Overview
This is what cycling holidays were meant to be! This ride will take you along both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea on quiet back roads through the photogenic countryside and along sleepy shorelines. Along the way, you'll cross the peninsula through the wondrous Khao Sok National Park before continuing all the way to Phuket. Using the audio guides and recommendations on our self-guided app as well as the language basics in order to connect with locals, you’ll have an immersive, independent experience. Sun, sand, sea and cycling - what better way to enjoy 10 days of bike touring?
585 Km riding. This bike tour is predominately on rural back roads with the occasional dirt road and a brief unavoidable stretch on the highway. The route varies from flat terrain to gently undulating hills and is suitable for all cyclists who can cover the distances involved.
Highlights
Pedal along the coast and then back roads through the countryside to the charming beach town of Pranburi.
Visit the “monkey temple” of Prachuap Khiri Khan full of Langurs and stunning views of the bay and countryside.
Learn about local aquamarine life with a stop at the Waghor Aquarium.
After a stay in a comfortable tree house in the jungle, cycle through the dense nature of Khao Sok National Park.
Day to Day
Once you arrive in bustling Bangkok, a Grasshopper Self-Guided representative will meet with you before you commence your tour. The rep will deliver your equipment, conduct a briefing on the road and travel conditions in Thailand and explain how to use the technology provided. You will then travel by train to Hua Hin, a charming seaside resort town about 3.5 hours away. From there you can take a warm-up ride inland along secondary roads to get comfortable with your bike.
This morning after check-out, it's time to saddle up for the first leg and set off from Hua Hin on a short, coastal ride to Pranburi. There is a small section to ride along the main road, before you turn off to pedal pleasant backroads with small and picturesque hills through the countryside and along the waterfront. Pranburi is a small beach town with some holiday homes and coconut farms. A lovely place to spend the night.
After being woken up by the cool sea breeze, you’ll begin your second day of cycling in paradise. The riding today is on flat terrain, and by mid-morning you will pass through a particularly beautiful stretch where you will have towering limestone karsts off to your right and the sea to your left. The riding concludes in Prachuap Khiri Khan, home to a Royal Thai Air Force base that was invaded by the Japanese in WWII. Your Self-guided App will hold all the recommendations of this days picturesque ride. It’s up to you to choose which tickles your fancy.
From Prachuap Khiri Khan, it is just a short ride to another point of interest, the Waghor Aquarium, which showcases the local aquatic life of this area. The cycling today features many turns and a variety of roads, making for an interesting day on the bike. There’s plenty of riding along the coastline, with just a short section on the highway to help you really appreciate those back-roads! Ban Krut is a serene little beachside town with just a handful of guesthouses and hotels.
From Ban Krut, you will ride along more beautiful coastline and along some low hills through fruit and rubber plantations. You’ll park your bikes for the day in Chumphon, a transit town where the south of Thailand begins. You will check in at a delightfully secluded resort for the evening - the perfect place for a rest with an ocean view.
All good rides need a rest day and Sara Boutique Resort is the perfect place to recharge and relax before the remainder of the ride. This beachfront Resort is blessed with golden sands and crystal blue waters. There are lots of light activities to keep you occupied on the beach and the staff could not be friendlier or more helpful, making your stay an especially relaxing one.
Today you’ll pedal through rubber plantations and forests past limestone karsts which border the Khao Sok National Park. The ride is a little more challenging as you cross the low range to the other side of the peninsula. Tonight you will stay in a lovely place surrounded by an incredible amount of greenery.
Today's ride goes from the sluice gates of the Ratchaprapa Dam at the fringe of the national park deep into the karst littered jungle, concluding at warm and cosy accommodation, nestled deep in Khao Sok National Park. There is time this afternoon to enjoy much more than just the 360' nature views, you can also head out on a small jungle trek or kayak down the river and find a swimming hole or two. Your time in this strikingly beautiful park will be a highlight of the trip.
Your cycle today continues through the Khao Sok area, through rolling hills along a winding road. Once you are halfway, you’ll see the coastline again which means you’ll have successfully crossed from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea. From here on, the only option to cycle is on main roads, so while the surface condition is good, you can expect to have to share it. To conclude your penultimate ride day, you will stay at a chic beach-front resort overlooking the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea.
While the road to Phuket today is busy, there’s a certain sense of accomplishment in riding all the way from Hua Hin to Phuket! There are some rolling hills along the waterside at the start before it flattens out and the route takes you over a bridge onto Phuket Island. There, a Grasshopper Adventures representative will meet you to collect the equipment and aid you if needed with your onward travel.
This morning you enjoy breakfast with sea views at our destination hotel. We can recommend an elegant resort away from the busy tourist areas, or assist with further transport bookings if required.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
The beauty of a self-guided tour is that, though the exploration is on your own, we’ve taken care of all the details for you. This means that the route is planned out and programmed into a GPS system and app and your luggage will be waiting for you at one of our chosen accommodations. This bike exploration of Thailand combines all the fun of an independent adventure with our expertise and knowledge of the area, the must-see sights and best places to eat in order to make your experience more directed and enjoyable.
