Name: 10 Day Cross-Country Guided Motorcycle Tour in Thailand and Laos
Brand: Big Bike Tours
Price: 3600 USD
Availability: InStock

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

08:30

Check-out Time:

16:00

Riders will be accommodated in a private room with a double bed in at carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities. You will stay in private double bedrooms (king-size bed). You do not need to share a room with someone else. If you bring a pillion, you can opt for a twin room or a double room.

Program

Departure time

The tour will start at 8:30 a.m. Please be informed, that you should arrive at least one day before the tour starts in Chiang Mai. They recommend two days before the tour starts to acclimate and avoid jet lag.

Return time

The tour will finish at about 4 - 5 p.m. back in Chiang Mai, so if you would like to fly back the same day to Bangkok or the beach, you can easily catch any flight from Chiang Mai after 6 p.m.

Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai - Phayao - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong (342 km / 213 miles)

Familiarize yourself with the bike while heading north of Chiang Mai. You will ride on the windy mountain road to Mae Kachan hot spring and Than Tong waterfall. Continue on the true biker's paradise road R120 until you reach unseen Phayao. Discover Phayao Lake (Kwan Phayao), which is one of the biggest lakes in Thailand.

Ride along with scenic farming areas on the highway to Chiang Rai city. After that, visit the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), one of the top 10 wonder temples in the world. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Then you cruise on back roads along the beautiful rice fields to Chiang Khong, the gate to China. Relax at the beautiful accommodation directly at the Mekong River, the 10th longest river in the world.

Day 2: Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Luang Namtha - Oudomxai (295 km / 183 miles)

A bit earlier start today because you will cross the border to Laos via the Thai-Lao-Friendship-Bridge over the Mekong River. Thankfully the wait will only be about two hours, with all the documents filled out and paperwork ready to go (motorcycle and service vehicle registration, customs, and insurance papers). Visa on arrival is possible and the easiest way to cross into Laos (about 1,200 THB Visa fee).

Explore the border area and maybe go shopping in the duty-free area. Get familiarized with riding on the right side of the road. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Luang Namtha. Continue cruising along winding roads until you reach unseen Oudomxai, where you relax at the beautiful accommodation. Overnight in the middle of nowhere in this beautiful and authentic Laos town in the highlands of Laos.

Day 3: Oudomxay - Luang Prabang (195 km / 121 miles)

Today, it will be easy cruising and transfer to Luang Prabang. After breakfast, ride along the impressive mountainous road and follow this stunning mountain road to Pakmong, a brand new stunning road through Lao’s highest mountains. Optional visit to the world-famous “Kuang Si waterfall”. These falls begin in shallow pools high up on the mountain. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. Relax and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue cruising along until you reach Luang Prabang where you relax at the charming accommodation.

Day 4: Rest day in Luang Prabang

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. Laundry service is available.

Day 5: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng (232 km / 144 miles)

After breakfast, you leave Luang Prabang for a pure adventure riding through a limestone karst landscape. The roads begin to deteriorate; however, the stunning mountain scenery makes for interesting riding. Then relax for lunch at a local restaurant at the peak of a mountain with a great view. Continue riding the impressive mountainous roads until you reach Vang Vieng. Cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village to explore the local lifestyle. Then relax at the peaceful accommodation.

Day 6: Vang Vieng - Vientiane (194 km / 121 miles)

After breakfast, leave Vang Vieng to the capital of Laos, “Vientiane”. Ride along fantastic mountainous roads to visit the Nam Ngum dam, the largest dam in Laos with deep blue waters is the same as the ocean. Lunch is served at a local restaurant at the dam. Then you cruise along the highway through farming areas to Vientiane. Visit the Patuxai monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Visit the oldest Pha That Luang, the pagoda which according to the Lao people, was originally built as a Hindu temple in the 3rd century. Then you arrive and relax at the charming accommodation.

Day 7: Vientiane - Chiang Khan (225 km / 140 miles)

After breakfast, leaving Vientiane, you cross the border back to Thailand. Remember to ride back on the left side of the road. You cruise along the scenic Mekong River Road R211 to visit Mount Pha Tak Suea. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Then continue cruising along the Mekong River Road to your lovely homestay accommodation in Chiang Khan, directly at the Mekong River. An authentic Thai village with lovely old wooden houses, shops, guesthouses, and restaurants in a colonial-style town. In Chiang Khan, you dine on delicious local food in a restaurant near the river. In the late evening after dinner, you can enjoy the delights of the Walking Street market.

