3 Day Motorcycle Tour (Nan Loop) from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand’s Route 1148 is the star here: 120 kilometers of mountain bends, steep hills, farming country, and long views near Nan and Laos. You also ride through Chae Son National Park, circle Phayao Lake, visit Bo Kluea’s old salt wells, and finish near hot springs and a waterfall. This is a road trip first, with cultural stops fitted around the riding.

I like the small maximum group of 10 and the practical support: a road captain leads on a motorcycle, a van carries luggage, and riding gear is provided. I also like the mix of polished hotels, local meals, hilltop temples, and quiet northern roads. The main caution is the physical demand, with roughly seven hours on the bike each day, plus a route description that mentions Sukhothai, Sirikit Dam, and an elephant center even though the day-by-day plan follows the Nan and Phayao loop instead.

Key points to know before you book

• Route 1148 is the main attraction: You get 120 kilometers of sweeping mountain curves on one of northern Thailand’s most celebrated motorcycle roads.
• Three long riding days: Plan on about seven hours each day, not counting every stop, meal, and sightseeing break.
• Nan and Phayao add real variety: You’ll see a hilltop temple, salt wells, a large lake, national park roads, markets, and hot springs.
• Support is built in: A road captain leads the group, a van transports luggage, and a mechanic or support crew may be part of the wider team.
• The price covers a lot: The $1,125 fee includes the motorcycle, two hotel nights, six meals, gear, insurance provisions, airport pickup, and support.
• Experience is not optional: You need a valid motorbike license, a passport, a minimum age of 21, and at least four years of riding experience.

Why the Nan Loop is about the road, not just the stops

This is a proper motorcycle tour rather than a sightseeing trip with a few miles added. You leave Chiang Mai at 8:30 a.m., spend long stretches in the saddle, and use temples, lakes, restaurants, markets, and hot springs as welcome breaks.

I like that structure. Northern Thailand is best appreciated at road level. You see the mountains change slowly, feel the bends arrive, and stop in places that would be easy to miss from a tour bus. The route also gives you a useful balance: enough riding to satisfy an experienced motorcyclist, but enough scenery and local stops to keep the trip from becoming a test of endurance.

The group limit of 10 matters. A motorcycle convoy can become awkward when it grows too large, especially on winding roads. A smaller group should make regrouping and communication easier, though you still need to follow the road captain’s instructions and ride within your ability.

The tour is priced at $1,125 per person, which is not a casual add-on to a Chiang Mai holiday. Still, the fee covers more than simply renting a motorcycle. You receive unlimited mileage, two nights in selected hotels or resorts, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the stated meals, water and soft drinks with meals, riding equipment, airport pickup, motorcycle liability insurance, accident cover, luggage support, and a professional English-speaking road captain.

Before booking, confirm the exact motorcycle model and the route. The information supplied describes the trip as both a Nan Loop and a Sukhothai Loop. The detailed three-day schedule does not include Sukhothai, Sirikit Dam, or the Lampang elephant conservation center. That mismatch is worth clearing up in writing.

Day 1: Chae Son, Phayao Lake, and Nan’s hilltop temple

The first day begins with a useful warm-up rather than an immediate charge into the mountains. You leave Chiang Mai heading north and get familiar with the motorcycle while riding toward Chae Son National Park and the winding R1252.

That matters if you are adjusting to an unfamiliar bike, different traffic habits, or riding on the left. The road soon becomes the point of the day, with curves and changing elevations replacing city traffic. You should still expect a demanding day, since the schedule allows about seven hours of riding.

The route continues toward Phayao, where you stop for a view of Kwan Phayao, one of northern Thailand’s largest lakes. The lake gives you a break from mountain bends and a chance to see the town from a wider perspective. It is also a good reminder that this tour is not only about speed or cornering. The best parts come from the changes in scenery between riding sections.

From Phayao, you take the mountain highway toward Nan. The final cultural stop is Wat Phra That Khao Noi, a hilltop temple with a scenic outlook over Nan. The temple is a fitting arrival point because you get both a place of religious importance and a broad view after a full day on the road.

