Chiang Mai Biking & River Kayak : Gentle Thrills In A Lush Valley

This is such a peaceful day out. Cycling through the countryside, stopping for snacks at a local market. We finished our bike ride by the river & transitioned to kayaks. We were given a choice of single or double kayaks. We loved watching the bird life as we drifted along the river. Lunch was excellent. Both bikes & kayaks were well maintained. Our guide was fun & informative. I would recommend this day out.

Great all round experience. However the transportation was not air conditioned and we sat in the back of a covered pick up. I enjoyed this but my partner was not so keen

Nice and recommended trip. Good guiding through rice fields, little villages and a calm river. Timing was a bit awkward as lunch was planned after kajaking at 4pm

The group elected to not ride bikes but to go kayaking. The guides were personable and attentive. We spent a lot of time laughing.

'A' was my guide and he really made what could have been a rather dull trip for a solo traveler fun and memorable. He shared his humor, friendship and knowledge without reserve and with so much enthusiasm. Althoughh the activities were pretty easy, they left good memories and felt authentic and organic. Lim was a good driver and super easy going and friendly. This tour is perfect if you just need a day to chill but also wants to be active and outdoors.

If you are looking to get out and about in the countryside outside of Chiang Mai, this is a great option. Not too strenuous, but you are outside all day. Our guides Golf (his dad's favorite sport, as he told us) and K took good care of us. My wife had broken her wrist in a bike crash several months ago,and this was her first time back on a bike - and they were very attentive to her (she was fine; enjoyed it once she had ridden a bit). The temple visit before the biking was enjoyable as it was less crowded than the temples in town. Seeing the farm fields by bike was also a nice part of the day, especially if you are into cooking and eating Thai food - we saw many of the items that were part of our meals during our stay! The transition to the kayak part of the trip was very efficient, and the kayaking itself was extremely easy - you are floating with the current, just needing to steer from time to time. And the meal at the end was likewise right there when we got off the river. The only constructive criticism I would offer is that we should either have brought something to eat (water was provided) as the market we stopped at was closed that day, or the company should have some back-up food to offer. Overall, though, one of the best days of our trip!

We had a nice pedal and paddle, suitable for just about everyone (tho, the river slows down towards the end, so you actually have to move yourself a bit versus just steering). A was a great guide, gave some interesting history of the areas we were in, including how the Ping River was named. Good and peaceful time outside the city.

We really enjoyed our day out with our guide Art and his team. We sat through a short information session in the morning. Honestly it was hard to retain all the information on kayaking techniques - but it was a good sign that they cared about safety! We then stopped at a temple for 45mins and then started to ride out into the fields which was absolutely stunning. I found the bike ride pretty challenging because it was so hot (even during winter!) but Art really helped me mentally ride up a steep hill on the last leg and I felt really accomplished afterwards. So big thank you to Art!! The kayaking was amazing and an experience we'll never forget. Big tip is to bring lots of sunscreen!!!

We did tour number 20,the half bike, half kayak day and I would definately recommend. Booking process easy, just emailed and Aidan answered straight away. Pick up puctual. For the bike part we were only us 2, then we joined the other couple for the river activity. Bike we did with Jennifer and he was great. Nice gentle ride, beautiful scenery and we loved the market stop where he explained the produce and invited us to try some fried pumpkin and banana. The kayaking was fantastic. Very gentle. We were just 4 guests and had 2 guides. Actually half way through my husband asked if he could try paddle surf instead and the guide swapped his board for the kayak. Lunch is simple but filling (fried rice and fried chicken) in a pretty garden with hammacks to relax. Overall a very nice day with a good, attentive, reliable company.

Well organized, and the tour guide was super friendly. However we were picked up at 8:30 (spot in timing btw, well done) and back in the hotel by 16:45. We did about 1.5 hours of mountain biking and about the same for kayaking. That’s 3 hours worth of activity however you lose your entire day due to logistics and unnecessary (for our specific tour, a very easy going kayak trip) explanations about the river and how to kayak. I did however learn how to “EDDY OUT!!!” :) Sights are ok, nothing all too special.

