CHIANG MAI COUNTRYSIDE BIKING TOUR

A CYCLE DAY TOUR in and around CHIANG MAI is a great way to explore the surroundings of this city in northern THAILAND. This apparently ordinary TOUR makes you discover some hidden faces of northern THAILAND capital. You will go through a leprosy that was open almost a century ago, when the disease still made ravages in the remote villages. But even though the leprosy is not as active as it was in that time, it still hosts patients and even children. You will discover a page of Lanna History in Wiang Kum Kam. This lost city predating CHIANG MAI was abandoned seven centuries ago after it was flooded. Excavations undertaken around 1984 gave a second life to the old city. You will go through CHIANG MAI local orchards where gardeners and farmers grow their crops on a 100% ecological way. Here ecology is not a modern motto, but a way of life. Finally and before being back in CHIANG MAI along Ping River, you will stop at the superb Wat Chedi Liam, belonging to the Wiang Kum Kam ancient compound. Its unusual shape reminds the Mon architecture as in Wat Chama Thewi in Laphum. This pyramid shaped stuppa features sculpted niches sheltering Buddha statures. It was built early fourteen century under King Mengrai. PROGRAM • 08:00: (Approximately) Pick-up at the lobby of main hotels in downtown Chiangmai • 08:30: (Approximately) Departure along the Mae Ping River to the wat Koh Klang (mural paintings tell the story of ancient settlements in the surroundings. • 09:30: (Approximately) Visit the Mc Kean leprosy • 10:30: (Approximately) Visit the natural orchards • 11:30: (Approximately) Join cooking local Thai food and have lunch in the countryside atmosphere • 14:30: (Approximately) Discover a coconut shell handicraft local fabric • 15:00: Visit the lost city of Wiang Kum Kam – Halt at Wat Chedi Liam • 17:30: (Approximately) End of the tour – Drop off at your hotel in downtown Chiangmai