20 Day The Great Thailand Ride: Guided Motorcycle Tour

Overview

From the Mountains to the Sea, this 20-day Thailand Motorcycle Tour gives you a great experience of all the best Thailand has to offer. From the North to the South. Starting in Chiang Mai and ending on Phuket Island. The Great Thailand Ride gives you a great insight into the Land of Smile. Pass the unique highland vast panoramic view of Doi Inthanon, the highest peak of Thailand, and the beautiful Mae Hong Son. Visit Pai, Chiang Dao, the charming Tha Ton, the long-neck Karen tribes village; the impressive mountainous scenery of Doi Mae Salong, Doi Tung Royal Villa, and the famous Golden Triangle, where three countries borders meet: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (former Burma). Ride to the famous White Temple Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai. Ride the exhilarating, mountainous road R1148 to Nan, ranked in the Top 10 as one of the most fun biking roads to be found anywhere in the world. 120 km. o

Highlights

• 14 riding days
• Explore the stunning Erawan National Park and Sri Nakarin Dam
• Visit the historic Hellfire Pass and Death Railway in Kanchanaburi
• Ride through the scenic Kaeng Krachan National Park and Dam
• Cross from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea at Kra Isthmus
• Discover the breathtaking viewpoints of Nang Hong and Grass Hills
• Experience island hopping in Krabi, including Chicken Island and Koh Poda
• Cruise to the iconic James Bond Island and the floating village of Koh Panyee
• 19 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day to day itinerary

2. Day 1: Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon – Mae Sariang (278 km / 173 mi)

   Familiarize yourself with your bike on the highway ride heading south of Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park, the highest peak in Thailand, 2,565 meters above sea level. Ride along the excellent winding mountain road through pine forest scenery. Visit Thailand’s finest waterfall, nature trails, Royal pagodas, and botanical gardens. Descending to Mae Chaem for a relaxing lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, ride on, passing through pine forests until you reach Mae Sariang, near the border with Myanmar, where you later enjoy your peaceful accommodation.

3. Day 2: Mae Sariang – Mae Hong Son – Pai (287 km / 178 mi)

   After breakfast, leave Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son on narrow twisty curvy roads. In Khun Yuam, take a break and visit a World War II museum. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, the first temple of Mae Hong Son on the hilltop. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Visit the unseen Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge, which was built by villagers and locals of Ban Gung Mai Sak. A beautiful bridge, supposedly the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand. Then back on twisty curvy roads to Pai. Then you reach charming accommodation with a swimming pool. In Pai, dine on delicious local food in a restaurant near the r

4. Day 3: Pai – Chiang Dao - Fang (270 km / 168 mi)

   Before breakfast, in the very early morning, you have a chance to offer food to the monks along the streets of Pai’s local market. After breakfast, visit the Pai World War II Memorial Bridge. Back on winding mountainous roads. Later you reach Chiang Dao, where you have a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Chiang Dao cave. Then ride along fantastic mountain roads via Thailand’s “Little Toscana” until you reach Fang. Later, relax in your charming accommodation with a fantastic panoramic view of Doi Angkhang.

5. Day 4: Fang - Tha Ton - Golden Triangle - Chiang Khong (194 km / 121 mi)

   After breakfast, leave Fang where you will visit Wat Tha Ton on top of the mountains directly at the Burmese border. Later, visit the long-neck Karen tribe village near the border of Thailand and Myanmar. Ride to Doi Mae Salong, where Chinese mountain tea farmers live. Of course, you will test Thailand’s best tea there. Then back on curvy roads to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand. Visit Wat Tham Pla, where you can feed some food to wild monkeys. Reach the Golden Triangle to take a long-tail boat trip on the Mekong River and visit a small village in Laos (no visa necessary). Visit th

6. Day 5: Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai - Nan (328 km / 204 mi)

   After breakfast, ride along a scenic farming area road to Chiang Rai city. After that, visit the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), one of the top 10 wonder temples in the world. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Ride the exhilarating, mountainous highway to Nan. Visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi (Nan hilltop scenic temple) before relaxing in your lovely accommodation and jumping into the swimming pool. Later, discover and enjoy Nan’s nightlife.

