Two wheels through northern Thailand changes your map. This Chiang Mai-start route strings together highland views like Doi Inthanon and Mae Hong Son, then adds border-country riding and the big final hit of Sukhothai.

I really like the way this tour handles the “ride logistics” for you: an English-speaking road captain (with a TAT license) leads on a motorcycle, and you’re kitted out with helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. You also get a support van for luggage, plus enough included fuel for long days without constantly stopping for basic stuff.

The main thing to consider is simple: the days are built around mountain roads and sit around 7 hours of riding, so if you want slower, heavy-sightseeing days every time, you may feel a bit time-pressed even though there’s a true leisure day later.

Key things to know before you go

• English-speaking road captain with a TAT license keeps the group moving and the route consistent
• Unlimited-mileage bike rental means you can focus on the road, not the clock
• Gearing included (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards) helps you ride smarter from day one
• Road names you’ll remember like R1148, R1081 (Bo Kluea), and R101 (Columnar Mountains)
• Good support system: liability coverage, motorcycle insurance (deductible up to $1,000), and a luggage van
• A mix of big sights and quiet towns: Golden Triangle, White Temple, plus lesser-seen stops like Uttaradit

Entering the trip: Chiang Mai pickup and the 8:30 start

This tour begins at Big Bike Tours in Chiang Mai, with pickup from the airport offered, which matters a lot when you arrive tired. The start time is 8:30 am, so you’re not wasting daylight. The meeting point is in town and also listed as near public transportation, which is handy if you’re adjusting plans on the fly.

You’re grouped with a maximum of 10 travelers, so it doesn’t feel like you’re riding inside a factory line. That small size helps with navigation and lets the road captain manage pace without constant regrouping.

Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket. That sounds minor until you’re on a bike with gloves on, trying to find paper. With a phone-based ticket, you usually spend less time fiddling and more time riding.

The real selling point: those mountain-road days

This is a route built around curvy roads and big viewpoints, not just “drive to a temple, then drive again.” You’ll spend time on well-known fun-biking sections, including R1148 from Nan and R1081 via Bo Kluea. The tour also uses backroads through national parks and smaller roads between towns—exactly the kind of driving that makes a motorcycle trip feel different from a car tour.

The big benefit for you: the time spent in transit feels intentional. When you’re paying for a riding tour, you don’t want hours of straight highway. Here, the schedule keeps shifting to twistier terrain and scenic sections, so the day’s effort turns into actual reward.

One practical note: mountain roads can be damp and cold at higher elevations, even if Thailand’s reputation is sunny. If you’re not comfortable changing your pace in rain, you’ll want to ride conservatively and treat wet corners as a skill test, not a brag moment.

Day 1: From Chiang Mai area to Mae Sariang, with Doi Inthanon views

On day one, you’ll start by getting your bearings on the highway ride heading south of Chiang Mai toward Doi Inthanon National Park. Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest peak, so the air and cloud cover can feel different from the lowlands. It’s also a natural “reset” day: not a pure sprint through towns, but a chance to settle into your bike and the rhythm of the route.

Mae Sariang is your first stop, and it sets the tone: smaller towns, cleaner roads than you might expect, and scenery that feels more spacious than the touristic centers. It’s a good way to start if you like the idea of gradually trading city noise for mountain calm.

Potential drawback: day one still asks you to ride hard enough to reach the next base. If you’re new to big bikes or long riding days, you’ll want to use breaks to stretch and refuel—don’t “tough it out” every stop.

Days 2–3: Mae Hong Son curves and Pai’s early-morning local life

Days two and three take you into the Mae Hong Son region style of riding: narrow roads, twisty turns, and scenery that keeps changing every few minutes. You’ll go from Mae Sariang toward Pai through curvy terrain, with a break in Khun Yuam to visit a World War II museum. That stop is brief but meaningful because it ties the region’s modern shape to its wartime past.

In Mae Hong Son territory, you’ll visit Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, the first temple of the region you’re likely to see on this route. It’s a classic “view plus temple” experience, and it’s a good contrast to the hours of riding.