Would recommend this trip as you see a bit of everything and isn’t too difficult so don’t worry if you’re not overly fit. They stop at a big temple which is nice as not in a tourist area so much quieter (if you don’t have appropriate clothing they have some you can wear). You get about 40 minutes to look around whilst they unload the bikes, then head off cycling through the rice and tobacco fields (it’s flat so not difficult). They stop regularly and give out water which is much needed as it’s hot. We stopped in a small village and they gave us bananas to refuel then not far from the river we stopped at a small shop on the side of the road where we tried different local fruits and had more water (also a toilet stop). You can choose a single man kayak or a double, don’t be put off the single man one as it’s not difficult. The current takes you down the river all you have to do is steer every now & again, it’s not fast but enough to keep you moving downstream. We stopped half way for a swim and they allow you to float down stream if you want (you need to wear a life jacket though). The kayaking is about 1.5 - 2 hours so you definitely get your money’s worth & it’s beautiful. You finish up at a local restaurant for lunch but it’s more like early dinner as it was 4/4:30 by the time we got there. The food is great & you can buy beers which aren’t anymore expensive than anywhere else which is nice to see, they could easily charge more but they don’t (110bt for a large Chang). All the staff/guides are friendly & the owner Art (sorry if spelt wrong - likely!) is very funny and really makes it a great day, he tells you stories and gives you information about the surroundings.

Jane was our tour guide and he was excellent; knowledgeable, caring, and funny. The biking is a good distance, and while it's hot, the hills and open landscape provide a great breeze. The biking trip also stops at a temple, Wat Ban Den, which you'll think is even better than the biggest in Bangkok. The kayaking is on the Mae Ping River and it's a route with low current. You kayak with the current so you can take breaks and continue on the route. Totally recommended!

Highly recommend this day trip of biking and then kayaking. The guide was awesome, he provided local information as well as made the day really enjoyable. The meal provided was one of the best I’ve ever had on a day excursion. On the way the stop at the Temple was incredible, very cool. Thanks to the guide for a fantastic day!

We did the half day cycling/half day kayaking and found it really enjoyable. While we wouldn’t be regular cyclists by any means, and had only ever been in a kayak once before, we didn’t find this too strenuous and I’d say this is suitable for almost everyone. Somewhat surprisingly, the cycling part was actually the highlight. But that’s not to take anything away from the kayaking either.

<p>This is a fun day trip to see the countryside and enjoy some outdoor activities. Both the kayaking and the biking were pretty easy and would be appropriate for just about anyone. The visits to the temples were nice before we got started on the biking, but I thought the best part was the activities and I would have been just as happy to skip one of the temples and spend a bit more time on the bike. I didn't know to bring a swim suit but we were given a chance to go swimming along the kayak part as well. But overall, the mix of sightseeing and activities were fun and relaxing.</p>

<p>Our guide was very friendly, and ensured everyone was safe and having a good time. Biking through the rice paddies and small villages was awesome. The kayaking was so much fun, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We stopped along the way to eat fresh fruit and fried bananas. I highly recommend doing this adventure.</p>

We loved this trip! After a 45 minute drive out of the city, we stopped in the countryside to get on our bikes, took an hour to visit a couple of temples...quite different to the temples we’ve seen in Chiang Mai and definitely well worth a stop...before cycling through beautiful countryside alongside fields full of rice, garlic and tobacco. After a couple of hours, we switched to the kayaks then spent a couple of hours paddling downstream where we finally stopped and had a late lunch. En route, we stopped so people could have a quick swim and cool off. This was a relaxed yet active day. There were plenty opportunities for breaks and local snacks along the bike route (we’d recommend the friend bananas) All the arrangements for this trip were timed to perfection and well organised. Definitely one of our favourite trips in Chiang Mai.

<p>We cycled through beautiful countryside and saw a lot of different crops along the way. </p> <p>Kayaking on Ping River was relaxing and the view was just breathtaking. </p> <p>Highly recommended.</p>

The bike trip is a bit too short but the road was easy and enjoyed to farmland scenery. The scenery during our 1-2 hrs kayaking was breathtaking. Our group was group at the river (Ping River). So quiet and calm. The staff were experienced and patient to teach me (the first time kayaker)

We did the biking and kayaking, and both were lots of fun. Our guide, Ort, was friendly and funny. He really made the trip around the countryside and down the river a great day out of the city.

