Essential Information - North Thailand

Before booking your holiday with us, please check the status of your chosen tour. We strongly advise against booking any flights or making other travel arrangements until the tour is marked as Guaranteed. 

To confirm your place, simply pay the deposit. This deposit can be refunded at any time until the tour status changes to "Guaranteed". Your final balance will be due 56 days before the tour start date. 

When you book, you are agreeing to our booking conditions – please take a moment to read them in full. 

Each tour requires a minimum number of participants to go ahead. As bookings come in, the status will update from Available, to 2 More to Guarantee, and finally to Guaranteed once the minimum is met. You can always check the current status on the ‘Dates and Prices’ section of the tour page. 

Tour status definitions: 

✅ Guaranteed – The tour is confirmed and open for booking. 

✅ Guaranteed – Limited – Confirmed to run, but only a few spaces left. 

⏳ Available – 2 More to Guarantee – Tour is open but needs just 2 more bookings to confirm. 

🟢 Available – Open for booking but not yet confirmed to run. 

📩 Contact – Please get in touch if you're interested in this tour. 

❌ Fully Booked – This tour is no longer available. 

Once a tour is marked Guaranteed, you can confidently go ahead with booking your flights and making travel plans. We don’t cancel trips once they reach guaranteed status, except in very rare and exceptional circumstances. 

✅ What’s Included

🚐 Support Vehicle – Full vehicle support throughout the tour

🏨 Accommodation – Comfortable local stays each night

🍽️ Meals – Most meals included (see Trip Notes for details)

🚰 Snacks & Water – Refreshments provided during cycling days

✈️ Airport Transfers – Provided on the first and last day of the tour

🧑‍🏫 Local Guides – Experienced, English-speaking professional guides

🛫 International Flights
Please arrange your own flights to and from the tour destination.

🍷 Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is not included in the tour package.

🍽️ Unlisted Meals
Meals not outlined in the itinerary are at your own expense.

🎟️ Entrance Fees
Entry to touristic sites is not covered.

🛂 Visa Fees
Visa arrangements and fees are the responsibility of each traveller.

🛡️ Travel Insurance
Must be arranged independently before departure.

💰 Tips
Gratuities for guides and support staff are not included.

🚲 Bike Hire
Available on request for an additional fee.

The tour starts and ends  in Chiang Rai. You will need to arrive on Day 1 of your itinerary. Your flight departure at the end of the trip should be booked for the final day of the itinerary.

We appreciate that people join redspokes tours from all over the world. Whatever time you arrive at the airport on the trip start date you and your luggage will be transferred to the joining hotel. Please bear in mind that if you arrive before midday you may have to wait for your room to be made available. If you decide to arrive early or stay on after the tour, redspokes can assist you in booking your extra accommodation and airport transfers at additional cost.

💱 Currency Exchange

Thai Currency

The local currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). All purchases—including in shops, restaurants, and markets—must be made in baht. Foreign currencies are not accepted.

What to Bring

We recommend bringing:

• Around £200 / $270 in your local currency for exchange

• A Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card for ATM use and as a backup

Travelers from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand should bring USD or Euros, as these are easiest to exchange in Thailand.

Where to Exchange

You’ll find ATMs and currency exchange desks at Chiang Rai Airport.

• Exchange a small amount on arrival, as airport rates are less favorable

• Better rates can be found at exchange counters or banks in Chiang Rai city

✔ Your redspokes guide will assist with finding ATMs and the best places to exchange money during the tour.

💸 Spending Money

Spending varies depending on personal preferences (meals, drinks, souvenirs), but £200 / $270 is usually more than enough for the 14-day tour.

Typical Costs in Northern Thailand

Thailand offers excellent value, particularly in the north, where prices are typically lower than in major tourist hubs like Bangkok or Phuket.

🧭 Helpful Tips

• Cash is essential, especially in rural areas or villages

• Notify your bank before travel to avoid any issues with your card

• Bring small notes and coins—useful for local markets and tips

• Be aware of currency conversion fees on your cards

• Your guide is always there to help with money matters and practical advice

💁‍♂️ Staff Tipping

Tipping is a customary and appreciated way to show gratitude for the hard work of your local guides and support crew. While not mandatory, it’s welcomed when service has been exceptional.

