Motorcycles in northern Thailand is a great way to travel. This 10-day ride from Chiang Mai ties together highland roads and major cultural stops, from Doi Inthanon’s summit area to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai. You also get the “wow” factor of border-country scenery near the Golden Triangle.

I really like how much of the trip is handled for you: a professional English-speaking road captain leads the group, you ride rental bikes with unlimited mileage, and the route is built around winding roads that feel meant for two wheels. Another plus: the day-to-day rhythm includes real recovery time, with nine overnights in quality hotels and a true leisure day in Nan.

One consideration: you’re signing up for long riding days (around 7 hours), often on curvy, mountainous roads. If rain shows up, it can change the vibe fast, so you’ll want to keep your expectations flexible and ride the road, not the schedule.

Key highlights you’ll feel fast

• Road-captain leadership with group riding so you’re not constantly making decisions on unfamiliar roads
• Helmet, jacket, gloves, and knee guards included, which makes the start easier (and lighter)
• Unlimited mileage rental motorcycle, plus a support van for luggage and a few extra seats on request
• Big-name stops without full sightseeing overload, including Wat Rong Khun and UNESCO-listed Sukhothai
• A real rest day in Nan, plus options to explore on bicycles if you want

Getting started in Chiang Mai: bikes, timing, and support that matters

The tour begins in Chiang Mai at Big Bike Tours (134 Ragang Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan). The start time is 8:30am, so you’ll want an early, calm morning. There’s also a pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport, which helps a lot if you’re arriving the same day or want to avoid the first-stress taxi scramble.

Once you meet up, the most practical part kicks in: you’re provided with riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards). That’s a real value because it solves two issues at once—comfort on long days and the hassle of packing bulky gear. Then the group rides with an English-speaking professional road captain (with a TAT license) on a motorcycle leading the way. You’ll still ride your own pace, but having that lead and a coordinated plan reduces the “where are we going now?” fatigue.

Luggage handling is also part of the package. There’s a support van for luggage transportation, plus space for a few guests on the van throughout the tour if requested ahead of time. Translation: you’re less likely to be stuck carrying everything, and the ride stays about riding.

Day 1 and 2: Doi Inthanon and the Mae Hong Son switchbacks

Day 1 has a big setup: you’ll head south from Chiang Mai toward Doi Inthanon National Park. The park sits at Thailand’s highest peak area—2,565 meters—and this is the kind of first day that changes the air and the visuals fast. You’re not just passing through; the ride is specifically framed around great winding mountain roads. Mae Sariang is the overnight, so you’ll end the day with a calmer base after the higher-altitude start.

Day 2 shifts you into the Mae Hong Son direction with narrow, twisty, curvy roads. These are the kind of roads that feel like they belong on a motorcycle, not in a car. In Khun Yuam, you stop for a break that includes a World War II museum. Then you reach a temple moment at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, noted as the first temple of Mae Hong Son. If you like travel that mixes motion with pause, this is a good balance: ride hard, then reset with a cultural stop.

What I like about these first two days is how they pace your “Thailand motorcycling education.” You start with altitude and views, then you move into the frequent turns that define Mae Hong Son area riding. You’ll know by the end of Day 2 whether your hands are happy with the routine.

Day 3: Pai early-morning street life and the WWII bridge

Day 3 leans into early morning. There’s an option to offer food to monks along the streets during Pai’s local market time. Even if you’ve never done a ritual like that, it’s fairly straightforward when guided—watch, follow cues, and keep it respectful. It’s also a reminder that Pai isn’t only about roads; it has daily street life that runs independently from the tourist calendar.

Later, you visit the Pai World War II Memorial Bridge. This works well on a motorcycle tour because it’s a quick, meaningful stop—enough context to break the ride, not so much sightseeing that it drains the day.

Then you’re back on winding roads, aiming toward Mae Ai. The practical point here: the day keeps moving. So if you’re the kind of rider who gets restless on slow days, you’ll probably enjoy the momentum.

