating capital. Starting from the hotel we head down towards the Rama VIII Bridge, crossing over the Chao Phraya River around sunset and making our way along the quiet backroads towards the Temple of Dawn. Crossing the river by ferry we'll then cycle past the perimeter wall of the Grand Palace and past Wat Pho, before heading through the flower market and possibly onto Chinatown en route to dinner at a local restaurant (not included). The three to four hour trip then ends back at the hotel later this evening.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 15 kilometres (Optional)
Swimming Pool Available
Departing Bangkok early this morning we head south towards the old royal city of Phetchaburi on a 130 kilometre journey that should take around two hours. We arrive at the Buddhist caves of Khao Luang for a short visit before heading to the hilltop summer palace and historical park of Khao Wang, home to a number of temples, palaces and shrines that date back to the reign of King Rama IV that became his summer palace in 1860. There will be a chance to either walk up or take the cable car to the summit of Palace Hill (92 metres) to experience the views and the resident monkeys, while our bikes are unloaded and readied for today's cycling on the flat to Cha Am beach. Our route starts on a minor road complete with cycle lane, amid a vast mosaic of salt pans and on our ride we have the chance to see the different stages that produce the local sea salt. We hit the coast at the beaches of Chao Samran and Puk Tean, where we will stop for lunch (not included) before completing the journey to Cha Am later this afternoon, a small town and beach resort popular with the Thais.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres
After breakfast we continue by car for a short distance, following the coastline en route to Pranburi Province. We start our ride today with hillier scenery past pineapple plantations and for the first 15 km or so there are little ups and downs. Keep your eyes and ears posted for bird nest soup farms. We reach the coast and Pak Nam Pran village where we'll stop for lunch. The seafood in general is good along the coast and this area produces a lot of sun-dried squid. Our cycle ride continues on quiet and well-paved roads, now heading inland and past rice paddies and occassional shrimp farms. The impressive landscapes of Sam Roi Yod National Park start to arrive on the horizon and we make our way to this massif and the pristine beaches of Pranburi, our base for the night. Depending on our arrival time you may have the opportunity to enjoy some free time around the resort and possibly the chance of an optional sea kayaking trip before dinner.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres
Today we enjoy a full day's cycling around Sam Roi Yod National Park, Thailand's first national coastal reserve. Protected marshlands still surround the 'three hundred' limestone peaks and play host to resident and migratory birds. After breakfast we get on our bikes and follow flat road past a fishing village and prawn farms to Ban Phu (Crab) Beach. We leave the bikes behind for a couple of hours and take a 5-minute longtail boat ride that carries us to the pristine white sands of a hidden beach. A 30-minute uphill walking trail leads us through the jungle, with a chance to spot Dusky Leaf Monkeys, to the spectacular cave of Phrayanakorn. We return by foot for about 1 hour around a headland with great views, to Crab Beach where we have a break for lunch. We spend the afternoon exploring the park by bike taking in Khao Daeng Temple and the park's information centre, where we have some free time to enjoy a walk through the mangroves. There may even be an opportunity to take an optional trip along the river before we continue by bike south leaving the national park behind. We then complete the journey by road to Prachuap Khiri Khan, set in a wonderful sweeping bay.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres
A short drive after breakfast brings us to Ao Manao, nestling in a beautiful bay that was once witness to a fierce battle between Thai and Japanese forces during the Second World War. Today it offers a more tranquil setting of souvenir stalls, a golden beach and a Thai Royal Navy base. We continue driving south for about 120 km to our start point for today's ride. We cycle for the first 2 km on a fun dirt track through rubber plantations that leads to a minor narrow access road with more downhill. Rejoining the quiet main road our route passes latex cottage industries and sweeps downhill for the next few kilometres. The next 20 km or so has a series of short, well-graded down and up hill sections along a new cycle path in the hard shoulder. We start to glimpse the coast again towards the end of the ride as the terrain flattens out and we pass palm oil plantations and eventually reach the inviting and beautiful setting of Chumpon beach and our hotel for the night. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres
Leaving early this morning we drive to Khao Sok, a distance of some 270 kilometres which should take us around 4 hours to reach this area of outstanding jungle-clad limestone scenery. Arriving around lunchtime, there will be time here to enjoy some optional activities including elephant trekking, canoeing and a half day trek. Later this afternoon we then continue on to Noppharat Beach just outside Ao Nang. The Bay setting is beautiful and as the tide goes out to reveal vast mudflats keep your eyes peeled for Macaque monkeys searching for crabs.
No cycling today.
Today offers a chance to enjoy some optional activities around the island of Koh Klang, lying at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties out into the Andaman Sea. Rich in wildlife, the island has been keen in recent years to promote environmental tourism and there are options today to join cultural tours or take a cycle tour around the island.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 to 40 kilometres (Optional)
Another free day in Ao Nang provides an opportunity to enjoy some marine based excursions around the area including a kayaking trip out to Koh Hong and Ao Thalene, snorkelling trips into the rich, tranquil waters off the coast, or perhaps a visit out to the beautiful Phi Phi Islands. This evening we then head to the airport in nearby Krabi, to catch a flight to Bangkok for a final evening back in the Thai capital.
Swimming Pool Available
