Accommodation

Check-in Time:

08:30

Check-out Time:

16:00

You will stay at various accommodations as outlined in the itinerary.

Program

Please be informed that this 20-day does include the arrival and the departure day, which means that you will be 18 days on the road. The hotel on the arrival and departure day, of course, includes the tour price. BIG BIKE TOURS runs this tour only twice a year. Places are limited and in high demand. If you have any more questions, please feel free to send an inquiry!

Departure time

The tour will start at 8:30 a.m. the day after the arrival day.

Return time

The tour will finish after breakfast at the hotel on departure day.

Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai, arrival

Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) from Bangkok. Your guide will await you outside the customs hall and transfer you to the Amora Tapae Hotel, located in the center and old city of Chiang Mai. Dinner with the tour crew and accommodation at the hotel.

Hotel: Amora Tapae Hotel

Day 2: Chiang Mai - Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) (247 km / 153 miles)

You take the highway, heading north of Chiang Mai. Discover Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple near Chiang Rai. Continue along winding roads to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, Mae Sai at the Burma border. Spend the night in Mae Sai (Thailand).

Hotel: Green View Palace, Mae Sai

Day 3: Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) - Luang Namtha (Laos) (280 km / 174 miles)

Heading east to the Golden Triangle - the area where Burma, Laos, and Thailand meet at the mighty Mekong River. Follow the river to the port town of Chiang Khong - the gateway to Laos and China. Crossing the Mekong on the new Friendship Bridge into Laos (visa on arrival) and after completing the immigration process ride to Luang Namtha. Sleep in charming Luang Namtha near the famous night market.

Hotel: Dokchampa Hotel, Luang Namtha

Day 4: Luang Namtha (Laos) - Jing Hong (China) (237 km / 147 miles)

A bit earlier start since you are riding through Laos and crossing into China. You enter China at Boten, a purpose-built ‘Casino Town’ to serve the Chinese fondness for gambling. You try to arrive at Boten early morning and do the formalities to exit Laos. Afterward, you ride for a few hundred meters to the Chinese Immigration Building where your Chinese guide is waiting for you. After completing the immigration process you ride 45 km to Mengla, where you get your driver’s licenses and temporary plates at the police station, quite an experience. After that, you will ride to Jing Hong. Arrive in Jing Hong overnight. Dinner by the Mekong River at a local restaurant. Visit the night market near the Mekong River and get your first glimpse of China.

Hotel: Doudo Meilan Fengqing Inn

Day 5. Jing Hong - Shuangjiang (China) (327 km / 203 miles)

Mostly riding today but with stunning scenery. You will cross many times the Mekong River. Ride to Menghai, visit tea plantations, and continue to Shuangjiang Lahu Minority town. Overnight in unseen Shuangjiang.

Hotel: Shuangjiang Huayao Hotel

Day 6: Shuangjiang - Dali (China) (388 km / 241 miles)

Ride to Dali Old City via Lin Cang and Weishan Countries. Visit the very charming old town of Weishan; 1.5 hours before reaching Dali. The old town is one of the hidden gems of Yunnan and is not so touristy. Dali has a long time been a crossroad for trade and culture. Until today, this walled city is well preserved, buzzing with shops, restaurants, and bars. Time to wander around the streets and explore.

Hotel: Dali Vienna Hotel

Day 7: Dali (China) rest day

A day of leisure. Dali Town is another division of Dali City, located 10 km / 6.2 miles to the north of Xiaguan. This town, commonly referred to as Dali Old Town to distinguish it from the city seat in Xiaguan, is usually the Dali referred to in tourist publications. The old town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan, known for its natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife.

Optionally, you can visit the famous Three Pagodas. The Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple is an ensemble of three independent pagodas arranged on the corners of an equilateral triangle, near the old town of Dali, dating from the time of the Kingdom of Nanzhao and the Kingdom of Dali in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Three Pagodas are made of brick and covered with white mud. As its name implies, the Three Pagodas comprise three independent pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. The elegant, balanced, and stately style is unique in China’s ancient Buddhist architecture, which makes it a must-see on the tour of Dali. The Three Pagodas, visible from miles away, have been a landmark of Dali City and selected as a national treasure meriting preservation in China.

