Chiang Mai Hiking and Cycling Adventure

Chiang Mai Hiking and Cycling Adventure – two days

Day 1 Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep – Ban Mae Sa Noi

Wat Doi Suthep, the Temple on the Mountain

This is a private tour. Please read this page for the best time for trekking. Your adventure begins at 8:00 AM when our guide and driver meet you at your hotel. Together, you’ll embark on the “Chiang Mai Hiking and Cycling Adventure,” starting with a drive to Suthep Mountain. We’ll visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most revered and iconic temple, arriving before the crowds for a peaceful experience. Ascend the famous 300 steps to reach the temple, where breathtaking panoramic views of Chiang Mai await on clear days. Take in the serene atmosphere as your guide shares insights into Buddhism and the deep significance of this sacred site for the people of Chiang Mai.

The Hmong village of Doi Pui

Next, we continue to the Hmong village of Doi Pui, nestled near the summit of Doi Pui (“Doi” means mountain in the Northern Thai language). Your guide will introduce you to the fascinating and turbulent history of this community. About 50-60 years ago, the village struggled with poverty and opium cultivation, but the Royal Project, established by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), helped the people transition to sustainable agriculture, such as coffee and other cash crops. Today, the village thrives as a popular cultural attraction on Doi Suthep, showcasing its vibrant traditions and local products.

Hiking with a local Hmong Guide

After exploring the village, meet your local Hmong guide, who will lead us along the first part of the Opium Trail to the Hmong community of Ban Mae Sa Noi in Mae Sa Valley. Our hike through the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park will take approximately 5-6 hours, with frequent stops to capture stunning photos and take in the views. Our guide will share his knowledge of the forest and stories of the past. After a short uphill walk, we’ll reach Doi Pha Khlong, an open area offering spectacular views on both sides of the mountain. We’ll pause here to see the Buddha footprint and enjoy a picnic lunch on this scenic spot.

Overnight at Kirin Farm or similar

From forest to plantations

Here, we’ll say farewell to our local guide from Doi Pui village and welcome Hmong guide from Ban Mae Sa Noi, our destination for the day. Together, we’ll begin the descent toward Ban Mae Sa Mai and Ban Mae Sa Noi, two neighbouring Hmong villages rich in history. Once covered with opium fields, this land is now covered with thriving plantations where local farmers grow cash crops such as cabbage, corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers. You’ll also see fruit trees like plum, avocado, lychee, and jack fruit dotting the slopes. Arriving at Ban Mae Sa Noi, we’ll check into the cozy Kirin Farm, a locally-run lodge with stunning views of the lowlands, where we’ll also enjoy a delightful dinner. This area is home to Thailand’s largest Hmong community, steeped in a fascinating history of transformation.

Day 2 Ban Mae Sa Noi  – Chiang Mai

Meeting Thailand’s National Animal

After a restful night we enjoy breakfast with a view. After breakfast we will have some time to make a short village walk and meet some of the villagers. It is time to continue our Chiang Mai Hiking and Cycling Adventure. At around 1000 we’ll bid farewell to our hosts and head to the Mae Sa Elephant Conservation Park. Formerly known for elephant shows and rides, the owners of this camp retired all its elephants in 2019.

We’ll meet the elephants and feed them bananas while learning about the plight of elephants in Thailand and across Asia. Our guide will provide insights into the challenges facing elephants today. Please read the information about captive elephants from the ASEAN captive elephant working group. We continue to the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm where we will have lunch. After lunch we will have time to admire the beautiful orchids and the vibrant butterflies in this lovely setting.

Visit a Bee Farm

This is also the starting point for our afternoon bike ride, covering about 25 km with lots of interesting stops along the way. After a short briefing, we’ll set off to our first destination, the Supha bee farm. Somboon and Supha Yawilert founded this bee farm in 1985. Here, you’ll learn about honey harvesting and more. The farm produces royal jelly, bee pollen, bee wax, propolis and bee venom, all natural food supplements. Then, we’ll pedal to the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm, where a Thai buffet lunch awaits. Relax and enjoy the beautiful orchids and vibrant butterflies in this lovely setting.

Fantastic bicycle ride through the countryside

After lunch, we continue our ride into a rarely visited, very scenic area of the Thai countryside. We’ll pause often for photos, pass through villages and stop to meet local villagers and learn about rural life. We will also stop at a local temple with a replica of Myanmar’s famous Golden Rock.

Our journey takes us past a traditional rice mill and into expansive rice fields along unpaved paths that only bikes can access. About halfway we take a break and enjoy some snacks before we continue. Finally our vehicle will be waiting at a nearby temple to take us back to Chiang Mai.

Thank you for joining us on this unforgettable Chiang Mai Hiking and Cycling Adventure!