Then Pai brings two special moments. First, you have the chance to offer food to monks along Pai’s local market streets very early in the morning. Second, you’ll visit the Pai World War II Memorial Bridge. Both create a sense of place beyond the roads themselves—Pai isn’t just about scenic biking; it’s also about small-town daily rhythm.

One consideration: these days are busy on purpose. The payback is scenery, but you shouldn’t expect long, slow stops at every photo spot.

Day 4: Tha Ton, long-neck Karen village, and the tea-country ride to Doi Mae Salong

Day four leans into borderland culture and highland agriculture. You leave toward Tha Ton and visit the long-neck Karen tribe village near the border area with Myanmar. This is one of the tour’s biggest cultural stops, and it matters that it’s framed as a visit near the border region, not a random roadside “look fast and go.”

After that, you ride toward Doi Mae Salong, a mountain tea farming area. You’ll see how the landscape and daily work are tied together: tea farming isn’t a backdrop here; it’s part of what you’re riding through. You’ll also test tea and learn how locals turn elevation into a livelihood.

Practical tip: plan for “photo time” without turning every stop into a long detour. Your ride day is built around moving from one highlight to the next.

Day 5: Golden Triangle to Chiang Rai’s White Temple

This day starts with Golden Triangle area touring, where three country borders meet: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The point of coming here on a motorcycle isn’t only the photo. It’s the feeling of being in a geographic crossroads where cultures, languages, and travel routes overlap.

Then you’ll ride onward to Chiang Rai and visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). This temple is often called a top wonder temple, and the draw is how unusual it feels compared to the more traditional temple shapes you’ll see elsewhere in Thailand. It’s a high-impact visual stop that breaks up the purely natural-scenery days.

You’ll also have lunch at a local restaurant. For motorcycle touring, that’s underrated: a good, real meal right when you need it keeps you steady and focused for the ride.

Day 6: Nan leisure day (and optional biking and laundry)

Day six is set up like a breathing day. You’ll be based in Nan, with the option to relax by the pool or shop. There’s also an optional way to explore more of Nan by bicycle, plus laundry service is available.

Why this works: after several days of mountainous riding, your body needs a reset. Even if you don’t ride that optional bike time, the pool-and-rest structure is built into the schedule. It helps you avoid the “tired rider spiral” where you start rushing corners because you’re worn out.

Practical note: do laundry earlier in the day if you plan to use it. After mountain air and riding gear, you’ll appreciate having your next set ready.

Days 7–8: Bo Kluea salt wells, Phayao, Uttaradit, and border-magic riding

Day seven continues through mountainous roads, including the famous motorcycle road R1081 via Bo Kluea. Along the way, you’ll stop at Bo Kluea salt wells, a small detour that adds variety to an otherwise ride-heavy day. After that, the route continues through more highland terrain, keeping the curves coming.

On day eight, you move from Phayao toward Uttaradit. You’ll ride some backroads via Mae Yom National Park, then rejoin fantastic “dream road” riding sections. The tour also includes the idea of panoramic views along the border between Laos and Thailand on these dream roads.

One memorable logistics-style detail from the tour overview: you’ll cross the Sirikit dam reservoir on a wooden ferry. Even if you only catch it as a short segment, ferry crossings break the ride rhythm in a good way. Your brain gets a rest from continuous road scanning, and it’s a nice change of pace.

Day 9: Sukhothai Historical Park, with rice-field riding

Day nine shifts from curve-hunting to cultural sightseeing. You’ll leave Uttaradit riding through massive rice fields until you reach Sukhothai, then enjoy time at the UNESCO historical park.

The benefit of this “shorter riding + sightseeing highlight” structure: you get to recover physically without losing meaning in the day. Instead of spending every hour braced for turns, you can walk ruins and absorb atmosphere more slowly.

In practice, you’ll still ride enough to make it feel like a motorcycle tour, but the day is designed to give you time to explore Sukhothai as more than a stopover.

Day 10: Columnar Mountains (R101), Den Chai reclining Buddha, and back to Chiang Mai

The final day keeps you in the rhythm of scenic mountain roads as you return to Chiang Mai. You’ll ride via Den Chai and visit a large reclining Buddha, then continue through winding roads via Lampang.

