Top Exciting Motorcycle Tours to Join in Asia Pacific
January 4, 2024
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What comes to mind when you think of Southeast Asia? Lush countryside, friendly people and delicious food; the area is truly a paradise for all things sensory. The Pacific region, on the other hand, often brings to mind lazy sunny days spent on the beach with friends.
However, there's far more to these two areas than meets the eye. With this in mind, we've put together this list of the seven best motorcycle tours in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ô Quy Hồ Mountain Pass
The longest mountain pass in Vietnam, Ô Quy Hồ spreads for about 31 miles (50 km) on National Highway 4D, connecting two provinces – Lào Cai and Lai Châu. Running along the Hoang Lien Song Mountains, the pass reaches the maximum altitude of 6,560 ft (2,000 m) in a place suggestively called “Heaven Gate.”
The road passes by streams and waterfalls, against breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. However, it does have its fair share of dangers – numerous hairpin turns lie perched over an abyss.
Ô Quy Hồ Pass is one of the major attractions in Northwest Vietnam, crossing the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, which is covered in white clouds almost all year round. Hence its other nickname – “cloudy mountain pass.”
Nam Khan, Laos
Ask any visitor to Laos and they'll tell you it's a virtually untouched and undiscovered paradise. The area has low tourism rates and there's plenty of interest in terms of Buddhist temples and architecture.
If you'd like to see more of the country, a great motorcycle tour in Laos is one that crosses the peaceful Na Khan River on a bridge that's for bikes only. From there, you can go into town to see the many temples. Look out for the gilded Wat Xieng Thong.
Hanoi to Mù Cang Chải
The most beautiful terraced rice fields in Vietnam are said to be found in Mù Cang Chải, a highland rural district in the Yên Bái Province, about 170 miles (280 km) from Hanoi.
Before heading out to see the highlands in Northwest Vietnam with your own two eyes, make sure you take the time to explore the bustling Old Quarters of Hanoi and fill up on the vibrant city’s delicious street food.
One of the highlights of the trip is the Khau Pha Pass, one of the five great passes of northern Vietnam, alongside the above-mentioned Ô Quy Hồ Pass. This high-mountain pass rises 4,900 ft (1,500 m) above sea level in the Mù Cang Chải district and is about 20 miles (32 km) long.
The occasional thick fog, risk of landslide, and numerous hairpin turns make the Khau Pha Pass one of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam. Of course, this only adds to the thrill.
Doi Suthep, Thailand
Riding your motorcycle to Doi Suthep in Thailand is a fabulous journey to embark on just as the sun is rising. You can ride the fairly gentle 12 km (7.5 miles) uphill to the Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai and find yourself joined on your ride by some of the locals who tend to enjoy riding up the hill before work.
You'll get to this beautiful temple early and beat the crowds so that you can enjoy the rare vibe of serenity that Thailand’s lush landscape has to offer.
The lush landscape, stunning beaches, and intricate wildlife are addictive. Once you’ve seen Thailand on your two wheels, you’ll want to get your own motorcycle shipped to the country and live there forever!
Thu Bon River, Vietnam
The Ho Chi Minh Trail is on many motorcycle riders’ bucket list. If the 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from Saigon to Hanoi scare you, why not try taking a boat across the river from the market in Hoi An?
The crossing only takes around 10 minutes, and then you can hop on your bike for a 30 km (19 miles) ride past some incredible countryside before making a loop back to Hoi An.
This is a beautiful town with so many charming places to eat out. It's also pretty flat so that's a bonus when riding your two wheels!
Perfume River, Vietnam
Dong Ba market, Thành phố Huế, Vietnam – Photo credit: Alice Young
Hue is an incredible city to check out. It's home to many tombs of various emperors and has a lot of history to discover. An interesting journey is to take a cruise up the Perfume River.
If you leave early, you can make the most of your day and cycle past various places of interest, finishing up at Tien Mu Pagoda. After this, you can catch the boat to the tomb of Ming Mang and ride back to your accommodation.
Hai Van Pass, Vietnam
Made famous since its appearance in an episode of Top Gear, this 19 km (12 miles) journey through the Hai Van Pass is not for the faint-hearted. It was originally the only route from Danang to Hue and has been the site of many accidents.
However, there are stunning views of the coastline and mountains, which makes it a very popular attraction for visitors. The military was stationed here during the war, as the position enabled them to see both sides of the mountain and prepare for an attack. The Old Fort still stands as bullet-scarred ruins left over from the war.
Photo credit: Jean-Marc Astesana
Something else that is well worth a visit while you are there is the beautiful lagoon at Lang Co on the north side of the pass.
Ho Chi Minh – Dalat – Nha Trang
This series of enchanting coastal roads through rural Vietnam turns this scenic motorcycle road trip from Saigon to Dalat into an unforgettable journey.
The first section of the road takes you from Ho Chi Minh to Mũi Né, passing by mangrove forests, pristine beaches, and mountain scenery. Mũi Né is a laid-back beach resort that has long been considered “Vietnam’s Hawaii.”
From Mũi Né to Dalat, the road takes you from sea level all the way to 1,500 ft (450 m), passing through the Dai Ninh and Prenn passes.
If you have enough time on your hands, you can consider setting aside a day or two to explore Vietnam’s Central Highlands, starting from Dalat.
