Riding in the Land of Smiles – North Thailand Motorcycle Tour
Our Northern Thailand motorcycle tour invites explorers to discover tropical Thailand and a fascinating culture off the beaten track in the mountainous north of the country – and on unique mountain roads that are unparalleled in Asia! Discover sleepy little towns, remote villages and get to know adventurous routes. Marvel at jungle-covered hills and mountains, some covered in fog, rice fields and fantastic landscapes with tea and coffee plantations and of course the Mekong, lifeline of Southeast Asia. Northern Thailand promises pure fascination with its graceful tropical landscapes, roaring waterfalls and extensive rivers. Every biker dreams of these unique mountain and valley roads in his life!
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The famous “Road 1148” in Nan, with its hundreds of rapidly following curves, is one of the best motorcycle roads in Thailand and is just as much a part of our program as the famous “Mae Hong Son Loop”. Experience the culture and temple metropolis of Chiang Mai in the mountainous triangle of Thailand, Burma and Laos, where our journey starts and ends. No one will forget these curvy experiences through dreamy landscapes any time soon!
There are still many myths surrounding the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. This is due to the turbulent past, when huge poppy fields were primarily used to produce opium. The country experienced a real upswing in the 1960s and 1970s when Kuomintang soldiers and other armed groups took part in the drug trade and ultimately controlled it to a large extent. In recent years, however, Thailand has not only managed to develop a tourist highlight in this area, but also to replace the poppy seeds with coffee beans and tea plants.
On our Thailand motorbike tour through the north of Thailand you will also get a unique impression of Southeast Asian culture – taste local specialties, enjoy great hotels and resorts, experience boat trips, explore the Sukhothai UNESCO World Heritage Site and get up close to mountain peoples (including the Long Neck Tribe) and their customs. Let yourself be inspired by the magnificent temples and a mystical religion and immerse yourself in the moving history of the country. Experience the Golden Triangle on an exciting Thailand motorcycle tour and discover all the highlights of the north!
Our Northern Thailand Motorbike Tour starts at Chiang Mai International Airport, which has many connections to Bangkok, Asian countries and Europe. After a night in a wonderfully located resort in the city’s countryside, we get on our bikes and head towards the Golden Triangle. An exploration ride takes us through the unique landscape of the Golden Triangle. We soon come across the Mekong – the border river between Thailand and Laos, which we follow a good way after Phu Chi Fah. Here in the early morning you have a fantastic views of a cloud valley filled with fog. Around Nan we enjoy one of the most beautiful streets in Southeast Asia, the “Road 1148”. In Nan we take a rest day on which we either relax or ride relaxed to the salt mines of Bo Klua. Then it goes on to Sukhothai. The Sukhothai era was one of the most important in Thai history and has particularly influenced Thai culture and Buddhist art. The former glory of Sukhothai still shines through the many impressive ruins that we can visit in the Sukhothai Historic Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Fantastic mountain roads on the Mae Hong Son Loop lead us through lush green rice fields to the Burmese border. We find ourselves in the middle of the jungle and enjoy the tropical surroundings before we continue to Mae Sariang. The road leads us across wild mountain ranges, through the gorge of Tha Kua and to the former base of the Japanese Air Force Khun Yuam – here we learn a lot about the history of Thailand. A journey to the ethnic groups of Thailand and the diverse culture of the country follows. We take a boat to the surrounding traditional and remote villages in the region. We will get to know the culture and customs of the Karen minority (Long Neck Tribe or Padaung – the village of long-neck women) up close. Last but not least, we arrive in the colorful and alternative city of Pai – on the Pai River. On the way there, we will be inspired by Burmese temples and discover the caves of Tham Lot on a raft. Pai is not only known for its art, hippie scene and relaxed atmosphere, but also for its adjacent gorges, hot springs and powerful waterfalls. On our Thailand motorcycle tour, we enjoy the winding mountain roads with its fantastic views of the land of smiles one last time before we arrive in Chiang Mai again and experience the hustle and bustle of this diverse city.
