Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Thailand's bustling capital is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place, and have your insurance details and next of kin information ready for collection. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early and take a riverboat to Chinatown, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage.

Take to the streets of Bangkok by bike and explore the backstreets, alleyways and canals on a guided cycling tour. Get away from the tourist areas and into the heart and soul of this lively city. You're sure to see numerous wats along the way, and travelling around by bike allows you to move through the city quite easily and at a relaxed pace. After your ride there will be ample time to get cleaned up and shop for any last-minute supplies or souvenirs before boarding an overnight train southbound for Surat Thani (approximately 13 hours).

Arrive in Surat Thani this morning. Avoid the busy traffic by driving 35 kilometres through small villages and palm-tree-lined roads before climbing onto your bike. The real scenic highlight of this area will then come into view — stunning limestone karsts formed over 260 million years ago. Heading west, cycle through a sea of greenery towards the Ratchaprapha Dam, a reservoir where hundreds of tiny islands of exquisite pale rock jut out of emerald water. After lunch on the shores of the dam, travel by vehicle to Khao Sok National Park and fall asleep to a chorus of crickets and cicadas.

Established as Thailand's 22nd national park in 1980, Khao Sok is home to the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, deep valleys, the beautiful Cheow Larn Lake, numerous caves and a significant wild animal population. Here you'll have free time to walk along the dirt trails that snake through the quiet park, looking out for wildlife as you head for rivers and waterfalls where you might enjoy a cooling dip. If you're feeling like more cycling, have a chat to your tour leader about the many options on the local tracks.

Begin the day in the support vehicle, leaving the verdant forests and hills behind with a drive west from Khao Sok to the nearby town of Takua Pa. Then jump back on the bike to begin the day of cycling, travelling across relatively flat terrain through the interior. Pass numerous flowing rivers, palm-fringed roads and smiling local children, then make your way down to the Andaman Coast and the laid-back beach town of Khao Lak.

Today is a free day to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of the Andaman Coast. For a sobering insight into the area's recent history, perhaps visit the International Tsunami Museum. There are numerous beaches to chill out on, waterfalls (like Ton Chong Fa) to swim in, fishing trips to take, and if you're feeling active, bike routes to cycle or underwater worlds to explore by scuba or snorkel.

Leave the coast and head inland today, cycling eastwards through rolling hills past forests, orchards and rubber plantations to Phang Nga. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, cheap and authentic food and some spectacular sights, Phang Nga is the perfect place to taste Southern Thailand. After a relaxing lunch you'll take a boat on Phang-Nga Bay, where limestone rocks famously erupt out of the water. You'll stop by the famous James Bond Island and Koh Panyee, an extraordinary Muslim fishing village built over water on stilts.

The final day on the bike begins with a 45-kilometre transfer in the support vehicle. Then it's on to your two-wheeled friend for a 50-kilometre ride through beautiful inland landscapes and down the coast to the classic Thai beachside town of Ao Nang. The spectacular nearby shores of Tonsai, Railay, Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Gai are true highlights and easily reachable as a day trip. Meet up again in the evening to say goodbye to your biking crew.

Your cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave at any time, or perhaps extend your stay in this idyllic beachside town.