Day 4: Long-neck Karen village, Doi Mae Salong tea country, and Golden Triangle energy

Day 4 starts with Tha Ton, then you ride to a long-neck Karen tribe village near the Thailand–Myanmar border region. Visits like this can be very moving, but they’re also a reminder to travel with manners. Keep your attention on learning what’s appropriate and follow your road captain’s guidance on photos and interaction. This is one of those stops where the value isn’t flashy—it’s human.

Next up is Doi Mae Salong, associated with Chinese mountain tea farmers. Here you get a different flavor of northern Thailand, with tea culture and hillside living. The tour description points you toward time on the roads and the local tea-farming atmosphere, and that combo matters: it turns “culture time” into part of the journey rather than a detour.

Then the day ties toward the broader Golden Triangle area—where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Even when you’re not standing at the exact border line, the route is built to deliver that border-region feeling: long views, frequent checkpoints of scenery, and that sense of crossing something bigger than just a road.

Day 5 and 6: Chiang Rai’s White Temple and a proper Nan rest day

On Day 5 you ride from the region around Nan toward Chiang Rai city, with a scenic farming-area road section along the way. The highlight is Wat Rong Khun, commonly called the White Temple (and described as one of the top wonder temples in the world). It’s visually striking, but what makes it work on a motorcycle tour is timing: you get there after a ride, then you can enjoy it without turning the day into a marathon.

You also get lunch at a local restaurant, and that matters more than people think. Motorcycle days are physical. Regular meals keep you safe and comfortable through the next hours.

Day 6 is a leisure day in Nan. The tour literally gives you a low-pressure option: relax by the pool, shop around town, or—if you want to move—explore historical and cultural sites by bicycle. Laundry service is mentioned too, which is the kind of small luxury that makes your next riding day feel easier.

This rest day is one reason the tour works as a “real trip,” not just a moving queue of sights. You’re still in riding country, but you get to reset your body.

Day 7: R1081 Bo Kluea salt wells and the long twisty climb feel

Day 7 leaves Nan and follows winding mountainous roads via R1081, the Bo Kluea route. This is a favorite style of day on motorbike tours: a stretch built for two-wheel driving, not just transport.

You stop at the Bo Kluea salt wells, a distinctive roadside activity that breaks the ride with something local and unusual. Then you continue through the surrounding highland area toward Phayao, arriving with a change in scenery and a new overnight base.

Why this day is worth your attention: it’s variety. You get a signature road section, a specific local stop (salt wells), and then the natural rhythm of riding into a new town.

Day 8: Mae Yom National Park roads, border views, and the Sirikit dam ferry

Day 8 heads out from Phayao toward Uttaradit. The route includes a mix: you ride a bit south on the main highway, then switch to back roads via Mae Yom National Park. The point isn’t speed; it’s getting the road feel and the changing scenery.

Then the tour leans into those long-view, dream-road moments, including panoramic views along the border between Laos and Thailand. This is the kind of riding that helps you understand why people call northern Thailand some of the best motorcycling country in Asia.

A standout detail: crossing the Sirikit dam reservoir on a wooden ferry. That’s not just scenery—it’s a break in the motion that lets your brain breathe. After the ferry, you continue and reach Uttaradit.

Day 9: Rice fields into UNESCO Sukhothai without turning it into a sprint

Day 9 moves from Uttaradit to Sukhothai through back roads and massive rice-field areas. The tour calls it a shorter riding day compared to some others, with extra time to explore Sukhothai’s UNESCO World Heritage historical park.

This stop is a smart balance for a motorcycle tour. After days of roads and viewpoints, you get a slower, more grounded day where you can walk, look at the site, and connect the meaning of the region beyond the ride. If your legs are tired, this is the day that can feel like a relief.

In practical terms, you’ll probably want this day to be your “slow camera” day. Don’t plan to see everything. Pick your top highlights and spend time there.

