Bangkok to Phuket Itinerary Title
Biking in Thailand - Introduction
100% tarmac and road bike-friendly. There are hills and rolling countryside on this tour so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Tour Highlights:
- Explore the life and history of Thailand by bike
- Completely supported by a support vehicle
- Tarmac roads for the whole 500 miles
- Incredible cuisine and vibrant community atmosphere.
- Miles and miles of white sandy beaches
Usual daily distances:
100km
62 miles
International Partners:
CycleActive is honored to be part of the worldwide cycling community, exploring the world from the saddle. Our tours bring cyclists together, and this one is run in partnership with international partners. Led by a local English-speaking guide, we join forces to share these unforgettable cycling experiences!
Tour staff:
Local cycle guide(s) Support vehicle driver.
If you want to find out more about the cycling, the route or anything else about our Asia cycle tour, then please contact us and one of our team will get back to you.
Ride Description
Day 1 – Petchaburi - Hua Hin
Sunday
The tour starts at the superb Bangkok hotel, with an early morning welcome briefing. Our local guide will run you through the up and coming week, answer any questions you may have, before introducing everyone to their bike, (if you have rented one.)
Once the luggage and bikes have been loaded it’s time to drive through the busy streets to our start location, Petchaburi, 2 hrs away.
We ease you into your road biking in Thailand adventure, with an introductory ride taking in the miles and miles of palm trees and paddy fields, which surround us on both sides. A mere 200m of height is gained throughout the day, so there is plenty of breath left, to chat, getting to know our fellow riders.
We arrive on the east coast at the beach resort of Hua Hin, with its friendly relaxed atmosphere and white sandy beaches. This small town is linked to Thai royalty, meaning it has not become overdeveloped, keeping its quaint charm.
The last 20km of this ride takes us out on to the wide main road where cyclist can ride in the hard shoulder. If you are not comfortable with the traffic, then the support vehicle can pick you up at any point.
The Putaracsa Hotel is our destination for the evening, where we will have time to relax, enjoying the pool and beach front, before a locally sourced seafood dinner.
Accommodation: Putahracsa
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: 2 hours, Bangkok to Petchaburi, where the ride begins
Ascent: 636ft, 194m
Cycling: 42 miles, 68km
Day 2 – Hua Hin - Prachuap Khiri Khan
Monday
After breakfast, we start todays ride by departing Hua Hin on the designated cycle lanes, with our first point of call being the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. With its sedimentary limestone peaks, elevating out of the freshwater marshes, which are home to many floating raft houses, this location is worth a few photos. The peace and quiet of these backroads add to this marvellous and fascinating environment.
We start to leave the mountain peaks behind as we pedal to flatter land, then onwards to the coast, where we once again pick up the white sand shore line.
On the way we cycle through village after village of waving children, before making our way to the beaches of Prachuap Khiri Khan, which is where the Japanese troops invaded Thailand in World War 2.
Today the seaside resort is one of the most popular resorts off the Gulf of Thailand due to the crystal-clear waters and amazing topography of the Tenasserim Hills forming the border with Myanmar (Burma).
Tonight’s group meal once again includes local produce with the areas fantastic cuisine well known for being some of the most outstanding seafood in Thailand.
Accommodation: Hadthong Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 1916ft, 584m
Cycling: 70 miles, 113km
Day 3 – Prachuap Khiri Khan - Ban Krut
Tuesday
Once again, todays ride is point to point, getting straight on to our bikes and pedalling from the hotel. The ups are minimal today, with only 344 metres of climbing over the entire 71km of distance cycled. The first 12km runs parallel to the sea, along the tranquil sandy beaches before we cut inland to pedal a short section on the main road. The main road is just like the others, with a wide hard shoulder for cyclist and other slower moving means of transport.
The ride shortly leaves the main road and takes you well off the beaten track, leaving the usual tourist hot spots behind and trading them for a slower paced, local way of life. These smaller roads are ideal for road bikes and are in good condition, enabling you to make the way back towards the beachfront.
The ride finishes on the door of the boutique resort, Bean Grood Arcadia. Time to grab a shower or cool down in the sea, finished by relaxing on the beach with a drink.
Accommodation: Baan Grood Arcadia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 1128ft, 344m
Cycling: 44 miles, 71km
Day 4 – Ban Krut Rest Day
Wednesday
After 3 days of cycling, it’s time to take a well-earned rest and let the legs recuperate. You may choose to have a beach day or maybe enjoy the facilities of the Baan Grood Arcadia spa.
You can soak up the culture in the small fishing village of Ban Krut before taking a dip in the hotels salt pool.