AT A GLANCE
AT A GLANCE
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05.11. – 19.11.2022 | ||||||||
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15 days / 14 nights / 10 riding days | ||||||||
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Accommodation in mid-range hotels and guest houses. |
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05.02. – 19.02.2023 04.11. – 18.11.2023 |
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15 days / 14 nights / 10 riding days | ||||||||
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Accommodation in mid-range hotels and guest houses. |
Highlights of the Northern Thailand Motorbike Tour
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Visit to Thatom Temple with great views of the Kok River Valley
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The temple peak of Doi Inathon ( (2,565m) and the grand views
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Guided tour of the Akha minority mountain village of Lorcha
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Visit to the army barracks Thoed Thai and its Burmese war history
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Ride to the Golden Triangle and visit of the Phra That Pha Ngao and Ubosot Temple with fantastic views
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Ride on the famous Route 1148 with fantastic views of the highest mountains in Thailand
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City tour of Nan and ride to the Bo Klua salt mines
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Visit the historical park and UNESCO World Heritage Sukhothai
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Visit the Japanese base of WWII and museum in Khun Yuam
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The world famous Mae Hong Song Loop with its well over 1,000 curves
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Rafting in Pai and Soppong
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Visit to the Karenni minority (long-neck women)
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Chiang Mai sightseeing tour
The roads on this tour are usually well paved and have two lanes. On some sections of the road there are typical potholes. Ratio: Off Road/Paved: 5/95
Most of the route is on good, paved roads. Two-lane roads alternate with narrow, single-lane mountain roads. Riders should be comfortable with hairpin bends and narrow, winding roads. Rough surfaces, potholes and the occasional unpaved road shouldn’t be a problem.
At least one place of interest per day.
With short breaks and photo stops, not counting breaks for lunch, which last about an hour. Average figures: 5-7 hours per day
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Riding in the Land of Smiles – North Thailand Motorcycle Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival Day
Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport. Your guide will await you outside the customs / baggage hall and transfer you to our hotel on the northern outskirts of Chiang Mai. Dinner with the tour crew and tour briefing.
Day 2: Chiang Mai – Doi Mae Salong
Our Thailand motorcycle tour leads us north on a wide and busy main road. Soon we will turn off and ride now on a beautiful country road with little traffic, which takes us through beautiful forest landscape to the small town of Phrao. Although the place is only 90 kilometers from Chiang Mai, this sleepy little town is hardly known and still looks like many other places in northern Thailand 20 years ago. We follow the road to Thaton, near the border with Burma. Arriving in Thaton, we first visit the temple above Thatorn from which we can enjoy a wonderful view of the valley of the Kok River. Lunch in Thaton.
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In the afternoon we stop in the mountain village of Lorcha, the poorest Akha minority. We can experience cultural life up close here, our guide will bring us closer to the stories and customs of the minority.
Then we ride up into the mountains and to the Doi (mountain) Mae Salong and the famous Chinese village Santi Khiri. There is a lot of history about opium dealers, mule caravans and heroin. If time permits, we drive up to the golden pagoda, which towers high above Santi Khiri and from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of this mountain village and the surrounding mountains.
Dinner in a local specialty restaurant with local specialties.
Distance covered: approx. 265 km
Day 3: Doi Tung & The Golden Triangle
After breakfast, a winding road leads us from Doi Mae Salong down to Thoed Thai. This place is in a zone that was practically inaccessible before 1985 as the area was under the control of the Muang Thai Army, led by Khun Sa. We visit the army barracks, which at that time served as the headquarters for Khun Sa for his army of several thousand soldiers and learn a lot about the fascinating Burmese history.
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We continue on a lonely winding road to Doi Tung. Doi Tung was notorious for growing opium, but today coffee and flowers are grown here and the products that come from here are known all over Thailand. We visit the unique “Mae Fah Luang” garden before continuing on over the mountain top and driving down the valley along a very narrow and steep but asphalt road that leads directly along the Burmese border. Our destination is Mae Sai, the northernmost city in Thailand, where we have lunch.
After lunch we ride to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Burma, Laos and Thailand meet on the Mekong River. Not far from here is Chiang Saen, Thailand’s most important port on the Mekong River. Immediately after Chiang Saen is the Wat (Temple) Phra That Pha Ngao on a hill. From here we can not only overlook the town of Chiang Saen, but also the Mekong River and the neighboring Laos. Just below this viewpoint is the Ubosot, which is a jewel of a temple and with its wood carvings and paintings reminds of a typical temple in Luang Prabang in Laos. Along the Mekong River we ride to Chiang Khong, border town to Laos and the most important crossing from Northern Thailand to Laos via the Mekong River.
