Lots of people have been telling us they would love to come on one of our motorcycle tours but they just don't have enough spare time for our 10-day tours. So by popular demand we are now offering two different 5-Day Golden Triangle Motorcycle Tours for those on a tighter schedule. Each motorcycle tour fits neatly with a single week. But even though these tours are for fewer days, they are still packed with the same great roads, sightseeing, cultural experiences, and dinning that make up the essence of all our other motorcycle tours. We hope that five days and 1,200+ kilometers of fantastic motorcycle riding over the greatest roads in Asia will satisfy the most demanding bikers.
In a quick summarization, from Chiang Mai we head southwest, up and over Doi Inthanon and then drive in it's entirety the Mae Hong Son Loop-the finest motorcycle road in all of Asia. We stay in the mountains alongside the Burma border all the way up to Mae Sai, the northernmost point in Thailand. Here we will enter Burma for a quick look-see before scooting back down to Chiang Mai. Over 1,200 kilometers of driving in total.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - 260 kilometers to Mae Sarieng. We leave Chiang Mai early in the morning heading south over a flat, easy road, a good introduction to Thailand's roads and drivers. We then drive up to the top of Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, stopping off at a waterfall or two. On the peak we visit two important stupas honoring the King and Queen of Thailand. Afterwards, we ride down the back side of this mountain over an extremely winding road, and along this route we'll stop off at a traditional Lanna-style home of a textile artist-you'll have the opportunity to purchase some of her creations. We continue south, join up with the Mae Hong Son loop heading west, and spend our first night in Mae Sarieng.
Day 2 - 175 kilometers to Mae Hong Son. We continue riding the road of 1,800 turns (yes, someone actually counted them), the morning entirely filled with great driving. We'll be doing well to average over 50 kph on this segment. By mid-day we will arrive in Khun Yuam, the scene of a mass Japanese retreat during WW2. Japanese veterans recently built an interesting war museum highlighting this little-known piece of history.
We continue winding northwards, make a detour, and drive up an extremely steep road to a Hmong hilltribe village situated on the peak of a lofty mountain. After that we ride to a Padong Long Neck settlement. The women in this hilltribe wear a series of brass rings around their necksthe women; They are also known as giraffe women. By late afternoon we arrive in Mae Hong Son, visit a couple of important temples, relax with a massage, then dig into a scrumptious gourmet Thai dinner.
Day 3 - 230 kilometers to Chiang Dao. We finish up the Mae Hong Son Loop over its most demanding section. There are so many turns that some riders actually complain they get dizzy whipping around them. Lunch is in PAI for a bowlfull of their famous Shan noodle dish: khao soy gai. After lunch we go for an elephant ride through the forest, and then more great riding all the way to Chiang Dao. Chiang Dao is Thailand's 3rd-highest mountain and at its base is a cave turned into a Buddhist shrine.
Day 4 - 215 kilometers to Doi Mae Salong. The terrain and character of the roads changes dramaticall today as we enter karst country - limestone mountain formations in incredible shapes. We run alongside the Burma Border on little-used roads nearly all day long and drive down the steepest road in the country. Late morning is a stop at an agricultural research center with their lovely gardens, and we will dine in their outdoor restaurant on the freshest and most delicous furits and vegetables you have ever tasted. After lunch we visit a Thai army border post, take a stroll through their bunkers, and watch the Burmese army watching us.
The character of the people in this region is also changing because this is where the losing Chinese Kuomingtong (Nationalist) Army fled to and settled after losing to Mao Tse Tung's communist forces during their civil war. In this town you could swear you are in China. Just before reaching our hotel we visit another important mountaintop chedi on a road so steep that many cars can not capable of driving up it. And tonight a Chinese-Yunnanese feast awaits that you will never forget.
Day 5 - 300 kilometers to Chiang Mai. Still more great riding is in store, this time through a mixed pine and bamboo forest on extremely narrow and curvaceous roads. First major stop is at another mountain top temple, its perimeter lined with bells. It is said that if you ring all 400+ of them (at last count), this will guarantee you a place in heaven: An offer like this doesn't come along every day. Then we tip-toe down the Thai-Burma border with opposing army camps on both sides of us (there is no real danger because everything has been peaceful and calm for many years now) and we pop out of the mountains into the northernmost point in Thailand, Mae Sai. We go for a quick walking tour into Burma, do some shopping, and have lunch.
Our final segment back to Chiang Mai is on a major road and we should hit town just before dusk for a well-earned rest. Total kilometers: just shy of 1,300.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price for either tour is USD1,395. This includes everything except airfare, alcoholic beverages, visas, and items of a personal nature.
Pillion riders or passenger in the support truck: USD895.
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