The road of thousand turns and the Golden Triangle
Day 1. Arrival of flights to Chiang Mai
Transfer to the hotel. Meeting at the hotel, introduction to the country and tour briefing. Dinner with the group at a restaurant in the city center. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2. Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Mae Hong Son. 265 kms. (6H30)
We left Chiang Mai heading south on the main road. Then we ride to the top of the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, stopping at the waterfall Vachiratharn. At the top we visit two stupas and there is a splendid view of the whole valley. We ride down by the southern part of the mountain through a winding and secondary road with little traffic. Away from the main road we enter a region little visited but with valleys and picturesque landscapes up to Khuam Yuam. From here to our destination, Mae Hong Son it’s only 100 kms of road in perfect condition. But driving the "Loop of the 1,800 curves", in this section we don’t drive faster than 60kms per hour. By late afternoon we reached Mae Hong Son.
Day 3. Mae Hong Son - burmese border - Mae Hong Son. 150kms (5h)
We head to the north, to the Burmese border. Our road is surrounded by bamboo forests and waterfalls. We visit a Chinese community settled for centuries at the edge of the Burmese border. We ride on a small section on a dirty road to reach the border with Burma. Lunch at Um Pang at the "Switzerland" of the area where we could swim in a natural lake. Back to Mae Hong Son to Nai Soi to see Thailand’s most famous tribe. The Long Neck Women, known as “the giraffe women”. In Mae Hong Son, we climb up to the city’s temple with stunning view of the city. The rest of the day, free to explore this small city of the north.
Day 4. Mae Hong Son - Pai. 190 km. (5h)
Today we will ride the most difficult stretch of the Loop. There are so many curves that some bikers get dizzy on the bike! Stop before eating to see one of the largest caves in Asia, with 12 kms of stalactites and stalagmites. Lunch on the edge of a river to reach Pai in the afternoon. Our resort on the banks of the river is waiting for us with first class bungalows. Pai is known as the backpacker town of the region and its relaxed atmosphere. Upon arrival you can opt for a massage, swim in the resort's pool or have a drink at any of the many lively bars in town.
Maybe this is the most famous part of the Mae Hong Son Loop. Road 1095 has 762 curves in 140kms! We finished the Loop and we head north to Chiang Dao. Chiang Dao is the third highest mountain in Thailand, and at its base we will visit the cave converted into a Buddhist shrine. The road and the landscape change now, as we enter the region of Karst with limestone formations and mountains in surprising shapes. We drive along the Burmese border through back roads. Reaching up to Doi Angkang we will ride the steepest road across the country. Some cars aren’t able to make it! Visit of the botanical garden at the Royal Angkhang Forest Project. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6. Angkang Doi - Doi Mae Salong. 125 kms (4h30).
Back in our bikes, we descent the mountain using low gears to reach Thaton. Lunch by the river after visiting the mountain temple of the village. Driving on back roads we will see an ancient refuge of warlords near the Burmese border. We go up to the Santi Kiri and we will taste different types of tea of the nearby plantation. Mae Salong has a significant Chinese community, having an atmosphere quite different from other cities of the country. Sometimes you might fell you are in China.
Day 7. Mae Salong - Chiang Khong. 180kms (5h)
Today we enter the famous or "infamous" Golden Triangle area. We leave behind the tea fields of Mae Salong, stopping at the Monkey Temple before reaching the town of Mae Sai, the border with Burma. We walk to the Burmese side to see the local flea market. Back to our bikes to ride the parallel road of the Mekong River to Chiang Saen. Here we will cross the river by boat to "no man's land" passing to Laos and its famous Casino. Arrival in Chiang Khong to our comfortable hotel overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 8. Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai - Thako. 230kms (6h).
We begin our return towards the south. Brief halt in Chiang Rai to continue to Thako where we turned West on a 20 kms of dirty track to reach the village where we will eat. We are in a typical village of the Akha tribe which until recently did not receive any foreign visits. The village lies in a valley surrounded by mountains and lush green forests. The dirty track will delight more than one. Back to the main road to sleep in our hotel in Thako.
Day 9 Thako - Samoeng - Chiang Mai 230 km. (6h)
Last Day of motorcycle tour but we still have some amazing kilometers of road ahead. We stopped for lunch at a beautiful resort where you will see an elephant camp near the river. We turn to make the Samoeng Loop, known as the Little Loop of Northern Thailand. This loop has mountain landscapes and winding road that has nothing to envy to his big brother, the Mae Hong Son Loop. We make our final kilometers along the main road that takes us to Chiang Mai. Arrival in the evening to Doi Suthep to see the sunset with the best views of the city. Overnight at our first day hotel. We say good bye to our motorcycles and last dinner with the group to celebrate our fantastic journey.
Day 10. Free day in Chiang Mai.
Free day for shopping or just relax at the hotel before flight departures. Transfer from hotel to airport according to your flight schedule.
10 days 9 nights (days 1 to 9 inclusive). Meeting with the group at the hotel day 1.
Pilions wishing to make the trip can do it on a bike or in the support vehicle.
The price includes:
• Hiring of the motorbike throughout the whole trip with a Honda CB500X.
• Hotels: equivalent to 3 * in Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Thako. Resort in first class bungalows in Pai. In the rest of the trip comfortable hotels (mainly the best available on each place).
• Twin-share basis; (single room supplement)
• Breakfast during the whole trip. Dinners the first and last day (days 1 and 9). Water during the road trip.
• English speaking guide, with experience on this trip.
• Vehicle and driver, to keep the luggage and provide assistance on the road with a minimun of 4 riders.
• Petrol, tools and repairs and mechanic on call, third party insurance.
• Transportation from Chiang Mai airport to hotel and hotel to Chiang Mai Airport.
Price does not include:
• The international flight to Chiang Mai.
• Travel Insurance. Mandatory 2
• Visa for Thailand.
• Vaccines and Medical Examination.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs or alcoholic beverages.
• Tips for tour staff or hotels and restaurants.
• The dinners, meals and any service not specified in "the price includes" section.
• The transport during free days.
• Deposit of 500 € for the rent of the bike. The deposit is returned in full at the end of the trip if the bike is not damaged
Weather and clothing during the trip.
During the month of March the average temperature in Chiang Mai is 31 °. In the mountains the climate is much more pleasant with temperatures between 22 ° and 26 ° with sunny days and moisture in the atmosphere. It is recommended high block sun protection cream, sunglasses and gloves.
Motorcycle equipment: helmet (the better one adjustable), summer jacket, gloves, closed boots, and waterproof equipment for the rain (those two pieces of preference). A tank bag is very convenient to have the camera or small things at hand.
