Our first cycling adventure with Exodus (after a great various activity tour to Vietnam last year) and this tour was just perfect for my husband and I as we love being active. However we still enjoyed the free days to explore and the sightseeing too. We had a great group and excellent guides. It was also our first trip to India and we felt as though we saw the real India, especially in the first week. The people were so friendly and they never stopped smiling and waving at us. The bikes were very good quality and suited to the mixed terrain. The hotels were generally of a good standard although a couple not so much but appreciate that it’s not always easy to find suitable accommodation in certain areas.
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
Jacqueline Smith Cycle Kerala & Tropical India
Kathryn Boast Cycle Kerala & Tropical IndiaThis trip is certainly an insight into real India, we definitely felt we were in at the deep-end! We’ve previously cycled in Vietnam and Sri Lanka with Exodus and this trip was very different. Our previous holidays included a lot of information about the abundant flora, fauna and history of the countries, this trip not so much. However, it is very interesting to cycle through the villages and towns to see how the people are living and the people were very friendly towards us.
Don’t under-estimate he climb up Ooty Hill, it’s an unrelenting slog, but well worth the pain for the sense of pride at the top and the lovely stop at the Highland Cafe.
Some people in the group had asked for electric bikes and 2 of them were small-wheeled and, in my opinion, looked quite poor and not up to the job. However, our non-electric bikes were absolutely fine.
The roads are very busy and we had some sections cycling on the highway so I would say that this isn’t cycling for the faint-hearted. However, our guide was excellent at keeping the group together through the ‘dodgy’ bits! The cycling for the first few days does include a fair few hills so don’t expect it to be flat! Also, some of the road surfaces can be a bit rough, or even non-existent in some places, so don’t forget your padded cycling shorts!
Eating out is very cheap in the south and we had some delicious food. Also as far as I’m aware no-one in our group suffered with any tummy upsets.
In the main, the hotels were good. We had a couple which were a bit basic, but our guide explained that this was because there wasn’t anything else in the area, but other hotels were excellent so it’s swings and roundabouts.
All in all, a very good trip and we definitely feel like we’ve seen real, incredible, India.
Kristin Dudley Cycling VietnamMy husband and I usually go on self guided bicycling vacations. Choose this one because its the route I wanted without any planning hassles. It was a great choice. It was fantastic that we had a group leader, named Son, and his team Lee, Tee and Saow, who planed every detail. They got us out of the crazy busy cities by their bus/van. Routes were well planned and it was impossible to get lost. We had faster riders in the front and Lee in the back. Then Tee drove ahead and stood at every intersection to make sure we were all heading in the right direction. There were snack, water, and bathroom breaks. All breakfasts and lunches were included. Most dinners/not all were on our own . However Son always had great recommendations for restaurants . Couldn’t have asked for a better staff leader. Son was always organized and as he said 100 times. Enjoy yourself and safety first. He and his crew handled everything. Literally, no stress. Eat ,ride, eat ride, look at the wonderful scenery, and wave to all of the kids and people who say hello and wave at us as we ride by. The Vietnamese people were so welcoming.
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