Amazing Land of Lanna

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, transfer to the hotel (arrival not later than 1 pm). At 3 pm transfer to Bike Tour Asia for a welcome briefing, answer any questions you might have and motorcycle hand over. A short ride back to your hotel followed by a common dinner. Please plan your arrival to Chiang Mai accordingly. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Once on our motorcycles we quickly leave Chiang Mai behind and start our ride in an eastern direction towards Phayao. During most of the day, we cruise one hilly road, a great start to get familiar with riding in Thailand and your motorcycle. In Phayao we enjoy a nice lunch by the lake before we continue our journey towards Nan. The last part of the day we are crossing a mountain range enjoying the curves and the remote roads. There are plenty of villages and rice fields along the route. Dinner by the Nan River. Overnight in Nan.
(300 km/186 miles)

Without any doubt, the road to Bo Kluea offers some of the best ridings in all of Thailand, so it must be included on our Northern Thailand Motorcycle Tour. Classic twisty roads with almost no traffic will make this day unforgettable riding experience. The tiny village of Bo Kluea is located in a scenic valley close to the Lao border - remote and picturesque. “Bo Kluea” means salt well as the village has raised around two natural saltwater wells which have been used for centuries. From here we cross over the mountain through Phu National Park. Enjoy the stunning scenery and empty roads. In the early afternoon, we are back in Nan to visit the most beautiful temple, Wat Phumin. The temple was built as if it were on the back of two immense snakes. We will spend the evening at an authentic local restaurant on the bank of the Nan River. Overnight in Nan.
(210 km/130 miles)

We leave Nan and make our way through the hinterland on small back roads in a south-eastern direction. Passing through rice fields and fruit plantations and cruise through small farm villages. After a local lunch at a scenic restaurant, the ride becomes more and more spectacular. For the next hundred km or so we ride through countless bends through yet more beautiful landscapes. Just before reaching our hotel in Chiang Rai we will visit the remarkable Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) which is today recognized as one of the main attractions all over Thailand. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
(250 Km/155 miles)

This is a rest day in the middle of our Northern Thailand Motorcycle Tour. Enjoy a healthy breakfast in the hotel and spend the day at the hotel pool or in a Spa. You may also take a walk exploring the town to visit some of the many markets and temples. A walk is likely needed after all the great riding hours. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

From Chiang Rai, we make a short ride to the mighty Mekong River at the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. We swap the motorcycles for a boat and explore the river region. Taking a short break in Laos (no visa needed, only bring your passport) before returning to our motorcycles.
From the Golden Triangle, we continue to Mae Sai, the most northern point of Thailand and one of the main border crossings to Myanmar.
From Mae Sai, we ride up the mountains to Doi Tung and Doi Mae Salong on yet more amazingly twisty mountainous roads. Doi Mae Salong is a Chinese settlement which was built by a division of the Chinese Nationalist Army that refused to surrender to Chinese communists after the Nationalist Kuomintang government was routed in 1949. Today the village still offers a native Chinese cuisine, lovely houses with flowers and countless tea plantations as far as the eyes can see.
The final part of today’s route will take us along gentle hills through rice paddies and farm villages. We follow the Kok River for a while before you turn left to your resort at Thaton. Enjoy a cold drink and stretch your legs by the pool. Overnight in Thaton.
(220 Km/137 miles)

Another great riding day is ahead of you as we continue the Northern Thailand Motorcycle Tour. From the resort ride couple of kilometres to enjoy the splendid view from Wat Thaton over the valley, Kok river and the vicinity. Make the effort and visit the Wat. (It’s well worth taking off your riding boots….)
(240 Km/149 miles)

From Wat Thaton, you follow the main road and have a coffee break at the Hua Luk Royal Project. Lunch can be held at The Nest Resort with a beautiful view at the Limestone Mountains in the back.

At Mae Tang turn right and cross the mountains to Pai. This is the beginning of the road to Mae Hong Son, famous for having 1864 bends of varying sharpness. Before we reach your hotel stop at an Elephant Camp near Pai. Once in Pai, enjoy the pool at the resort. After the sunset stroll down along the walking street, taste food from the street food stalls or enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Note;
Pai is the hippie capital of South East Asia. It’s a town full of diversity and contradictions. There are backpackers, tourists with suite cases, people who once came and never left. Mixed from all corners of the earth, all walks of life and age groups. This little town is full of bars with live music. Enjoy!
Overnight in Pai.

Today is a very scenic riding day. Even if the distance is not that much, there are plenty of mountains and switchbacks to negotiate, don’t worry, you will need the full day.
This is also the second part of the road famous for its 1864 bends of varying sharpness. We pass two mountains with 2 great scenic View Points en route. The journey takes us 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 specialities. 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.
After lunch, we continue to Mae Hong Son and up the hill to visit the Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu. From here we have a great view of the city and its surroundings.

Next destination is the pier where we park our motorcycles. Enjoy 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….
Return by boat to the pier and ride to the nearby Resort. Enjoy first a drink at the sunset bar overlooking the rice paddies. Overnight in Mae Hong Son.
(180 Km/112 miles)

In the morning we leave Mae Hong Son behind and ride to Khun Yuam. It is a great winding road with wide bends. In Khun Yuam we visit the local Museum. The Imperial Japanese Army troops were stationed in Khun Yuam during the construction of a highway intended to cross Burma to India. Tip: Ask the museum staff to show the video about history (approx. 10 min, included). Besides the museum, there is a great Coffee Shop and a 7/11 store.
From Khun Yuam we continue to Mae Chaem on great twisty back roads. Lunch at a little local restaurant. We continue up to the top of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand.
Next stop is the Wachiratharn Waterfall - an impressive and powerful 80 m high waterfall. From here we ride the last part of Doi Inthanon national park. Once down in the valley, we have another 50 km to our Service Center in Chiang Mai where we expect to arrive around 5 PM. Transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai followed by farewell dinner which concludes our Northern Thailand Motorcycle Tour. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
(300 Km/186 miles)

This amazing Northern Thailand Motorcycle Tour ends with the transfer to the airport or your extension.