SpiceRoads Cycling

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are two of northern Thailand’s must-see cities. While a national highway connects them, why not take the road less travelled and embark on a leisurely 4-day biking journey through some of the region’s most stunning landscapes? We cycle from one scenic valley to the next, discovering the rustic charm of northern Thailand, or “Lanna” – the land of a million rice fields – as the locals call it.

Starting with hotel pickups in bustling Chiang Mai, we transfer to the “Sticky Waterfall” and kick off our adventure with a ride through jungles, farmlands, and past a shimmering reservoir. After visiting the glittering temple complex of Wat Ban Den, we spend the night at a rural resort in the district of Mae Taeng. The next morning, we continue to the Chiang Dao Valley, home to Thailand’s third-largest mountain, exploring a sacred cave and cycling through villages and orchards. From there, our journey takes us to the far north of Thailand, where we immerse ourselves in the rich mosaic of cultures in the highlands near the Myanmar border and unwind at a tranquil riverside hotel. On our final day, we hop on a boat and cruise downstream on the Mae Kok River before cycling through a narrow, forest-clad valley that leads into the plains surrounding Chiang Rai. We saddle off at the fantastical White Temple, and the tour concludes with a transfer to your post-tour hotel in Chiang Rai City.

Peru is a remarkably diverse country. One day you find yourself in the heartland of the Incas perched high in the Andean mountains, and the next you are surrounded by the dense jungle canopy of Amazon Rainforest. This mountain bike tour has been designed to capture this contrast at its most spectacular, utilizing a network of roads and trails that span the Sacred Valley of the Incas and parts of Manu National Park in the Amazon Basin. Included in the tour is a visit to Machu Picchu, simply a must-see when visiting Peru!

Starting in Cusco, one of the world’s highest altitude cities (3,300 m ASL) and the former capital of the Inca Empire, we ride north surrounded by towering peaks and scenic valleys where agricultural terraces cascade down the hillsides. We then rise to the Peruvian Altiplano before making a gradual yet epic descent to Manu National Park, experiencing a mesmerizing visual shift as we drop from the edge of the Andes to the cloud forest of the Amazon. We spend a day at a remote lodge in the jungle (only accessible by river boat!) before returning to the Sacred Valley of the Incas where we enjoy 3 days of blissful cycling to discover Incan ruins, colorful towns, indigenous villages, the picturesque Maras Salt Pans and oh so much more. On Day 9 we visit the “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu – and we’ll get there and back via one of the world’s most stunning train journeys. A hallmark of this tour is the frequency of exhilarating downhill blitzes, and we save some of the best for last when, on Day 10, we ride 1,500 m downhill from the Lares Valley into the town of Calca. The tour concludes back in Cusco.

Cambodian heritage is often linked to the UNESCO-listed temples of Angkor, French colonialism, and the legacies of the Khmer Rouge regime. On this 7-day bike tour, we want to show you that there’s so much more! In the capital, Phnom Penh, we reveal the city’s character beyond its somber reminders of genocide. In the plains of gently flowing rivers, we discover an agrarian world shaped by Buddhist and animist beliefs. And in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, we traverse an ancient landscape of stately temples and hinterlands once ruled by Hindu god-kings, now imbued with rustic rural charm. Each day, we cycle on quiet back roads, immerse ourselves in local life, savor authentic Khmer cuisine, and unwind in cozy hotels.

We meet in Phnom Penh and dive into the city with a rickshaw ride through its backstreets, a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and a stop at the Royal Palace. The next day, we go island hopping in the Mekong River to discover rural silk weaving villages. Then we head north, exploring hilltop stupas at the former capital of Oudong before taking on red-dirt roads to reach the ancient, jungle-covered ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk. Finally, we arrive in Siem Reap where, cycling on paths perfect for mountain biking, we’ll explore the majestic temples of the once-glorious Khmer Empire, including, of course Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. We also embark on a sunset boat cruise on the shimmering Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake famous for its floating villages. The tour ends in Siem Reap following a farewell ride in the countryside.

Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Luang Prabang, Laos, were once the centers of powerful kingdoms in the highlands of Southeast Asia. Today, these two cities—steeped in rich cultural heritage—are must-sees on any travel itinerary to the region. Connecting them by bike takes you off the beaten path, through jungle-clad mountains, along meandering rivers, past glimmering Buddhist temples, and into remote ethnic villages. Over the course of 11 exhilarating days, we travel by road, trail, and boat to explore the north’s picturesque landscapes and captivating cultures.

Starting from bustling Chiang Mai, we warm up in the flat plains surrounding the Ping River before venturing deeper into the hilly terrain of northern Thailand. We ride along gravel trails and backcountry roads, visit the sacred Chiang Dao Caves, and unwind at a riverside hotel by the Mae Kok River. Next, we weave through hilltribe country to reach the city of Chiang Rai before cycling along the banks of the Mekong River to the border with Laos. This mighty river becomes our home for a couple of hours as we cruise by slow boat from the Laos border to the village of Pakbeng. Following this, we embark on a series of leg-testing days on remote roads surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and overnight at idyllic resorts in quaint riverside towns. One more scenic boat journey takes us to Nong Khiaw along the Nam Ou River, followed by a final long and winding ride into the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. This enchanting city is renowned for its classic temples, colonial architecture, and Old World charm. The tour concludes in Luang Prabang.

