Chiang Dao - Phrao: One Day in Thailand on a Harley Davidson

Chiang Dao is a popular destination ride with great roads. This ride features Some fine Highway riding, Back roads through teak forest witrh huge trees and some open road. If you think the valley roads through flat rice fields would be long straights, you will be surprised.

Chiang Dao is presided over by Doi Chiang Dao (if you go through this site you notice a number of "Doi," you could translate it to "Mount"). Usualy shrouded in mist The approach to the mountains is lined with rice fields banana palms. Occasionally, you might see a few elephants at work or feeding along the side of the road.
 
After a stop at the Chiang Dao Cave one of he longest straights in the area leads you to the turn off to Phrao. There are a few side trips along the road through Amphur Phrao, a stop at one of the nearby lakes for a late lunch of fresh water fish and maybe even some tiny fresh water prawns. Ask your guide about "goong den," tiny, live shrimp prepared in lime, chili herbs and spices. A seasonal dish it's great with sticky rice.

• 8:30 - 9:00 AM Briefing over coffee & pastries
• Depart Chiang Mai 9:00 AM
• Travel north of Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao
• Visit the herbal medicine market, relax along he lagoon, visit the cave with religious icons
• There are noodle shops and cook to order restaurants for quick meal
• A short ride north of Chiang Dao to the turn off to Phrao, plenty of sweeping turns, ride through rice paddies, valley views of rural Thailand
• Stop aside one of the many lakes to stretch your legs and maybe grab a snack or late lunch