5 Day Motorcycle Tour (True Bikers Paradise) from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand saves its best scenery for the back roads. This five-day ride strings together steep mountain bends, rice fields, quiet towns, a salt mine, a wooden ferry crossing, and the ruins of Sukhothai. The highlight is the 120-kilometer R1148, a long run of rising and falling curves near Nan that rewards riders who enjoy corner after corner more than roadside sightseeing.

I especially like two things here. First, the support setup is strong: your luggage rides in a van, a road captain leads the group, and mechanical help travels with you. Second, the route reaches places many visitors skip, especially Bo Kluea’s salt wells, Sirikit Reservoir, and Uttaradit. The main caution is pace. This is a serious road-riding holiday, not a relaxed scooter outing, and the front of the group may move quickly.

Key points before you book

• R1148 near Nan: A 120-kilometer mountain road with long runs of curves and very little urban traffic.
• Wooden ferry crossing: Your motorcycle crosses Sirikit Reservoir on a local ferry, one of the tour’s most unusual moments.
• Four nights included: Stay in selected hotels and resorts with leisure facilities, including swimming pools at some stops.
• Full riding support: An English-speaking road captain leads, while a van carries luggage and can take a few riders by prior arrangement.
• Sukhothai at sunset: You get time to visit the UNESCO-listed historical park rather than simply passing through town.
• Best for experienced riders: You need a valid motorbike license and at least four years of riding experience.

Why this route is special

This is not a point-to-point ride built around famous cities. It is a loop through the quieter northern provinces, where the road itself is often the main attraction.

You start in Chiang Mai and head toward the hills through Chae Son National Park, Phayao, Nan, Bo Kluea, and Doi Phu Kha National Park. From there, the route swings south through Mae Yom and Khun Sathan national parks, crosses Sirikit Dam, continues to Uttaradit and Sukhothai, then returns through Den Chai and Lampang.

That route gives you variety. You get high mountain roads, farming country, lake views, small-town evenings, and a major archaeological site. You are not spending five days repeating the same kind of road.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 10 riders. That matters on twisty roads. A small group is easier to keep together, and the road captain can pay closer attention to riders who need a short stop or a slower pace.

Day 1: Chiang Mai to Nan by way of Chae Son and Phayao

The first morning begins at 8:30 at Big Bike Tours on Ragang Road in Chiang Mai. Pickup from Chiang Mai Airport is offered, which is useful if you are arriving for the tour and do not want to arrange a separate transfer.

Day one is partly about getting comfortable with the motorcycle. The route heads north through Chae Son National Park on R1252, a winding mountain road with the kind of bends that quickly show you how the bike handles. You then continue toward Phayao and stop for an elevated view of Kwan Phayao, one of northern Thailand’s largest lakes.

This is a sensible opening day. You leave the city, reach the hills fairly soon, and get a chance to settle into the group’s riding pattern before the most demanding roads arrive. Still, seven hours on the schedule is a full day. Add heat, road concentration, and frequent bends, and you should not expect to arrive fresh as a daisy.

The route continues toward Nan, where Wat Phra That Khao Noi offers a hilltop view over the town. This temple is a good late-day stop because it gives you a clear sense of the area before you check into the hotel.

The evening includes time to see Nan after dark. Your accommodation has a swimming pool, giving you a welcome way to cool down after the ride. Dinner is included, as it is on four of the five nights.

Day 2: Bo Kluea salt wells and the famous R1148

Day two is the heart of the tour for many riders. After breakfast, you leave Nan for the mountain roads around Bo Kluea, using R1081 and passing through Doi Phu Kha National Park.

Bo Kluea is known for its traditional salt wells. Salt production here is unusual in a mountainous inland setting, and the stop breaks up the riding with a bit of local industry and culture. It is also a reminder that northern Thailand is more than temples and viewpoints.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Chiang Klang. Then comes the major road section: R1148, described as one of the world’s most enjoyable motorcycle roads. The route runs for about 120 kilometers through repeated climbs, drops, and curves.

Do not read that as a short scenic detour. It is a substantial riding challenge. You will need to stay focused through many bends, and the road can be tiring even when the surface is good. The reward is the sense of flow that experienced riders look for, with mountain views opening and closing as the road turns.

After R1148, you cruise through farming areas on R1021 toward Phayao. Kwan Phayao appears again from a different part of the journey, this time from the lakeside town at the southeast corner. The day ends at a comfortable hotel.

One practical point deserves attention: the supplied route description has some overlap between the Nan and Phayao sections on days one and two. The broad route is clear, but I would confirm the exact overnight sequence and daily mileage with Big Bike Tours before departure. Guided routes can change because of roadworks, weather, or route improvements, and the operator states that changes do not qualify for a refund.

Day 3: Quiet roads, big views, and Sirikit Reservoir

Day three leaves Phayao and heads south toward Uttaradit. The first part uses the main highway, then shifts to back roads through Mae Yom National Park. Later, the route enters the mountain scenery around Khun Sathan National Park.