This heritage-infused bike tour takes you back in time on a route shaped by Siamese kingdom builders. From the rice paddy-covered, temple-studded Central Plains to the lush valleys and mountains of the North, we uncover some of Thailand’s most illustrious historical sites while immersing ourselves in the rustic beauty of its rural hinterlands and charming provincial towns. And there’s plenty of mouthwatering Thai cuisine, of course!

We begin our journey by leaving the skyscrapers of Bangkok behind and driving north into Thailand’s rice basket, where the first two days take us along the plains surrounding the Chao Phraya, the river of kings. Here, we explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya—once a stately capital of pre-modern Siam and now a collection of captivating ruins that echo its former glory. We weave through rural communities and farmlands on backcountry roads before driving to Sukhothai, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the beautifully preserved vestiges of Thailand’s first Kingdom await. After an in-depth exploration of these ancient, hallowed grounds by bike, we transition to the mountainous north, spending a night in Phrae, once the centre of Thailand’s lucrative teak trade. Now in the cultural sphere of Lanna — the local name for northern Thailand — we spend two days cycling through an agrarian world shaped by Buddhist and animist beliefs. We conclude the journey with an off-saddle exploration of Chiang Mai, the vibrant cultural capital of northern Thailand.

Want to experience three of Southeast Asia’s most captivating countries in one bike tour? Then this iconic SpiceRoads adventure is for you. From the lush Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam to the ancient temples of Cambodia and ending on the sandy shores of the Gulf of Thailand, "Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle" is the ultimate way to connect the region’s two most electrifying cities. Cycle on quiet backroads, immerse yourself in local lifeways, discover unmissable heritage sites, let loose on tropical cuisine, and unwind in cozy hotels.

We meet in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and head south into the Mekong Delta, cycling for three days through a serene world of coconut farms and rice fields. We cross small bridges and local ferries, explore Vietnam’s largest floating market, and speedboat up the Mekong River to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. From there, we plant our wheels on Cambodia’s rugged red-dirt roads and head north to the sleepy town of Kampong Thom before reaching Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples of Angkor. On trails perfect for mountain biking, we spend two days exploring these ancient ruins. A boat cruise then takes us across the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, before we fly to Bangkok and drive to Thailand’s east coast for a two night stay on Mae Phim Beach. Here we ride into an agrarian hinterland of rubber tree plantations and cruise through wetlands on an electric boat. We then cycle across estuaries, rugged headlands, and shrimp farms to reach Chao Lao Beach before a grand finale through vibrant tropical fruit orchards to the city of Chanthaburi, renowned for its centuries old riverside community. The tour ends with a transfer back to Bangkok.

Sitting in the Indian Ocean off Africa’s southeast shore, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island on Earth. Tropical rainforests ring the coasts while incredibly vast highlands, plateaus and mountains rise in the interior. Across this terrain lives a totally unique cast of wildlife not found anywhere else, including the world-famous fluffy, wide-eyed lemurs. Equipped with mountain bikes and sturdy hiking shoes, this 15-day adventure traverses Madagascar in search of its most iconic pockets of wilderness.

After meeting in the high-octane capital city of Tana, we transfer south into the Central Highlands and ride through an agrarian world of rice-terraced hillsides. We then descend into the dense jungles of Ranomafana National Park and trek through the natural habitat of golden bamboo lemurs and chameleons. Back in the highlands, we cycle past the tea fields of Sahambavy, meet the ring-tailed lemurs at Anja, and come face-to-face with the towering granite domes of the Andringitra Massif. After transitioning to the Horombe Plateau, we dodge herds of zebu cattle crossing the road to reach the Jurassic sandstone towers of Isalo National Park. A hike here brings us into deep gorges and lush oases where, if we’re lucky, we can spot ‘dancing lemurs’. Finally, we reach the coast for two nights of relaxation on the beaches of Ifaty, where our tour ends.

Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle”, a region in the heart of the island studded with the remains of ancient cities and temples, stands as one of the country’s most cherished travel destinations. Home to five of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many tourists rush to tick them off their bucket list. On this 8-day tour, we invite you to visit these remarkable sites but also slow down, hop in the saddle, and gain a deeper appreciation of Sri Lanka and its people. Each day, we cycle on quiet back roads, immerse ourselves in local life, savor authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and unwind in cosy hotels.

