Price (Land Only)
$2699 USD    
Trip Dates
Feb 21, 2009 - Mar 6, 2009
July 4 , 2009 - July 17 , 2009
Nov 7 , 2009 - Nov 20, 2009
Trip Rating

Moderate

Meals
11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Accommodations
     
Hotel      
13 Nights      
Trip Includes

All accommodation (twin shared), all transportation including two domestic flights, all admissions, Meals as indicated (b-breakfast, l-lunch, d-dinner), and veteran western and Thai guides.

Trip Doesn't Include

International airfare, airport taxes, gratuities, items of personal nature.

Thailand

Adventure with a Heart

Mountain Bike, Hike, Elephant Ride and Volunteer

(14 Days)

Slide Show

Thailand - Adventure with a HeartBikeHike Adventures is committed to sustainable tourism. We want to leave more than tire tracks and footprints in the destinations we visit. This adventure is as diverse as epic for those wanting a physical adventure combined with a community outreach experience in a developing country.

With a focus on biking, the trip also combines hiking and riding elephants. We use a host of other interesting transportation modes to travel around the country as well from tuk tuk and motorcycle to boat and train, making it a whirlwind adventure extravaganza. There are 4-days of volunteering time in a girl’s group home in Bangkok and a rural mountain school in the far, far north. This is a very rare opportunity to experience multiple sides of this fascinating country.

Trip Highlights

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Bangkok Welcome to Thailand!!

A BikeHike Adventures representative will be waiting for you when your plane touches down to welcome you to the 'Land of Smiles'. You'll be escorted to a comfortable hotel and introduced to your surroundings. Sit back, relax, sip a cold beer and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2: Bangkok (Tuk-Tuk, Motorcycle, Train and Boat)

This day is simply incredible! Today we’ll tick off five must-see sites, while using all forms of urban transport (tuk-tuk, motorcycle, rapid train and boats) in a citywide blitz of temples, alleyways, rivers, canals and fine eats to give you a true appreciation of the ‘City of Angels’. Today you’ll see the Golden Mount, the stunning Grand Palace, Wat Po (reclining Buddha), Wat Arun and the urban-canals of Bangkok Noi, to name but a few of our stops. Not only can you tick Bangkok off your list, but you’ll do it in swinging style! (B,L)

Days 3-4: Bangkok - Ban Rachawadee Girl’s Home (Outreach Volunteer)

Located in northern Bangkok, Ban Rachawadee Ying (BRY) is home to more than 500 young women, generally between seven and 18 years of age. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have a varied schedule of needs. The objectives of BRY is to provide a safe environment to live, support, rehibilitation, technical training and most importantly, to make their lives as happy as possible.

BikeHike Adventures started volunteering at BRY in January 2006, leading mural painting workshops, arts and crafts sessions and fun picnics. Since that time we have been taking groups of volunteers to BRY to partake in cultural exchanges, doing our best to brighten these brave ladies' lives. A couple of days at BRY is a truly moving experience.

Volunteer travellers can expect a range of activities from helping make beds, playing games with the kids, facilitating 'snack time', leading games in the playground, or simply sitting with some of the children and communicating in Thai and English. We also try to lead a field trip to a local attraction such as a swimming area or kid's museum, etc. These trips are a rare and special opportunity for the children at BRY and a riot for volunteers! (B,L)

Day 5: Chang Rai (Mountain Bike, Boat & Elephant)

This morning we'll catch an early flight to Chang Rai and check into the The Legend, a stunning boutique riverside resort along the Mae Kok River. We’ll put mountain bikes on a longtail boat and head up river to a Karen (hilltribe community) elephant camp. You’ll get a chance to mount your very own elephant and ride through the hills. After lunch we’ll ride incredible country routes back to Chiang Rai city. Tonight we’ll celebrate with a dinner at a charming outdoor restaurant. Afterwards everyone is free to visit the Night Bazaar and maybe a well-earned traditional Thai massage to soothe those legs. Riding: 20-55km/12-34 miles, depending on group abilities, on dirt trails & paved roads. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Doe Mae Salong - Hilltribe Hiatus (Hike)

Put on your hiking shoes for a day trekking through terraced tea and rice plantations, hilltribe villages and mist-covered rolling mountains around the Doi Mae Salong area. Today is a photographer's dream and great shots abound. Soak in this incredible area where you won't see another foreigner. Locals are bound to be as curious about you as you are with them. We'll also sample local teas, visit a mountain-top temple and local school. The evening is yours to explore other nooks and crannies. (Hiking: 15km on dirt footpaths) (B,L,D)