Day 10: Columnar Mountains road R101, Den Chai, and returning to Chiang Mai

Day 10 starts by leaving Sukhothai and riding again on back roads through the “Columnar Mountains” road R101 toward Den Chai. That’s followed by a visit to a large reclining Buddha. It’s the kind of cultural stop that fits a motorcycle route: short enough to keep the momentum, meaningful enough to feel like you passed through something real.

Then you head back toward Chiang Mai on winding mountainous roads. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not left guessing how to get from the road trip back into normal life.

This ending works because it keeps the final day focused on riding and a couple of clean, clear stops—no last-minute chaos needed.

Price and value: what $3,750 really covers (and what you should still plan for)

At $3,750 per person for an approximate 10-day tour, you’re paying for a bundle: logistics, leadership, bikes, insurance, and daily riding support—not just “a route.” Here’s where the value shows up.

You get a rental motorcycle with unlimited mileage, plus helmets and full protective gear. You also get third-party liability insurance and motorcycle insurance with a deductible of up to $1,000 USD in case of damage. That deductible detail matters: it’s not “zero cost if anything happens,” but it is a clear safety net in the structure of the trip.

The tour also includes nine breakfasts, nine lunches, nine dinners, plus water, soft drinks, and coffee/tea connected with meals. On a long motorcycle tour, those meal inclusions are practical. It helps keep energy stable and reduces the risk of you rushing to find food at the wrong time.

Then there are the human parts that show up in rider feedback: organized riding with a professional guide on the lead bike, and quality of the day-to-day care. In one case mentioned in past feedback, the guide was Pong, and riders praised the organization and friendly support. That matches the tour’s built-in idea: you’re not riding alone, and the group structure is part of the safety plan.

Two practical notes to plan for:

• The package lists what’s included and not included, and alcoholic beverages aren’t part of the meal plan.
• Fuel costs aren’t listed in the included items, so you should assume you’ll pay for gas yourself.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want to adjust)

This tour is best for riders who want a mix of serious roads and meaningful stops, without turning every day into a pure sightseeing grind. The route includes famous and iconic anchors—Wat Rong Khun and UNESCO Sukhothai—plus culturally sensitive stops like the long-neck Karen village near the border area.

It’s also a good fit if you like clear structure. With a maximum group size of 10 travelers, a lead road captain, and a support van for luggage, you’ll get coordination without feeling packed.

If you’re choosing based on fitness: you should be comfortable with days around 7 hours of riding time. If you prefer very short rides or lots of downtime every day, you might feel the pace. The good news is Day 6 in Nan is built as a real break day.

Should you book the Amazing Thailand 10-day motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai?

If you want one trip that hits northern Thailand’s major riding areas—Doi Inthanon, Mae Hong Son region drives toward Pai, Golden Triangle region roads, then down through Nan and toward Sukhothai—this tour is a strong option. The package covers the big friction points: bike rental with unlimited mileage, protective gear, insurance, meals, hotel bases, and a road captain leading the way.

I’d book it if:

• you’re excited by curvy mountain roads and want professional coordination
• you want a rest day (Nan) built into the schedule
• you want both iconic sights and real riding time

I’d think twice if:

• you hate long riding days or get stressed by changing mountain weather
• you want total freedom with no group structure (this one is clearly group-led)

Overall, this feels like a “serious ride” tour done with enough structure to keep it smooth—without stripping the trip of the character that makes northern Thailand fun.

FAQ

What does the 10 Day Motorcycle Tour (Amazing Thailand) cost?

It costs $3,750.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as 10 days (approx.), with 9 overnights.

Where does the tour start, and when?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, with a start time of 8:30am.

Is pickup from the airport included?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What motorcycle and safety items are included?

Motorcycle rental is included with unlimited mileage. Riding gears are also included: helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards.

Is there insurance included?

Yes. The tour includes third-party liability insurance for motorcycles and motorcycle insurance with a deductible of up to $1,000 USD in case of damage.

What is not included in the price?

Not included are alcoholic beverages, visa fees, travel insurance, airfare, and any services or items of a personal nature not listed as included.