5 Day Motorcycle Tour (Fantastic Lanna Kingdom) from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand’s best motorcycle roads come in one long, demanding package here: 1,864 curves, high mountain passes, pine forests, tea country, and the Mae Hong Son Loop. You’ll climb Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, then work north through Pai, Tha Ton, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Tung, and the Golden Triangle.

I like two things right away. The small group size, capped at 10 riders, keeps the ride friendlier and easier to manage. I also like the practical setup: a road captain leads, a mechanic and support van can assist, luggage is carried, and hotels, meals, bikes, and protective gear are arranged.

The main caution is simple: this is a serious riding holiday, not a relaxed sightseeing trip with occasional motorcycle time. Seven-hour riding days, narrow twisting roads, a 25,000 THB damage deductible, and a minimum requirement of four years of motorcycle experience mean you should arrive ready to ride.

Key points to know before booking

• 1,864 bends across the Mae Hong Son Loop: Expect sustained cornering, not a few scenic turns between highway stretches.
• Doi Inthanon reaches 2,565 meters: The first day brings mountain roads, waterfalls, gardens, and cooler high-altitude air.
• A small group with road support: The maximum is 10 riders, with a professional English-speaking road captain and support van.
• Five days of riding and sightseeing: Pai, Lod Cave, Chiang Dao, Doi Angkhang, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Tung, and the Golden Triangle all fit into the route.
• A package with plenty included: The price covers motorcycle rental, four hotel nights, five lunches, four breakfasts, four dinners, riding equipment, insurance, and airport pickup.
• Best for confident riders: Beginners have completed the trip, but the route is much better suited to someone comfortable with long days and mountain bends.

Why this route is special

The Lanna Kingdom route is built around Northern Thailand’s roads rather than a single attraction. You ride from one memorable stop to the next, with temples, caves, villages, tea farms, lakes, waterfalls, and border country filling the gaps.

That matters because the road itself is the main event. On many organized tours, the motorcycle is just transport between attractions. Here, the curving road through the mountains is the attraction.

You’ll also see several different sides of northern Thailand. Doi Inthanon brings national park scenery and royal gardens. Mae Hong Son and Pai offer a slower valley rhythm. Doi Mae Salong reflects the area’s Chinese mountain farming culture. The Golden Triangle adds a border setting where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.

The route is active from start to finish. Each day is listed at about seven hours, and that includes riding, meals, sightseeing, and breaks. You should expect full days rather than leisurely starts and long afternoons by the pool.

Day 1: Doi Inthanon and the road to Mae Sariang

The first morning begins at 8:30 a.m. in Chiang Mai, with airport pickup available and the tour ending back at the same meeting point five days later. The opening ride heads south, giving you a chance to settle in on the motorcycle before the mountain roads arrive.

Doi Inthanon is the natural headline. At 2,565 meters, it is Thailand’s highest peak. The route passes through pine forests and includes a waterfall, nature trails, royal pagodas, and botanical gardens.

This is a smart first day for getting used to the bike. You start with a highway section, then move into winding mountain roads. Lunch comes in Mae Chaem at a local restaurant before the ride continues through more pine forest toward Mae Sariang near the Myanmar border.

Mae Sariang is a quieter overnight stop than Chiang Mai or Pai. That gives the first evening a calmer feel after a long day in the saddle. The tour includes dinner and a hotel chosen for comfort and leisure facilities, but you should still expect to feel the distance in your shoulders and hands.

The altitude and changing weather are worth noting. Mountain air can feel cooler than Chiang Mai, so a light layer is useful even if the lowlands are hot. The operator supplies jackets and other protective gear, but bringing your own familiar clothing is sensible if you need an unusual size or prefer a specific fit.

Day 2: Mae Hong Son, Lod Cave, and Pai

Day two is the route’s great endurance test. You leave Mae Sariang for Mae Hong Son on narrow, twisting roads, with the riding becoming more technical and repetitive than on day one.

The stop in Khun Yuam adds context to the region with a World War II museum. Later, in Mae Hong Son, Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu sits on a hill above town. The temple gives you a broad view over the surrounding area and offers a welcome break from the motorcycle.

After lunch, the route continues to Lod Cave. Its name refers to the stream running through it, and the visit includes a bamboo raft. This is one of the trip’s useful changes of pace: after hours of cornering, you get an activity that has nothing to do with engines or asphalt.

The final run to Pai returns to the bends. Pai is known for its relaxed setting and compact town atmosphere, and the accommodation includes a swimming pool. There is also an optional stop at Tha Pai hot spring for a mineral bath.