Day 4: Phu Chi Fah – Nan
Breakfast on the hotel terrace with a view of the Mekong and the opposite Laos. We ride south along the Mekong River to Wiang Khaen. In Pang Hat we turn left and drive steeply up towards Doi Patang. We ride up to the highest parking lot from which approx. 200 steps lead to the highest point. Doi Patang, also called ‘the gate to Siam’ offers a unique panorama over the impassable mountains of Laos and on a clear day we can see the Mekong River in different places in the distance.
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After a short drive down we follow the road on the ridge to Phu Chi Fah. After a last steep stretch we park our bikes and we can go up the last 700 meters to an imposing rock terrace. The view from here is also breathtaking: the best view is early in the morning when the mountain valleys below us fill with fog. Our journey takes us on all kinds of side roads from Phu Chi Fah down into the valley and then on the famous road 1148, which many motorcyclists consider to be the best route in Northern Thailand, over alternating rice fields and hills to Nan.
Distance covered: approx. 310 km
Day 5: Nan & Bo Klau Salt Mines
Breakfast at the resort and no check-out, we will stay in Nan overnight twice. Today you can go on a city tour or take on a motorcycle trip to the salt mines of Bo Klua. Nan was an independent kingdom for centuries and did not submit to the government in Bangkok until 1931, after a long period of semi-autonomy. This small provincial town is hardly known in Thailand, but has a lot of charm. We first visit Wat Phumin, which is famous for Nan. The interior wall paintings are the most beautiful paintings of the Thai-Lue (minority) that can be seen in Thailand. The National Museum of Nan is almost immediately next to this temple.
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The building is an old teak palace that was built in 1903 and was the seat of the last two feudal lords of Nan.
If you want, you can start a 200 km tour through the wild mountain region northeast of Nan in the morning. Our route leads via the Doi Phu Kha National Park and a dreamlike pass to the salt mines of Bo Klua, where salt is still extracted from the ground using the traditional method. Simple lunch on the go.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Nan.
Distance covered: approx. 200 km
Day 6: Nan – Sukhothai
Breakfast at the resort. Today’s ride on our Thailand motorcycle tour includes many kilometers of the most beautiful ascent. Our day begins with the well-developed but also busy road, which leads from Nan in a southern direction. We stop several times to take breaks and have lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
Our road leads us across wide and forested hills to the plains that surrounds Sukhothai, the old royal capital of Thailand.
Distance covered: approx. 290 km
Day 7: The Ruin of Sukhothai
Breakfast at the resort. The Sukhothai period was one of the most important periods in Thai history and has left its indelible mark on Thai culture and Buddhist art. The former glory of Sukhothai shines through its many ruined temples. Today we visit the Sukhothai Historical Park, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Witness the glory of the old kingdom of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand at the well-preserved ruins. If you wish you may ride your own bicycle to explore this huge park. The important sites within the old city walls include Wat Mahathat – the royal temple with a giant chedi (stupa) housing Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka, Wat Chang Lom – a huge bell-shaped chedi supported by 39 sculpted elephants and Wat Sri Chum – containing a huge sitting Buddha image.
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The afternoon is free so that we may relax, use the hotel swimming pool or indulge in a massage treatment. In the evening we use our escort vehicle to go into town where, on the roof top terrace of the Chopper Bar we enjoy our dinner and live music. Accommodation at Tharaburi Resort (Deluxe Room).
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Sukhothai – Mae Sot
Breakfast at the resort. The Sukhothai era was one of the most important in Thai history and forever shaped Thai culture and Buddhist art. The former splendor of Sukhothai still shines through the many imposing ruins that we can visit in the Sukhothai Historic Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Perhaps the nicest way to visit this park is with your own bike. We would like to invite you to explore the park and the ruins together with us. Wat Mahathat, the royal temple with its immense stupa containing Buddhist relics from Sri Lanka, and Wat Sri Chum with its gigantic seated Buddha are particularly interesting.
