thailand - explore thailand by boat and bike tour 2019 ... · and land activities. discover the...

Thailand - Explore Thailand by Boat and Bike Tour 2019-2020 Guided

8 days / 7 nights

This tour allows you to see the many facets of Thailand, starting with its capital: Bangkok. Cycling back roads through this vibrant hub of activity, we’ll get to know Bangkok pretty well and taste some of its famous street eats! From here we head to Kanchanaburi, a town in western Thailand that was the subject of one of the most audacious and ultimately tragic Japanese initiatives of World War II. Not only will our cycling exploration provide us with scenic vistas and cultural sites, but allow for historical immersion as well. We’ll pedal down a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, over a suspension bridge, to historic sites such as Hellfire Pass aptly named for the difficulty of conditions endured by the labourers who built it, and take a ride on a section of the original Thai-Burma Railway. Non-cyclists will enjoy taking in these sites as well, in addition to other activities while the riders are out on the bikes. Our tour rounds up on the idyllic surroundings of Koh Yao, complete with a blissful stay on an island resort, and cycling exploration of the island as well as other water and land activities. Discover the history and culture of Thailand, combined with physical exploration and a relaxing beach vacation on this eight day tour.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

http://www.okcycletours.com/

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1: Bangkok by Night 15 km Welcome to Bangkok: the fast-paced capital city of Thailand. Here we will meet at our hotel at 3 pm before hitting the bikes for a night tour of this endlessly fascinating city. Once we’ve crossed the Chao Phraya River by ferry with a nice sunset view, we’ll saddle up our bikes and cycle the back roads to Wat Arun. This Temple of the Dawn is spectacular at night, with small lights illuminating its tall spires and no crowds of tourists that clog the site during the day. From here, it’s on to the world-famous Bangkok flower market where we’ll stop to admire the various blossoms and even try some tasty street food. Next, it’s back on the bikes to pedal to another pagoda, Wat Pho, for a wander around its impressive mosaics. A great first night and introduction to Thailand. Non-cyclists will have the opportunity to visit the main sites of Bangkok as well.


Day 2: Cycle to Kanchanaburi 35 – 55 km This morning we’ll transfer to Kanchanaburi before we set off on two wheels to explore this interesting town. Known for the infamous Death Railway to Burma from World War II, Kanchanaburi is also home to the Erawan National Park with its

glistening waterfalls and several significant Buddhist temples. Today’s route takes us along the river, where we’ll stop at a war cemetery to learn more about the significance of this area during the wartime. The rest of the day brings us through farmland where a variety of crops are harvested, including corn, rice, sugar cane, and asparagus. After devouring a tasty Thai lunch, we’ll board our ship for the first part of our boat adventure.

Day 3: Cycle Ban Kao 30 – 50 km This morning we start off with a ride through small, narrowing roads that turn to dirt track as we pedal deeper into the forest. We’ll end the ride by crossing an epic suspension bridge back to the main roads before a transfer to Hellfire Pass for a museum visit and walk along the ominous pass. We’ll take a short transfer to Nam Tok train station, the modern day end of the train line that used to stretch all the way to Myanmar. Here we'll enjoy a ride on the Death Railway and experience a piece of WWII history for ourselves. After crossing the trestle bridge at Krasae Cave, we transfer back to our barge for another night on the River Kwai. After taking in the sites without bikes, non-cyclists can enjoy a cold drink on deck as they take in the passing Thai river life.


Day 5: Flight to Koh Yao Time to leave the barge this morning before our flight to Koh Yao. We’ll arrive at 3 pm and check into our hotel that is aptly named Paradise Koh Yao. Our accommodation, set into the tropical wilderness of this less visited island, is just a few steps away from the white sand and clear water and features a saltwater infinity pool in the shade of palm trees. Spend your evening in this blissful atmosphere rejuvenating your body for the day of cycling to come.

Day 7: Island Activities Time to soak up the sun with a day of active water adventure. Hop in kayaks to explore the serene waters of Koh Yao from a different perspective, then adjust your snorkel and check out what lies below the surface. There is also the option to rent a boat and go on a fishing excursion for those who are interested. Those less interested in the water can take a trek in the jungle, or master the subtleties of Thai spices with a cooking class. Whatever activity you choose, you’re sure to have fun in the sun on our last day together.