The optional wording matters. You should not assume every rider will have time for a long soak, especially if the group is managing weather, traffic, or road conditions. Still, it is a pleasant choice if the day finishes on schedule.

This is also the day when you learn if the tour’s pace suits you. Seven hours on a motorcycle can feel very different from seven hours in a car. The scenery is rewarding, but you need to remain focused through the curves and conserve energy for the later sections.

Day 3: Pai, Chiang Dao, and sunset at Tha Ton

Day three begins unusually early for anyone interested in local culture. Before breakfast, you can offer food to monks along the streets near Pai’s local market.

This is an optional morning moment with a traditional feel, but it requires a very early start. If you value sleep more than ritual, you may prefer to rest. The important point is that the opportunity exists before the day’s main riding begins.

After breakfast, the route visits Pai’s World War II Memorial Bridge before returning to the mountains. The road then leads toward Chiang Dao, where lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Chiang Dao Cave provides the main sightseeing stop. The cave visit breaks up the ride and gives the day a clear rhythm: early local activity, morning road time, lunch, a natural attraction, then a long afternoon ride.

The route continues via Doi Angkhang to Tha Ton. Doi Angkhang is another high mountain section, and this is one of the days when the tour feels most like a motorcycle expedition rather than a standard northern Thailand circuit.

At Tha Ton, Wat Tha Ton sits high on the mountain. The sunset view is a fitting end to a day of climbing and cornering. Your accommodation has a panoramic outlook, giving you a chance to enjoy the setting without immediately getting back on the bike.

The route’s hotel choices are one of its stronger practical features. You are not simply being sent to basic roadside rooms after long rides. The package promises carefully selected hotels and resorts with leisure facilities, including pools at some stops. That adds real value when you are riding seven hours a day.

Day 4: Tea country, Doi Tung, and the Golden Triangle

Day four packs in the greatest number of borderland sights. From Tha Ton, you ride to a long-neck Karen village near the Thailand-Myanmar border, then continue to Doi Mae Salong.

Doi Mae Salong is known for Chinese mountain tea farmers. The stop includes a tea tasting, which gives you a direct connection to the area’s agricultural identity. It is also a useful contrast with the temples and caves earlier in the route.

Next comes Doi Tung Royal Villa and its botanical garden. The former winter palace adds a different layer to the day, while lunch at the Royal Project restaurant keeps the stop tied to the region’s agricultural work.

The route then reaches Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost point. At Wat Tham Pla, you can feed wild monkeys. Follow the guide’s instructions here, since animals can be unpredictable and food should be handled with care.

The final destination is the Golden Triangle. A long-tail boat trip takes you onto the Mekong River, and the itinerary includes a short visit to a small village in Laos without requiring a visa. You also visit an opium museum before settling into the night’s accommodation.

This is the most varied sightseeing day, but it may also feel the most crowded. You have several stops, border areas, a boat ride, a museum, and another full day on winding roads. If you prefer a slow pace with long visits at each site, this day may feel brisk.

The Golden Triangle stop is still worthwhile because it places the geography in front of you. Three countries meet here: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The river, border hills, and trade history make this more than a photo stop.

Day 5: Chiang Rai, the White Temple, and the ride back

The final day begins with a scenic route through farming country toward Chiang Rai. The major attraction is Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple.

The temple is a modern, highly decorative site rather than an old ruin. Its unusual white design makes it one of the most recognizable temples in northern Thailand, and it provides a strong final sightseeing stop before the route turns toward Chiang Mai.

After Chiang Rai, the ride includes a longer highway section to Phayao. The change is welcome after several days of mountain bends, though highway riding can feel less exciting for riders who came mainly for corners.

At Phayao, you visit Kwan Phayao, one of northern Thailand’s largest lakes. Lunch is served at a restaurant in front of the water. The setting gives you a calmer midday pause before the final mountain roads.

The return route includes Than Tong waterfall, Mae Kachan hot spring, and a local market stop for refreshments. Then you ride back to Chiang Mai and the original meeting point.

The last day is still about seven hours, so do not plan an important evening flight immediately after the tour. The tour ends back at the starting point, but the exact arrival time can change with road conditions, weather, and the group’s pace.

What the $1,875 price covers

At $1,875 per person, this is not a cheap motorcycle rental. It is a managed five-day expedition with a large amount bundled into one price.

