Cycle Southern Thailand

Intrepid Travel · 9 days

4.6

20 Reviews

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Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

The road is laid out before you on this cycling adventure through Southern Thailand.

Highlights

Escape the chaotic Bangkok traffic with a cycling tour that gets you behind the tourist mask and into the heart and soul of Thailand's south
Ride through a sea of greenery as a constant companion, then wind down on the famous sandy shores and azure waters of Thailand’s west coast
There’s no need for artificial sports drinks here – rehydrate with fresh coconut and fruit juices straight from the plant
Dive into the nature lover’s paradise of ancient Khao Sok National Park, then fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle in a riverside bungalow
Witness the towering, pale limestone islands that break the surface of Phang Nga bay with an included boat cruise across these incredible waters

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Bicycle (e-bike option available,subject to availability),Support vehicle,Train,Boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Bangkok, Thailand

Finishes

Krabi/Ao Nang, Thailand

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Cycling

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Thailand's bustling capital is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place, and have your insurance details and next of kin information ready for collection. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early and take a riverboat to Chinatown, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage. Take a longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River and explore the famous 'khlongs' (canals) – life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital. After the meeting tonight, perhaps gather your fellow travellers and tuck into some world-famous street food. Riding distance: none

Included Activities:

Expert Cycling Guide and Support Vehicle
7 day Bicycle hire

Optional Activities:

Bangkok - Wat Pho (300 THB)
Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) (200 THB)
Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House (200 THB)
Bangkok - Chatuchak Market visit (Entrance) - Free
Wat Traimit - Temple of Golden Buddha (200 THB)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Bangkok Cyling/Surat Thani

Take to the streets of Bangkok by bike and explore the backstreets, alleyways and canals on a guided cycling tour. Get away from the tourist areas and into the heart and soul of this lively city. The quietness of these areas often contrasts with the chaos this metropolis is known for. You're sure to see numerous wats along the way, and travelling around by bike allows you to move through the city quite easily and at a relaxed pace. Today’s total distance cycled is around 20 kilometres. After your ride there will be ample time to get cleaned up and shop for any last-minute supplies or souvenirs before boarding an overnight train southbound for Surat Thani (approximately 13 hours). Notes: Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are multi-share compartments. Sheets, a pillow and blanket are provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing compartments with locals of the same or opposite gender. Your baggage will travel in the carriage with you. There's also a food and drink service available on board.

Included Activities:

Bangkok Guided cycling tour

Accommodation:

Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Ratchaprapha Cycling & Khao Sok National Park

Arrive in Surat Thani this morning. Avoid the busy traffic by driving 35 kilometres through small villages and palm-tree-lined roads before climbing onto your bike. The real scenic highlight of this area will then come into view – stunning limestone karsts. Formed over 260 million years ago, these karsts were once part of a prehistoric underwater reef that stretched all the way up to Vietnam and will be your constant companion for the next few days. With an average height of 400 metres and rising all the way up to almost a kilometre, they are impossible to ignore. Heading west, cycle through a sea of greenery towards the Ratchaprapha Dam (approximately 40 kilometres). Reminiscent of Guilin in China, and like the freshwater version of Phang Nga’s famous limestone peaks, this is a reservoir where hundreds of tiny islands of exquisite pale rock jut out of emerald water. After lunch on the shores of the dam, we travel by vehicle to Khao Sok National Park, and fall asleep to a chorus of crickets and cicadas as a lullaby.

Included Activities:

Ratchaprapha Dam guided & vehicle supported cycling

Accommodation:

Riverside Bungalow (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Khao Sok National Park

Established as Thailand’s 22nd national park in 1980, Khao Sok is home to the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, deep valleys, the beautiful Cheow Larn Lake, numerous caves, and a significant wild animal population. This nature lover's paradise includes elephants, exotic Hornbills, water-loving Langur Monkeys and even the occasional tiger deep inside the park. The flora is also top-notch, with the rare Rafflesia Kerri, one of the world’s largest flowers, only found here. Here you’ll have free time to walk along the dirt trails that snake through the quiet park, looking out for wildlife as you head for rivers and waterfalls where you might enjoy a cooling dip. If you are feeling like more cycling have a chat to your tour leader about the many options on the local tracks - our cycling experts will be happy to point you in the right direction (or maybe even join you). Spend the night amid the ancient gnarled rainforest trees in a riverside bungalow.