How to Tip

At the end of the tour, it’s best to tip as a group. The total amount is usually handed to your guide, who distributes it fairly among the team.

Suggested Amount

💷 £60–£80 per person
💵 $80–$100 equivalent

Please note: redspokes pays all local staff fairly. Tips are seen as a personal thank-you, not a substitute for wages.

You will at all times have the security of a back-up vehicle; either a jeep or a bus. The vehicle will carry your luggage (we transport your main baggage by support vehicle from each overnight stop to the next) and yourself if you want. The backup van will be with us throughout the day stopping around every 12 miles (20 km).

Our leaders carry a good tool kit and will help to fix any bike problems so all you normally need to carry is a daypack, for your camera etc. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be equipped for all repairs, so if you are bringing your own bike on the tour you must ensure that it is in good working order. If in doubt, have it fully serviced by a bike shop before you travel.

If you wish to hire a bike or have a single room for the tour this can usually be arranged for you at extra cost. You will have the opportunity to request these extras at the time of booking or, subject to availability, at a later date, by emailing your request to us.

If you require additional accommodation or transfers in advance of the trip start date or at the end of your trip we can arrange this for you at extra cost.

We have a wide mix of cyclists on our tours from couples, friends to solo travellers. Our prices are based on twin shared accommodation. If you sign up for one of our tours as a solo traveller we will twin share you with another person of the same gender in your group. If you prefer to have your own room this is an option on most of our tours for an extra charge.

Most meals are included in your trip price apart from on non cycling days and some other exclusions. Please check the itinerary for full details. If you have a special dietary request, please advise us at the time of booking. Most diets can be catered for, but it is always important to advise us in advance.

Most food is included.  The typical evening meals served are noodle and rice stir fries.  Breakfasts and lunches are a mixture of local and western style food and cater for vegetarians.  Bottled water will be offered to you whilst cycling; other drinks are not included in the tour price.  You are welcome to put drinks in the support vehicle at the start of the tour.  We recommend bringing a supply of energy bars/snacks with you as these may not be readily available when you are on the trip.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all participants and must cover you for the entire duration of the tour.

Your policy must include protection for:

• Personal injury and medical expenses

• Death and repatriation

• Emergency rescue (including helicopter or aircraft evacuation)

• Loss or theft of luggage and equipment

• Trip cancellation or curtailment

• Damage to or breakage of hired equipment (any such costs must be paid directly to our local agents at the time of the incident and reclaimed from your insurer)

Please make sure your insurance policy does not include exclusions for any activities involved in your tour, such as cycling or adventure travel.

We strongly recommend taking out your travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in case of cancellation before the trip begins. 

All insurance claims must be made directly through your provider.

We choose accommodation on the basis of comfort rather than luxury. Our prices are based on sharing a twin room. Should you wish to have a room all to yourself there is a single supplement option on the majority of our tours. For more information on the additional costs please see dates and prices.

The majority of the accommodation for this trip is in Guest Houses with 2 nights in Hotels.

Some Hotels will have En suite facilities and Air Conditioning.

For this tour we have Trek FX3 bikes that come with a carbon rigid fork and 27 speeds, in a range of sizes. They are mostly new for this season and all are well maintained. Spare parts (tubes, tyre, chains etc.) are included in the price of the bike rental and will be carried in the support vehicle along with a tool kit and track pump.

The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. Those who prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, are welcome to bring these with you, along with your own cycling shoes and cleats. You are also welcome to bring your own saddle. 

If you are able to do a simple repair yourself then you can if you wish take a small repair kit with you as this will avoid the need to wait for assistance should the team or support vehicle be any distance away.

The bikes will come with one water bottle cage fitted.

You are required to bring your own cycle helmet as this is not included as part of your bike hire and hire or purchase options cannot be guaranteed.  It is mandatory for cycle helmets to be worn at all times when cycling.  Failure to wear a cycle helmet is at your own risk and might also affect the validity of your travel insurance.