Hotel: Dali Vienna Hotel

Day 8: Dali - Lijiang (China) (198 km / 123 miles)

After checking out you visit the nearby Three Pagodas of Shong Sheng temple. Afterward, you ride up into the Cangshan mountain range and visit a Kung Fu temple, where until today monks live, pray, and practice Kung Fu. From the road to the temple, you have fantastic views of the Erhai Lake and the Dali Valley. Later in the day, you take the old road to Lijiang, where you stay in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lijiang’s charming Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, canals, and stone bridges that date from the Ming Dynasty. In the afternoon visit Lijiang old town (old town walk 1.5 hours). The earlier the better since fewer tourists will be around. You are free to explore this ancient city at your leisure. Lijiang is a ‘shop till you drop’ type of place and all sorts of interesting items are for sale. Optional late afternoon / evening impression Lijiang show near the old town. This is a spectacular show!

Hotel: Lijiang Palace Hotel

Day 9: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Shangri-La (China) (262 km / 163 miles)

From Lijiang, you cross a small mountain range and arrive soon at the Yangtze River (the third longest river in the world). You cross the Yangtze and ride into the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Short break at the attraction platform where you will walk down the wooden stairs closer to the river (45-minute break). Leave for Tiger Leaping Gorge, the highlight of motorcycle riding. This fantastic road follows the Yangtse River and is the third-deepest gorge in the world. Lunch in the gorge at a guest house restaurant. After lunch, you cross the gorge and take the old road to the Tibetan town of Shangri-La. You will notice the change in altitude and minorities you encounter as you ride to the plateau.

Hotel: Compass Hotel, Shangri-La

Day 10: Shangri-La - Deqen - Cizhong (Tibet) (306 km / 190 miles)

After breakfast visit Sonzanlin Tibetan Monastery, this grand Tibetan Lamasery hosts 600 monks and is still practicing Tibetan Buddhism. Then From Shangri-La, you take the G214 up north to the Tibetan town of Degen (3,400 meters) some 70 km south of the Tibetan border (T.A.R.). On the way to Deqen, you cross the 4,300-meter-high pass of the White Horse. A little further north of Deqen, in the small town of Feilai Si (Flying Temple), you will access a panorama platform that offers stunning views of the mighty Mount Kawa Karpo - a stunning 6,700 meters high and holy mountain. The mountain is the third holiest to all Tibetans featuring a triangle-shaped snow-covered peak. Mount Kawa Karpo is one of the highest peaks in the Eastern Himalayas. You will ride along the Lancang Jiang (Upper Mekong River) to Cizhong Village. Spend a night in a fine Tibetan guesthouse in Cizhong.

Hotel: Cizhong Najizhaxi Guesthouse

Day 11: Cizhong - Weixi - Shaxi (Tibet / China) (432 km / 268 miles)

From Cizhong you head south and quickly lose altitude. Soon you reach the shores of the Mekong River at a 2,200-meter altitude, which you follow to Weixi. The area is called the Three Rivers Valley since the three mightiest rivers of Asia almost meet here (the Mekong, Yangtze, and Nujiang). After a light lunch in Weixi, you ride to Shaxi village in the afternoon. Shaxi is considered to be the most intact caravan town remaining on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Shaxi’s Siding Market Square has been listed by UNESCO on their World Monument Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Cultural Sites in the World. You will visit this tea horse caravan town and old houses.

Hotel: Shaxi Aoding Courtyarrd

Day 12: Shaxi - Chuxiong (China) (308 km / 191 miles)

You backtrack out of Shaxi and ride on the highway towards Erhai Lake. Very scenic ride passing this beautiful lake and you turn south to Kunming and Chuxiong.

