 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
Tour: Three Kingdoms of Siam Bike Tour
Description: Our tour begins just outside of Bangkok in the old kingdom of Ayuthaya and heads north toward our ultimate destination of Chiang Mai. Between, you'll meander through centuries-old kingdoms, small villages, and verdant rice fields. Because you're traveling by bike, you'll truly have the opportunity to stop and get to know the famously generous Thai people. You'll savor Thai cuisine in carefully planned meals highlighting local and regional specialties. Cooking and language classes will enhance your cultural immersion. With both American and Thai guides at your disposal throughout, you'll benefit from extraordinary personal service and their encyclopedic knowledge of Thai history and culture. You will also live with an endangered Thai culture, the elephant Mahouts of northern Thailand.
You'll be on your bike for nine days, averaging 50 to 60 miles a day if you choose. Or, you may choose to ride less and sightsee more since you will be fully supported by our van service. We've also scattered rest days throughout.
 Days One to Two: We will greet you at Don Muang Airport in Bangkok and immediately whisk you off to our hotel in Ayuthaya, our first kingdom and home for the first two nights. If you arrive early enough, you may enjoy an evening stroll under the moonlit ruins of this ancient kingdom or a dip in the hotel pool before drifting off to sleep.
Day Three: We begin and end the day in Ayuthaya, the Siamese royal capital for over 400 years. Founded in 1350, Ayuthaya was ruled by 33 kings until being sacked by the Burmese in 1767. It is an ideal city to explore both by bicycle and by longtail boat for the outlying ruins. You will also tour Bang Pa-In Palace, built by the son of King Rama IV of The King and I fame. In the afternoon, you'll attend a language class and have dinner in a restaurant constructed from teak in the traditional architectural style of the Ayuthaya kingdom.
Day Four: Our ride, on a pleasant rural road, wanders from village to village past local farmers harvesting rice or herding their buffaloes down the road. In the town of Ang Thong lies Wat Pa Mok, home to a 60-foot reclining Buddha, considered to be the oldest and most beautiful of its kind. Nearby lies the village of Ban Phae, a town famous for the crafting of Thai drums.
 Day Five: After enjoying a traditional breakfast in a local market in Singburi, you continue cycling along the winding Chao Phraya River. Our route becomes increasingly rural. You'll enjoy an evening in bustling Nakhon Sawan, starting with a trip to the hill temple to view the giant sitting Buddha standing guard over the valley. You'll be impressed by his panoramic view. Then clear your throat: it's time to test your language skills with Thai karaoke!
Day Six: Our longest day of riding, through wild (though always well paved) country roads and emerald green rice paddies, where we'll pause to examine the production process at a small farm. Here in the heartland, you'll grab lunch in a local market where you'll find the tastiest Kluay Khai (egg bananas) in Thailand. You're now in a region where foreigners rarely tread, where the local residents are especially gracious and interested to meet you.
Day Seven: You'll enjoy a day off your bike in Kamphaeng Phet. The town name translates as Diamond Wall, because it served as an important line of defense for the Sukothai kingdom. Close to the modern city are the undisturbed ruins of the once important ancient city.
 Days Eight and Nine: We ride to Sukhothai, our second kingdom and a living museum of Thai art and architecture. For over 200 years Sukhothai was the moving spirit behind Thai expansion, reigning over the region until the first half of the fifteenth century, when Ayuthaya became the political center. The temples' inner walls glow with ornate murals depicting the lives of Buddha, scenes that resonate centuries after they were painted. You will survey Sukhothai Historical Park, boasting ancient ruins from the Golden Age of Thailand. Looking for more saddle time? Then join a 32-mile ride to the provincial capital of Phitsanulok, home to the Buddha pictured on the facing page. There, an ordained monk will discuss the historical significance of the shrine, the daily life of a monk, and Buddhist philosophy.
Day Ten: We ride today to Uttaradit, once an important riverside trade center. This province is noted for cultivation of the country's best Langsat fruit, believed to be the original source of the orange dye used in monks' robes. The second half of today's ride is perhaps the most secluded and beautiful stretch of the entire trip. The road lies under a canopy of palm trees and passes lush green rice fields that dot the north. It is in this area, too, that you notice the foothills, marking our entry into the mountains of northern Thailand.
 Day Eleven:You begin your day with visits to pair of unique wats and end it outside Lampang, the site of our Day of Impact. Our Mahout hosts will welcome you into their homes as their guests for the next two days in a true cultural exchange.
Days Twelve and Thirteen: The elephants and their trainers are the focal point of our Day of Impact. Through this experience you'll gain a deep appreciation of the connection between humans and nature. When you say goodbye, you embark on our last major day of riding, all the way to Chiang Mai. The last twelve miles follows a majestic tree-lined boulevard that leads us into our final destination.
Day Fourteen: Chiang Mai is our third major kingdom and the spiritual heart of Northern Thailand, containing nearly as many temples as Bangkok, despite its much smaller size. In the morning after breakfast, you'll cycle up the winding mountain road above Chiang Mai to the golden Wat Doi Sutep overlooking the city. With its shimmering gold spire, it's one of the north's most sacred temples. In the afternoon, we'll treat you to a traditional Thai massage (You deserve it!) and a swim. A farewell Khantoke dinner will feature distinctive northern Thai culinary specialties. Afterward, from early evening until you call it quits, we will browse the vibrant Night Bazaar and enjoy the legendary nightlife of Chiang Mai.
Day Fifteen: At this point you can head north to explore the mountains and hill tribes, go south to the beaches or just head back to Bangkok on your way home. A flight back to Bangkok is included in the price.
Price in $US: 3295
Vehicle: road bike
Technical Difficulty: 1
Physical Difficulty: 3
Experience Necessary: n
Includes: bike, double occupancy accomodation in the best hotels possible, one way domestic flight in Thailand, breakfast and dinner
What to Bring: A small backpack, comfortable clothes and shoes for riding, a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, snacks
Date(s) of Tour: Oct. 30 - Nov. 13, 2004
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
copywrite © Adventure Chiang Rai. all rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
