6-Day Golden Triangle Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: BMW Bikes

You ride 250 to 350 kilometers a day through terrain that shifts from misty peaks to river valleys to remote villages.

A 6-day motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai through Northern Thailand's Golden Triangle, Pai, Mae Hong Son, and Doi Inthanon, riding BMW or similar bikes with a licensed guide, all accommodation and entrance fees included. You choose your bike model at checkout (Versys 650, V-Strom 650, CB5, BMW R 1250 GS, or BMW F 800/850 GS). An extra night in Chiang Mai before departure lets you settle in. The route covers hot springs, the White Temple, tea plantations, Chiang Dao Cave, Long Neck Karen villages, and Thailand's highest peak. International driving licence required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and rest in Chiang Mai

• Arrive in Chiang Mai
• Unwind at hotel in Mae Sariang

Day 2: Chiang Mai to Chiang Kong highlights

• Visit hot spring near Chiang Mai
• Ride to White Temple in Chiang Kong
• Explore villages and scenic landscapes

Day 3: Golden Triangle and Fang exploration

• Visit Golden Triangle border area
• Tour tea plantations
• Explore markets and cuisine in Fang

Day 4: Caves, temples, and Pai town

• Visit Mai Ai Caves and Wat Tham Temple
• Explore Mae Taman Elephant Park
• Enjoy coffee at Air Diamond Coffee
• Visit Chiang Dao Cave
• Ride to and explore Pai town

Day 5: Pai to Mae Hong Son journey

• Visit Bang Rake Thai village
• Ride to Mae Hong Son
• Explore temples, markets, and parks in Mae Hong Son

Day 6: Hill tribe villages and scenic ride

• Visit Long Neck Karen village
• Explore Ban Rak Thai village
• Visit Ban Mae Lana village
• Enjoy scenic ride through countryside

Day 7: Doi Inthanon and return to Chiang Mai

• Ascend Doi Inthanon Peak
• Ride back to Chiang Mai
• Farewell dinner at Route 66 Bikers Cafe

The experience

You arrive in Chiang Mai and spend the first night unwinding before the ride begins. This gives you time to adjust to the heat and the pace, meet your TAT-licensed guide, and get fitted for the protective gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, boots) all provided. The next morning you kick off toward the White Temple in Chiang Kong and soak in the hot springs, then settle into Pai, a laid-back town in a valley where the roads curve through green hills and the nightlife runs late if you want it.

Day 2 takes you into the Golden Triangle itself, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet at a single point. You stop at the tea plantations terraced into the hillsides (the air smells like the leaves drying in the sun), and ride through Fang's bustling market streets. The third day is the cultural heart: you visit Chiang Dao Cave, a limestone system with Buddhist shrines carved into the chambers, then head to Mae Taman Elephant Park before pushing on to Pai again. Day 4 swings toward Mae Hong Son, passing through Bang Rake Thai with its wooden stilt houses and rice terraces, then winding through roads that drop into mist-covered valleys near the Burmese border.

Day 5 ventures into the remote villages: Long Neck Karen (Huay Pu Keng), where you meet the women wearing the brass rings, and Ban Rak Thai, a Chinese immigrant village founded in the 1960s, set against mist-covered mountains and quiet lakes. The final day climbs Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, where the panoramic views stretch across the whole northern range, then you ride back to Chiang Mai for a farewell dinner at Route 66 Bikers Cafe. A chase vehicle with a spare motorcycle follows the group, and third-party liability insurance is included. You average 250 to 350 kilometers a day on smooth asphalt and gentle curves, though the itinerary may shift due to road work or weather.

What’s included

• Motorcycle (your choice of model), gas, and a TAT-licensed guide speaking English and Thai.
• all riding gear and complementary t-shirts.
• six nights in carefully selected 3- or 4-star hotels.
• all entrance fees to historic sites and national parks.
• third-party liability insurance for the motorcycle.
• a chase vehicle with a spare motorcycle following the group.

Options for this experience

3 options

Versys 650, V-Strom 650 or CB5Guide in English or Thai · Available from 23 Jun 2027Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650 or Honda CB 500X

BMW F 800 GS or BMW F 850 GSGuide in English or Thai · Available from 23 Jun 2027Choose BMW F 800 GS or BMW F 850 GS

BMW R 1250 GSGuide in English or Thai · Available from 23 Jun 2027Option with BMW R 1250 GS

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 23 Jun 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Big Bike Touring Company

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're comfortable riding 250 to 350 kilometers a day and want a structured itinerary that handles the logistics (hotels, park entry, guide, and all protective gear), so you focus on the road and the stops. The choice of five bike models means you can pick the one that fits your riding style, and the extra night in Chiang Mai before departure gives you time to adjust before the longer days begin.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

Do I need an international driving licence to ride on this tour?

Yes, an international driving licence is required. If you don't have one, contact the operator before booking.

What's included in the accommodation on the Golden Triangle tour?

The tour includes an extra night in Chiang Mai before departure to rest, then carefully selected 3- or 4-star hotels in Mae Sariang, Pai, Mae Ai, and other towns along the route, six nights total.

What happens if I've never ridden a motorcycle before?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you'll need to be comfortable riding 250 to 350 kilometers a day. If you're a complete beginner, contact the operator to discuss your experience level.

What is the Golden Triangle and why does the tour visit it?

The Golden Triangle is the point where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge. The region has deep cultural and historical significance, once known for the opium trade, it's now renowned for its mix of cultures, languages, and natural beauty, and the tour includes a dedicated stop there on Day 2.

Can I choose which motorcycle I ride?

Yes, you select your bike at checkout from five options: Versys 650, V-Strom 650, CB5, BMW R 1250 GS, or BMW F 800/850 GS. All are included in the tour price.

What protective gear do I get, and do I have to wear it?

The tour provides helmets (with Bluetooth), gloves, jackets, pants, and boots for all riders and passengers. Helmets are compulsory in Thailand by law. The operator strongly recommends wearing all protective clothing. If you need special sizes, bring your own gear.