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After the Sukhothai visit, it’s time to get on the bikes. Today’s riding day on our Thailand motorcycle tour leads us through wide rice fields in a westerly direction until we reach the north-south main axis of Thailand and cross it. Then we follow the Ping River for a few kilometers until we take a break at the river. The afternoon brings us many kilometers of the most beautiful mountain drive with only minimal traffic. We cross an important mountain range and then find ourselves directly on the Burmese border. We now follow this in a southerly direction to Mae Sot, an important city that lives from border traffic with Burma. Dinner in a beautiful jungle restaurant.
Distance covered: approx. 220 km
Day 9: Mae Sot – Mae Sariang
After breakfast, we head north again on Mae Sot on a beautiful mountain road with very little traffic and over several mountains before we drive down into the valley and arrive in the pretty little town of Mae Sariang. Simple lunch on the go.
Distance covered: approx. 240 km
Day 10: Mae Sariang – Mae Hong Son
Today’s stage is for all those who really missed riding a motorcycle on the previous rest day. We enter the world famous Mae Hong Son Loop. After breakfast we start our Thailand motorcycle tour on a very busy road, shortly after it goes straight up into the mountains, over various nameless mountain ranges down to the gorge of Tha Rua, where we turn north to Mae Chaem and now find ourselves on a lonely road. We ride on a mountain road and finally reach Khun Yuam. During the Second World War, Khun Yuam was an important base for the Japanese Air Force, which dispatched its bomb planes to Burma from here. The grass slope is still recognizable today and we visit the small museum dedicated to World War II. Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon there are again kilometers of the most beautiful ride on a good road to Mae Hong Son, where we find our resort in a pretty little valley not far from this small town.
Distance covered: approx. 310 km
Day 11: Mae Hong Son day off
After breakfast in the morning we take a boat trip on the Pai River. Our trip takes us to Ban Nam Pian Din, a village of the Padaung (giraffe women). The Padaung belong to the Kayah or Karenni tribe, which are based in Burma. Over the years and due to the ongoing military conflicts between the Burmese army and most minorities, hundreds of Padaung have fled across the border into Thailand and live in so-called “long neck camps”. The expression “long neck” comes from the fact that the women of this tribe put copper-colored rings around their necks. Due to their weight, they depress the shoulder muscles and additional rings are always put on if the neck allows it. This is why these women in Thailand are also called “long-necked” or “giraffe women”. Lunch in a local restaurant. We spend the rest of the afternoon either relaxing by the pool in the idyllic Fern Resort, in a cool little river valley, some kilometres outside the city. Here we can not only go exploring the small town, but also explore the wild natural landscape on a very interesting “Jungle Trail”. Mae Hong Son is a melting pot of different ethnicities. In the afternoon we visit the typical Burmese temples Wat Nong Jong Kam and Wat Jong Klang, which are located in the middle of the city on a pretty lake. Later we will stroll through the small night market. Dinner at a local restaurant on a small lake in town.
Day 12: Mae Hong Son – Pai
Today we experience 1048 curves on two mountain stages, via Soppong we go to Pai. In Soppong we turn and ride to the deep caves of Tham Lot. Here we let ourselves down on a raft and drift through one of these caves. Then we head back to the main road and have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we ride back to the mountains. We stop at a market where Lisu minority women advertise their goods and where we have a wonderful view of the mountains.
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Arrival in Pai and our resort just outside of town in the afternoon. Pai is a pretty little town with a lot of flair, in which different minorities (Shan, Lisu, Lahu, Haw Chinese and even Muslims) live together peacefully. Pai is the meeting point of the art and music scene in the north, there is a flea market on the main street every night, with live music and cocktail bars; the best way to discover it is on foot. Dinner in a local restaurant and afterwards an opportunity to have a drink in the center.
Distance covered: approx. 140 km
Day 13: Wat Chan – Chiang Mai
Immediately after breakfast after we leave Pai, we head again into the mountains. We drive on a very low-traffic road to the secluded, high mountain village of Wat Chan, where we make our first stop. From here the road leads over a high plateau towards Chiang Mai, the final destination of our tour. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. We reach the vicinity of Chiang Mai on the most winding road and feel how the traffic becomes increasingly dense and chaotic. We arrive in the city later in the afternoon and leave our motorcycles to reach our hotel by private van. Dinner and overnight in a very stylish hotel in superior rooms in the middle of the old city, the center of Chiang Mai.