We recently did the biking and kayak trip and would definitely recommend. Biking was largely flat with a few off road sections which anyone with average fitness level would manage. This part lasted around two hours including a short stop and the most beautiful wat/temple that I’ve seen in Thailand! We also saw rice fields and banana plantations and stopped for some deep fried banana to boost our energy levels! The second part was two hours of kayaking down ping river. This was absolutely beautiful and so relaxing. The river was very calm so again I would suggest anyone of average fitness could manage this but would be beneficial if they had kayaked or rowed any kind of boat beforehand. After this we had a lovely Thai lunch at a near by restaurant. It was around 4pm by this point and we were all tired and ready to get home. We knew that lunch wasn’t planned until the end but we were slowed down during the trip by someone that struggled with both the biking and the kayaking due to fitness/inexperience. The guide was really great at helping him learn and slowing the rest of the group down to go at his pace. The late departure meant we hit more traffic on the way back and therefore arrived back at our hotel very late! This isn’t really a criticism of the tour as it wasn’t really there fault but maybe they should advise on the fitness requirement before letting people sign up. I’d definitely recommend the trip and our wonderful guides A and M.

What an amazing day! First we were collected from our respective hotels, inducted with our day plan, treated to mountain biking along countryside roads, to major temples, along rice paddies and partook of fried bananas from a roadside stall. We then swapped our bikes for kayaks and paddled through the serpentine streams within the national forests awash with bird life, fish and the odd frog. Once landed we were indulged in a delightful lunch on a farm then returned to our hotels. We had a really enjoyable guide and altogether fantastic experience.

<p>Tryed to give an detailed review but they only give you 300 characters so here is the skinny. Unorganized, shoddy Eqipment , tour guide that was 20 min. ahead of us most of the time. Only highlight was the Tempels at the beginning. Supposed river was more like a lake with no current. Yeah to bad....</p>

We took a very basic tour which included about two hours of bicycles and then about two more hours of kayaking in a very quite river (We visited in September) During the bicycle part it was only me and my wife and our guide(Bird) ,which was super friendly and informative, and really made the tour interesting and also tasty(we visited a local food market). The guide also took very good pictures of us during the trip using his own camera, and sent it too us later via email. The kayaking part was slow and calm, and there was a spot where we could stop the kayaks and get a little bit into the water. To conclude, Highly recommended for a short trip to see some nature outside of the city. This specific trip wasn't very demanding but still felt like a good outside activity.

Did three different tours with these guys whilst in Chiang Mai, two kayak and one cycling. The guides were fantastic; friendly and knowledgeable and most importantly kept us safe on the water and roads. Would definitely recommend.

My boyfriend and I booked the combined mountain biking and kayaking trip which we happened to be the only ones for today! It was AWESOME! Even though it rained heavily in the morning, we had a fantastic time all day (it cleared up later), biking through rice fields, visiting a temple and a local market, and kayaking on the Ping River (I believe) which was so peaceful and beautiful. Recommend to anyone!

<p>Excellent excursion! The guides were wonderful and so knowledgeable. Great for families with kids that aren't too young or just adults. We saw some Wats, went to a market, kayaked and rode bikes. Very well organized and fun.</p>

Started off with some friendly banter while deciding which activity we wanted to go on. We zeroed in on the peddle and paddle activity. Next day they picked us up from the hotel and gave us a small briefing. We cycled along the countryside for about 15km approx and then got into our kayaks for another 15-20km.. We stopped for lunch at a quiet place before being dropped back to our hotel. The guides were friendly and witty.. and it was half a day well spent.

Good kayaking experience, in a medium level river. Very nice and professional guide, excelent service

This bike and kayak tour takes you 45 minutes outside of the city. It is a casual two-hour bike to a temple, and through the rice paddies. It ends at the river. The kayak is about three or four hours, of quiet, nature, birds, swimming and beauty. Do not miss it.

Easy gentle kayaking and a amazing cycling to see the country side. Tour guides are friendly,fun and took us to a special routes. Saw water buffalos and rice paddies and other types of farms, saw some amazing birds while kayaking. Good family day out!

Myself and my boyfriend did the mountain biking and the kayaking. We chose the beginner biking however once the guides saw we were capable they brought us down difficult treks. Some of the treks are very challenging however a lot of fun. The lunch is beautiful and the setting on the edge of the lake is nice. The kayaking is fantastic also once again we did beginner and it was nice and chilled with some nice Rapids. You go right into the jungle and it's over 25km long. Staff are incredible. So fun and teach you along the way do both trips.