Relaxation is the order of the day, as the following days ride is 112km.
Accommodation: Baan Groo Arcadia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 0ft, 0m
Cycling: 0 miles, 0km
Day 5 – Chumpon
Thursday
It’s time to get back onto the bike today and tackle this scenic, undulating century ride. Continuing to head south, we have the coast to our left and the rugged mountains of the Thailand/Burma border to the right. This is the narrowest section of the country, with as little as 20km separating you from the Burmese border.
Throughout the day there will be amble stops to fill up water bottles, sample local foods and with its gentle climbs and continually changing sights, the distance will fly by.
The idyllic, Nana beach resort, with its white sand and turquoise sea, is the end goal for today, which is situated to the north of the Chumpton district.
Accommodation: Nana Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 2273ft, 693m
Cycling: 70 miles, 112km
Day 6 – Chumpon - Ranong
Friday
Leaving Thailand’s east coast the tour ventures inland today, into the hills, crossing the Isthmus of Kra, which separates the water shed from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea. Its time to find your climbing legs, with just over 1100 metres of height to gain throughout the 140km, todays ride is the toughest of the tour, but you will enjoy it all.
Climbing into the lush jungle covered hills you head west on a twisting road, taking in the sights of the Pun Ya Ban Waterfall and several national parks.
Ranong is a bustling city situated 7km away from the coast and serves as your overnight stop. With very few tourist attractions, this city will give you the true vision of Thailand and is a million miles away from the glitz and glamour of Bangkok.
Now on the west coast keep your cameras handy for the legendary Thai sunsets.
Accommodation: Tinidee Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 3746ft, 1142m
Cycling: 87 miles, 140km
Day 7 – Ranong - Khuraburi
Saturday
Don’t let the total high gain of today’s ride worry you, as the 128km journey if full of undulating rolling hills which makes up the vast majority of the overall daily accent. The smooth tarmac raods have a few short and sharp climbs but nothing extreme. These climbs soon feel insignificant to the vast views which come in bundance thoughout the day.
The route follows valley after valley, passing settlements full of locals working and children playing. The children look in amazement and shout pleasantly in your direction and it's this local interaction which is one of the main reasons to ride a bike through any country. This part of Thailand doesn’t disappoint.
This evening's destination is the Kuraburi Greenview Resort which is surrounded by cool rainforest. Here you will be able to enjoy a meal of Thai specialties foods or some of your Western favorites.
Accommodation: Kuraburi Greenview Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent: 3451ft, 1052m
Cycling: 80 miles, 128km
Day 8 – Khuraburi - Khao Lak
Sunday
Jumping onto the bikes for the penultimate day directly from the hotel, you soon leave the rolling hills behind, continuing the journey south to the Takua Pa District. This area was one of the main regions to be hit by the devastating 2004 Tsunami, but very little evidence Is left and it’s hard to see where the natural disaster occurred, as the area has been fully rebuilt.
You will find yourself crossing many of the rivers which flow to the impressive estuary to the north, as the terrain flattens out, with rubber plantations now covering the once prosperous tin dredging land. The English- Siamese Tin Syndicate, saw the areas potential back in the 1950’s running complex dredging and sluicing operations, with operations taken over by Thai companies in the 1980’s.
As late as 2008 all dredging had stopped only to be replaced by the next cash crop, rubber.
The cycling distance is a little shorter today which allows us to enjoy the incredibly beautiful beach and endless hotel pool in the Haven Khao Lak resort. Some would say it’s a holiday after all.
Accommodation: The Haven Khao Lak
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent:1700ft, 518m
Cycling: 45 miles, 72km
Day 9 – Khao Lak - Phuket
Monday
The island of Phuket is today’s final goal, with the Sarasin bridge being the gateway to this tropical paradise. A couple of small hills stand in your way early on, but once theses have been conquered, then it’s an easy ride on excellent roads south.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is its flagship beach resort, with over 30 amazing beaches on offer. Forested mountains cover the central part of the island, which lead into bustling towns, with Buddhist temples, craft markets and many superb restaurants.
On reaching the resort of Nai Yang, a celebration is in order as we have cycled point to point from Petchaburi to Phuket a total of 810km, through some of Thailand’s stunning locations.
Accommodation: Nai Yang Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer time: N/a
Ascent:2431ft, 741m
Cycling: 67 miles, 106km
Day 10 – Departure
Tuesday
Today marks the end of our Asian adventure. We’ll enjoy a relaxed morning at the resort, packing up our belongings and reflecting on the past week of cycling.
You may want to stay in country for a few days, so feel free to contact us if you require help with extra nights of accommodation or airport transfers.
Meals Included: Breakfast