Distance covered: approx. 210 km
Day 14: Chiang Mai
After breakfast, enjoy your free day. Chiang Mai has a lot to offer, shopping, culture, a lively pub and bar scene. If you want, you can take a trip to Chiang Mai’s local mountain, Doi Suthep. The Wat (temple) Doi Suthep is located high on this mountain. According to an old legend, the monk Sumana gave the then king a relic of Buddha. He tied the relic on the back of a royal elephant, who then wandered through the woods for days until he settled in a certain place and died. The king and the monk Sumana then decided that the Wat Doi Suthep should be built on this very spot.
Farewell – Dinner in a popular restaurant.
Day 15: Chiang Mai – journey home
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport and end of the tour.
Don’t Miss Out On a Wonderful Experience
Book your Tour Now – The North Thailand Riding in the Land of Smiles Motorcycle Tour
We can accommodate only 14 motorbikes on this tour.
Since our tours get filled up fast, please book our Biking in the Land of Smiles Thailand Motorcycle Tour now to avoid disappointment.
Our Next available tours are as follows:
2022
05.11. – 19.11.
2023
05.02. – 19.02.
04.11. – 18.11.
- English speaking motorcycle tour guide on own motorcycle
- Motorbike of your choice (Honda CB 500 or CB 650)
- All visits as described in the detailed tour program, with English speaking professional Thai guide
- A private A / C minibus for pillions and main luggage; guide and the driver take care of the transport of the luggage
- A guaranteed spot in the service vehicle for every pillion
- All nights in selected hotels and resorts, mid range accommodation
- Meals (breakfast and dinner), dinner very often in selected specialty restaurants or in the hotel resort
- All entrance fees as described in the tour program,
- All fees, taxes, service charges, room taxes and baggage handling fees
- Mandatory liability insurance in Thailand
- Experienced motorcycle mechanic during the whole tour
- Airport transfer service with AC minibus and German speaking Thai guide
- Snacks and drinks, lunch
- Petrol for your own motorcycle
- Domestic and international flights
- Personal expenses such as tips (optional), souvenirs, telephone, laundry, minibar etc.,
- Travel insurance package with accident, hospital and return transport insurance, luggage and liability insurance (it is strongly recommended to book such a package before traveling)
Questions & Answers
The tour is guaranteed from a minimum number of 6 motorcyclists. The maximum size of the tour is limited to a total of no more than 14 motorcyclists (plus guide).
With the registration for the Thailand motorcycle tour we need a scanned copy of the passport of the participant with the personal details. A condition for participation in the tour is an internationally valid driving license for motorcycles over 500 cc.
The motorcycles are covered by liability insurance according to Thai law, but not fully comprehensive insurance. The participant bears the risk of a maximum of USD (ask us)- in the event of total damage to the motorcycle (current value). He is not liable for technical failure or wear of the machine in the event of engine or gear damage.
The participant has to pay a deposit of € 500 in cash before accepting the motorcycle. The deposit will be refunded after the accident-free journey when the motorcycle is returned. The deposit must also be paid if the participant has opted for limited comprehensive insurance.
American Express, Visa and Master Card are widely used in Thailand. Cash is only accepted in baht (Thai currency). However, it is relatively easy to change euros or US dollars at a exchange point in the larger tourist areas in Thai Baht.
Most European nationalities do not require a visa to visit Thailand and receive a visa-free stay of up to 30 days upon arrival in Thailand.
Tour Concept by RC Hendrik
Discover the Golden Triangle with Road Captain Hendrik and enjoy the endless curve tango on grand mountain roads in the former Lanna Kingdom. On this discovery tour, selected hotels with pools, remote mountain peoples, smallest mountain roads through jungle and highlands and the Thai culture are the highlights. Thailand’s highest mountain Doi Inathon (2,565m) and ancient and half-forgotten temple cities add spectacular views and cultural experiences to the program. Hendrik, who lives alternately in Tibet and Thailand when he is not riding around the world on one of his Overland tours from Germany to Lhasa, guides the tour and shows you his adopted country in all its facets.