The section from Dalat to Nha Trang is one of southern Vietnam’s most scenic routes. You will pass by farmlands and rolling hills, and climb the Long Lanh (Shimmer) Pass before reaching the coastal resort of Nha Trang.
Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Road is considered by many to be one of the most scenic routes in Australia.
Great Ocean Road attractions include the Great Otway National Park with its pine rainforests and koalas residing in the trees, Lorne with its many trendy coffee shops, and cliffside coastal roads that offer dramatic views of Victoria’s best-surfing spots as you cruise along this magnificent stretch of Southern Australia.
With nothing but Antarctica to the south, the ocean winds keep you cool on the hottest of days. The heritage-listed road attracts a lot of visitors, so it can be quite a slow journey at times.
As you make your way to Port Campbell, one of the highlights of this trip is the sight of the famous 12 Apostles limestone stack.
Ayers Rock, Australia
This epic 3,600 km (2,240 miles) road trip from Brisbane to Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, will take you approximately nine days. During this time, you will experience some of the most amazing sweeping landscapes in the world. You will also come across some unusual wildlife and an amazing night sky filled with stars.
For the majority of your trip, you will be spending your time riding across endless stretches of asphalt. The feeling of freedom in this remote part of the world is incredible; the lack of human inhabitants encourages an abundance of wildlife such as lizards, kangaroos, emus, snakes, and birds and you may even spot a camel or two.
Ayers Rock is a very spiritual place and allows time for reflection and relaxation.
Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam
Of all the bike routes in Asia, the Ho Chi Minh Trail is the most well-trodden. The route runs through Vietnam, dipping into Laos and ending in Cambodia.
It was once the historic route that the Vietcong used to deliver weapons south during the Vietnam War and today bikers looking for an adventure ride either the whole route or a part of it.
The best section of the route runs through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll ride around 1,000 miles down the country (if you’re buying and selling a bike, it’s better to go from north to south, as it’s cheaper to buy a motorbike in the north).
Be prepared for an adventure, many of the paths are muddy, rocky and pass through streams and flooded areas. Along the way, you’ll see jaw-dropping landscapes of lush green rice paddies, karst formations, tiny villages, and smiling locals.
The route takes around eleven days in total and it’s easy to find accommodations in towns nearby. You could also book a guided motorcycle tour or find a place to stay in Vietnam ahead of time.
The Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand
Photo by Alexis Gravel
The Mae Hong Son Loop will take you on a 400-mile adventure through Northern Thailand. The trail generally takes a week to complete and it’s best known for its incredible scenery through the lush countryside of Northern Thailand.
The loop starts and finishes in the popular tourist hub of Chiang Mai and passes through the Mae Hong province, through the towns of Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son and Pai. Along the way, you’ll see mountains, farmlands, quaint villages, limestone karst, and cascading waterfalls.
The road conditions are pretty good, although they’re known for their curves, so stay focused! The best time to go is from November to February when the weather is cooler and dry. If you’re looking for a challenge, do the route counter-clockwise. There are tons of motorcycle rental shops in Chiang Mai that have everything from automatic scooters for beginners, through to 600cc motorbikes for expert riders.
The Thakhek Loop, Laos
The Thakhek loop takes you on a 280-mile trip through central Laos. The loop starts and finishes in Tha Khaek and takes around four days to complete, although many chose to do it in a week as they want to savor the views.
The scenery is incredible and you pass through rugged mountain roads, valleys with limestone peaks, and lush jungle paths. Along the way, you can stop at blue lagoons, caves, and waterfalls.
If you’re doing the route counter-clockwise, you’ll pass through the towns of Mahaxay, Nakai, Thalang, Lak Xao, Na Hin, Konglor and Vieng Kham. In the past, the route had unpaved roads and it was a real challenge, but now the loop has been paved, meaning that beginners can enjoy it too.
And if you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can always take a few detours. It’s best to do the loop during the dry season, which runs from November to March.
The Ha Giang Route, Vietnam
The Ha Giang route takes you on a 300-mile trip between the mountainous towns and provinces of Sapa to Ha Giang in northern Vietnam. Along the way, you’ll pass through the region’s misty mountains, driving through roads that run along the Chinese border.
The landscape is breathtaking and you’ll see limestone peaks, lush green rice terraces, quaint villages and a variety of different ethnic tribes. The route is definitely not for the faint-hearted as it passes through high peaks with hairpin bends and you’ll need around five days to complete it. You’ll pass through the towns of Xin Man, Bac Ha and Muong Khuong.
The best time to tackle the route is during the spring months of March and April, or the fall months of September and October, when the weather is generally warm and pleasant. If you want to see the rice terraces in all their glory, visit in the fall, when they are a vivid green color.
Da Nang to Lang Co through the Hải Vân Pass
A bit shorter than the other roads on our list, this route is no less exciting. Lang Co is considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches and is located just 19 miles (30 km) from Da Nang. It may be close, but to get to it, you must pass through one of the country’s most stunning mountain passes – the Hải Vân Pass.
Its name, “Sea Cloud,” comes from the mist that rises from the South China Sea. The 13-mile-long ((21 km) pass on National Route 1A is one of the most iconic roads in the world, with hairpin turns next to lush jungles, the sea on one side and the rest of Vietnam on the other. In 2005, a tunnel opened beneath the mountain, meaning that only adventure lovers ride through the Hai Van Pass these days.
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