Hotel: Jianhua International Hotel

Day 13: Chuxiong - Shuangbai - Mojiang (China) (293 km / 182 miles)

Take first the national and then the provincial road to Mojiang via Shuangbai, very good road conditions with beautiful scenery and winding mountain roads.

Hotel: Mijing Minority Hotel

Day 14: Mojiang - Mengla (China) (381 km / 237 miles)

Mostly ride on highways today, but again with stunning scenery. Ride to Ning’er and get on the highway, you ride through Xiaomengyang Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful highways in China. Arrive in Mengla overnight. Dinner near the hotel at a local restaurant. Farewell party in a karaoke pub to enjoy your last night in China.

Hotel: Dai Yuan Inn

Day 15: Mengla - Boten - Oudomxay (China / Laos) (144 km / 89 miles)

You will reach the border one hour after breakfast. Cross back into Laos. Follow the stunning mountain road to Oudomxay. Boten to Oudomxai - brand new stunning road through Lao’s highest mountains to the amazing Oudomxay. Overnight in the middle of nowhere in this beautiful and authentic Laos town still in the highlands, one of the most beautiful spots in Laos.

Hotel: Charming Laos Hotel

Day 16: Oudomxay - Luang Prabang (Laos) (195 km / 121 miles)

After breakfast, you ride to Luang Prabang (literally: “Royal Buddha Image”) where you will stay overnight. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. It had also been known by the ancient name of Chiang Thong. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The old town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main part of the city consists of four main roads on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits the temple Wat Pousi.

Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel, Luang Prabang

Day 17: Luang Prabang (Laos) rest day

This town is gleaming with temple roofs, fading colonial architecture, and a stunning mountain backdrop. It has been claimed by UNESCO as, “the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. This is a leisure day or you can also visit the former Royal Palace which is now a national museum and an important Temple named “Wat Xieng Thong”. A visit to Luang Prabang would be not complete without climbing the 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for a beautiful sunset view of the Mekong River overlooking Luang Prabang with a 360-degree view. Before dinner directly at the Mekong River, you have to lift your motorcycles in the long tail boat. Laundry service available.

Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel, Luang Prabang

Day 18: Luang Prabang - Hongsa - Chiang Klang (Laos / Thailand) (200 km / 124 miles)

Once-in-a-lifetime-experience of crossing the Mekong River on a ferry. You take the bikes with you on a very old ferry. In the morning ride the new road to Hongsa. Later cross back into Thailand. Overnight in the little charming town of Chiang Klang still surrounded by the high beautiful mountains. Stunning scenery.

Hotel: Sangthong Resort

Day 19: Chiang Klang - Phayao - Chiang Mai (Thailand) (330 km / 205 miles)

Ride the top 10 motorcycle roads in the world R1148 to Phayao Lake (one of the biggest lakes in Thailand). Lunch at the lake. Riding back home on the stunning road R120. Continue riding on windy mountain roads to Tharntong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. Visit a local market, stopping for refreshment, before heading back to Chiang Mai.

Hotel: Amora Hotel, Chiang Mai (deluxe room)

Day 20: Chiang Mai departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) or stay and explore Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.

Requirement

Please note that to participate in this tour, you must have a valid international driver’s license for motorcycles over 500cc.

Gear

BIG BIKE TOURS recommends bringing your gear to be the most comfortable. BUT they also offer helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards (European high-quality brands in many different sizes). Please be informed that they do not offer boots and trousers due to hygiene reasons.

Skill level(s) required for this tour:

Beginner:

can ride for 2-3 hours
minimal riding experience
assistance required
comfortable with curves and leans
basic experience with unsurfaced roads
short distance ascents and descents

Intermediate:

can ride for 3-4 hours
average riding experience
little assistance required
comfortable with extreme curves and leans
average experience with unsurfaced roads
steep ascents and descents

Advanced:

can ride for 5-6 hours
extensive riding experience
assistance on demand (if required)
experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Note: Due to the cumbersome logistics involved with obtaining all necessary permits and border formalities, the deadline for the latest registrations is two months before the tour starts.

