10-Day Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: Thailand's Mountain Roads

Ride Thailand's top-ranked mountain roads and cross three countries at the Golden Triangle

A 10-day guided motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai that covers northern Thailand's most rewarding riding routes: Doi Inthanon's highest peak, Mae Hong Son's twisty passes, the famous R1148 ranked in the world's top 10 biking roads, the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and the UNESCO-listed Sukhothai Historical Park. A professional English-speaking Road Captain leads groups on rented motorcycles with full gear, insurance and hotel stays included. Pickup from Chiang Mai Airport is part of the package. Travel insurance is recommended but arranged separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang

• Ride to Doi Inthanon National Park
• Visit waterfall, trails, pagodas, gardens
• Lunch in Mae Chaem
• Ride through pine forests to Mae Sariang
• Check in at accommodation

Day 2: Mae Sariang to Pai

• Ride to Mae Hong Son
• Visit WWII museum in Khun Yuam
• Visit Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge
• Ride to Pai
• Check in at accommodation
• Dinner near river
• Explore Walking Street market

Day 3: Pai to Tha Ton

• Offer food to monks at Pai market
• Breakfast
• Visit Pai WWII Memorial Bridge
• Ride to Chiang Dao
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Chiang Dao cave
• Ride to Tha Ton via mountain roads
• Visit Wat Tha Ton temple
• Enjoy sunset
• Check in at accommodation

Day 4: Tha Ton to Golden Triangle

• Visit long-neck Karen tribe village
• Ride to Doi Mae Salong
• Tea tasting
• Visit Doi Tung Royal Villa and botanical garden
• Lunch at Royal’s Project restaurant
• Ride to Mae Sai
• Visit Golden Triangle
• Boat trip on Mekong River
• Visit Laos village
• Visit Opium museum
• Check in at accommodation

Day 5: Golden Triangle to Nan

• Ride to Chiang Rai city
• Visit White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Ride to Nan
• Visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi temple
• Check in at accommodation
• Enjoy swimming pool
• Explore Nan nightlife

Day 6: Rest Day in Nan

• Relax by the pool
• Optional bicycle tour of Nan
• Shopping in town

Day 7: Nan to Phayao

• Ride via Bo Kluea salt wells
• Ride through Doi Phu Kha National Park
• Lunch in Chiang Klang
• Ride highway No. 1148 to Nan
• Ride highway R1021 to Phayao
• Visit Kwan Phayao Lake
• Check in at accommodation

Day 8: Phayao to Uttaradit

• Ride south on main highway
• Ride back roads via Mae Yom National Park
• Ride through Khun Sathan National Park
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Cross Sirikit dam reservoir by wooden ferry
• Ride to Uttaradit
• Check in at accommodation

Day 9: Uttaradit to Sukhothai

• Ride backroads through rice fields
• Arrive at Sukhothai
• Visit Ancient Sukhothai Historical Park
• Enjoy sunset at ruins
• Check in at accommodation

Day 10: Sukhothai to Chiang Mai

• Ride via Columnar Mountains road R101
• Visit reclining Buddha at Den Chai
• Ride to Lampang
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Ride through national parks and farming areas
• Visit local market
• Return to Chiang Mai

The experience

The tour strings together 10 days of riding across northern Thailand's backroads and mountain passes, each day built around a different stretch of terrain. You start south of Chiang Mai at Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters) riding through pine forest and past royal pagodas and waterfalls. From there the route heads west through Mae Sariang toward Mae Hong Son, then cuts through Pai's winding roads to Chiang Dao, where you can explore the Chiang Dao cave before climbing to Tha Ton for sunset views over the river valley. The itinerary then turns north to the Golden Triangle, where you ride to Doi Mae Salong to taste the region's mountain tea, visit Doi Tung Royal Villa's botanical gardens, and take a long-tail boat on the Mekong River into Laos for a short village visit (no visa needed).