First of all, big thank you to Jine who made our day very memorable. You are one of the nicest and friendliest guides we have ever met! You had so much to tell us about almost everything we passed by, nature, temples, small villages and markets. We honestly felt like we were out riding with one of friends. Thank you, Jine! (hope I spelled your name correct) About the trip. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see the surroundings of Chiang Mai in an other way, and are tired of walking:) Not suited if you look for a big adventure. The bike ride was very easy all the time. We made a few stops along the way but nothing to long, just 5 minutes then we were of again. After that we met up with a group of kayakers and did the last stretch of the kayaking tour with them. Nothing special but again very chilled out and we had good fun all the time. The upper part of the river is better, for what I have heard from the other kayakers. They went through the mangroves and saw snakes and monkeys. Well, you can't have it all. We finished with a really nice lunch at a remotely situated restaurant. Worth the money, definitely. /Team strawberries Jim & Blandine

we did the mountain biking and kayaking (trip 20) it was great value for money. We where collected on time from our hotel and brought to the office. The safety talk was a bit long as it was geared towards the people doing the tougher kayak trip whereas ours was very leisurely. We headed off in the van and as there was just two of us doing the cycle we where dropped off with our tour guide, Quinn. He was a ,lovely guy, a bit quiet but very passionate about his job. We cycled to a temple where he told us all about the history of it and explained all about the different Buddhas for each region and about the animals that represent the year you where born, it was one of the more beautiful temples I saw, very quiet and peaceful. We hopped back on our bikes and cycled to a local village market where no one spoke English which was great. Our tour guide offered to translate but we had fun trying to buy things from the locals. From there we did a long cycle through the countryside seeing farmers and locals at work and stunning scenery we wouldn't have seen otherwise. We where met at the end of this road and drove to the river, we felt we could have cycled to the river but I suppose we where on a schedule. We kayaked up the river then. The other half isn't a strong swimmer and he was very nervous but I think the fact that they didn't make a big deal of it put him at ease. Kayaking was the highlight of my day, it was an easy kayak with a few challenges but nothing we couldn't handle. We kayaked for about 1.5 hours and it was stunning to see the animals and nature from a different viewpoint. There was no rush and we took it at our own pace. Lunch was after the actives and well deserved. Rice egg chicken and spinach with coconut milk and banana as a desert it was delicious. Great day had by both of us

I went on two trips with Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks. The first a downhill mountain bike ride which was a thoroughly enjoyable day. The guides were knowledgable & encouraging & the bikes good quality & comfortable. I don't have a lot of experience in offroad biking and the guides gave advice on technique which helped greatly. The second was a day kayaking in the river. Aiden gave a lot of instruction about the flow of the river & technique and was really helpful when I was stuck in an eddy. Beautiful scenery & a great day kayaking.

Aidan the american owner takes his trips well out of the city often you find yourself as the only group on the river or mountain biking on a particular route as was the case with us on both days we went out. Aidan has taken great care to find places that you would not see normally as a tourist. The scenery and sense of glorious isolation add much to the trips. The scenery on the kyaking and Mountain bike trips was stunning. Aidan personally lead our Kyaking trip and was very patient with my inept performance, despite his careful instruction, but who cares, location was everything and the chance to try something new. Danai our bike leader is enthusiastic and you cannot help but put in that bit extra as we whooped our way down the mountainside into a coffee plantation for a fresh coffee in a rustic hut with scenery to die for, again no one else around. The finale a meal beneath a shelter by a lake side and then we chose to ride back into Chiang Mai, an experience in itself. Both days were fantastic the company takes great care to match your skill to the particular trip and all safety equipment is provided. I cannot recommend the company highly enough.

