Cycle from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai - Explore the Highlights of Northern Thailand by E-bike
*This tour was previously called: Chiang Mai & North Thailand E-Bike Tour
From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, discover the highlights and hidden gems that few travelers get to see. From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, cruise through scenic climbs and breathtaking descents, adjusting your ride to match your energy. Visit coffee and tea plantations, admire stunning Buddhist landmarks, and enjoy a hands-on cooking class.
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers.
Wheels
Legs
Overview
Starting in Chiang Rai, you'll visit the iconic White Temple, explore the lively Night Bazaar, and ride through lush tea plantations. As you pedal towards Chiang Mai, glide past dramatic limestone formations, idyllic waterfalls, and the majestic Chiang Dao Mountain in Pha Daeng National Park.
Cycle through the scenic landscapes of Maetang before reaching Chiang Mai, where you'll dive into local culture with a food tour and a peaceful ride through the city’s outskirts. Conquer the spiritual summit of Doi Suthep, made easy with your e-bike, and soak in the beauty of Northern Thailand’s countryside.
This tour offers the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation, with opportunities to connect with locals, enjoy incredible rides, and capture unforgettable moments.
What's the riding like?
This tour covers 313 km (194 mi). There is no hiding it, Northern Thailand is a hilly place, which is exactly why we have made use of e-bikes to smooth out the experience. That's where our e-bikes come in—dial up the pedal-assist when you need help with the climbs or dial it back for more of a challenge.
We've designed this tour to balance moderate hills with beautiful scenery. With our support vehicles and e-bikes, you’ll get to enjoy the best parts of the ride without too much effort. Expect smooth tarmac for 90% of the ride, with a mix of rolling hills, occasional uphills, and regular downhills.
Unsure about the challenge? Our support vehicles are on standby for those moments when you need a little breather.
Highlights
- Cycle along the Kok River, passing coffee and tea plantations, local villages, and riverside fields.
- Visit Chiang Rai's White Temple and explore the Night Bazaar.
- Ride to the Akha Mino Roastery for a unique coffee experience supporting local hill tribes.
- Hike the iconic Doi Suthep in the early morning, avoiding the tourist crowds.
- Savor the tastes of Northern Thailand with a cooking class and city food tour.
Inclusions
- 6 nights in superior hotels
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
- Quality bike, a helmet, and support vehicle
- Passionate guides and support team
- Healthy snacks and water during cycling
- All activities, train tickets and site entry fees
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
What our Guests Say
Day to Day
Welcome to Chiang Rai! We’ll start our tour by meeting in the lobby at 10 am ready to head out and explore this interesting Northern city. Our loop ride along the Kok river takes us pedaling through the region's bucolic countryside, past coffee and tea plantations, local communities and riverside fields.
We'll stop for a quick look at the local pineapple market, with produce so fresh from the surrounding farms that it often sells out early in the day! Our first day's ride drops us right back at the hotel door and you can spend the afternoon at your leisure. Tonight we’ll enjoy the first of many delicious Thai dinners after a walking tour of the lively Night Bazaar.
Special Information:
Your adventures start with a bike ride from the Kok River to the port, with a total distance of 28.9 km (18 mi) and 308m elevation gain throughout the day, on mostly paved paths. With the help of e-bikes and plenty of stops for scenic views and exotic fruits, this ride is a perfect warm-up for your tour. After cycling, hop in the van and enjoy a 1-hour boat transfer to your hotel.
We’ll start off the morning with a ride through the backroads and fields. On the way, we will stop and visit a locally-based coffee house known as Akha Mino Roastery, a successful business helping local hill tribe communities start sustainable coffee plantations. The owner will take us through the growing and roasting process, and everything that goes into making a great coffee before we try it for ourselves. We will also have lunch here.
After a delicious local meal, we will start pedaling to the city’s iconic White Temple. Wat Rong Khun, constructed in 1997, is an unconventional piece of Thai architecture that looks like something out of an ice kingdom and is sure to spark your interest. After our visit, we'll use the van for a transfer back to our hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day in your beautiful resort.
Special Information:
Today’s ride takes you 50.5 km (31.4 mi) with 314 m (1030 ft) elevation gain throughout the day, mostly on paved paths with a few unpaved sections. Feel free to challenge yourself—our support van is always nearby if you need it!
Our morning begins with a 1h20 transfer by van to Bha Tai Pier where we will board a longtail boat for a ride up the Kok river, avoiding the hilliest terrain outside of Chiang Rai to Tha Ton district. This is the perfect time to sit back and enjoy the scenery as your guide shares more about the surrounding region. From here we mount the bikes and head south, reaching further and further into Thailand’s rural landscapes, riding through local communities on quiet roads surrounded by greenery.
