Our first riding day, leaving Chiang Mai in a westerly direction heading for Witchiratan waterfall, Diamond Creek falls. An impressive waterfall with a height of 80 meters. Continue up in the mountains towards Doi Inthanon, Thailand highest mountain standing at 2’565 meters. We will park our motorcycles 200 walking meters from the shrine on the summit. Passing a continental divide, we spend the rest of the day on beautiful scenic curvy roads the whole way to Mae Hong Son. Before reaching Mae Hong Son we stop at the Japanese war museum in Khun Yuam. Overnight in Mae Hong Son. (Approx 310KM)

We start with enjoying a scenic boat ride on the Pai River for about 20 min to the Karen Long Neck village (http://www.huaypukeng.com/info_visitor.htm). The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins. Many ideas regarding why the coils are worn have been suggested. Some have hypothesized that the rings protected women from becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Another theory is that the coils originate from the desire to look more attractive. Why don’t you ask them and find out the real story….

The journey takes you through some beautiful mountainous scenery. Around mid-day arrive Ban Rak Thai where we have lunch in one of the local Chinese restaurants by the little lake. They serve delicious Chinese specialties. Ban Rak Thai means literally "the Thai-loving village", built around a lake on the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance.

Then we head off to explore the roads for which northern Thailand is justifiably famous! It's a short ride to Pai through some absolute riding nirvana. We'll get there in time to explore the famous Pai Walking Street in the early evening. There are plenty of street food vendors, let your eyes inspire you! Overnight Pai. (Approx 180KM)

We depart from Pai, riding across mountain ranges and completing the legendary 1,864-curve route along Highway 107, heading north of Chiang Mai. Along the way, we’ll stop for a coffee break with elephants. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase food to feed them and enjoy close, hands-on interaction with these gentle and lovable animals. After that, we continue to Chiang Dao for lunch. This area is supported by the Royal Project initiated by King Rama the 9th, focusing on sustainable agriculture and improving local livelihoods. We’ll also visit a small community market where locally developed products from the Royal Project are sold—contributing greatly to the well-being of the local people.

In the afternoon, before arriving at the hotel, we’ll stop to visit Wat Tha Ton, a beautiful hilltop temple known for its peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. We then check in at a charming riverside hotel by the Kok River, a scenic waterway that flows through northern Thailand, offering tranquil views and a relaxing atmosphere.

Dinner will be served at the hotel.

(Approx 240KM)

Start your journey by enjoying the fresh morning air along the peaceful rural roads in northern Chiang Mai. Ride up to an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, heading toward a traditional Chinese village, where settlers migrated many decades ago. Experience their unique way of life, including highland agriculture, tea plantations, and the production of high-quality tea. We will stop at a tea plantation for a tasting session, where you will learn about different varieties of tea and have the opportunity to purchase some as souvenirs.

Afterward, we continue riding for a short distance to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant located beside scenic rice fields. Here, you will savor simple and authentic Thai dishes. Next, we proceed to the famous Golden Triangle—the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Historically, this area was known for opium production and trade, making it an important region in Southeast Asian history.

We will then take a boat trip along the Mekong River, one of Asia’s most significant rivers, which flows through several countries and plays a vital role in local livelihoods and culture. Following the cruise, we visit the Hall of Opium, where you will learn about the history of opium in the region, its impact, and the efforts made to overcome its legacy.

For the final stretch of today’s ride, we will follow the main road back into the city of Chiang Rai, marking the end of our journey. (Approx 200KM)

Depart from the morning bustle of Chiang Rai city and wind your way through small rural villages. Along the route, observe the late-morning rhythms of local life—people returning from temple visits after making merit, others setting out on tractors to begin their day of farming. Stop at a charming local café and savor a freshly brewed cup of coffee, prepared unhurriedly and meant to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Continue your journey to Phu Sang National Park, where a small waterfall at the park headquarters offers a peaceful spot to rest and refresh. After a short walk around the area, carry on along a winding mountain road that traces the Thai–Lao border.

Pause for lunch at a local restaurant, taking in panoramic mountain views from over 1,000 meters above sea level. After lunch, continue riding to a scenic viewpoint. Just a short walk up a few steps, you’ll be rewarded with a clear view across to the Lao side. The way down from the mountains features narrow and steep curves, leading down to the Mekong River, the natural border between Thailand and Laos. Stop at a riverside café with a balcony overlooking the Mekong. The Mekong River is one of Southeast Asia’s most important waterways, flowing through multiple countries and serving as a vital source of life, culture, and transportation for riverside communities.