The heart of the tour is the riding itself. Day five takes you from the Golden Triangle to Chiang Rai and the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), then pushes east to Nan on the famous R1148: a 120-kilometer stretch of curves through mountains that ranks among the world's top 10 motorcycle roads. Day six is a rest day in Nan, with the option to explore the town by bicycle or simply relax by the pool. From there the route heads south through Doi Phu Kha National Park and along R1021 to Phayao Lake, then crosses the Sirikit dam reservoir on a wooden ferry, a highlight that few tourists experience, before reaching the small city of Uttaradit. The final two days are shorter rides through rice fields to Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can watch the sunset over ancient ruins, then back to Chiang Mai via Lampang and the "Columnar Mountains" road.

You ride a rented motorcycle with unlimited mileage, wearing provided helmets, jackets, gloves and knee guards. A professional Road Captain on a motorcycle leads the group and handles navigation. A support van follows with luggage and can carry riders who need a break. Nights are at quality hotels and resorts with pools and leisure facilities. Meals are at local restaurants, with water, soft drinks and coffee or tea included. Insurance covers third-party liability and damage up to 1,000 USD deductible. The tour departs from Chiang Mai, with airport pickup included.

What’s included

• Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage and all riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, knee guards).
• nine nights at quality hotels and resorts with pools.
• professional English-speaking Road Captain on a motorcycle leading the group.
• meals at local restaurants with water, soft drinks and coffee or tea.
• third-party liability insurance and damage insurance up to 1,000 USD deductible.
• support van for luggage and optional rider transport.
• pickup from Chiang Mai Airport.

Options for this experience

2 options

Price per RiderGuide in English, German or Thai · 08:30All-inclusive tour: the rate per rider covers a single room with a double bed. Pickup is included.

Rate for rider and pillionGuide in English, German or Thai · 08:30All-inclusive tour: the rate covers a rider with a pillion in a shared room with a double or twin bed. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMondayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, German and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Big Bike Tours

Is this one for you?You need to be at least 21 years old and hold a valid motorcycle license. The tour suits riders comfortable on a motorcycle for several hours daily across varied terrain (from smooth highways to winding mountain passes), and who want to see rural Thailand beyond the standard tourist circuit. A rest day in Nan breaks up the riding, and the support van can carry luggage or a rider if the day's distance becomes too much.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Thai.

What is Doi Inthanon and why does the tour start there?

Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters, located in a national park south of Chiang Mai. The tour begins there to familiarize you with your motorcycle on excellent winding mountain roads through pine forest, with stops at Thailand's finest waterfall, nature trails, royal pagodas and botanical gardens before descending to Mae Sariang for lunch.

What happens at the Golden Triangle and do I need a visa to visit Laos?

The Golden Triangle is where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the Mekong River. You take a long-tail boat trip on the river and make a short visit to a small village in Laos. No visa is required for this brief crossing. You also visit the Opium Museum before staying at accommodation directly on the Mekong River.

Is the R1148 road difficult to ride?

The R1148 is ranked in the world's top 10 motorcycle roads and covers 120 kilometers of continuous curves through mountains, but it is designed as a riding experience rather than a test of skill. The professional Road Captain leads at a pace the group can manage, and the support van follows if anyone needs assistance.

What is included in the motorcycle rental?

The rental includes the motorcycle with unlimited mileage, all riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, knee guards), third-party liability insurance, and damage insurance with a deductible up to 1,000 USD. A support van carries luggage for the entire tour and can transport riders if needed.

How much riding happens each day?

Daily distances range from 89 kilometers (the short final ride to Sukhothai) to 343 kilometers (the return to Chiang Mai on day 10), with most days between 270 and 334 kilometers. Day six in Nan is a rest day with no riding required, giving you time to recover or explore the town.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

The tour includes nine nights at carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities like swimming pools. Accommodations range from riverside guesthouses to luxury hotels, and laundry service is available during the rest day in Nan.