Your accommodation in Nan includes a swimming pool, giving you a practical way to loosen up before the evening. Later, the group visits Nan’s nightlife. The supplied details do not promise a particular venue, so think of this as free time in town rather than a formal evening program.

The first day’s drawback is simple: it is long. A hilltop temple and a pool sound relaxed, but they come after hours of riding. If you want a slow cultural tour, this will feel rushed. If you want a real motorcycle day with worthwhile stops, the pacing makes sense.

Day 2: Bo Kluea salt wells and the famous 1148 road

Day 2 is the strongest riding day. After breakfast, you leave Nan on R1081 toward Bo Kluea, a mountain route known for its curves and views.

The Bo Kluea salt wells bring something different to the trip. This is not a standard city attraction added for a quick photograph. The wells connect the stop to local production and the character of the mountain communities. You get a short cultural lesson without giving up the main purpose of the day.

Next comes Doi Phu Kha National Park. The route then continues to Chiang Klang, where lunch is served at a local restaurant. I like the inclusion of a local meal here because it breaks up the riding in a practical way. The schedule does not identify the restaurant or menu, so tell the operator about dietary needs when you book.

Then comes the road many riders will have chosen this tour for: Highway 1148. The route description gives you 120 kilometers of up-and-down curves through the mountains and calls it one of the world’s most enjoyable biking roads. That is enthusiastic wording, but the appeal is clear. You get an extended run of bends rather than a few isolated scenic turns.

A road like this rewards smooth riding. You will want to keep your speed within your comfort zone, leave space, and avoid treating the group as a race. The road captain’s presence is especially valuable here, since a lead rider can set a sensible pace and help keep the group together.

After the mountain section, the route heads through farming areas on R1021 toward Phayao. The shift from dramatic hills to agricultural country gives the day a pleasing change of rhythm. You finish by returning to Kwan Phayao and staying in accommodation described as charming, with leisure facilities.

There is a confusing detail in the schedule: Day 2 begins in Nan, labels the stop Phayao City, describes riding toward Nan, and then continues to Phayao. The intended overnight destination appears to be Phayao, but I would ask the operator to confirm the exact hotel and route before paying. That is a small planning point, but it matters when you are arranging luggage, meals, and onward travel.

Day 3: Phayao Lake, waterfall, and Mae Kachan hot spring

The final day begins with a ride around Kwan Phayao. You have already seen the lake from a viewpoint, so circling it gives you a different sense of its size and its relationship to the town.

From there, you take R120 toward Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. The road is described as another winding mountain route, so the final day remains active rather than becoming a simple return to Chiang Mai.

Lunch is served at a restaurant in front of the hot spring. That should make the stop easy to manage, since you can eat and take a break in the same place. The tour also includes time at a local market for refreshments before the return to Chiang Mai.

The last day is shorter in emotional terms than the 1148 section, but it works well as a finish. You get water, hot springs, food, and a market before returning to the starting point. The support van continues to carry luggage, and a few people can ride in it during the tour if arranged in advance.

The detailed schedule does not specify how long you spend at the waterfall, hot spring, or market. If one of those stops is especially important to you, ask how much time is normally allowed. The schedule gives you the destinations, but not a minute-by-minute account.

Bikes, safety gear, and support on the road

Motorcycle rental includes unlimited mileage, which is useful on a route with long mountain sections. The operator supplies helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. You are strongly advised to wear protective clothing, and helmets are compulsory in Thailand.

Bring your own specialist gear if you need an unusual size. The operator specifically warns that special-size clothing may not be available. Boots and full protective clothing are advised, even though the included equipment list does not mention boots.

The support van is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. It carries luggage and has space for a few riders if arranged ahead of time. That gives you an escape valve if you are tired, uncomfortable, or dealing with a minor problem, though you should not assume a seat is available without asking in advance.

