Chiang Mai Family Explorer

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Sticky Waterfall, Rural Ride & Lanna Temple

   In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your pre-tour hotel in Chiang Mai City and transferred for around 1.5 hours to Bua Tong Waterfall. Known as the “sticky waterfall” due to its unique grippy limestone surface, this natural wonder invites you to climb its cascades and take in the lush surroundings while we prepare your bikes. From here, you’ll begin your ride on smooth roads winding through the serene forests bordering Sri Lanna National Park. A swift descent leads you into a landscape of vast farmlands framed by mountain backdrops.

   After 17 km, you’ll reach Mae Ngat Reservoir, where you can stop and enjoy stunning views over the calm waters of the lake. The second half of today’s ride takes you along a mix of gravel, dirt, and concrete roads through longan orchards and rice fields in the Mae Taeng district. At 30 km, you’ll reach Wat Ban Den, a sprawling temple complex renowned for its large sculptures of creatures from northern Thai mythology. From here, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to your rural retreat for the night.
   
   

   • 19.3 miles
   • -544.6 ft
     613.5 ft
     1,158.1 ft
   • Phusanfah Resort
   • Lunch and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

2. Day 2Elephants and Hmong Culture

   Get ready for an unforgettable, up-close encounter with elephants. A 30-minute transfer brings you to Elephant Nature Park, Thailand’s pioneering elephant sanctuary. Nestled within the beautiful Mae Taeng Valley, the park is home to several herds of rescued elephants who roam freely. Here, there is no riding, bathing, or feeding—you’ll simply observe them from a respectful distance while learning about the natural behaviours and individual stories of these gentle giants. Your visit concludes with a vegan lunch buffet, after which you’ll jump back into the vehicle for a 1.5-hour transfer to yet another beautiful valley near Chiang Mai. You’ll spend the afternoon at a highland eco-lodge committed to preserving Hmong culture, a distinct ethnic group historically known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle across the vast mountains of mainland Southeast Asia. Situated at nearly 1,000 metres ASL, you can spend the afternoon relaxing in the cool mountain air. In the evening, you’ll feast on a delicious BBQ dinner accompanied by a traditional Hmong dance performance.
   
   

   • 11.2 miles
   • Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Make large new friends

     Elephants are intelligent, gentle, and friendly. Share your fruit with one whn you visit the sanctuary

3. Day 3Rice Field Ride & Eco-Paper Workshop

   By vehicle, you’ll descend from the mountains back into the plains of the Ping River, the lifeblood of the Chiang Mai Valley. After around an hour, you’ll arrive at your cycling start point and enjoy a leisurely morning ride along village lanes and farmers’ paths crisscrossing a vast patchwork of rice paddies, making it clear why this region is locally known as "Lanna"—"The Land of a Million Rice Fields." You’ll saddle off at the unique Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park, where you’ll get a fascinating look into an unconventional craft: making paper from elephant dung fibres! Here, you can roll up your sleeves and learn all about this sustainable way of making paper, which does not require cutting down any trees. After this fun and insightful experience and lunch, you’ll transfer around 45 minutes south, settling in for the night at a delightful boutique hotel on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.
   
   

   • 14.3 miles
   • 
     226.4 ft
     226.4 ft
   • Amata Lanna Village
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Elevation Profile

4. Day 4Ping River Ride & Lanna Cooking

   The day begins with a brief transfer to Wiang Kum Kam, an archaeological site showcasing the remains of an ancient city that predates the foundation of Chiang Mai. The crumbling facades of the temple ruins make for a mysterious backdrop as you begin your final ride through the fertile plains of the Ping River. Much of your route is covered by longan trees with their distinct wide canopies, a major industry in the area. You’ll saddle off in the community of Hang Dong, where you’ll be welcomed into a local family home that has been standing for over 150 years! Here, you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking demonstration and learn how to prepare some northern Thai classics using ingredients picked straight from the garden. After feasting on your own creations, your tour ends with a transfer to your post-tour hotel in Chiang Mai City or the airport. Please let us know if you require assistance with post-tour hotel bookings.
   
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • -6.6 ft
     137.8 ft
     144.4 ft
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Elevation Profile