3 Day Motorcycle Tour Golden Triangle from Chiang Mai

Winding mountain roads through tea plantations, tribal villages and the Mekong River border.

A 3-day guided motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai through Northern Thailand's mountains to the Golden Triangle, with stops at Tha Ton, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Tung Royal Villa and Phayao. You ride your own bike or ride as a passenger, stay two nights in selected hotels, and a licensed Road Captain leads the group on a support van following behind. All protective gear, meals, insurance and airport pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Chiang Mai to Tha Ton ride

• Ride highway north to Mae Rim
• Continue to Chiang Dao
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Chiang Dao cave
• Ride mountainous road to Tha Ton
• Visit Wat Tha Ton mountain temple
• Enjoy sunset at Wat Tha Ton
• Relax at accommodation with panorama view

Day 2 — Tha Ton to Golden Triangle tour

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Visit long-neck Karen tribe village
• Ride to Doi Mae Salong tea farms
• Test local Chinese mountain tea
• Visit Doi Tung Royal Villa and botanical garden
• Lunch at Royal's Project restaurant
• Ride winding roads to Mae Sai
• Visit Wat Tham Pla and feed wild monkeys
• Arrive at Golden Triangle
• Take long-tail boat trip on Mekong river
• Visit small village in Laos
• Visit Opium museum
• Relax at accommodation

Day 3 — Golden Triangle to Chiang Mai return

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Ride scenic farming roads to Chiang Rai
• Visit White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Highway ride to Phayao
• Visit Phayao lake (Kwan Phayao)
• Lunch at local restaurant by lake
• Ride windy mountain roads to Tharntong waterfall
• Visit Mae Kachan hot spring
• Stop at local market for refreshment
• Return to Chiang Mai

The Experience

The tour starts north of Chiang Mai with a 209 km ride to Tha Ton, following the highway through Mae Rim and Chiang Dao, where you stop for lunch at a local restaurant and visit Chiang Dao cave. The road then climbs into mountains with tight switchbacks until you reach Tha Ton, where you visit Wat Tha Ton temple on top of the ridge and watch the sunset before settling into Saranya River House for the night.

Day two covers 142 km from Tha Ton into the heart of the region. You ride to a long-neck Karen tribe village near the Myanmar border, then climb to Doi Mae Salong where Chinese tea farmers work the slopes — you taste the tea there. Curvy roads lead to Doi Tung Royal Villa, where you walk through the Winter Palace and botanical gardens and eat lunch at the Royal's Project restaurant. The route continues to Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town, where you feed wild monkeys at Wat Tham Pla, then ride to the Golden Triangle to take a long-tail boat on the Mekong River and cross briefly into Laos. The Opium Museum comes before your second night at Serene at Chiang Rai Hotel.

The final 323 km day loops back through farming country to Chiang Rai City and the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), one of the world's most photographed temples. A long highway stretch brings you to Phayao and Kwan Phayao lake, one of Northern Thailand's largest, where lunch sits right on the water. The ride home crosses windy mountain roads to Tharntong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring, with a stop at a local market for refreshment before returning to Chiang Mai.

A licensed Road Captain on a motorcycle leads the group throughout, speaking English, German or Thai. The support van carries luggage and can take passengers who need a break. You get a helmet, jacket, gloves and knee guards; boots and protective clothing are strongly recommended. All three nights' accommodation, unlimited mileage on the bike, meals at stops, water and soft drinks, airport pickup and insurance covering accidents up to 100,000 THB are included. You choose whether to ride your own motorcycle or ride as a passenger on the back.

What’s included

• English, German or Thai-speaking Road Captain on a motorcycle leading the group.
• motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage.
• helmet, jacket, gloves and knee guards.
• third-party liability and accident insurance up to 100,000 THB.
• two nights at selected hotels (Saranya River House and Serene at Chiang Rai Hotel).
• meals at stops and lunch each day.
• water, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
• airport pickup from Chiang Mai.
• support van for luggage and passenger breaks.
• Big Bike Tours T-shirt.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Big Bike Tours

Is this one for you?Book as a rider if you have at least 4 years of motorcycle experience and want to handle the bike yourself through the mountains; book as a passenger if you want the same route and stops without operating the motorcycle. Either way, the Road Captain sets the pace and leads the group, so you follow a known route with support behind you instead of navigating alone.

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Top questions

What's the difference between booking as a rider versus a passenger?

Riders operate their own motorcycle and must have at least 4 years of valid riding experience and a current motorcycle license; passengers ride on the back of the Road Captain's or another rider's bike. Both options include all accommodation, meals, gear and insurance.

Do I need to bring my own protective gear?

No. The tour provides helmets, jackets, gloves and knee guards for all riders and passengers. If you need a special size or prefer your own equipment, you can bring it; boots and protective clothing are strongly recommended and can be your own.

What happens if the route changes due to weather or road work?

The operator reserves the right to amend the route due to road works, weather or new research on roads. No refunds are given for route changes, though the core experience — mountain riding, the Golden Triangle, and the stops — remains the same.

Is the support van available if I get tired during the ride?

Yes. A support van follows the group and can carry luggage for everyone. If you need a break from riding, space is available in the van upon prior request when you book.

What meals are included, and can you handle dietary requirements?

Lunch is included each day at local restaurants; breakfast is at your hotel. Water, soft drinks, coffee and tea come with meals and stops. Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking so they can arrange appropriate meals.

Does the tour include entry to temples and attractions?

The itinerary visits Chiang Dao cave, Wat Tha Ton, Doi Tung Royal Villa and its botanical garden, Wat Tham Pla, the White Temple, the Opium Museum, and Phayao lake. Entry fees for these sites are not listed as included; confirm with the operator before booking.