Insurance has several layers, but you should read the terms carefully. The package includes third-party liability insurance, motorcycle insurance with a deductible of up to 25,000 Thai baht for damage, accident cover up to 100,000 baht, and life insurance up to 1,000,000 baht. These provisions do not replace suitable travel insurance, which the operator recommends arranging in your home country.

The tour requires proof of a motorbike license and at least four years of riding experience. The minimum age is 21, and you must carry a current passport on the day. These rules make sense for a mountain tour with long riding hours.

The people behind the ride

The tour is led by an English-speaking professional road captain with a Tourism Authority of Thailand license. That is important because the guide is not simply showing the route. The lead rider must manage stops, road conditions, group spacing, and the daily rhythm.

Names associated with the company’s wider rides include Kay and Noah, Thai guide Kaeb, and support team members Tony and Lrut. One rider also praised the bike setup and the work of a mechanic on a longer tour. I would not assume that every named person will be on your Nan Loop, so ask who will lead your specific departure.

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is attention to the bikes, routes, hotels, and staff. Riders especially liked the motorcycle quality, the roads, the accommodation, and the friendly riding community. That combination matters because a beautiful route can quickly lose its charm if the bike is poorly prepared or the support is hard to reach.

Food, hotels, and the value of the package

Two hotel nights are included, with accommodation selected for quality and leisure facilities. The first night in Nan includes access to a swimming pool, and the second stay in the Phayao area is described as charming. Exact hotel names are not supplied, so ask before booking if the property matters to you.

Meals include two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Water, soft drinks, and tea or coffee are provided in connection with meals, while the support vehicle carries cool bottled water and refresher towels. Snacks can be bought during stops.

Alcohol is not supplied and is not allowed during the day while motorcycles are in use. You can drink in the evening once riding is finished. Dietary requirements should be given at the time of booking so arrangements can be made.

At $1,125, the tour is best value for someone who wants a guided, supported motorcycle holiday rather than the cheapest way to rent a bike. If you already have a motorcycle, local route knowledge, hotel bookings, and support, you could spend less independently. You would also take on the work of navigation, luggage, breakdown planning, insurance, and finding suitable roads.

Who should book the Nan Loop

I would choose this tour if you have substantial motorcycle experience and want to spend most of the day riding through northern Thailand. It suits riders who care more about mountain roads and scenery than a long list of formal attractions.

It also suits couples or friends who want a structured trip without being placed on a large coach. The support van and included meals reduce the daily chores, while the small group keeps the ride more personal.

I would not choose it for a first motorcycle trip, a relaxed family holiday, or anyone uncomfortable with seven-hour riding days. The minimum experience rule is not a formality. Mountain roads require focus, and fatigue can change your judgment quickly.

Should you book this motorcycle tour?

Book it if Route 1148, Nan, Bo Kluea, and northern mountain riding are the main reasons you are coming to Thailand. The included bike, road captain, support van, gear, hotels, and meals make the $1,125 price easier to justify, especially if you value a prepared route and help on the road.

Before booking, confirm the motorcycle model, the exact hotel names, the lead guide, the route for your departure, and the apparent mismatch between the Sukhothai description and the detailed Nan Loop schedule. If the actual plan matches the three-day Nan, Phayao, and Mae Kachan route, this is a strong choice for an experienced rider who wants Thailand’s best roads with sensible support.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days, with about seven hours of riding scheduled on each day.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Road, Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai, at 8:30 a.m. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What riding experience do I need?

You must provide evidence of a valid motorbike driving license and have at least four years of riding experience.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21.

Is motorcycle gear supplied?

Yes. Helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards are supplied. Special-size clothing may not be available, so you may need to bring your own protective gear.

Are hotels and meals included?

Yes. The package includes two hotel nights, two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Water, soft drinks, and tea or coffee are provided with meals.

Is the tour suitable for a large group?

The maximum group size is 10 people. A road captain leads the group, and a support van carries luggage.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than three full days before the start are not accepted for a refund.