GOLDEN TRIANGLE & MHS LOOP

This 8 day tour (6 riding days) through Northern Thailand gives you a chance to gain a thorough impression of the uniqueness of this beautiful region.

Thailand

6 riding days

1,410 KM

From $2,875

Start/Finish in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Airport

180 - 300 KM Daily

Paved Roads

No Rest day

SCHEDULED DEPARTURES

  • 23 SEPT 2023  >  30 SEPT 2023
  • 21 SEPT 2024  >  28 SEPT 2024
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HIGHLIGHTS

Chiang Rai / White temple, Phu Chi Fa, Golden Triangle, Mekong River, Road of 1,864 curves, Long Neck Hill Tribe, Doi Inthanon, endless mountain riding and stunning scenery.

MAP

Tour OVERVIEW


In total this trip covers approximately 1,410 km's of some of the best riding anywhere in the world. 

 

We explore the back roads from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, where we visit the famous White temple. Via beautiful Phu Chi Fa to the Mekong River and Golden Triangle, the region made famous by Khun Sa, once one of the world’s most infamous drug king, who even had his own private army. 

 

Between Mae Taeng and Mae Hong Son there are 1,864 bends or twisties which gives everybody a great opportunity to improve their cornering skills whatever their level of expertise.

 

Among the highlights of the trip you can visit the Long Neck Women of the Karan Tribe, famous for the brass rings that they wear around their necks. Before returning to Chiang Mai drive to the top of Thailand, the highest mountain in Thailand (Doi Inthanon), 2,565 meters.

 

Remarks

The roads are mostly easy to ride but there are some steep and technically demanding stretches. You must be able to handle a motorcycle and do not expect to learn how to ride while on this tour. Every riding day is designed in such a way that there is time for riding, relaxing, dining and sightseeing.



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Day by Day Schedule

Day 1 / Chiang Mai

 Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport (no later than 1 pm). Transfer to the hotel. At 3 pm transfer to Bike Tour Asia for a welcome briefing, answer any questions you might have and motorcycle hand over. Short motorcycle ride back to the hotel. Please plan your arrival to Chiang Mai accordingly. In the evening we have a Welcome Dinner and a briefing about the tour. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 2 / Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai

For most of the day the roads are rural with low traffic density. There are nice bends and a pleasant riding environment the whole day. We are quickly out of Chiang Mai, riding the back road to Phrao, further up the mountain to Doi Chang with its coffee plantations and beautiful views. During early afternoon when getting close to Chiang Rai we take some back roads to Wat Rong Khun (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 here we have a short 30 minutes ride to our hotel down town Chiang Rai which is the end destination of the day. After dinner, visit the busy night bazzar or just relax with a Thai massage at the beautiful centrally located hotel. Overnight Chiang Rai.

Day 3 / Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong

From Chiang Rai, we head in an eastern direction towards the mountain of Phu Chi Fa, where we enjoy lunch. Phu Chi Fa is located on the border between Thailand and Laos. It’s a great ride up there, the scenery is spectacular, lots of photo opportunities. The road is local and not much traffic. Since Phu Chi Fa is fairly remote, there are not many tourists who make it to this part of Thailand. If time permits and weather is clear, we ride up to the viewpoint and walk to the cliff on the border to Laos, enjoy the valley views. Descending from Phu Chi Fa towards the mighty Mekong River, stopping at the View Coffee, a beautiful spot then continuing along the Mekong River to Chiang Khong where we stay overnight at our riverside hotel.

Day 4 / Chiang Khong - Thaton

From Chiang Khong we ride alongside the mighty Mekong River to the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. We will ride up to the view point from where we have a great panoramic view of the Golden Triangle. There is an opium museum close by for those who are interested to learn more about the opium trade in this area not so long ago.

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.


Day 5 / Thaton - Pai

Another great motorcycle day is ahead of us. After breakfast we ride up the hill in Thaton and enjoy a splendid view from Wat Thaton over the town and the vicinity. We follow the main road Nr. 107 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 we turn right on 1095 and cross the mountains from to Pai. This is the beginning of the road to Mae Hong Son, famous for having 1864 bends of varying sharpness. Before we reach our hotel we stop at an Elephant Camp near Pai. Once in Pai, enjoy the pool at the resort, stroll down along the walking street etc.


Relax by the pool at hotel before we dine at a local restaurants along the walking street. The whole area is littered with restaurants, bars, food stalls etc. We will explore and enjoy. We stay overnight in Pai.


Note;

Pai is the hippie capital of South East Asia. It’s a town full of diversity and contradictions. There are back packers, 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.


Day 6 / Pai - Mae Hong Son

Today is a rather relaxed riding day. You will only ride for about 180 km. 

This is also the second part of the road famous for its 1864 bends of varying sharpness. We pass two mountains with 2 nice scenic View Points en route. The journey takes us through some beautiful mountainous scenery. Around mid-day we 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.

Next destination is the pier were 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. 

Return by boat to the pier and ride to the nearby Fern Resort, a lovely resort in the middle of rice paddies. Enjoy first a drink at the sunset bar overlooking the rice paddies and then dinner at the resort. If still some energy left, take a drink at the bonfire. We stay overnight at Fern Resort near Mae Hong Son. 


Day 7 / Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai

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 the history (approx. 10 min, included). Next to 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 were we expect to arrive around 5 PM. Transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai followed by farewell dinner. Overnight in Chiang Mai.


Day 8 / Chiang Mai Departure

This amazing trip ends with the transfer to the airport or your holiday extension. 


Enjoy the memories !


Tour Gallery


PRICES


All prices in USD.

Single Rider* Pillion* Single Room (Opt)
Triumph Tiger Sport 660 / 850 2,875.- 1,110.- 420.-
Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro 2,995.- 1,110.- 420.-
BMW R1250 GS 3,235.- 1,110.- 420.-

NOTES:

  • * Shared twin room
  • A deposit of USD 1,000.- per rider is payable upon booking. Rest payment is due the latest 60 days before departure. For Tours with Tour price less than the deposit, the full amount is due upon booking.
  • Motorcycle Damage Liability & Rental Agreement acceptance required upon handover of the motorcycle (see “Terms & Conditions”)
  • The price for a single rider in a sharing room requires another single rider booking with the same request. If there is no other request for room sharing we will have to charge you the single room supplement
  • We are pleased to assist you with the booking of additional nights in Chiang Mai or any other services in connection with the tour

INQUIRE / BOOK

Inclusions / Exclusions



  • Airport/Hotel/Bike Tour Asia’s Service Center transfers in Chiang Mai during arrival and departure day
  • 7 nights with Breakfast at carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities
  • 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners
  • Water, soft drinks, coffee/tea in connection with the meals
  • Late-model Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage and fuel
  • Panniers and top box if desired, basic motorcycle crash protection bars, etc.
  • Experienced Tour leader on a motorcycle
  • English speaking licensed Tour guide
  • Support vehicle
  • Transfer of luggage in the support vehicle
  • Entrance fees
  • Tour description

Not Included


  • Flights
  • On rest days, if any, no lunch or dinner included
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Riding gear (helmet, jacket & gloves can be rented at the Service Center. We do not provide pants and boots). We do recommend to bring your own.
  • All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature
  • Personal Travel Insurance (mandatory for our tours).

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Golden Triangle & MHS Loop Guided

FLEXIBLE TOUR OPTIONS


Book this tour how you want!

SCHEDULED RIDES

Check out the calendar.



TOUR CALENDAR
SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Do this tour on your own!



SELF-GUIDED TOURS
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