A nourishing lunch is followed by a transfer through the hills to our destination, the mountainside town of Chiang Dao. In the evening, we'll enjoy a good meal made with fresh local ingredients and a cold beer.
Special Information:
Your day starts with a 1h20m transfer to our cycling starting point. Today’s ride covers 65.8 km (40.9 mi) with 468 m elevation gain throughout the day—your longest ride of the tour. Expect mostly paved paths with some unpaved sections. After a fulfilling day, hop back in the van for a 3-hour van transfer to your hotel.
Today is the day the mountains of Northern Thailand truly shine! We begin with a 1-hour transfer into the hills of the Araksa Tea Plantations for a cup of their finest brew to settle ourselves for the ride ahead. Astride your wheels today we'll be exploring the district of Mae Taeng.
Our ride consists of several short sharp hills, but this is where e-bikes are able to lighten the load so you can enjoy the glorious views and downhill cruising, without stressing about the uphill sections. If you feel like giving your legs a challenge then you can always dial back the pedal-assist. A support van is always on hand, as it is throughout the tour if you feel like you need a rest. Our ride concludes with a final 30-minute transfer to skip traffic and arrive at our destination.
Special Information:
Today starts with a 45-minute transfer to your cycling starting point. Today’s ride will take you to the Araksa Tea Garden and then on to the Siam Insect Zoo. Expect a total of 63.6 km (39.5 mi) with 655 m elevation gain throughout the day, mostly on paved paths. You'll have plenty of stops for coffee, tea, and exotic fruits, with the support van always on hand.
Let’s saddle up on our bikes and start the ride to Chiang Mai! Today the hills are in our favor as we pedal down to meet the scenic Ping River. From here, the route is quite flat and a welcome respite from the previous climbing, allowing you to enjoy the views from over your handlebars.
Upon our arrival in Chiang Mai, we’ll check into our delightful resort before taking part in an afternoon cooking class and getting truly hands-on with traditional northern Thai cuisine. This is an experience that keeps on giving, in addition to enjoying all the delicious dishes you prepare, you can take your new-found skills home with you and share your favorite Thai specialties with family and friends.
Special Information:
Today’s ride takes you all the way to Chiang Mai with a distance of 47.5 km (29.5 mi) and 235m elevation gain throughout the day. With paved paths and our support van always nearby, it’s an easy-going ride that lets you enjoy the journey as you roll into this charming city.
Today we’ll make our way on two wheels through the surroundings of Chiang Mai, cycling through the countryside, temple and over mild hills to a botanical garden.
After a tour of the botanical garden’s vibrant hues and sweet fragrances, we will make our way back along scenic roads to the hotel, where you'll have time to enjoy the pool or another well-earned Thai massage before our evening activity.
Tonight we enjoy our last evening together and give our taste buds a workout on a food tour of the city, and you'll likely have worked up a healthy appetite from today's adventures! We’ll make our way through this famous northern city to hole-in-the-wall local restaurants, markets, and bars to try authentic dishes such as red curry, spicy papaya salad, classic pad thai, and mango sticky rice. Is your mouth watering yet? Along the way, we’ll meet countless friendly Thai locals, likely curious about your adventures, and you'll have the opportunity to trade stories with these people in the “Land of Smiles”.
Special Information:
Enjoy your last scenic loop ride around Chiang Mai today, covering 37.2 km (23.1 mi) with 477m elevation gain throughout the day. You’ll be on paved paths, taking in the lovely surroundings and soaking up the local charm.
For our final day of adventure in Northern Thailand. Grab a good breakfast before cycling up from your hotel to the imposing Doi Suthep, the mountain that sits to the west of the city.
We'll ascend quite quickly, following the main road and stopping along to catch the view. We continue to the main temple Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep where our cycling concludes.
Special Information:
Wrap up your tour with a one-hour transfer to the start of your hike to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The 3.7 km (2.3 mi) hike will lead you to this iconic temple, offering stunning views and a memorable finish to your adventure.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
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WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
With our experience bringing you premium bike tours in Asia, we have developed this itinerary to showcase the very best of Thailand's northern reaches. Not only will you be able to explore the fascinating cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, but all of the gorgeous nature in between. This tour gives you all the time you need to take in your surroundings, with a few extra days in Chiang Mai to sample all of the best food, cycle the back alleyways, and visit the stunning natural highlights of the city’s surroundings. Get on your bike and let’s discover northern Thailand!
