Hiring a bike and seeing the sights on two wheels is always the highlight of a trip abroad for me. There’s nothing better than feeling the wind in my hair, the sun on my back and maybe stopping for a chat and a fresh coconut with a friendly street vendor. If you’re planning a holiday to Thailand’s Phuket, don’t miss hiring a bicycle or quad bike and taking a tour.
Why Phuket?
Whether you’re looking for lush jungle trekking, crystal clear azure waters to snorkel in, or the chance to sample all those amazing Thai dishes you’ve been hearing about, Phuket has it all. Connected to Thailand’s mainland by a bridge, Phuket (off the west coast of Southern Thailand) is easy to reach and sparkles like a pretty gem in the Andaman Sea. The Similan Islands National Park is a great place to explore at any time of year and Phuket has a massive array of tours for visitors to take advantage of, from rickety bus trips to private excursions with your own friendly English-speaking guide. When it comes to whizzing about, you can hire a bike yourself or join an organised bike tour.
What to expect on a half-day bike tour
Cycling on small country roads is part of the thrill of hiring a bike or doing a bike tour in Phuket. As I pedalled along dusty tracks on my half-day tour, I passed small Thai villages, palm and rubber tree plantations and plenty of friendly locals who were all eager to exchange a wave. My fun-seeking group was followed by a support vehicle so help was always at hand if we had any problems – not that we did. Although we made sure we kept an eye out for coconuts swaying above us on frayed palm trees. This is tropical Thailand after all, and we wouldn’t want any falling fruit to knock us off course!
How about a quad bike experience?
Feeling the need for speed, or at least to go a little faster and get the adrenaline pumping? There are numerous ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) tours to choose from in Phuket. I did mine with a company called Amazing Bike Tours, which you can actually do the whole year round, even when it’s muddy and wet. In fact, I think more filth equals more fun. Our tour started with a bit of gravel trail riding, which was fine because the bikes are of a really high standard and the guides are all experienced and professional. Quad bike tours in Phuket will see you traversing all kinds of terrain, including shallow rivers, rutted tracks, even beaches, so it pays to keep your wits about you, no matter who you go with.
Try not to drink the night before you take any sort of tour in Thailand. Having a hangover, or worse, still being under the influence, is no fun – not to mention dangerous.
If you have any questions about holidays in Phuket, or hiring a bike and seeing the sights, contact one of your local travel consultants such as the awesome team at Flight Centre and ask away.
Author: Flight Centre Consultants have explored Thailand and road tested some of these tours to give you the most informed travel advice.
