First day of riding is rather short and easy. It’s a great way for everyone to get familiar with their motorcycle and the local riding environment. Roads we are riding are in good shape with normally low traffic density. In the morning leaving Chiang Mai and drive north direction towards Phrao. From here we cross a mountain range, north of Khun Chae National Park. Those are the roads you love to ride motorcycle on. During early afternoon when getting close to Chiang Rai taking some back roads to Wat Rong Khung (White Temple), the remarkable temple which is today recognized as one of the main attractions all over Thailand. Park your motorcycle and take a stroll inside the temple. There are plenty of coffee shops around the temple. From the temple there is a short 30 minutes ride to our hotel down town Chiang Rai which is the end destination of the day. After dinner, take a stroll to the clock tower and the night market. Overnight in Chiang Rai

Today we have a long day in front of us. Leaving Chiang Rai behind we ride to the famous Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. We will drive up to the temple Wat Sop Ruak where you have a great view over the Golden Triangle. Visit the ‘House of Opium’ and learn the interesting history of this area and the once flourishing opium trade. From here we continue the “Paradise road” to Chiang Khong and the Thai – Lao border. This is our first land border crossing for the trip. Just relax and enjoy the bureaucratic “show” and let our tour guides work their magic! Once in Laos you will notice the difference, we ride on the right side, the country is much poorer and less populated than Thailand. Riding on the main transit road to China we ride over mountains passing some remote villages and small towns to Luang Namtha, today’s final destination. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Mekong River, 4500 km long (3400 miles). 12th Longest River in the work, third longest in Asia, after Yangtze (3rd in the world) and Yellow River (6th in the world).

Originates in Tibetan Plateau, flows through Southwest China, Myanmar/Laos/Thailand/Cambodia and flows into South China Sea south of Saigon in Vietnam. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult.

From Luang Namtha we continue towards the Chinese border for a while before turning east towards Muang Xai. Here you will see the new high speed railway connecting Vientiane (Lao capital) with Kunming in China). The railway line is financed by China and has significantly changed north Laos. 

The road from Luang Namtha to Oudomxai have many trucks due to the closeness to the Chinese border. Some part of the road is quite beaten up, full of potholes, gravel and mud. We will slow done and be extra careful.

From Muang Xai we continue to Pack Beng, located along the Mekong River. Pak Beng developed as an overnight stop for both cargo and passenger ferries. Set in a scenic spot where the Nam Beng flows into the Mekong (Pak means mouth and Beng is the name of the river) Enjoy a cold drink and the view from the hotel's infinity pool. Overnight in Pak Beng.

First stretch today is to Hongsa, most “famous” for its huge lignite power station. It’s an enjoyable stretch of road, snaking its way over gentle mountains (Enjoy a break in one of the villages). From Hongsa we take the new road over the mountain to Luang Prabang. The scenery is beautiful, not many people are living in this part of Laos. There is still plenty of virgin jungle in this area. We stop on the top of the mountain at a village and visit the local school (Lak 62). It’s a humbling experience to spend some time with the kids. We are donating some food, clothes and school accessories. Please feel free to donate some cash to the teachers for food and school material for the kids. In the afternoon we shall reach Luang Prabang with its gleaming temple roofs, fading French architecture and stunning mountain backdrop. It has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best-preserved city in South East Asia. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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. By giving food to a monk you make merit, which should augur well for your next life. 

You may also want to visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. It’s possible to swim in the lagoons so take your swimming gear. Leave at 9 am from our hotel and return around noon. There is a small entrance fee to the waterfall. Our guide will arrange transport etc 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. Our local tour guide will show you around. Leaving from hotel at 3 PM.

Another option is a boat ride cruising, 2-3 hours including food on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. Shorter sunset boat tours also including food, two hours, are also available and we can arrange any of these for you. Price from USD 80 to 100. Starting at 4 PM from the hotel.

We will discuss through the options in more details. For the ones who want, city walking tour and transport to Kuang Si Waterfalls will be arranged.

Whatever you choose - Enjoy!

There are two roads in the southern direction from Luang Prabang. We will take the one less travelled over the Lam Phen mountain range. The area is remote with some few hill tribe villages. Descending down the valley to Kasi were we meet the main road, turning right towards Vang Vieng. This region was during the Vietnam War a strong hold for the anti-Communist movement. In the remote mountains there was an CIA “secrete” airbase hidden. Stopping for lunch in Vang Vieng, located on the Nam Song River. There are striking limestone mountains and caves surrounding the town. The town is a popular destination for back packers. Our last stretch is along the valley to Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos, located on the banks of the Mekong River. It's known for its mix of French-colonial architecture and Buddhist temples, including the iconic golden Pha That Luang, a national symbol. Vientiane became the capital of Laos in 1563. The city was heavily influenced by French colonization in the 19th and 20th centuries. Overnight in Vientiane.