Day 8: Tour Concludes Our tour concludes today on Koh Yao, so feel free to enjoy the island for a few more days, or we can assist you with your further travel arrangements. The nearest International Airport is in Phuket.


Day 4: Cycle Mae Nam Noi 40 – 55 km After mounting our bikes off the boat, we cycle along a series of small sealed and unsealed roads that wind their way around villages and farmland. We’ll pedal for a short while on the main road before tackling a bit of an uphill climb, then enjoy the descent back towards the river where we’ll visit the Angkor era ruins at Muang Sing. This region marks the furthest point west that the great Khmer Empire once spread. 15 kilometers of our ride remain before we devour a late lunch and drive back to our River Kwai cruise ship. Back on the deck of the ship, with a cool drink in hand, you can reflect on these past three days of exploration, cycling a region infamous for its bridge and railway line but with rewards to reap that extend beyond just a history lesson.

Day 6: Cycle the Island 15 km Let's saddle up on the bikes to explore this peaceful island! We’ll cycle unsealed back roads towards the center of the island, taking in the fresh salt air and tropical jungle life along the way. After a satisfying morning ride, the rest of the day is yours to make the most of this idyllic island holiday with a dip in the pool or the Phang Nga Bay. Non-riders can enjoy a beach day and activities at the resort.


Route

Technical Characteristics:

Route Profile: Relatively Easy. This tour does feature some hills, but they are more of the undulating, rolling nature than the sustained climbing nature. You are on a mixture of well-paved roads and some hard packed, gravel/dirt roads that make up about 20% of the total riding. Distance: 135-190 km Travel Season: Departure dates for 2019: November 10 Departure dates for 2020: January 5; February 23; June 21; August 9; October 11 and November 8



Price per Person:

Basic Price Double Occupancy $3950.00 USD

Single Supplement $920.00 USD

Bike Upgrade Synapse Carbon, Ultegra SE $250.00 USD

E-Bike Upgrade On request

Accommodation: In Bangkok and the Islands all nights are in quality accommodation which make for a wonderfully comfortable experience after your exploring. The island resort has a shaded swimming pool and is also only a few steps from the ocean, the ultimate R&R for your body and mind. All other nights are spent onboard the boat which offers comfortable and scenic berths and the convenience of not having to repack and move daily as we explore the region. Included:

8 nights’ accommodation in hotels or on board the RV River Kwai

7 x breakfast, 4 x lunch and 4 x dinner

Snacks and drinks

English speaking guide

Air conditioned support van with bicycle mechanic

Cycle jersey and water bottle



RV River Kwai

For this special tour we are partnering up with Thailand’s first inland cruise ship, the RV River Kwai. The vessel was newly built as a colonial style river cruiser based on designs used by the original Irrawaddy Flotilla which was founded in Burma in 1865 and by the 1920s was the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. With just ten beautifully teak enhanced cabins, this cozy, small and intimate vessel is perfect to cruise on the scenic and historic River Kwai. Cabin amenities: Cabin size: 12 sqm; 10 outside main deck cabins with twin beds; Individual AC control; Ensuite shower/toilet with boutique toiletries; Mini-safe; Wi-Fi; Mini bar; Coffee & tea set; Hair dryer



Bikes

Hybrid Bike

Carbon Bike

E-Bike

Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion.

www.okcycletours.com

THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350

TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

Japan has such well-maintained roads that we venture onto hybrid bikes for this tour. The Cannondale Quick 1 Disc bikes are fixed fork (no suspension), flat handlebar hybrid bikes with mid-width fast rolling tyres and hydraulic discs for braking confidence. A reliable and performance geared Shimano 105 drivetrain and class-leading weight make this a great bike for lightweight cycle touring and perfectly suited to the Japanese conditions.

Synapse Ultegra SE is a durable carbon-frame proposition from Cannondale. This most reliable all-rounder will make every road feel like tarmac. For those who are accustomed to riding on drop bars, these bikes will be a lasting memory of the touring experience.

A pleasure to ride, the Yamaha e-bike is a unique offer for tours in Japan. The pedal-assist feature of this lightweight aluminium build expands touring possibilities for all riders and to explore more of the world by bike is a great thing.


thailand - explore thailand by boat and bike tour 2019 ... · and land activities. discover the...

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