Day 7: Thoed Thai -Into the Sticks (Hike)

Today is a hiker's dream. We'll head into the mountains using ancient hilltribe footpaths to make our way to the far-flung Thai/Chinese community of Thoed Thai - not found in most travel books. This outpost, just a few kilometres from the Burmese border, was a former hideout for drug lords and is seldom visited by foreigners. We'll get dirty and truly 'out there'. Upon arrival we'll settle into charming riverside chalets and enjoy a wonderful Thai/Chinese feast. (Hiking: 18km on dirt footpaths) (B,L,D)

Day 8: Mae Sai - The Far, Far North (Bike)

An early morning shuttle through the mountains takes us to one of the kingdom's best community development projects - Doi Tung, run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Here we'll learn about the foundation's successful eradication of opium production, then head out for a challenging day in the saddle. We'll pedal to the top of Doi Chang Mub, one of the province's highest mountains and along a spectacular road that literally straddles the Thai-Myanmar border, passing through several military checkpoints along the way. Hang on to your handlebars as incredibly windy and steep descents bring you to the country's northernmost city Mae Sai. Here we'll have lunch, stroll colourful markets and check out the bustling border trading. Then it's back on the bikes for a final ride through flat farmland to the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Tonight we'll sleep at the 'Greater Mekong Lodge', run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. (Biking: 65km on hilly paved, backroads) (B,L,D)

Day 9: The Golden Triangle - Laos - Chiang Khong (Bike)

We'll start the morning with a visit to the fascinating 'Hall of Opium'. Here you'll learn about the area's rich historical importance and the role this illicit drug played. Next we'll board a high-speed longtail boat, blasting our way (60km/hr) down the legendary Mekong to a Laotian market for a look at things, then it's back to Thailand for lunch along the river to fuel up for your final bike ride of the adventure. Today's pedal is stunning! You'll make your way through lush farmland, over a couple of small mountains and finally along the banks of the Mekong River to our destination Chiang Khong. Tonight we'll stay in a riverside teak hotel and enjoy the best Mexican food in Thailand! (Biking: 65km on paved country roads) (B,L,D)

Day 10: Chiang Khong - Bangkok - Mekong Life

Our final day in the far north is a great one to sit back, relax and take it all in. Chiang Khong serves as a border crossing point between Thailand and Laos. This small town is full of ultra laid-back characters, tonnes of charm and quiet bliss. Enjoy the morning to do as much or little as you like. In the early afternoon we’ll shuttle up to the mountain retreat of Doi Mae Salong. The night is yours to enjoy. (B,L,D)

Days 11-13: Teaching at Doi Mae Salong (Rural Mountain School) (Outreach Volunteer)

The gorgeous mountain village of Doi Mae Salong has two overflowing public schools consisting of native Akha children, 3rd generation Yunanese-Thai students, and local Thai villagers. Students here have rarely had the opportunity to interact, let alone receive classroom instruction from native English speakers before. As foreigners are few are far between in this corner of the country, you'll be thrust into the limelight and reach instant celebrity status while teaching at the school.

This is rare and special opportunity to spend multiple days engaging with the students, staff and locals in this charming township, and the experience deserves at least 4 days to really sink your teeth into this unique region.

Together we'll prepare a few days worth of fun English lessons, activities and give you the crash course in 'Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages'. Don't worry; you don't need to be an experienced teacher, just have a willing attitude and a sense of humor. We'll arrange for nearby accommodation and transportation and help you settle in for three of the most amazing days you'll ever have. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Bangkok - Departure

After lunch we’ll transfer the domestic airport and fly back to Bangkok where our journey together comes to an end. From here you can catch your connecting flight home or venture to other parts of the country. (B,L)

Bring on the beach with the Krabi Extension!

Located 850km/530 miles south of Bangkok, Krabi is quickly becoming ‘the’ sun and fun destination in Thailand. This exhilarating experience at the far southern beach paradise and rock climbing mecca of Ao Nang & Railay Bay is the perfect way to round out your time after your adventure.

You’ll stay in a charming bungalow, backing on to jungle-covered mountains, providing easy access to all that’s happening and quiet solitude as well.

Nearby Railay Bay, where climbers dangle from limestone cliffs that rise hundreds of feet straight from the ocean is just a short longtail boat ride away and a perfect place to waste your days away on one of the many beaches. For the more adventurous, the area is a perfect place to paddle a sea kayak, take a climbing course, snorkel, scuba dive, hike, bike or learn how to be a fire-juggler from one of the locals.