Amazing Land of Lanna

Without any doubt, the road to Bo Kluea offers some of the best ridings in all of Thailand, so it's an unmissable experience on your self-guided Thailand Motorcycle Tour. Classic twisty roads with almost no traffic will make this day unforgettable riding experience. Some of the stretches you just want to do again and again. 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. Visit one of the salt wells and learn how salt is extracted from the mountain, the way it has been done for many generations. Enjoy your lunch from the scenic restaurant terrace, the GPS will lead you there. From Bo Kluea you cross over the mountain through Phu National Park. Enjoy the stunning scenery and empty roads. Break at the unique coffee shop in Pua. In the early afternoon, you have concluded the loop and 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. Spend the evening at an authentic local restaurant on the bank of the Nan River. Overnight in Nan.
(210 km/130 miles)

Leave Nan and make your way through the hinterland first north bond on the main road and soon on small back roads in a south-eastern direction. This is another great motorcycle riding area. Great roads, endless bends, not much traffic, stunning scenery. Lunch by another river bank. Your ride continues north-eastern direction. For the next hundred km or so you pass countless rice fields and fruit plantations and cruise through small farm villages bends through yet more beautiful landscapes. Just before reaching your hotel in Chiang Rai you will visit the remarkable Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) which is today recognized as one of the main attractions all over Thailand. You park in front of the temple. Take your time to explore this unique and fairly recently built temple. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
(250 Km/155 miles)

This is a rest day on your self-guided 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, a short ride to the mighty Mekong River at the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. First stop is the viewpoint at Wat Phrathat, from here you have the Golden Triangle in front of you. Down by the Mekong River, you can swap your motorcycle for a boat and explore the river region. Taking a short break in Laos (no visa needed, only bring your passport) before returning to your motorcycle.
From the Golden Triangle, you continue to Mae Sai, the most northern point of Thailand and one of the main border crossings to Myanmar. At Mae Sai, take a stroll and explore the busy border market. Typical this part of the world, most trade is done by people carrying goods cross the border.
From Mae Sai ride up the mountains to Doi Tung (narrow and steep, be careful) 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 you along gentle hills through rice paddies and farm villages. 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 on your self-guided 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….)

From Wat Thaton, you 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 turn right on 1095 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 you 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.
(240 Km/149 miles)

Today is a very scenic riding day on your self-guided Thailand Motorcycle Tour. 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. You pass two mountains with 2 great scenic View Points en route. The journey takes you through some beautiful mountainous scenery. Around mid-day arrive Ban Rak Thai where you 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, you continue to Mae Hong Son and up the hill to visit the Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu. From here you have a great view of the city and its surroundings.
Next destination is the pier where you park your motorcycles. You can leave helmets, jackets etc at the ticket office. 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 ride the Road 108 from Mae Hong Son to Khun Yuam. It is a great winding road with wide twists. In Khun Yuam visit the local War 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 Coffee Shop and a 7/11 store. From Khun Yuam continue to Mae Chaem on Road 1088 and 1263 on nice twisty back roads. Here is a little local restaurant where you can have lunch. Ride Road 1192 and turn left on Road 1009 up to the top of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. Park your motorcycles and walk up to the absolute peak and the little museum.
Next stop is the Vachiratharn Waterfall - an impressive and powerful 80 m high waterfall. Continue on Road 1009 until reaching the intersection 108. The last 50 km or so, drive on Road 108 until reaching Bike Tour Asia Service Centre where you end the ride. Kindly arrive at our Service Centre no later than 5 pm, wrapping up your self-guided Thailand Motorcycle Tour.
(300 Km/186 miles)