7. Day 6: Rest Day in Nan

   A day of leisure. Today you’re doing nothing at all. Relaxing by the pool or shopping in the town. Optionally, you can, of course, discover the historical and cultural sites of unseen Nan by bicycle. (Laundry service available)

8. Day 7: Nan – Bo Kluea - Phayao (334 km / 207 mi)

   After breakfast, leave Nan riding through winding mountainous roads via the famous motorcycle paradise road R1081 to Bo Kluea. Here, visit the Bo Kluea salt wells. Then continue through Doi Phu Kha National Park to Chiang Klang, where you will have lunch in a local restaurant. Ride the exhilarating, mountainous highway No. 1148 to Nan, ranked in the Top 10 as one of the most fun biking roads to be found anywhere in the world. 120 kilometers of up-and-down curves through the impressive mountains provide you with pure riding pleasure. Then cruise along highway R1021 through farming areas to Phay

9. Day 8: Phayao - Sirikit Dam - Uttaradit (331 km / 206 mi)

   After breakfast, leave unseen Phayao. Ride first south a bit on the main highway and later take the back roads via Mae Yom National Park. Later, ride again on fantastic motorcycle dream roads and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Khun Sathan National Park. Lunch is served in the middle of nowhere with a million-dollar view at a local restaurant. The highlight of this day will be, of course, crossing Sirikit Lake. Take the motorbikes on a wooden ferry across the Sirikit Dam reservoir. Sirikit Dam is the largest earth dam in Thailand. It’s used for irrigation, fisheries, flood control, and hydro

10. Day 9: Uttaradit – Sukhothai (89 km / 55 mi)

    After breakfast, leave Uttaradit, riding again on backroads and passing through massive rice fields until you reach Sukhothai. A short day of riding gives you plenty of time to discover one of the highlights of this amazing motorcycle tour: the Ancient Sukhothai Historical Park, designated World Heritage site number 574 on December 12, 1991, by UNESCO, and enjoy the amazing sunset in the old ruins. A magical and memorable scene. Later, arrive at the guest house, where you enjoy the charming classic wooden Thai accommodation with a swimming pool.

11. Day 10: Sukhothai – Phichit - Nakhon Sawan (240 km / 149 mi)

    After breakfast, leave Sukhothai, riding south to Phichit, a Land of Legends and Crocodiles! According to local folklore, there was once a huge crocodile ruler who lived in a cave... (story remains unchanged). Visit the Ho Chi Minh house, where the Vietnamese Revolution leader lived in exile for six years. Lunch is served at a local restaurant at Bueng Si Fai Lake, one of Thailand’s largest lakes, where wild crocodiles still live. After lunch, continue the journey to Thailand’s province of Nakhon Sawan, where the Central and Northern Regions meet. It sees relatively few visitors but is well wo

12. Day 11: Nakhon Sawan – Erawan National Park (313 km / 194 mi)

    First stop, visit Wat Tha Sung in Uthai Thani, built in 1320 A.D. and now an important temple in Central Thailand. Next, stop at the unseen teak wood temple, Wat Tham Khao Wong, surrounded by Castle Rock Mountain. Then take hidden back roads and a ferry to Erawan National Park, with a quick stop at the Sri Nakarin Dam viewpoint. Arrive at the destination before sunset.

13. Day 12: Erawan National Park - Kanchanaburi (222 km / 138 mi)

    A sightseeing day with a 200 km (124 mi) ride. From Erawan National Park to Kanchanaburi City, visit Sai Yok Yai waterfall at the first stop. Then ride to Hellfire Pass for a short trekking trail. Continue to Tham Krasae to witness the Death Railway passing. Enjoy an easy ride to Mallika town, a 100-year-old model town in Thailand. Reach Kanchanaburi city and stop to pay respects at the war cemetery. Other highlights include the famous World War II memorial bridge, well known from the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.

14. Day 13: Kanchanaburi - Hua Hin (296 km / 184 mi)

    After breakfast, ride to the Giant Monkey Pod Tree in the morning. Then take a transfer ride to Kaeng Krachan Motorcycle Race Circuit. Continue through Kaeng Krachan Dam crest and national park, stopping for lunch at the dam. Now entering the southern part of Thailand, avoid the main highway and take back roads via Khao Sam Roi Yot to reach Hua Hin. Stay overnight at Hua Hin Beach. Enjoy a delicious and fresh seafood dinner before exploring the famous Hua Hin night market and nightlife.

