Rolling Over Northern Thailand

We start our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand, once on our motorcycles we quickly leave Chiang Mai behind and start our ride in a western direction towards Mae Sariang. At the beginning the road is rather straight, passing through numerous small towns and villages and later becomes more curves. We are crossing a mountain range and as we get higher up vegetation is changing. Mae Sariang is a small town alongside the Yuam River, located near the Myanmar border. Before dinner, there is an opportunity to enjoy the sunset by the bank of the Yuam River. This is by purpose a rather short and easy day riding, a good way to get familiar riding in Thailand. Overnight in Mae Sariang.
(200 km/124 miles)

The early risers may visit the local morning market and give alms to the monks. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience an ancient Buddhist tradition. If you are already up, take the opportunity to visit the local wet market, quite an experience. After breakfast, we take the road to Salawin River, border to Myanmar for a coffee and leg stretcher. Continue in a southern direction running along the border to Myanmar to Mae Sot. Lunch along the way at a local restaurant. Why not try a noodle soup with chicken (Phatsiue Senlek gai). The road is winding, passing through many small communities like Ban Sop Ngao, Tha Song Yang and Mae Ramat. On the way, we also pass a huge Refugee Camp where thousands of Burmese live. In the afternoon we reach Mae Sot. For those interested, we ride to the border market for a visit. Also possible to cross over by foot into Myanmar. Dinner at the beautiful local restaurant Khao Mao-Khao Fang. Overnight in Mae Sot.
(230 km/143 miles)

Our next destination on our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand is Sukhothai. First part is a scenic ride over the mountains to Tak. Once in Tak, the landscape becomes rather flat while we continue to Sukhothai. Lunch along the way at a local restaurant by the Ping River in Tak. The historical Sukhothai, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, was the first capital of Siam. It was founded by King Ramkhamhaeng. The province's temples and monuments have been well restored and the park has numerous sites to explore. One of the highlights is Wat Sri Chum - the most enigmatic of Sukhothai's temples. The “temple of the Bodhi tree" was built in the late 13th century.

Since this is a shorter riding day we have time to explore Sukhothai Historical Park during the afternoon. The city walls form a rectangle about 2 km east-west by 1.6 km north-south. There are 193 ruins on 70 square kilometres of land. There is a gate in the centre of each wall. Inside are the remains of the Royal Palace and twenty-six temples, the largest being Wat Mahathat. Overnight in Sukhothai.
(240 km/149 miles)

On the way from Sukhothai, we will visit the oldest Teak Tree in the world. On smaller back roads we drive towards the Queen Sirikit Dam, built 1973. This dam stands an impressive 160 meters high and 800 meters long and covers an area of 220 square kilometres. Crossing the dam with a little local ferry - quite an experience. After disembarking from the ferry in Ban Pak Nai we have lunch at a local fisherman restaurant. We continue our ride on small provincial roads with hardly any traffic. This is farmland. Passing through a beautiful hilly landscape and countless villages.
Back on the main road the last stretch of the day to our final destination of the day which is the capital of Nan province and is also called Nan. 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 bikers, the area is a little known treasure. Overnight in Nan.
(320 km/199 miles)

Without any doubt, the road to Bo Kluea offers some of the best ridings in all of Thailand, which is why it is included in our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand! 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.
(190 km/118 miles)

We leave Nan and make our way through the hinterland on small back roads in north-eastern direction. Passing through rice fields and fruit plantations and cruise through small farm villages. For the next hundred km or so we ride through countless bends through yet more beautiful landscapes. This road is made for motorcycles. After a local lunch at a scenic restaurant, the ride becomes more and more spectacular. 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, which is why it's included in our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand! Overnight in Chiang Rai.
(250 km/155 miles)

This is a rest day on our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand. 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 take a short trip to the mighty Mekong River at the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, a "must-see" on our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand! 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. 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….)

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 to explore this unique town on our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand.
(250 km/155 miles)

Today is a very scenic riding day on our two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand. 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 continues 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. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
(300 km/186 miles)

This amazing two-week motorcycle tour of the best of Thailand ends with the transfer to the airport or your extension.