The Tour oh Hope Day 3: From Wiang Pa Pao to Mae Taeng

" I could easily spend a few days here.”

After grappling with the nature of the climb, today we’re really getting down to business. The Tour of Hope can definitely be described as “pedaling uphill and coasting downhill”. But first things first!

Day 3 of our Tour of Hope 2026

From Wiang Pa Pao to Mae Taeng: 100 kilometers, 1,503 meters of elevation gain, and 1,682 meters of elevation loss.

We leave the Wiang Pa Pao valley via several challenging climbs and brisk descents through lush green forests. The route leads into the next valley, to Phrao, all the way to the western edge of the Mae Ngat Reservoir.

The climb is a real challenge. Rain accompanies us at times; we ride right into the clouds, and fog rolls in. The view we’d been looking forward to so much is unfortunately obscured by the haze.

Up, down—and then out onto the water! But a thrilling descent awaits us afterward. And at the reservoir, we swap our road bikes for longtail boats. Our destination: a floating restaurant right in the middle of the water. There we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and have the chance for a refreshing swim.

Welcome to Sri Lanna National Park!

Thailand has a total of 156 national parks. With an area of approximately 1,406 square kilometers, Sri Lanna is the eighth-largest in the country. What makes it special: forested mountains, lush nature, and the vast Mae Ngat Reservoir are all clustered closely together in an impressive landscape.

The reservoir was created by the Mae Ngat Dam, which was completed in 1984. It is designed to provide water for agriculture, hydroelectric power, and flood protection.
We enjoy this special place, the meal on the water, and the brief break from the saddle.

“I could stay here for a few days.”

Small floating cabins with bathtubs, water slides, lounge chairs for evenings by the water make quite a few of us want to take a break here.

The Tour of Hope is not about kilometers and elevation gain—it’s more about discovering special places and sharing experiences that will last a lifetime.

And above all, it’s about our shared cause of providing bicycles to schools. More about that tomorrow. Photos: Richard, Jeanette, Carsten