Discover the Gems of Lanna Kingdom on a 9 Days Motorcycle Tour

Northern Thailand is at its best from the seat of a motorcycle. This nine-day route links Nan’s mountain roads, the Golden Triangle, Pai, and Doi Inthanon, with long stretches through villages and forest where a car tour would feel sealed off from daily life. You ride 250 to 350 kilometers most days, so the road itself is the main attraction.

I like the careful support: motorcycle, fuel, full protective gear, two guides, a chase vehicle, and a spare bike are included. I also like the route’s balance, with big riding days broken by a full rest day in Chiang Rai. The drawback is clear: this is a serious road tour, not a relaxed sightseeing holiday. Long hours, mountain bends, changing weather, and a required international driving licence all matter.

Key details worth knowing before you book

• The Nan Loop is the heart of the ride: Bo Kluea’s old salt wells and Doi Phu Kha National Park give you some of the tour’s most memorable mountain scenery.
• Andy is your main contact: The operator, Big Bike Touring Company, handles bikes, guides, hotels, meals, and support through the route.
• You cover serious distance: Expect roughly 250 to 350 kilometers on a riding day, with winding roads and frequent changes in elevation.
• The package is unusually complete: Eight breakfasts, nine lunches, eight dinners, riding gear, fuel, park fees, and three- or four-star hotels are included.
• The route reaches both famous and quieter places: You get the White Temple and Golden Triangle, but also local villages, Phayao, Mae Sariang, and Nan.
• You need the right paperwork and stamina: Bring a valid passport and international driving licence, and budget an additional $3 per day for motorcycle health insurance.

Why this route works for serious riders

The tour begins and ends at Soi 4 in Nong Kwai, south of Chiang Mai, with an 8:00 a.m. start. From there, you head toward Phayao and Nan, then make a broad sweep through Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, and Doi Inthanon before returning to Chiang Mai.

That shape gives you a real sense of Northern Thailand. You are not simply riding out from Chiang Mai for a day and returning to the same hotel. You cross several distinct areas, from lake country and rice fields to high mountain roads and border towns.

The tradeoff is mileage. At 250 to 350 kilometers in a day, you will have limited time at some stops. This is best for a confident rider who enjoys covering ground. If you want long walks at temples, slow meals, or extra time with every market, the schedule may feel tight.

The group is limited to a maximum of 15 people. That is large enough for a social ride, but still small enough for guides and the chase vehicle to manage the group more effectively than a mass coach tour. The company provides helmets with Bluetooth, gloves, jackets, pants, and boots. You should still bring any protective clothing you need in a special size.

Day 1: From Chiang Mai to Phayao, Nan, and Doi Phu Kha

The opening ride takes you from Chiang Mai toward Phayao, then onward to Nan and Doi Phu Kha National Park. It is a strong introduction because the road quickly leaves the city behind and moves through hills, rice fields, villages, and forest.

Phayao is built around Phayao Lake, a calm stop after the morning ride. You have about 45 minutes here, enough to pause and take in the lake setting before continuing. This is less about checking off a monument and more about seeing a quieter provincial side of Thailand.

The approach to Nan brings mountain passes and wide views. Nan itself is one of the cultural centers of the north, and the route gives you a short stop there before the day’s longer run through Doi Phu Kha National Park.

Doi Phu Kha is allotted about eight hours, which shows how important the riding and scenery are on this part of the route. The park includes high mountains, forest, and viewpoints across valleys. You should expect the day to be physically demanding. There is much to see, but not much spare energy by evening.

Day 2: The Nan Loop and Bo Kluea’s salt wells

Day two focuses on the famous Nan Loop. This is one of the strongest parts of the tour for riders who enjoy bends, elevation changes, and remote countryside.

The road from Nan to Bo Kluea passes forests, hills, and small villages. Bo Kluea is known for its traditional salt wells, which have been used for centuries. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, so you will get a look at this unusual local industry without turning the morning into a long museum visit.

From Bo Kluea, you ride back through Doi Phu Kha National Park. The return route gives you another angle on the same mountain area, and the scenery changes with weather and light. This is a day when the road matters as much as the destinations.

You return to Nan after passing through more villages and countryside. The schedule lists a long stop in Nan, giving you a chance to eat, rest, and see more of the town. Since day one and day two both use Nan, the second day feels less rushed than a point-to-point transfer.