Leaving the Phou Hin Boun behind us we stop for a coffee in Lak Sao, a sleeping mining town before we ride up the mountain and to the Lao – Vietnam border at Nam Phao. This area was part of the “Ho Chi Minh network of roads during the Vietnam war. We will ride the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail toward Cuo Lac. 

Our final destination of today is the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003. The park covers a total surface area of 123,326 hectares and shares a boundary with the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in Laos. The Park’s landscape is formed by limestone plateau and tropical forests. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena, including a large number of caves and underground rivers. Our resort is located in the country side, next to a river, offers kayaking and other outdoor activities. Overnight on Cuo Lak.

Today you can chose between two options.

Option 1. 

Start with visiting Paradise Cave (Hang Thien Duong) a stunning natural wonder located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discovered 2005 and one of the most beautiful caves in the area. From parking to cave entrance it's a 600m-plus “sweaty” climb up to the cave entrance. With a length of 31.4 km and a height of 60m. The cave’s width varies from 30m to 100m, with some places up to 150 meters and a height of up to 72 meters. The cave is known for its unique stalactite and stalagmite. We plan 1.5 – 2 hours for the visit.

Continue East bound towards the coast to see Vinh Moc tunnel build by the locals to escape the brutal bombardment of the US Army. Total length of the tunnels is nearly 2,000m with six entrances to the tops of hills and seven entrances to the South China Sea.

Continue to “Freedom Bridge” or Hien Luong Bridge crossing the Ben Hai River at 17th parallel where you will walk across the old DMZ demarcation line from South to North. There is a Memorial of National Unification, Frontline Flagpole. Overnight in Dong Ha.

Option 2. 

If you choose this option, this is a longer day. The ride is spectacular along the legendary Ho Chi Ming Trail. Rain forest, windy road, very remote and some spectacular villages. Expect an early start and late arrival to Dong Ha.

Visit Khe Sanh military base;

For all of you interested in the Vietnam War, this is a highlight.

To get there we will ride QL15 road (Ho Chi Minh Trail), this is a truly road “Less Travelled”, all paved.

The site of the most famous siege of the American War, the USA’s Khe Sanh Combat Base was never overrun, but it saw the bloodiest battle of the war. About 500 Americans, 10,000 North Vietnamese troops and uncounted civilian bystanders died around this remote highland base. In 1968 the hillsides trembled with the impact of 1000kg bombs, white phosphorus shells, napalm, mortars and endless artillery rounds, as desperate American forces sought to repel the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

The 75-day siege of Khe Sanh began on 21 January 1968 with a small-scale assault on the base’s perimeter. As the marines and South Vietnamese rangers braced for a full-scale ground attack, Khe Sanh became the focus of global media attention. During the next two months the base was subjected to continuous ground attacks and artillery fire, and US aircraft dropped 100,000 tons of explosives in its vicinity. But the expected attempt to overrun the base never came.

Today we are visiting two UNESCO world heritage sites, Hue and Hoi An. Starting with the historic old city center of Hue. Huế was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. We will visit the vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City, once the emperor’s home. From Hue we cross the spectacular Ocean Cloud Pass on a high coastal road. We'll then bypass the busy commercial city of Da Nang before reaching our resort hotel in Hoi An, right on the beachfront. 

From the hotel we head to Hội An, known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Today it’s a rest day. You have several options to choose among. Maybe starting the day with a late breakfast and chilling out by the pool.

DA NANG; It's known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and friendly people. Among the “things to do are;

The Marble Mountains: A network of five marble mountains with multiple caves, elaborate temples & viewing outlooks. It is a popular tourist destination for those who are looking for a scenic and spiritual experience. You can hike to the top of the mountains for panoramic views of the city or explore the many caves and temples. 

DA NANG DOWNTOWN: An amusement park with a massive Ferris wheel & other rides plus themed areas based on Asian countries. It is a great place to spend a day with family and friends. You can enjoy the rides, explore the different themed areas, and watch shows and performances. 

Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture: A compact museum displaying a collection of sculptures & cultural items like costumes & instruments. It is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the Cham people. You can see a variety of sculptures, including Cham statues, carvings, and ceramics. 

3D Museum Art in paradise Da Nang: An interactive museum where visitors can pose for playful selfies in front of themed 3D paintings. It is a fun and unique way to experience art. You can take photos with the paintings and create your own unique memories. 

Dragon Bridge: A bridge that spans the Han River and is lit up at night with colorful lights. It is a popular spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the views of the river. You can also watch the dragon breathe fire and water on special occasions.

GOLDEN BRIDGE; Visit this iconic land mark build 2018. A 150-meter-long pedestrian bridge in the Bà Nà Hills resort, near Da Nang, Vietnam. It is designed to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide a scenic overlook and tourist attraction. The bridge loops nearly back around to itself and has two giant hands, constructed of fiberglass and wire mesh, designed to appear like stone hands that support the structure.  

