Bangkok Cycling To Ban Krut Beach. - 9 Days. Escape the madness of Bangkok and visit the tranquility of some of Thailand’s lesser known coastal paradise beach resorts by bicycle. Join us for a 9 day magical journey from Bangkok to Ban Krut along the Royal Coast of Thailand as we visit the many sites there are to see while cycling through beautiful countryside and beach-side roads. For those of you that have heard of our Tour de Thailand Charity Rides, this is the ideal sample of the routes we take with shorter distances and more sightseeing and activities thrown in. This adventure also includes a bit of trekking, monkey feeding (nice ones), elephant feeding, sightseeing, some unique and beautiful temples, an aquarium visit, a few boat rides, and some snorkeling or trip to a waterfall.
Day 1 : Bangkok To Amphawan
Distance: 35-40 km – Meals: Lunch and Dinner
We will pick up riders in Bangkok at around 8:00am and transport them to the very famous “Damnoen Saduak” (Floating Market) where you will see the hustle and bustle of people shopping for food and souvenirs while the shop owners in the market call out to them. Small teak wood canoes try to squeeze by one another to do business as it was done many years ago. We will then get the bikes fitted and head out for a ride around town and through the numerous fruit plantations to Wat Bang Kung, and other interesting sights. We’ll stop for lunch on the banks of the Mae Klong River (not to be confused with the Mekong River) and then ride beautiful winding back roads to Samut Songkram to visit the Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub). After returning to the hotel we will have some time to enjoy the pool, get showered, and then visit the evening market in Amphawa that is much more local Thai style and less touristy (Thai tourists, but not many foreigners). There will be plenty of drinks and snacks to try at the many food stalls in town and along the canal before we take a long-tail boat down the canals as the sun sets to see the nests of fire-flies flickering in the trees above. After the boat ride we’ll enjoy dinner and some live music to get us ready for a good night’s sleep.
**This tour works best starting on a Saturday (or Sunday) and ending on the following Sunday (or Monday).
Day 2 : Amphawan - Petchaburi
Distance: 72 km – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we’ll get started on our ride south. We will begin with more shady winding country roads and then make our way to the salt flats of Petchaburi along the Gulf of Thailand where you will see first-hand how sea salt is farmed, gathered, and stored. We will reach our beachfront resort by lunch time and get cleaned up before driving to Petchaburi city where we will take a cable car up to Phra Nakhorn Khiri National Park (a.k.a. – Khao Wang) and tour through the Royal Palace built by Rama IV over 150 years ago and the scenic temple overlooking the city of Petchaburi. Then it is back to the beach for relaxing time in the pool or on the beach before dinner.
Day 3 : Petchaburi - Hua Hin
Distance: 69 km – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We will continue down small country roads through salt farms along the coast and visit fishing village and quaint beach resort town of Cha Am. After cruising along their shady beach road we will head inland and cross the main road to find yet another small country road to take us to feed the elephants at the Hua Hin Elephant Camp and then have lunch before visiting the Historical Hua Hin Train Station and a brief tour of downtown before heading to our comfortable beachfront resort for some relaxing in the pool or on the beach. Later in the afternoon we will get in the van and head to Hua Hin Hills Vineyard for some incredible scenery as we enjoy a nice cheese plate and grape juice (wine optional) overlooking the vineyards. For dinner we will take you to another scenic restaurant over the water for more delicious Thai food/seafood. After dinner we will show you how get to the Hua Hin Night Market give you the freedom to roam the town, get a massage, go shopping, or enjoy some of the nightlife. We will instruct you on how to get back to the hotel so everyone can enjoy the evening on their own.
Day 4 : Hua Hin Day Off
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy the beach, chill in the pool, go shopping, or join a tasty and educational Thai Cooking Class. All the bikes will be washed and serviced on this day. Lunch and dinner will be on your own but there are so many places to choose from in town you may want to try something other than Thai food for a change. French, Italian, German, American, Mexican, Indian, Scandinavian, you name it – Hua Hin has it all!
Day 5 : Hua Hin - Dolphin Bay
Distance: 55 km – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Another day in paradise means another beautiful ride. Today will be through Hua Hin, Khao Tao, Pak Nam Pran, Khao Khalok (option to climb a nature trail) and Pranburi Beach along more beachfront roads to finish the day’s ride on Sam Roi Yod Beach. Upon arrival at our beachfront resort we will get settled and take the van to lunch on Bang Phu Beach before taking the boat around to a private beach where we will climb up and then down into Tham Phraya Nakhon Cave. The climb is a bit of a workout itself but well worth the visit to this spectacular cavern that has been visited by at least three of Thailand’s Kings in the last 150 years. Then it’s back to the resort for more rest and relaxation before dinner.
