Off-beat Northern Thailand: Bike, Hike, Raft

Our guides meet you at your hotel and then shuttle you to the visitor center of Wiang Khum Kam. After getting fitted to your bike, you will ride through the ruins of Chiang Mai's original locations some 725 years ago. Enjoy lunch at a small cafe before continuing the ride to Baan Tawai a village renowned for its woodworking. Returning to Chiang Mai, you will be treated to a traditional Khantoke dinner with a classical dancing demonstration and northern foods.

After breakfast, your guides will lead you out of Chiang Mai, along quiet riverside roads, passing morning markets, school kids walking to school, and out into the countryside. We follow the river north, until lunchtime. The afternoon leg traverses quiet agricultural lands, perhaps emerald green with the latest rice crop, historic temples, and diminutive villages. Our lodge for tonight is tucked away in the forest surrounding Mae Malai.

In the morning we will shuttle a short way up the Mae Taman valley to meet with our rafting guides and get outfitted for an exciting morning of class 3 & 4 whitewater. From the river takeout, you will go by van to the extensive, colorful Wat Ban Den for a stroll through the ornate temple buildings and grounds. You head next to Mae Ngat lake where a long-tail boat whisks you to our floating hotel, with free time for swimming, canoeing, and relaxing.

Returning to the shore after breakfast, the bikes await for a ride along the edge of Sri Lanna National Park, through lush forests and green farmlands, and visit Bua Tong (Sticky Falls) with its limestone "stairs". Upon reaching our overnight stop in Phrao, we will visit Wat Tham Dok Kham (reclining Buddha in a cave ) and perhaps learn a bit about local culture from our hosts. Plant lovers in the group can opt to visit a commercial orchid grower.

Time to break out the walking shoes, as you depart for an overnight trek along the trails, ridgelines, and through the forests of Doi Luang National Park. This park sees very few tourists, so we will have the trails pretty much to ourselves. Our overnight stop will be in a homestay in one of the mountain villages that still exists within the parklands. Lend a hand with dinner preparation to learn a bit about local foods and cooking.

After finishing the trek, head for Phrao. The overnight stop will be in a Red Lahu Village and we will pass through Lisu villages.

Today is a rest day. Here you have the options for a cooking class, Thai style vegetable carving, massage or simply in your verandah.

Today's leg starts with a bit of climbing, as you cycle across the mountain range separating Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Provinces (1500m ascent over 20kms). Take a break from cycling to visit the Mae Poon Luang Royal Project, which was set up to educate hill tribe villagers about alternate money-making crops to drive out opium poppy growing. After lunch, we bike to Wiang Pa Pao, then shuttle to our hotel on the shores of Phayao Lake.

Our last day of cycling is through flat rural landscapes in areas that see few tourists. You will explore small villages, and colorful wats (temple compounds)en route to Chiang Kham home to Wat Namtaam, a huge Burmese-style teakwood temple. Discover more about the ethnic Tai people who inhabit the region at the Tai Lue Cultural Museum.

After breakfast, we will shuttle over to Phu Sang National Park, for a day hike to visit its unique hot spring-fed waterfall. After which we will head to Chiang Rai, to explore a couple of rather unique Wats, Wat Rong Kung, better known as the White Temple, and Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple. Celebrate the end of a great adventure at your guide's favorite restaurant, Thong Tueng.

Extend your stay here or travel further as per your onwards plans.