Cycle along beaches, through rainforests, exploring rubber plantations, and spotting gibbons...
The Cycle Southern Thailand trip offers the full range of tropical landscapes, from the country's famous beaches to dense rainforests. The versatility of mountain bikes are essential and makes this the best way to experience Southern Thailand.
The rarely visited province of Trang is our starting point, from where our journey follows the Thai coast north into scenic Krabi Province. We ride along coastal byways fringed by coconut palms, rubber plantations and into the mangroves.
Taking time out of the saddle, we take a boat trip through the mangroves to see the limestone islands and cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. In Khao Sok National Park, we ride into the rainforest in search of gibbons and hornbills.
The journey ends at the beaches of Khao Lak, badly damaged by the tsunami 2 years ago but now largely restored, vibrant and beautiful.
The early rides are on flat terrain with a few hills in the later stages. This tour is suitable for people with reasonable fitness and confidence in riding long distances.
Overview
Total Distance: 500 km
Number of Days: 9 days / 8 nights
Number of Cycling Days: Eight full days and one half-day
Road Surface: Cycle Southern Thailand follows a mix of good asphalt roads and vehicle-width plantation trails, which may be smooth, gritty, stony, rocky, rutted, loose or hard-packed. Plus some optional off-road sections with a few technical sections so some off-road experience would be an advantage but is by no means essential.
Support: One or two 8-seat air-conditioned minibuses specially rigged to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size: Minimum 2. Maximum 16.
Staff: SpiceRoads cycling leader, plus English-speaking drivers/mechanics, guide, drivers and assistants. For groups of 10 or more an extra local bike guide also joins.
Accommodation: Three nights in 3- to 4-star resorts, four nights tourist-class resorts or jungle lodges. All hotels have en suite facilities and a/c, except two nights in Khao Sok where there is no a/c. Whenever possible we try to use hotels with charm and local character.
Food: All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to dinner on Day 9.
Difficulty: Moderate
Departure Schedule |
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| Feb 8, 2009 | 7 | Itinerary | £846 | | Register |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 7 | Itinerary | £846 | | Register |
Itinerary
We ride approximately 500 km (a number of rides are optional) mostly on tarmac roads in reasonable repair. Some of the optional rides are off-road and will challenge inexperienced riders. The trip is point-to-point, apart from two loops and fully supported: a SpiceRoads minibus rigged to carry bikes will shadow us for the entire journey.
The early rides are on flat terrain with a few hills in the later stages.
Day 1 Bangkok - Trang - Pak Meng 64 km [L,D].
Pick up from Trang town, airport an train station. Transfer and start riding to beach of Pak Meng along back roads. Lunch on beach. Ride last 10 along side the beach. Overnight at Pak Meng beach.
Day 2 Pak Meng - Krabi 65 km [B,L,D].
A road ride today, transfer short way out of Pakmeng and ride loop with the ride ending at Wat Tam Seua (Tiger Cave Temple) and one of the most famous temples in South Thailand. Climb to top of a Karst hill.
Day 3 Krabi - Ao Leuk 68 km [B,L,D].
Take quieter back roads passing rubber plantations. Lunch at Koranee Marine National Park, before continuing short way to rest stop for the night.
Day 4 Krabi - Ao Leuk 68 km [B,L,D].
Take quieter back roads passing rubber plantations. Lunch at Koranee Marine National Park, before continuing short way to rest stop for the night.
Day 5 Ao Leuk - Phang Nga Bay 46 km [B,L,D].
Transfer start of ride (Kok Kloy). Ride off road section approx 15km. Have lunch before continuing to ride to Phang Nga, mainly off road. Take in Monkey Temple and Wat Suwan Kuth. Take boat trip starting off in mangrove swamps it cruises to James Bond Island.
Day 6 Phang Nga Bay - Khao Sok 66 km [B,L,D].
Enter hills heading towards rainforests of Khao Sok. As this is a hilly area there are some climbs involved.
Day 7 Khao Sok 24 km [B,L,D].
Ride through Khao Sok rainforest. This has some off road but nothing too challenging. Visit the gibbon sanctuary. Explore the park further by foot, bike or raft/canoe.
Day 8 Khao Sok - Khao Lak 73 km [B,L,D].
Visit old town of Takua Pa. Head south to beach resort area of Khao lak passing through plantations and small villages on the way.
Day 9 Khao Lak - Phuket Airport [B,L].
Morning free. Arrange airport transfers for onward connections.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Single Supplement: GBP 135
Bike Hire: GBP 65
Total Distance: 500 km
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Number of Cycling Days: Eight full days and one half-day
Road Surface: This tour follows a mix of good asphalt roads and vehicle-width plantation trails, which may be smooth, gritty, stony, rocky, rutted, loose or hard-packed. Plus some optional off-road sections with a few technical sections so some off-road experience would be an advantage but is by no means essential.
Support: One or two 8-seat air-conditioned minibuses specially rigged to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size: Minimum 2. Maximum 16.
Staff: Cycling leader plus English-speaking drivers/mechanics. guide, drivers and assistants. For groups of ten or more an extra local bike guide also joins.
Accommodation: Three nights 3-4-star resorts, four nights tourist class resorts or jungle lodges. All hotels have en suite facilities and a/c, except two nights in Khao Sok where there is no a/c. Whenever possible we try to use hotels with charm and local character.
Food: All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to dinner on Day 9.
Departure Schedule |
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| Feb 8, 2009 | 7 | Itinerary | £846 | | Register |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 7 | Itinerary | £846 | | Register |