Day 6 : Dolphin Bay - Prachuap Kirikhan
Distance: 76 km – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
About 20kms into our ride through Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park we will stop and visit Wat Khao Daeng (Red Mountain Temple) that sparkles and glitters with picturesque limestone mountains all around it. Riders will then have the option to dismount and climb Khao Daeng to its viewpoint for spectacular views of the park and its untouched mountains and coastline. After arriving at yet another beachfront hotel we will get cleaned up and take the van onto the Wing 5 Air Force Base for a nice lunch on one of our favorite beaches – Ao Manao Beach (Lime Bay). Riders can choose to stay and enjoy the beach or head back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and stunning beach views. Later in the afternoon we will have the option to climb to a hilltop temple with many steps (about 400) to negotiate in order to take in more breathtaking coastal views. Dinner will be at the hotel overlooking Ao Prachuap (Prachuap Bay), the small islands, and the colorful fishing boats as the sun sets behind us.
Day 7 : Prachuap Kirikhan - BanKrut
Distance: 77 km – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is one of the most beautiful day rides of the Tour de Thailand route that will take us along more sunny beaches, through a really cool Thai Air Force Base where we get to feed the gentle and adorable Dusky Langur monkeys, visit the Waghor Aquarium, ride through coconut plantations, fishing villages, and back to the beach in the unspoiled beach resort town of Ban Krut. When we are feeding the monkeys on the Air Force Base you will have the option to climb the mountain behind them (only the extremely fit will make it to the top to see the spectacular views). Once we are settled in Ban Krut we will head up to one of the most beautiful hilltop temples in Thailand (Wat Tang Sai) that overlooks the deep green color of the coconut plantations along the coast and the empty white sand beaches below. Lunch will be at Kasama’s Café, a lovely little café in Ban Krut that serves great Italian food and other western dishes from the recipes of the private detective novelist Byron Bailes. As usual, there will be time for rest and relaxation at our beachfront resort because you can never have too many pool parties. For dinner we will eat more delicious Thai seafood and then party with Byron and friends.
*** “In all my years of traveling extensively throughout Thailand, Ban Krut is my favorite place.”
Day 8 : BanKrut - Day Off
Distance: 76 km – Meals: Breakfast
Today is a much deserved day off the bikes, but included in the package is a half day
****snorkeling trip to Koh Talu OR a trip to the beautiful Huay Yang Waterfalls.
**** If weather does not allow for us to go snorkeling we will go to the waterfalls
Day 9 : BanKrut - Bang saphan - BanKrut.
Distance: 48 km – Meals:Breakfast
We will lead a nice leisurely ride down the beach road to Bang Saphan and back just to take in more beautiful beach riding before coming back to our favorite town in Thailand for another afternoon in paradise. The ride will get us back in time to take a swim in the soothing pool the resort has to offer or simply head to the beach for a swim in the Gulf of Thailand. After lunch we will start to head back to Hua Hin and then Bangkok or help riders who wish to go elsewhere get the transfers they need. For those that wish to stay in Ban Krut (our personal favorite) for a few more days of beach paradise we will be happy to help make hotel and transportation arrangements.
Tour Included :
- Comfortable 2 ½ to 4 Star Accommodations with Air Condition, Hot Water, and Swimming Pools from
- the afternoon of Day 1 through the morning of Day 9.
- All boat fees (2 – 3 boat rides) and aquarium entrance fee
- Food for Dusky Langur monkeys and elephants (elephant riding optional, not included)
- The opportunity for Thai Massage should be available almost every night (not included).
- All meals from pick-up to drop-off are included except for Lunch and Dinner on Day Off in Hua Hin and Dinner on Day Off in Ban Krut.
- Ice cold bottled water, electrolyte mix, and fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple & bananas) will be served at water stops every 18-28 KM during the ride.
- All Transportation and Support Vehicles from your hotel in Bangkok (support vehicle with A/C if too tired or not feeling well enough to ride, and return van back to Hua Hin or Bangkok after tour). Assistance in finding transport further north or south is also available. There will always be a support vehicle behind the last cyclist.
- All Park Entrance Fees (Phraya Nakhorn Khiri & Sam Roi Yod National Parks)
- Quality Marin Hybrid bicycles that are perfect for this tour, helmet and water bottle, basic bike maintenance, replacement tubes, spare bike, and bike cleaning on day off.
- Licensed Tourism Authority of Thailand Tour Guide and Thai/English translators.
- Support Staff to help with handing out ice cold water & chilled fresh fruit, repairing flats, and squirting riders with cool water (optional) etc.
- First Aid Kits and basic tools in support vehicle.
- Basic Thai Tour Insurance
Tour Not Included :
- Airfare to and from Thailand
- International Travel Insurance (required)
- Accommodations before and after the tour itinerary (we are happy to help)
- Transportation to places other than Hua Hin or Bangkok (we are happy to help)
- Special Bike Accessories like pedals for special shoes, personal saddles, bike computers, etc. (if you bring we are happy to install)
- Alcoholic Beverages (we occasionally buy a round)
- Massage