Trip performed on period 29 Sep -10 Oct 2024. Namibia is a vast and fascinating country with stunning scenery and different landscapes. Camping in the desert surrounded only by mountains, climbing Dune 40 at sunrise, cycling in very low traffic white&bumping roads, fat-biking over the dunes in Swakopmund, cycling on a reserve closed with rhinos and giraffes, game driving in Etosha park watching elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions and various other animals. Last, but not the least, we had a very great group (total 12 people). We had a guide, a cooker and a driver taking very good care of all of us. The tour was overall well organized with a good support vehicle. We daily cycled as per trip notes. People were warm and friendly, and we felt always safe.
Cycling in Thailand
Thailand Cycling Tours
Top 5 Places to Visit on Thailand Cycling Tours
Ayutthaya: The UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand and dates back to the mid-14th century. In the 18th century a large part of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese. Today it remains an historic site of interest with its splendid monasteries, temples and shrines which define its rich heritage. In the old part of the city you’ll find three of the most significant temples including Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which stands on the site of the old Royal Palace. Wat Chaiwatthanaram lies on the riverbank and is one of the most famous of the temples, attracting travellers wanting to see the beautiful sunsets over the water.
Chiang Rai: A tour of Chiang Rai introduces to the more rural region of northern Thailand with its impressive mountain backdrop. Unlike the frenetic Chiang Mai, its older counterpart, Chiang Rai remains relatively free from tourists and enjoys a much calmer pace that inspires artists and a more creative crowd. The temples of Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) and Wat Rong Sue Ten (The Blue Temple) are nothing short of spectacular and it’s worth spending some time exploring the gardens too. If you want to delve into the past, the Mae Fa Luang Art and Cultural Centre is an unspoiled park that houses a traditional Lanna pavilion, museum and gorgeous landscaped gardens.
Aranyaprathet: Bordering Cambodia and Thailand, Aranyaprathet is a more modern, vibrant town. Here you can wander through a maze of market stalls at Talad Rong Khlua where the locals sell all kinds of goods, from handbags and clothes to homeware. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some tranquility, head for Kanchanaphisek Park, home to various species of birds and plants. In the centre of the park’s small lake standsWimansarannawamin, a beautiful Thai pavilion.
Chiang Mai: In stark contrast to its wild, mountainous setting, Chiang Mai is a sprawling city known for its hectic markets and ornate temples. Among the backdrop of lush countryside and rainforest, you can see the strong Burmese influences in the architectural styles of the buildings. In the evenings, the streets are filled with market stalls where the hilltribes sell their artisan crafts and you can immerse yourself in the local culture. The old part of the city is much more blissful, and you can visit the Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre to learn about the history and culture of the city and its hilltribes.
Bangkok: World renowned for its modern skyscrapers and temple spires that pierce the skyline, Bangkok is a soul-stirring city of contrasts. At every turn a magnificent temple steals your attention as you try to dodge a tuk tuk, and the smell of Thai street food that wafts on the air makes you succumb to the aromatic flavours. There are so many sights to explore that it’s hard to know where to begin but we recommend visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Temple and Wat Pho Temple with the famous reclining Buddha.
Exodus People – Rit Aphiwatthanakul
LAZZARO AMANZIO Cycle Namibia
Steven Phillips Cycling Puglia & MateraI’ve done a few cycling trips over the years with Exodus and loved them all, but this one left me just a little flat. It started well enough, Matera is beautiful and as we cycled out of Matera the scenery was lovely and the sun was shining. But the days that followed were just a little frustrating really. We stayed in a farmhouse for two nights (not the one advertised) and both were lovely, but we arrived each day at around 3:30 and then you have nothing to do for the rest of the day because you’re literally in the middle of nowhere. I wish we had stayed in Ostuni for one of these nights. This also meant we were limited to eating from a basic set menu each night we were in the farmhouses, which was a bit disappointing as the food in this part of Italy can be amazing.
On the plus side we did cycle every day but lots of it felt like it was on busy roads, I wish we could have spent more time on the coast. I also felt we often cycled through a lovely village or town but then stopped for lunch in some very random and not great places. Would have been nice to have a bit more information on some of the towns we stopped in, on previous trips there’s been a little walking tour but not on this one. This could have been so much better, but it just wasn’t. For the first time if someone asked me if they should go on this trip I would say no…..
janel walton Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & PanamaCycling in the heat, humidity, tropical rain with abundant wildlife with great company, a few cheeky climbs, and relax after in a pool, a gin and good grub. What’s not to like?!!
I’ve only rated it 4 as I am a fussy client and although pre-warned about Costa Rica highways, I was a bit disappointed, and also only one welcome drink in hotels. I expected too much for the cost of the tour in comparison to other tours but that is probably due to cost of petrol over such a distance and return, and 3 bike hires.
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