Starting from the palm-fringed western coast of Negombo, we cycle inland and drive north to the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s oldest city where we visit a sacred bodhi tree and a colossal, white-washed stupa. We then head south, riding on quintessential red-dirt roads to Dambulla, home to Sri Lanka’s most resplendent Buddhist cave temples, before we follow an irrigation canal to Sigiriya Lion Rock, a giant granite massif with the remnants of a 5th-century fortress and palace. Then, we skirt along a huge reservoir to reach the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa where we find intricately chiseled stone monuments. Our last two days bring us into the foothills of the Central Highlands where tea bushes cover the mountain slopes and spices like cinnamon and cardamom grow in the gardens. We participate in a tea making workshop, hike to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, and enjoy one last rural ride before driving to Kandy. The tour ends in Kandy with a morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site.

On this tour, riders can expect around 80% of the route to be on paved surfaces, consisting of good-quality tarmac as well as broken, bumpy, and cratered roads. The remaining 20% is made up of vehicle-width gravel and dirt roads. While much of the route is on quiet countryside roads with minimal traffic, we will regularly share the road with cars, motorbikes, buses, tuk-tuks, and, of course, cows! There are a few unavoidable sections along busier main roads, particularly when entering and exiting cities or near popular attractions. Rain is not uncommon in Sri Lanka throughout the year. We generally ride rain or shine, but depending on the guide’s discretion or your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!

This nine-day tour completes South Korea's iconic coast-to-coast cycling route, tracing rivers, forested hills and cultural landmarks from Seoul to Busan. Riders start with a warm-up city ride on mini e-bikes through Seoul's historic quarters before switching to hybrid bikes and heading south along the Han River Bicycle Path into farmland and mountain country.

Along the way, riders visit an ancient Buddhist temple, soak in hot springs, try traditional Korean paper-making and climb through the Sobaek Mountains. The route then joins the Nakdong River Bicycle Path, tracing Korea's longest river past weirs, wetlands and rice paddies, with an overnight stay in a traditional hanok house.

The tour finishes with a climb over the "Busan Alps" and a descent into Busan, ending at Gwangalli Beach with a celebratory dinner. The entire route is point-to-point, with no vehicle transfers required.

Highlights:

• Warm-up e-bike ride through Seoul's palaces, markets and back alleys
• Han River and Nakdong River bicycle paths through farmland, rice paddies and forested hills
• Overnight stay in a traditional hanok (pre-modern Korean wooden house) in Sangju
• Hot spring soak in Suanbo and a hands-on Korean paper-making workshop
• Upo Wetland, Korea's largest inland wetland, plus a Korean War memorial in Waegwan
• Final climb over the "Busan Alps" finishing at Gwangalli Beach in Busan

Surface and terrain:

Mostly paved dedicated bike paths along the Han and Nakdong rivers, described as smooth tarmac in places and bumpier with loose debris on rural or embankment sections. Some stretches merge with roads carrying traffic. Two notable climbs: Ihwaryeong Pass (7 km, 5–10% gradient) on Day 4 and the Busan Alps (6 km, 5–6% gradient) on Day 8. Average climbing is 602 m/day. No technical off-road riding, but good bike handling is recommended for rougher sections.

Weather:

Best seasons are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), with average highs of 18–25°C and lows of 10–15°C. April brings cherry blossoms, October brings autumn foliage. Rain is possible at any time. Tours don't run in summer (heat/storms) or winter (freezing temperatures).

Suitable for:

Rated "Active" difficulty. Suited to riders with reasonable fitness and some cycling experience, comfortable with daily distances averaging 71 km (up to 100 km on the longest days) and consistent daily climbing. Described as a good intermediate-level tour for those wanting to build stamina and climbing strength.

Türkiye is literally layered with history – civilizations built one atop the other have left unmistakable marks on the landscapes of the Anatolian peninsula. Instead of turning pages in a history book, on this 10-day adventure we turn corners on a bike from the heart of ancient Cappadocia to the Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast.

Chapter 1: Ancient Cappadocia. We spend four days cycling, exploring, and dining in this iconic region of otherworldly ‘fairy chimneys’, filled with rock-cut churches and underground cities. Beyond the must-sees of Göreme and Derinkuyu, we venture deep into the rugged countryside that most tourists only see from above in a hot air balloon.

Chapter 2: Spiritual Konya. By day 5 we reach Konya, a historic city with a proud Islamic heritage where the droning hum of the call to prayer from countless mosques blends into a heady atmosphere.

Chapter 3: The Road to Lake Beyşehir. Riding across the vast, open expanse of the Anatolian Plateau, we stop at a 3,000-year-old Hittite stone monument before arriving on the shores of Lake Beyşehir.

Chapter 4: The Taurus Mountains. On Day 7, the terrain changes dramatically as we climb into the rocky peaks and forested wilderness of the Taurus Mountains. We spend the night in a traditional ‘button house’ nestled in the highlands.

Chapter 5: ‘Mare Nostrum’ – The Roman Mediterranean. Descending gloriously to the coastal plains, we base ourselves near the ancient port city of Side for the final two nights. We ride past and explore the temples, theatres, and aqueducts of the Romans, who once held total control over the Mediterranean Sea. The tour ends with a transfer to Antalya, the gateway to the Turquoise Coast.