15. Day 14: Rest Day in Hua Hin

    A day of leisure. Today, do nothing at all—relax by the pool or go shopping in town. Optionally, discover the historical and cultural sites of Hua Hin by bicycle. (Laundry service available)

16. Day 15: Hua Hin - Prachuap Khiri Khan – Chumphon (324 km / 201 mi)

    An easy day exploring scenic routes along the Gulf of Thailand coastline. Ride to Tham Thong and Bang Berd Beach, continuing to the fishery harbor pier. Then ride on dream roads via different beaches—Ban Krut, Bo Mao, and Thung Wua Laen—before reaching Chumphon City. Stop at Dinsor Hill viewpoint before arriving in Chumphon, where a visit to the Nong Yai Development Project awaits before checking in at the beachside hotel. Enjoy a perfect sunset.

17. Day 16: Chumphon - Ranong (198 km / 123 mi)

    Today, cross from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea. The first stop is Wat Suwankhiri, a Myanmar temple on a hilltop. Then ride to Kho Kot Kra, Asia’s narrowest point. Take a coffee break for hand-roasted coffee at Kong Valley before stopping for lunch with locals. Continue to Khao Fa Chi viewpoint, offering breathtaking views over the bay. Then ride to Ranong Pier at the Myanmar border. Stay in the city and explore local markets and daily life.

18. Day 17: Rest Day in Ranong

    A day of leisure. Relax by the pool or go shopping in town. Optional: Emerald Heart Island (Cock’s Comb Island Tour) A must-try experience in Ranong! Start with a hotel pickup at 8 a.m., then process a border pass and head to Kawthaung, Myanmar’s southernmost town. Cruise through a cave to enter the lagoon of Cock’s Comb Island, famous for its heart-shaped formation. Snorkel among coral reefs, sea anemones, and fish. Next, visit Tafook Island, known for its powdery white sand beach, and later, explore Zadetkyi Island, home to rich coral reefs. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat dinner at the Grand Andam

19. Day 18: Ranong - Krabi (320 km / 199 mi)

    An awesome ride from Ranong to Ao Nang, Krabi. Start the morning with a photo stop at the "Grass Hills," resembling Swiss alpine landscapes. Take a long, curvy highway ride to a lovely coffee shop at Ban Rai Ai Aroon. Continue on twisty roads to Takuapa’s old city in Phang Nga, where lunch is cooked and served by local grandmothers. Ride up a scenic mountain road to Nang Hong viewpoint before descending via back roads to Ao Nang, Krabi. Stay two nights and explore this stunning region.

20. Day 19: Rest Day in Krabi

    A day of leisure. Relax by the pool or beach, or go shopping in town. Optional: Krabi Island Hopping One of the top activities in Southern Thailand! A full-day speedboat tour visiting Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Phra Nang Cave Beach. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Itinerary: - 7 a.m.: Pickup from the hotel and transfer to the pier. - 20-minute speedboat ride to Phra Nang Cave, home to a respected spirit shrine. - Visit Chicken Island, a unique rock formation resembling a chicken, and a fantastic snorkeling spot. - Lunch break on Tup Island, where a sandbar

21. Day 20: Krabi – Phuket (216 km / 134 mi)

    The last tour day from Ao Nang, Krabi, to Phuket. Take an easy ride via back roads to Phang Nga Bay. From there, take a boat trip to Khao Ping Kan, famously known as “James Bond Island.” Continue the cruise to Koh Panyee, a floating fishing village built on stilts by Malay seafarers. Visit the island’s floating football field, mosque, school, and experience local life. Enjoy lunch on the island before returning to the mainland. Ride to the stunning Ao Tho Li viewpoint before reaching Phuket just in time for sunset and a well-earned ice-cold beer. Tour ends.

Ride Details

Terrain

mixed (highways, backroads, coastal roads, mountain passes)

Bike

rental bike

Mileage

approximately 3,507 kilometers / 2,179 miles

Daily rides

198 - 400 kilometers / 123 - 249 miles

Riding gear

helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards (provided by Big Bike Tours); you must bring your own boots and trousers

Meals

all meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), except no lunch on rest days; water, soft drinks, and coffee/tea with meals

Accommodation

Overnight in carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities.

Getting There

Tour Highlights: Chiang Mai (the “Rose of the North”); Doi Inthanon National Park (highest peak of Thailand); Vachiratharn waterfall; Famous 1,864 curves to Mae Hong Son; Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu; the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand; Pai World War II Memorial Bridge; Chiang Dao cave; Wat Tha Ton; long-neck Karen tribes village; Doi Mae Salong tea farm; Doi Tung Royal Villa; Monkey Temple; Golde