A practical warning: mountain roads demand attention. Even with protective clothing and a support vehicle, you should not treat the Nan Loop as a casual scooter outing. If you have limited motorcycle experience, ask the operator before booking.

Day 3: Pang Kha, Phu Chi Fah, and the Mekong at Chiang Khong

The ride from Nan to Chiang Khong shifts the mood from inland mountain country to Thailand’s northeastern border area. Pang Kha is a stop along the way, followed by Phu Chi Fah, known for unusual rock formations and views toward Laos.

Phu Chi Fah is especially appealing if you like open viewpoints. The route offers a sense of how close the border is, with distant views extending into Laos. Timing can depend on road conditions and weather, so do not expect every stop to unfold with clockwork precision.

Chiang Khong sits along the Mekong River. It is a useful overnight base and a pleasant change from mountain roads. You can visit temples and museums, sample northern food, and take in the river town’s slower pace.

The listed stop in Chiang Khong is brief, but your overnight stay gives the town more importance than the stop duration alone suggests. This is also a good point to check your gear, charge devices, and make sure you are ready for the next day’s border-region ride.

Day 4: The Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai’s White Temple

Day four delivers two of the north’s best-known sights. First comes the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet around the Mekong and Ruak rivers.

The area has a complicated past tied to regional trade and the opium economy. The tour allows about two hours, enough time to see the geographical meeting point and take in the river setting. It is a famous stop, so it can feel more arranged for sightseeing than the villages on the Nan Loop. Still, the location is genuinely interesting, especially when you understand how the rivers form the border setting.

Next comes Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple. Its white exterior, reflective details, and imaginative modern design make it unlike the older Buddhist temples elsewhere on the route. One hour is a sensible amount of time for a first visit. You can see the main features without losing the entire afternoon.

You then continue to Chiang Rai, where you spend the night. The city has temples, markets, and art galleries, and it is a good place to shift from riding mode to walking mode. The included hotel and meals also matter here because you are not spending the evening searching for basic services after a long road day.

Day 5: A full rest day in Chiang Rai

The rest day is one of the smartest parts of the schedule. After four days on the road, you get a full day in Chiang Rai to explore at your own pace or simply recover.

You can use the time for local markets, temples, galleries, or a slower meal. The tour information does not prescribe a fixed list of activities, which gives you freedom. You might find this day especially useful for laundry, a massage, a phone recharge, or a quiet break from the helmet.

Do not underestimate the value of this pause. A nine-day motorcycle route can become tiring when every day requires packing, riding, checking in, and eating on schedule. The Chiang Rai rest day helps keep the second half enjoyable.

Day 6: Chiang Dao, Doi Chiang Dao, and Pai

After Chiang Rai, the route turns south toward Chiang Dao and then Pai. Doi Chiang Dao reaches 2,225 meters and is Thailand’s third-highest peak. The area combines high mountain views with opportunities for trekking and time outdoors.

Pai is known for its laid-back feel and scenic surroundings. The route also includes Pai Canyon, where narrow ridges and deep gullies create broad views over the surrounding area. It is a striking stop, but take care near edges and uneven ground.

This is another long day, listed at about 12 hours around the Pai section. You will want to begin rested and accept that the ride, not just the sightseeing stops, fills most of the day. Pai itself rewards a slower visit, but this tour gives you a taste rather than an extended stay.

For many riders, this will be one of the most enjoyable stretches. You get mountain roads, a well-known small town, and a major natural viewpoint in the same day. For others, the long distance may leave too little time to appreciate Pai properly.

Day 7: Pai toward Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang

The next section covers about 270 kilometers and takes you through some of the most scenic roads in the north. Mae Hong Son is known for ornate temples and its setting among hills. Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is a key local sight, with views over the town and surrounding country.

The schedule also connects this part of the route with Mae Sariang. The exact order of Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang may change, since the operator reserves the right to adjust routes for road works, weather, or new route information. That flexibility is practical in mountain country, but you should not book expecting every stop to run in a fixed order.

This is a good day to trust the guides and keep your pace sensible. Weather can change quickly in the hills, and wet roads affect both visibility and braking distance. The chase vehicle and spare motorcycle are valuable here, especially when the group is far from Chiang Mai.

Day 8: Mae Sariang and the Mae Hong Son Loop

Mae Sariang brings another quieter town and a chance to enjoy the road without chasing one famous monument. The route follows the Mae Hong Son Loop and includes Mae Surin Waterfall.

