Chiang Mai to Kanchanaburi

December 8, 2008 to December 22, 2008

We start the Tour de Thailand with 15 days / 14 nights covering the Northern half of this amazing country.

Sunday December 7

Chiang Mai

We recommend riders arrive a little early to Chiang Mai to get acclimated, ease the jet-lag, and to enjoy a stroll through the "Sunday Night Street Market" in the center of Old Town Chiang Mai. There are plenty of other things to do in Chiang Mai, and we will be more than happy to help you find what it is you are looking for.

Monday December 8

Chiang Mai (final arrival date)

All riders for the Northern Half must be in Chiang Mai by today in order to join the ride on time.  We will meet you during the day at the hotel and invite everyone to dinner to welcome you and help get you prepared for your journey.

Tuesday December 9

Chiang Mai - Chom Thong (55 miles / 88 kms)

Opening Ceremony and Start of the Tour de Thailand 2008. After a brief opening ceremony we will ride around the inside of the city walls before heading down the Ping River out of town to Chom Thong. Riders have the option to take support vehicles and visit Doi Intanon National Park (Thailand's Highest Mountain Peak).

Wednesday December 10

Chom Thong - Thoen (90 miles / 144 kms)

Thai Constitution Day - National Holiday

Today is the furthest and most difficult day of the entire Tour, but not to worry because we will have the support vehicles for those that want a lift.

Thursday December 11

Thoen - Tak (60 miles / 96 kms)

Enjoy the beautiful town of Tak along the Ping River. There is a huge market next to the hotel with loads of food vendors, fruit vendors, and other shopping stalls to walk around and enjoy.

Friday December 12

Tak - Sukhothai (47 miles / 75 kms)

Enjoy the small country road to Sukhothai and arrive in Historical Sukhothai for short bike tour of the Historical Park.

Saturday December 13

Day Off in Sukhothai

Enjoy Historical Sukhothai and visit the many beautiful Wats and Ruins of the first Kingdom of Thais, founded in 1238.  Options include:  Trip to Si Satchanalai Historical Park or a Thai Cooking Class.

Sunday December 14

Sukhothai - Kamphaeng Phet (52 miles / 83 kms)

Enjoy yet another town with many historical wats and ruins along the Ping River that dates back over 700 years.

Monday December 15

Kamphaeng Phet - Nakhon Sawan (73 miles / 117 kms)

Visit the Giant Buddha and hilltop temples or Nakhon Sawan Park.  There is also a large shopping plaza and movie theater in case you miss the "Western World".  Nakhon Sawan is considered the gateway to the North of Thailand and is where the Ping, Nan, Yom, and Wang Rivers meet to form the famous Chao Phraya River that flows through Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand.

Tuesday December 16

Nakhon Sawan - Singburi (80 miles / 128 kms)

Today's ride  is a long ride with many temples and scenes of Thai life along the mighty Chao Phraya River.  Singburi is a quiet little town on the Chao Phraya that is well known for the carving of Buddha images.

Wednesday December 17

Singburi - Ayutthaya (48 miles / 77 kms)

Stop just before Ayutthaya to see the King Narusuan The Great Monument and then move on to "Tony's Place for lunch before we board a small river ferry to get to the hotel.  Take a leisurely ride around the Wats of Ayutthaya in the evening while they are brilliantly displayed by lights.

Thursday December 18

Day Off in Ayutthaya

Visit the many temples of the former Thai capital from 1350 - 1767.  Optional Boat Tour to get a different perspective of the Wats from the water and see all the Thai homes and restaurants along the river.  There will be a dinner party to welcome local riders that will be joining us for tomorrow's Local Day Ride.

Friday December 19

Local Day Ride from Ayutthaya - Bangkok (56 miles / 90 kms)

The Foundation for the Blind and Cycling Clubs from Bangkok and other surrounding areas will come out and join us as we ride around the temples of Ayutthaya and then on to the Bang Pa-In Royal Summer Palace where we will stop for lunch and visit the palace grounds.  We will then proceed to Bangkok where we will finish the day ride at the Chai Building (DTAC Headquarters - Gold Sponsors). There will be a short ceremony with some snacks and refreshments and then the registered riders will take the support vehicles back up to Ayutthaya for the night

Saturday December 20

Ayutthaya to Suphan Buri (42 miles / 67 kms)

Cool off in the water park and walk around the topiary of the lovely park in the city center.  Tour the modern observation tower with panoramic view of the town and surrounding countryside.

Sunday December 21

Suphan Buri - Kanchanaburi (65 miles / 104 kms)

A flat ride through the country side that takes us around the metropolis of Bangkok to the Historical Town of Kanchanaburi.

Monday December 22

Day Off in Kanchanaburi

Sightseeing in and around Kanchanaburi.  Riders from the Northern Half will be saying goodbye and we will be welcoming riders who are joining us for the Southern Half of the Tour de Thailand 2008.  There will be a dinner party included for everyone to join.