A highlight routing piece here is R101, the Columnar Mountains road. Roads like this are why riders choose a big-bike tour in the first place: the terrain gives you visual storytelling, while the riding stays engaging.

You finish back at the meeting point in Chiang Mai, which is useful for planning your last meal, pickup, or onward travel. You’ll be tired—this kind of tour does that—but you’ll also have a clear line of routes and places in your head.

Bikes, gear, and the support van: riding without constant headaches

Included gear is a big deal: helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. That means you can show up without needing to buy everything right away, and you’ll get kit that’s matched to the riding style of the route.

You also get motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage, plus a support van for luggage. That matters because motorcycle touring is mentally exhausting when you’re constantly juggling bags. With the van, you pack once and forget most of the fiddly stuff.

Insurance is also part of the setup:

• third-party motorcycle liability insurance
• motorcycle insurance with a deductible up to $1,000 if there’s damage

From rider feedback, one of the most praised points is how well the bikes and tires hold up, including during wet weather. Another strong theme is that the tour supports riding at your own pace while still staying organized as a group—exactly what you want when you’re mixing skill levels.

Still, one mixed experience report exists that mentioned safety concerns without offering enough detail to pin down here. If safety is your top priority, ask the company how they handle rain, lane changes, and group spacing before you start, and be clear about your own comfort level.

Hotels and meals: why the included comfort makes the route work

This tour includes 9 overnights in carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities. That’s the right tradeoff for motorcycle tours: after a long day on the road, a place with a pool, good rooms, and a real dinner setup beats hunting for amenities.

Meals are built in too: breakfast (9), lunch (9), and dinner (9). Water, soft drinks, and coffee/tea are included around the meals. For you, the big value is fewer logistics gaps. You don’t want to burn energy searching for snacks at the wrong moment when your gas and focus are already stretched.

Riders also praised the food quality and plentiful portions, and that’s a practical win—when you’re riding all day, you’ll eat more than you think.

Price and value: is $3,750 fair for a 10-day bike tour?

$3,750 per person sounds like a serious chunk of change, so here’s what you’re really buying.

You’re not just paying for a route. You’re paying for:

• English-speaking road captain with TAT license leading the group
• motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
• riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards)
• support van for luggage
• selected hotels/resorts with leisure facilities
• breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport
• liability insurance and motorcycle coverage with a deductible ceiling

On a motorcycle tour, these add up fast if you plan it yourself: bike rental plus insurance, guide time, and the hotel + meal chain are where your budget quietly disappears. Here, the tour bundles a lot of that for you, which can be good value if you want less stress and more riding.

Who might find it especially worth it? Riders who want big-road time and don’t want to manage daily route planning, bike logistics, and “where do we eat?” decisions.

Should you book the 10 Day Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai?

I’d say book it if you want a motorcycle trip that’s built around proven riding routes, not just sightseeing boxes. You’ll likely love the combination of highland driving, cultural stops like the Golden Triangle area and Wat Rong Khun, and the payoff of Sukhothai at the end.

I’d think twice if you:

• need lots of slow downtime every day (the schedule is ride-focused)
• don’t feel comfortable on narrow, curvy mountain roads
• are very sensitive to safety handling in rain or tight turns—because one mixed report exists and it’s worth clarifying the company’s approach up front

If your dream is clear: ride hard, see real places, and have support taking the messy parts off your plate—this tour fits.

FAQ

What is the start time and meeting point for the tour?

The tour starts at 8:30 am. The meeting point is Big Bike Tours at 134 Ragang Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Chiang Mai.

How many days is the tour?

The tour is listed as 10 days (approx.).

What’s included in the price?

Included items include motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage, riding gears (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards), a road captain with an English-speaking TAT license, hotels for 9 overnights, and meals (9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners), plus pickup from Chiang Mai Airport and support for luggage transportation.

Is there insurance for the motorcycles and riders?

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

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What is the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; cancellations less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.