This tour is suitable for most types of bikes; there are some long and steep climbs so a Hybrid/Cyclocross/Gravel bikes or mountain bike with slick tyres would be ideal.

We strongly recommend that you have your bike fully serviced before going on the tour. Ensure that wheel spokes are adjusted, greasing all bearings, check gear and brake cables, tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain, quick release clamp and tyres. Put in a new inner tubes and check wheel rims aren't worn.

We recommend that you take the following items with you.

• Multi tool
• Tyre levers
  
• Pump
  
• Spare inner tubes
  
• Spare spokes
  
• Check with your bike shop for disc/ brake pads
  
• A few links for your chain
  
• Spares for any unique things for your bikes i.e fluid or bleed kit.

Your bike must be carried as part of your luggage allowance. The weight of a bike in cardboard box is about 15-20kg, so please bear this in mind when packing for the trip and you may have to pay for excess luggage.

You must hold a valid passport in order to travel.  Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return from any overseas destination. 

Visa and entry requirements for most countries can and do change from time to time and so we strongly recommend that you consult the government travel website for where your passport was issued.

For UK nationals, please visit the gov.uk website for up to date information about entry requirements for Thailand.  The website also provides vaccination advice as well as the option to sign up for Alerts so that you are aware if requirements have changed. 

We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or local Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks before going on your trip for advise on the correct vaccinations required for your trip. Also please refer to advice from National Travel Health Network and Centre . 

There are no mandatory vaccintations for this trip, however the following are recommended Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis.  

Vaccination requirements can change and we aren't medically quailified to answer your questions regarding vaccinations so please also check again with your health professional before departing for your trip.

The climate in Thailand is classed as tropical with the average temperature of 82 degrees everyday throughout the year.   March to May are the hot seasons, June to October being the rainy season and November to February being classed as the cooler season.  The best time to visit thailand is all year round although most choose November to April when the temperature is cooler and dryer.

In terms of clothing this is clearly up to you and we can only supply a rough guide as to what to take. This guide is entirely flexible and should be tailored to your specific needs.

• Cycle Helmet  (mandatory and to be worn at all times when cycling)
• Sunglasses
• Water bottles or camelbak
• Base layer tops
• Fleece jacket/ pullover
• Waterproof cycling jacket (breathable fabric)
• Padded cycling shorts
• Cycle shoes/ Trekking shoes
• Lightweight socks & heavyweight socks
• Trekking Shorts 
• Trousers 
• T-shirts– lightweight 
• Long-sleeved shirt 
• Fingerless cycling gloves
• Buff
• Towel
• Lipbalm/ sunscreen
• Flip-flops/ Sandals

Our guides carry first aid supplies, however we recommend you bring your own first aid kit which should contain the following item; 

• Paracetamol/ Ibuprofen (or whatever you prefer for headache)
• Lomotil or Diacalm
• Rehydration salts (Dioralite)
• Antiseptic cream
• Throat lozenges
• Plasters (band aids)
• Nasal spray
• Eye drops
• Ear plugs
• Anti bacterial hand wash
• Antiseptic wet wipes
• Insect Repellent

Miscellaneous

• Energy Bars (gels, power bars)
• Energy/recovery drinks
• Camera

Tipping is an accepted part of everyday life, and although it is always at your discretion, you will be expected to tip to reward service.  $80-$100  for the guide and team at the end of the tour is recommended - payable in US Dollars. 

It's important to note that tips do not constitute a part of their wages. redspokes consistently ensures the highest pay rates for local staff. Any tips they receive are viewed as personal expressions of gratitude from group members.

It is customary for this to be collected up and given to your guide who will distribute it amongst the team. Unfortunately there is usually a hierarchy for the division between guides, helpers and drivers.

We recommend that you travel with US dollars and a small amount of local currency, which can be withdrawn from an airport ATM upon arrival. 

The amount of spending money you need will depend on your taste for restaurants, souvenirs, drinks etc.  We estimate that $250 (£200) will be more than enough to cover the 14-day tour.