HOI AN; Return to Hoi An and explore this beautiful historical town on your own. Enjoy one of the many cultural highlights, restaurants and bars.

Hoi An, brief history;

Rise as a Major Port: During the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An became a prominent trading port in Southeast Asia. Its strategic location on the Silk Road by sea made it a vital stop for merchants from China, Japan, India, and Europe. 

International Trading Hub: The town attracted traders from various countries, resulting in a diverse cultural mix. This is reflected in the architecture, with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. 

Thu Bon River's Importance: The Thu Bon River played a crucial role in Hoi An's prosperity, allowing ships to easily navigate to and from the port. 

Decline in the 19th Century: As larger ships became more common, the Thu Bon River began to silt up, making it difficult for them to access Hoi An. This led to the rise of nearby Da Nang as the primary port, and Hoi An's commercial importance gradually declined.

Our local tour guide will help you arrange transport etc. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy!

Today is a rather long day. We'll continue down the coast for a while partly on a new road before striking inland via the Violac Pass. We ride the Kon Chu Rang Mountain range, part of the central highlands. The road snakes its way up to 1’300 meters. Scenery is beautiful and the second half of the road is new. True riding pleasure. The area has plenty of coffee plantations and is a recreation ground for both local and foreign tourists. 

In Kon Tum we stop at St Maries Cathedral, a legacy of French missionaries from over 100 years ago. Built in 1913 and dedicated to St. Cuénot, the wooden church of Kon Tum retains a certain cachet despite the concrete reconstruction of the base walls. Its interior rich in precious wood decorations, its majestic bell tower over 20 meters high, its wooden floor raised one meter to allow ventilation and its superb multicolored stained glass windows depicting passages from the Bible. We'll then proceed to our hotel in Pleiku for the evening and our last night in Vietnam. Pleiku is the capital of Gia Lai province, located in the central highlands at an elevation of 800 meters. Climate is pleasant. Overnight in Pleiku.

From our resort we ride into the center of Stung Treng and visit the local market. Take some time and stroll around the many stalls. Back on our motorcycles we cross the Mekong River for the last time. Through small villages we wind our way to Siem Reap, which has become Cambodia's, and possibly Asia's, most holy of tourist pilgrimages. Prepare for a few more people than we've typically shared our space with over recent days! Siem Reap is a bustling commercial (dare we say tourist) town because of the nearby temples, but also boasts a vibrant nightlife of pubs, bars, pool rooms, music, restaurants. It's a great place to unwind and have a few drinks whilst soaking up the atmosphere. Overnight Siem Reap.

You're about to transition from those who haven't yet seen Angkor Wat, to those privileged few who have. It's right up there with Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal or the medinas of Marrakech. The sheer scale of the temple complex is mind blowing, and a visit to Ta Prohm is particularly impressive, as the authorities have left much of it in the same condition as they found it, still covered in lush jungle growth and creeping vines. The place is truly awesome.

We will visit the temple area on tricycles. Our local guide will share the history of this vast area.

Some of the highlights we will visit, Ta Phrom (Jungle Temple), Angkor Thom, Bayon, and Angkor Wat Temple. Cost per person for entrance ticket to the Angkor area is USD 37. A tricycle costs USD 10 per person.

Breif history about the Temples.

Angkor Wat (Temple City), "City/Capital of Temples") is a Hindu-Budist temple complex measuring 162.6 hectares. It resides within the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor. Considered as the largest religious structure in the world. Constructed in the 12th century, from 1122 to 1150 (28 years). 

Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat more than 5 kilometers (3 mi) long and an outer wall 3.6 kilometers (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the center of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls. 

On our way out from Siem Reap we ride along the West Baray. Among five, the largest baray at Angkor and one of the largest hand cut water reservoirs on Earth. It’s an easy gravel road, and along the lake (8 km) we will briefly stop next to a Buddhist temple and food stalls. Once turning off the main highway to Thailand we will take smaller roads towards our end destination Pailin passing small village, rice paddies, orange farms etc. We will stop for lunch in the town of Battambang. The town is known for its colonial architecture. This is the real rural Cambodia. Overnight outside Pailin.

We are well and truly winding down the clock, as we cross the border back into Thailand (and cross to the other side of the road). It's our final run into Pattaya Beach. On our way to Pattaya we will ride along the coast line between Chantaburi and Rayong. Lunch at one of the many seas food restaurants. Upon our arrival to Pattaya we'll probably have a cleansing ale or two. Farwell dinner at a sea food restaurant. For the ones craving for night life, visit the famous walking street. Overnight in Pattaya.

Our tour officially ends with breakfast, then you're on your way to the airport. From one of the nearby airports you can fly Domestic or International, depending on your connections. Bye for now, it's been fun and the memories will last a lifetime!