Day 8: Chiang Khan - Uttaradit (272 km / 169 miles)

Before breakfast, very early in the morning, you have a chance to offer food to monks along the streets of Chiang Khan’s local market. After breakfast, you ride along curvy roads to discover the “Sky Walk” in Phuk Kngio. After that, you will ride through four national parks in only one day. Lunch is served in a local restaurant. Later, you will have a coffee break at a shop located back in Laos (but no border crossing necessary, because the shop can only reach from the Thailand side).

Then you continue on the highway passing through rice fields until you reach charming Uttaradit. It is a small city near Lampang and a few kilometers away from Denchai. Very few tourists come here to visit the area, but Uttaradit City and its surroundings are worth coming to. If you want to see authentic Thailand, the one not many tourists see, you have to come here. Later you enjoy the beautiful accommodation with a swimming pool.

Day 9: Uttaridit - Sukhothai (89 km / 55 miles)

After breakfast, you leave Uttaradit riding again on backroads and passing through massive rice fields until you reach Sukhothai. A short day of riding gives you plenty of time to discover one of the highlights of this amazing motorcycle tour: the Ancient Sukhothai Historical Park, designated World Heritage site number 574 on 12 December 1991 by UNESCO, and enjoy the amazing sunset in the old ruins. A magical and memorable scene. Later you arrive at the guest house, where you enjoy the charming classic wooden Thai accommodation with a swimming pool.

Day 10: Sukhothai - Lampang - Chiang Mai (343 km / 213 miles)

After breakfast, you leave Sulhothai riding biker´s paradise roads via the “Columnar Mountains” road R101 to Den Chai, and visit a large reclining Buddha. Then riding through winding mountainous roads to Lampang. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Visit the Thai elephant conservation center and the world´s first elephant hospital. Continue riding through national parks and farming areas. Visit the local market, stopping for refreshment, before heading back to Chiang Mai.

Gear

They recommend 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 hygienic reasons.

Requirements

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

Skill level(s)

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

Included excursions

Some places you might visit:

Mae Kachan hot spring
Than Tong waterfall
Phayao Lake (Kwan Phayao)
White Temple Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai
Chiang Khong, the gate to China directly at the Mekong River
Charming Oudomxai in the highlands of Laos
World heritage town of Luang Prabang
Kuang Si waterfall
Wat Xieng Thong
Mount Phousi
Vang Vieng
Nam Ngum dam
Capital of Laos “Vientiane”
The old wooden town Chiang Khan
Unseen Uttaradit
World Heritage Site of Sukhothai
The world's first elephant hospital in Lampang

Instructors

Nirin Chaiyapan (Noah)

With a close-knit unit of 10 enthusiastic and experienced motorcyclists, Big Bike Tours 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. Big Bike Tours is managed by NIRIN CHAIYAPAN, who has more than 25 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 25 years. In 2009, Kaesler began sharing his experiences with others and founded Big Bike Tours. 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 you to explore the unseen places of Thailand and Laos including Chiang Mai, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, Huay Xai, Luang Namtha, Oudomxai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Chiang Khan, Uttaradit, and Sukhothai.

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Food

The price of this motorcycle tour includes daily breakfast, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners. You will also be provided water, soft drinks, and coffee / tea in connection with the meals.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
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. BIG BIKE TOURS™ will have preferred routes mapped out for you - but anyway, you choose 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

9 nights accommodation
9 lunches, 9 dinners, and breakfast every day
Water, soft drinks, and coffee / tea in connection with the meals
Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
Third-party liability insurance for motorcycles
Full First Class Comprehensive insurance for motorcycles with a deductible of up to 30,000 THB in case of damage
Pick-up service from Chiang Mai Airport
English-speaking professional road captain with a TAT license (Tourism Authority of Thailand) on a motorcycle leading the group
Support van for luggage transportation, drinks, and space for a few guests on the entire tour upon prior request
All entrance fees to national parks and historical sites
Riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards)
Famous Big Bike Tours “On zee bikes!” t-shirt
Accident cover insurance up to 100,000 THB, life insurance up to 1,000,000 THB, and much, much more!

What's not included

All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages
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
Airfare
Visa fee

How to get there

Recommended Airports

CNX

Chiang Mai International Airport

3 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flights to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Pick up service from this airport is included in the price.

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 10% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.

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