The waterfall stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so think of it as a scenic break rather than a long nature walk. The appeal lies in the combination of winding roads, forest views, and small communities along the way.

Mae Sariang is also associated with beautiful sunsets. After several demanding riding days, an evening here can feel more personal than a major city stop. You get a sense of northern life beyond the best-known tourist centers.

Because the supplied schedule places Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang across days seven and eight in a way that can read out of order, confirm the final route with Andy before departure. The operator clearly allows changes, and the practical details may be adjusted to suit road conditions.

Day 9: Doi Inthanon and the return to Chiang Mai

The final ride goes from Mae Sariang to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, then back to Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon National Park is the grand closing point, with high-elevation scenery and a different feel from Doi Phu Kha and Doi Chiang Dao.

The stop at Doi Inthanon lasts about an hour. That is enough to mark the achievement and take in the mountain setting, though not enough for an extended park visit. You then descend toward Chiang Mai through towns and villages, with opportunities to stop at a local market or street vendor for northern food.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. That makes arrival simple, but remember that the return time can depend on the day’s road conditions and the group’s pace. Do not schedule a tight flight immediately afterward.

What the $3,793.78 price really covers

The price is high, but it includes far more than a motorcycle rental. You receive a motorcycle, fuel, guide service, full riding equipment, third-party motorcycle liability insurance, hotel accommodation, and a chase vehicle with a spare motorcycle.

Meals are also built in: eight breakfasts, nine lunches, and eight dinners. Entrance fees for historic sites and national parks are included, as are the listed fees for the Golden Triangle, White Temple, and Doi Inthanon. Carefully selected three- and four-star hotels remove much of the daily planning work.

You still pay for alcohol, flights, visas, personal expenses, and hotel extras. Motorcycle health insurance costs an additional $3 per day. That last item is easy to miss, so include it in your budget.

I see the package as good value for a rider who wants support and does not want to arrange a new motorcycle, hotels, meals, route planning, park entry, and roadside backup independently. It is less attractive if you already have a bike in Chiang Mai or prefer budget lodging and independent meals.

Who should book this motorcycle tour?

Book it if you are a confident rider who enjoys long days, mountain bends, and changing scenery. It also suits you if you want local towns and rural roads but prefer having guides, hotels, meals, and a support vehicle arranged.

The tour is not limited to expert riders on paper, and most people can participate. Still, the daily distances mean you should be honest about your stamina and riding comfort. A pillion rider can join, but the operator recommends booking the child option and sharing the details in advance.

Bring a valid passport on the day, an international driving licence, and suitable personal protective clothing if standard sizes may not fit. Helmets are compulsory in Thailand, and protective boots, gloves, and clothing are strongly advised for both riders and passengers.

Cancellation terms are strict close to departure. Cancel at least six full days ahead for a full refund, two to six days ahead for a 50 percent refund, and less than two days ahead for no refund. Bad weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date or full refund.

Final verdict: a strong choice for the right rider

I would book this tour for the route, not just the famous stops. The Nan Loop, Bo Kluea, Phu Chi Fah, Mae Sariang, and the long mountain connections give you a fuller view of Northern Thailand than a short Chiang Mai excursion.

The best features are the strong route planning, two guides, good motorcycles, full gear, quality hotels, and backup vehicle. Andy’s direct communication through WhatsApp before arrival is also useful when you need to confirm bikes, documents, or a pillion arrangement.

I would hesitate only if you dislike long riding days, need a fixed timetable, or want several days in each town. For a rider who wants a supported, cross-country motorcycle journey with real countryside between the headline sights, this is a well-priced and unusually complete way to see the north.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The tour lasts approximately nine days and begins and ends at the meeting point in Chiang Mai.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Soi 4, Tambon Nong Kwai, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How far do you ride each day?

The average daily distance is approximately 250 to 350 kilometers.

Is motorcycle equipment provided?

Yes. The package includes a helmet with Bluetooth, gloves, jacket, pants, and boots. Special-size clothing may require you to bring your own protective gear.

Is fuel included?

Yes. The motorcycle and gas are included in the tour price.

Do I need an international driving licence?

Yes. An international driving licence is required. If you do not have one, you should contact the operator before booking.

Is motorcycle health insurance included?

No. Motorcycle health insurance is not included and is listed at $3 per day. Third-party liability insurance for the motorcycle is included.