Included Activities:

Khao Sok National Park

Optional Activities:

Khao Sok National Park Hiking - Free
Khao Sok - Cheow Lan Lake tour (1900 THB)
Khao Sok NP - Canoeing (800 THB)
Khao Sok National Park – Waterfall Hike - Free
Khao Sok optional (unguided) cycling - Free

Accommodation:

Riverside Bungalow (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Cycle Takua Pa to Khao Lak

Begin the day in the support vehicle, leaving the verdant forests and hills behind with a drive west from Khao Sok to the nearby town of Takua Pa (approximately 40 kilometres). Then jump back on the bike again to begin the day of cycling, travelling across relatively flat terrain through the interior. Pass numerous flowing rivers, palm-fringed roads and smiling local children, then make your way down to the Andaman Coast. Here you’ll run parallel to the sublime Andaman Sea before arriving at your home for the next two nights – the laid-back beach town of Khao Lak (approximately 42 kilometres). Famous for the likes of Memories Beach, Bang Niang Beach and the aptly-named White Sand Beach, Khao Lak is one Thailand’s quieter beach destinations and a great place to unwind after a long but enjoyable day in the saddle.

Included Activities:

Takua Pa to Khao Lak guided & vehicle supported cycling

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Khao Lak

Today is a free day to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of the Andaman Coast. For a sobering insight into the area’s recent history, perhaps visit the International Tsunami Museum, a reminder of the 2004 tragedy. Here there is a memorial to the 3000 people who died in the area. There are numerous beaches to chill out on, waterfalls (like Ton Chong Fa) to swim in, fishing trips to take, and if you're feeling active, bike routes to cycle or underwater worlds to explore by scuba or snorkel. For something different, perhaps hone your culinary skills with a Thai cooking class. There is as much, or as little, to do here as you like.

Optional Activities:

Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park & Ton Chong Fa WaterFall (200 THB)
Khao Lak - Pa-Kin-Na-Ka Thai Cooking Class (2000 THB)
Khao Lak optional (unguided) cycling - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Phang-Nga

Leave the coast and head inland today, cycling eastwards through rolling hills past forests orchards, and rubber plantations to Phang Nga. This town sits at the end of the tributaries that empty into the bay of the same name (approximately 52 kilometres). Known for its relaxed atmosphere, cheap and authentic food, and some spectacular sights, Phang Nga is the perfect place to taste Southern Thailand. As reflected in the local food, Phang Nga has a diverse culture, with Buddhist temples, mosques, and Taoist Chinese shrines all found within walking distance of one another. After a relaxing lunch you’ll take a boat on the Phang-Nga Bay, where limestone rocks famously erupt out of the water, creating what is, for many, the iconic image of Thailand. You’ll stop by the famous James Bond Island, immortalised in the movie 'The Man With the Golden Gun', and Koh Panyee, an extraordinary Muslim fishing village built over water on stilts, with its own mosque and even a floating football pitch.

Included Activities:

Phang Nga - Longtail Boat to James Bond Island
Phang Nga National Marine Park
Khao Lak to Phang Nga guided & vehicle supported cycling

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Krabi/Ao Nang

The final day on the bike begins with a 45-kilometre transfer in the support vehicle. Then it’s on to your two-wheeled friend for a 50-kilometre ride through beautiful inland landscapes and down the coast to the classic Thai beachside town of Ao Nang. After so much time spent moving at a slow pace, Ao Nang comes as a welcome change, with its lively atmosphere, shops that light up the sidewalk, and an enormous selection of food and drink on every corner. While the front beach here is good, the spectacular nearby shores of Tonsai, Railay, Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Gai are true highlights and easily reachable as a day trip. Further afield there’s easy boat access to the islands of Ko Phi Phi and Phuket. If you’ve had enough of the beach, perhaps go rock climbing. Whether you're a novice or a pro, looking down on the jungle and ocean from a limestone cliff face is unforgettable. Meet up again in the evening to say goodbye to your biking crew, then perhaps enjoy a final night dinner with the group.

Included Activities:

Phang Nga to Ao Nang (Krabi) guided & vehicle supported cycling

Optional Activities:

Tharn Bokoranee National Park (300 THB)
Ao Nang - Thai Massage (300 THB)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Krabi/Ao Nang

Your cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave at any time, or perhaps extend our stay in this idyllic beachside town.

Optional Activities:

Ao Nang - Hot springs & Emerald lagoon tour (1600 THB)
Ao Nang - Cooking class (1200 THB)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $2,195

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

The road is laid out before you on this cycling adventure through Southern Thailand.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 Feb 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Percy

Traveled, March 2024

03/29/2024

Our tour leader turned this trip into an amazing trip. Issy and her crew took great care of us. The sites were wonderful.

5.0

Mandy

Traveled, March 2024

04/05/2024

This trip was an amazing. Our tour leader Issy was brilliant. If you like rolling hills this is the trip for you. A good insight to southern Thailand with a mix of cycling and days off.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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