We are a group of 4 backpackers and decided to see Chiang Mai on bicycles on our first morning in Chiang Mai. Stumbled upon Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & kayaks which was near our guesthouse. The rented bicycles were in good condition and served us well the first day, traveling to as far as Chiang Mai University. Cycling along the old city gates and exploring the city slowly allowed us to feel the city's vibe and feel the people on a closer level, like a local. On day two, we decided to go with their recommendation for a easy Kayaking trip at Chiang Dao. We left the place on time and took an hour ride to the outskirts to start the kayaking trip. The guide was knowledgeable about the terrain and waters and taught us all how to kayak before heading down the river. The owner (Aidan) also kindly lent us his waterproof camera for us to take pictures. Over the next hour or so, we navigated the rivers and it obstacles (with the help of the useful guides), enjoyed the wonderful mountain views, and saw some villages along the way. The trip along the river revealed a lesser seen side of Chiang Mai. The kayak trip ended with a sumptuous lunch of basil chicken with egg (pra ka pow) before we sat the song teaw back to Chiang Mai. Definitely recommended for nature and sports lovers looking for an adventure in Chiang Mai

We chose the mountain biking and kayaking formula, family of 8 people and we had a very nice day. We had a pickup at our place of residence and a briefing a few steps from the city center. Then head to the mountain bike departure about an hour drive from Chiang Maī. 40 minutes stop at the largest and most beautiful temple in Chiang Maī (free). The mountain bike ride is quiet because the course of about 10 km is flat. This allows us to admire the rice fields, villages and tobacco plantations. Very simple but good meal. Then kayak for 2 good hours. The boss is very nice and humorous. I highly recommend this activity which allows to discover Thailand from another angle.

This tour was absolutely great for me! I had booked the bike and kayak tour and was very happy with it. We first rode a few kilometers of bikes (slow pace, although it could have been faster for me), then we stopped at a small market where we got something to eat for free. After that we continued cycling, of course we took breaks for drinking and photos again and again until we finally arrived at the river, for kayaking. The kayak trip was of course also very nice, the guides took free photos and later also sent them by email. If you are looking for a cheap trip where you can see a lot, this is the place for you!

Very Nice Experience with Perfect Service. Beautiful locations. The guide (nickname A) was a lovely guy. Very friendly and social as well as the driver of the van. The tour was arranged to perfection with plenty of fresh water during a warm sunny day. The lunch in a typical northern Thai place afterwards was very tasty but there might also be something between mountain biking and kayaking provided to eat. 6 hours after departure was just a little too long to be able to eat something for the first time. This tour is definitely worth repeating if we ever come back to Chiang Mai.

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful day of being active on the bike and in the kayak. Picked up at our hotel then instruction and off to the location for cycling. A stop at a temple and then cycling between the rice fields, a stop at a local market to taste delicacies, lunch and then into the water for a trip in the kayak. Very cozy and The big guy was very full of jokes and jeers. Recommended I say do.

The trip was well organized. Picked up right on time from the hotel. Then pick out helmets and life jackets, a briefing on kayaking, and then off we go. The guide handed out some sticky rice with banana on the way and the first stop was a very large temple complex, where construction was still going on. Impressive, especially the reclining Buddha of at least 20 m on the far right of the complex. Then the bike ride through the rice fields begins. Very nice, this trip is more about the landscape than the effort. A lot of mud, though! But also for younger children (10) to do. Along the way the guide distributed fruits and there was always enough (ice) water. Switched to the kayaks at the river. Again the same, not the effort but the view was impressive. At the end of the trip we were treated to a tasty meal in a restaurant. Finishing touch: our shoes, covered in mud, were delivered to the hotel later in the evening cleaned. All in all a great day with fine guides who spoke good English.

For a quiet day without too much effort. Mountain biking tour around the rice fields in the plain (about 1h 1h30) with a pztite stop in a local market, then down 9km of super quiet river with Art my guide of the day to end up in a super small local restaurant super nice and especially super good of course you have to love local Thai cuisine. Small downside but it is listed in lz descriptive you have to pay 150 extra baht for the river tace or insurance. Otherwise very punctual for the shuttle Service to the hotel to departure and return included obviously. Ha I forgot before going mountain biking I was able to make a very nice visit of temple (30mn).

<p>前半は、サイクリング。暑い中ですので、何度も休みながら、農村の中を通り抜けます。途中、道はボコボコだったりしますが、マウンテンバイクなので平気です。（距離は20km程度だと思います）<br/> 後半は、リバーカヤック。川に降りる際は、これからどうなるんだろう、っと、ちょっと、不安になりますが、カヤックに乗ると大丈夫。なだらかな川を川の流れに沿って、スイスイくだっていきます。（距離は20km程度だと思います）<br/> 14歳の息子もお気に入りでした。もう一人の息子と、ぜひ、リピートしたいと思います。</p>