The package includes:

• Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
• Four nights in selected hotels and resorts
• Five lunches, four breakfasts, and four dinners
• Airport pickup in Chiang Mai
• Motorcycle third-party liability insurance
• Motorcycle insurance with a deductible of up to 25,000 THB
• Accident cover up to 100,000 THB
• Life insurance up to 1,000,000 THB
• Helmet, jacket, gloves, and knee guards
• A professional English-speaking road captain with a TAT license
• Support van for luggage and, by prior request, space for a few riders
• Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and refresher towels connected with meals
• A tour T-shirt

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange a bike, hotels, meals, luggage transfers, route planning, and support separately. You are paying to focus on riding rather than solving a new problem at every stop.

The insurance details deserve close attention. The motorcycle cover has a deductible of up to 25,000 THB in case of damage, and the listed accident cover is separate from full travel insurance. You should arrange suitable travel insurance in your home country and read the rental and insurance terms carefully before riding.

Alcohol is not provided and is not permitted during the day while motorcycles are in use. You can drink in the evening after the bikes are parked.

The riding setup and safety picture

The road captain leads the group on a motorcycle, while the support van carries luggage and a few riders if arranged ahead of time. The tour also includes technical support, and the mechanics and guides praised in the provided feedback include Chao, Pong, Kai, Siam, and Noah.

You are expected to show proof of a motorcycle driving license and at least four years of riding experience. The minimum age is 21. A current passport is required on the day of travel.

Protective gear is supplied, and the operator strongly recommends wearing it. Helmets are compulsory in Thailand. Boots, gloves, and protective clothing are strongly advised, even if you rely on the supplied jacket and knee guards.

The small group limit is a real safety advantage. Ten riders are easier to keep together than a large convoy, and the road captain can respond more easily to differences in pace. Still, you remain responsible for riding within your ability.

The itinerary can change because of roadworks, weather, or new route information. No refund is given for a route change. That is normal for a mountain tour, where conditions can affect roads quickly, but you should book with some flexibility.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

You should consider this trip if you:

• Already ride confidently on mountain roads
• Enjoy long motorcycle days more than slow sightseeing
• Want a guided route through northern Thailand
• Prefer a small group to a large convoy
• Value having hotels, meals, luggage, and support arranged
• Want to combine the Mae Hong Son Loop with the Golden Triangle
• Like mixing riding with temples, caves, markets, tea farms, waterfalls, and border sights

You may want a shorter or less demanding trip if you are nervous on tight bends, dislike seven-hour riding days, or want to spend several hours at each attraction.

Some riders with limited long-distance experience have completed the route, but that does not make it a beginner course. You need enough control and stamina to manage repeated curves, changing elevations, and traffic without exhausting yourself.

Practical details that affect your decision

The tour runs only twice a month, with limited places. That schedule suits riders planning well ahead, but it gives you less flexibility than a daily departure.

Pickup is offered from Chiang Mai Airport, and the starting point is Big Bike Tours on Ragang Road in the Chang Khlan area of Chiang Mai. The departure time is 8:30 a.m.

Tell the operator about dietary requirements when booking. Water and cool refresher towels are carried in the support vehicle, while snacks can be bought during stops.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Fantastic Lanna Kingdom tour?

I would book this if the road is the reason you are coming to northern Thailand. The route delivers a rare combination: the Mae Hong Son Loop, Doi Inthanon, Pai, Doi Angkhang, tea country, Doi Tung, Chiang Rai, and the Golden Triangle in five tightly planned days.

The strongest reasons are the well-supported small-group format, the broad range of scenery, and the amount included in the price. The main tradeoff is pace. You will ride hard, start early on some days, and spend much of the trip focused on the road.

Bring your license, passport, suitable insurance, and a realistic view of your riding ability. If that sounds like a good holiday rather than a burden, this is a strong way to see northern Thailand from the seat of a motorcycle.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The tour lasts approximately five days, with each day planned around seven hours of riding and sightseeing.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Road, Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What motorcycle gear is provided?

The tour provides helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. Protective boots and additional protective clothing are strongly advised.

What riding experience is required?

You must provide evidence of a valid motorcycle driving license and at least four years of riding experience. The minimum age is 21.

Is the tour suitable for a large group?

No. The group is limited to a maximum of 10 riders.

What is included in the price?

The price includes motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage, four hotel nights, meals listed in the package, airport pickup, motorcycle insurance, accident and life cover, riding gear, a road captain, support van service, drinks connected with meals, and a tour T-shirt. Alcohol, airfare, visa fees, personal expenses, and travel insurance are not included.