Included excursions

During this motorcycle tour, you will visit the following places:

Kung Fu temple in the Cangshan mountain range
Lijiang Old Town
Night market near the Mekong River
Old town of Weishan
Pak Beng
Sonzanlin Tibetan Monastery
Tea plantations in Menghai
Three Pagodas of Shong Sheng temple
Tiger Leaping Gorge

Instructors

Nirin Chaiyapan (Noah)

With a close-knit unit of 10 enthusiastic and experienced motorcyclists, MCTT has a professional team, highly skilled at leading and designing motorcycle tours. The Tour Team Members have of course also undertaken international first aid training. MCTT is managed by NIRIN CHAIYAPAN, who have more than 20 years of varied riding experience and many miles riding all over Asia and especially the region of Thailand. We combine professionalism with a fun and informal atmosphere to give clients a memorable riding experience.

Kay Kaesler

Motorcyclist and Photographer Kay Kaesler is the author of many articles in blogs, forums, and magazines about the scenic motorcycle routes in Thailand, Asia, and all over the world for over 20 years. In 2009, Kaesler began sharing his experiences with others and founded MCTT. Kaesler speaks four languages: German, English, Russian and Thai. He currently lives with his family just outside of Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

Location

This motorcycle tour will take place in Thailand, Laos, China, and Tibet.

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Food

You will be provided with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner during this motorcycle tour. Your meals on the arrival and departure days are not included in the price. No lunch is provided on rest days.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Every day, Big Bike Tours will offer advice on the best things to see and do, but you’re under no pressure to follow the (small) crowd. You can strike out on your own at any time and simply meet back up with the group when you’re ready. Motorcycle Tours Thailand will have preferred routes mapped out for you - but anyway, your choice to arrive at the booked hotel is up to you! There are elephants and water buffalo although you might not get there in time for dinner.

What's included

Tour and transfer services as described in the itinerary with English-speaking professional Thai, Laos, and Chinese tour guides
The services of an escort vehicle (Service Truck in Thailand & Laos and a small truck in China) for the transport of the main luggage; both guide and driver will take care of baggage delivery and pick-up at each hotel
19 nights accommodation as per hotels and room types specified in the itinerary
All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) – full board, except on arrival and departure day in Chiang Mai (no lunch on rest days)
All entrance fees to sights specified in the itinerary
Motorcycle Kawasaki Versys 650cc (optional: BMW F800GS against surcharge)
Gasoline & oil
Compulsory third-party insurance in Thailand
Experienced Thai motorcycle mechanic accompanies the tour
S.E.Asia-experienced and English/German-speaking “road captain” as a riding tour guide during the whole tour
Temporary driver’s license for China-issued based on a valid international driver’s license
Service charge, room tax, and baggage handling
Famous Big Bike Tours “On zee bikes!” T-Shirt
Vehicle registration and inspection fees (Chinese Road Transport Administration Department)

What's not included

All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and meals not specified in the itinerary
Travel insurance (cover against cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness). They highly recommend you arrange appropriate insurance in your home country
Insurance during the trip in Laos and China
Visa fee for Myanmar, Laos, and China
Airfare

How to get there

Recommended Airports

CNX

Chiang Mai International Airport

746 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Most customers touring with Motorcycle Tours Thailand usually come from Bangkok and in this case, they recommend traveling up to Chiang Mai by one of the many flights operating on this route. It is not expensive and with companies such as Air Asia. The earlier you book, the cheaper the flight.

Arrival by train

The train (night train) is another option; however, the Thai train network needs a serious overhaul. Take a look at the difference between the train cost and the flight costs compared to one-hour flying time or a 12-hour train journey along with the fact that the trains are notoriously unreliable. The train option is usually the odd one out.

Arrival by bus

A lot of buses start every hour from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit - Chatuchak) to Chiang Mai. Travel time with the bus will be around eight hours.

Airport: Chiang Mai International Airport Airport transfer included: Chiang Mai International Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 15% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.

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