Afterward, enjoy a short ride to your comfortable hotel by the river, complete with a swimming pool overlooking the Mekong. Have dinner at the hotel, then take a stroll across the street where you may find a small, laid-back bar—open or closed depending on the owner’s mood. (Approx 215KM)

A bit earlier start today, the goal is to be at Thai Immigration when they open at 8 am. After clearing the Thai border formalities, we cross the Mekong River using the “Thai – Lao Friendship Bridge". On the Laos side our Laotian tour guide greets us & assist with the border formalities. The immigration and customs procedures are always an experience. It simply just takes time, so relax, be patient. Don’t forget! In Laos, we drive on the right-hand side of the road! Immediately in Laos you will notice (and feel) the change of pace and surrounds compared to Thailand. We have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue the remaining stretch to Luang Namtha . The road is quite good and the scenery is great as we are passing through a couple of villages, where the local children are always smiling and waving at the "big" bikes. (Approx 200KM)

From Oudom Xai we cross over the mountain on the newly built road towards LPB. Not so long ago this stretch took the whole day to cover but today it’s a pure pleasure to negotiate the curves and enjoy the scenery. There are plenty of great photo opportunities, nature, villages, people, children, animals, rice paddies etc. After our lunch stop we ride along the Nam Ou river with spectacular views of both the river and mountains on the other side. Finally we arrive into the relaxed vibe of Luang Prabang, now a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site as a “unique and remarkably well preserved architectural, religious and cultural city”. Our accommodation has massage spa and lovely dining areas including a ‘beer garden’ on the riverbank. There are also many dining and shopping choices nearby. (Approx 210KM)

This is a rest day to enjoy at your own pace.

In the morning you will have the option to rise early to view the procession of monks on their daily outing collecting alms, a practice that dates back centuries. It is done early, as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. 

You may also want to visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. It’s possible to swim in the lagoons so take your swimming gear. 

Another option is a boat ride cruising a couple of hours on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. Shorter sunset boat tours are also available and we can arrange any of these for you.

In Luang Prabang city you can visit the major temples, including the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers, and Wat Wisunalat, which is the oldest temple in the city. Another great optional activity is to sample a traditional Lao massage and herbal sauna. Along the walking street you find plenty of antique shops, bakeries, bars, etc. 

Whatever you choose - Enjoy! We stay another night in Luang Prabang.

Today we must leave the lovely LPB and first up we board the small vehicle ferry close by our hotel and cross the river. From the other side we start riding in a southern direction to Xayaburi. The road heralds the start of a 170 km stretch of highway along steep ridges and around hairpin bends, with headlong views of rugged valleys and remote mountains as far as the eye can see (*usually with very little other traffic) From Xayaburi we take the narrow and winding local road passing a couple of remote villages to Hongsa were we enjoy lunch. Last part of the day we ride to Pak Beng which is a colourful village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the smaller Beng River, hence the town’s name ‘Pak’ meaning ‘mouth’ in Lao. The scenery is stunning, the pace is slow. The town is a transit point for many backpackers travelling by boat on the Mekong River between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai. Enjoy the view from the hotel's infinity pool. Overnight in Pak Beng. (Approx 210KM).

Today is our last day in Laos on our motorcycle tour. We back track down the mountain top hotel road and only a short ride (approx.50kms) to the Huai Kon border point with Thailand. Normally the border formalities leaving Laos and entering Thailand are rather straight forward. Once back in Thailand, we are in the ‘Nan’ province, one of the few remote areas left in Thailand. Enjoy the road 1081 south towards Bo Kluea where we enjoy lunch after which we continue a great winding and scenic road towards Nan, the capital of this province. For centuries Nan was a separate, autonomous Kingdom with few relationships to the outside world. Now, the city is a beautiful town with many well-preserved temples. For local bikers, the area is a treasure. 

Overnight in Nan.

Our accomodation boasts a refreshing swimming pool and famous for its on site steak house and wine cellar (if you are a wine enthusiast you may be pleasantly surprised at some of the quality reds available from Thai winemakers).

Optionally we can arrange the short taxi ride into town for markets and local eateries.

(Approx 220KM).

Today’s ride will cover a longer distance, but the route is scenic, and incredibly rewarding. You’ll pass along mountain ridges and several beautiful viewpoints along the way. In the morning, we ride out of the city and head into small rural villages, gradually climbing over the mountains to the other side. From there, we descend toward the upper section of the reservoir above the Sirikit Dam.

Sirikit Dam is one of Thailand’s largest earth-fill dams, playing a crucial role in irrigation, flood control, and electricity generation. The surrounding area offers stunning natural landscapes and peaceful waters. At this point, we will take our bikes onto a local ferry to cross the reservoir.

After crossing, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Then, a short 10-minute ride takes us to visit a giant teak tree located inside a national park. In the afternoon, we continue riding toward Sukhothai Province.

Sukhothai is home to Thailand’s first capital and is renowned for its ancient ruins and historical park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with temples, Buddha statues, and rich cultural heritage. If you still have energy, you can enjoy a relaxing bicycle ride within the historical park to catch the sunset—one of the most memorable experiences of the day. Afterward, we’ll have dinner near the park. You may also explore a few small local bars in the area before returning to the hotel.

(Approx 310KM)

Depart from Sukhothai and head north to Si Satchanalai, an ancient town rich in history and once an important satellite city of the Sukhothai Kingdom, known for its well-preserved temples and peaceful atmosphere. After exploring, continue the ride across the mountains toward Chiang Mai. We will avoid the main roads, allowing us to pass through small villages along the way where traditional Northern Thai rural life is still very much alive. This route is especially scenic and a pleasure to ride.

We will stop for lunch in Lampang, then return to Chiang Mai via Highway 11, with a visit to a local market offering a variety of interesting goods.

(Approx 300KM)

Ready for departure transfer or stay on to enjoy some time in and around beautiful Chiang Mai.