This is the sort of day that shows why a guided ride can be worth paying for. The support vehicle and lead rider let you concentrate on the road instead of working out every turn. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in a remote setting with broad views, so the meal becomes part of the ride rather than a quick fuel stop.

The main event is Sirikit Reservoir. You load the motorcycles onto a wooden ferry and cross the water created by Sirikit Dam, Thailand’s largest earth dam. It is a slower, more memorable change of pace after hours of bends. Your bike does not simply vanish into a truck for the transfer. You cross with it, which makes the ferry a proper part of the route.

After the reservoir, the road passes rice fields before reaching Uttaradit. This small city receives far fewer foreign visitors than Chiang Mai or Sukhothai, so the evening feels less arranged around sightseeing. That is a plus if you enjoy seeing how a regional Thai city operates outside the main tourist circuit.

You should also expect some road fatigue by this point. Three consecutive seven-hour riding days can be demanding, especially in hot or wet conditions. A rain shower is possible during the wet season, and protective clothing can become warm. The support van carries water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and cool towels, which helps, but it does not remove the basic physical demands of the trip.

Day 4: A shorter ride and ancient Sukhothai

Day four is intentionally lighter on the motorcycle. You leave Uttaradit on back roads through broad rice fields and ride to Sukhothai.

That shorter riding day matters. It gives you time to visit the Ancient Sukhothai Historical Park without squeezing the site into a rushed hour before dinner. The park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and contains the ruins of the first major Sukhothai kingdom.

The most appealing plan is a late afternoon visit, when the light softens and the old brick temples take on warmer colors. The tour specifically allows time for sunset among the ruins. You will want comfortable shoes and a little patience here, since the point is not merely to photograph one temple and leave.

Sukhothai adds cultural weight to an itinerary otherwise led by roads. You have spent several days watching mountains and farms slide past your helmet. Now you can walk among historic ruins and connect the region’s present-day towns with its earlier kingdoms.

The accommodation is a classic wooden Thai guesthouse with a swimming pool. That combination works well after the archaeological park. You can cool off, eat dinner, and enjoy a more settled evening before the final ride.

Day 5: Sukhothai to Chiang Mai through Den Chai and Lampang

The last day returns to Chiang Mai by way of the R101 and the so-called Columnar Mountains road. The route stops at a large reclining Buddha near Den Chai, then turns toward Lampang on winding mountain roads.

Lampang provides the lunch stop before the route continues through national parks and agricultural areas. A local market stop gives you time to stretch, buy refreshments, and see a more ordinary side of northern Thai life before the final run back to Chiang Mai.

The last day is not an easy straight shot. It is still scheduled for about seven hours, and you remain on mountain roads for part of the route. If your flight leaves Chiang Mai the same evening, do not schedule it too tightly. The tour ends back at the original meeting point, but weather, road conditions, and group pace can affect the return time.

Bikes, gear, and support on the road

Motorcycle choice can make or break a multi-day ride. The fleet examples used on past departures include the Africa Twin, KTM 790, Kawasaki Versys 650, and other big bikes. Specific availability is not guaranteed, so ask which models are available for your dates and whether a passenger setup is suitable.

The motorcycles are rented with unlimited mileage. Protective equipment includes a helmet, jacket, gloves, and knee guards. Boots are strongly advised, but they are not listed among the supplied items, so bring proper riding boots if you have them.

The support van carries luggage and has room for a few riders if arranged in advance. It also provides workshop assistance. That is especially useful on a route with long mountain sections and limited services between towns.

Insurance includes third-party motorcycle liability, motorcycle damage cover with a deductible of up to 25,000 Thai baht, accident cover up to 100,000 baht, and life insurance up to 1,000,000 baht. The operator still recommends separate travel insurance, and I agree. Check that your policy covers motorcycle riding in Thailand, the engine size of your rented bike, and medical evacuation if needed.

Pace, safety, and riding ability

You need a current valid passport, a motorbike driving license, a minimum age of 21, and at least four years of riding experience. Those requirements are not decorative. The route includes sustained mountain riding, and the group may move at a brisk pace.

One detailed account describes front riders cruising above 130 kilometers per hour and passing in ways that may feel aggressive, including on double-lined roads. That is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to ask direct questions before booking. Ask how the group is split by pace, where riders regroup, and what happens if you prefer to ride more conservatively.

Wear the supplied protection every day. Thailand requires motorcycle helmets, and the operator strongly advises protective clothing and gloves for riders and passengers. Tell the company about special clothing sizes in advance, or bring your own gear.

Alcohol is not provided and is not allowed during the day while motorcycles are in use. You may drink in the evening after the bikes are parked. That simple rule is exactly right for a tour with this much mountain riding.

What the $1,875 price covers

At $1,875 per person, this is not a cheap motorcycle rental with a map. The price includes four hotel nights, five lunches, four breakfasts, four dinners, the motorcycle, unlimited mileage, riding gear, road captain, support van, airport pickup, motorcycle insurance, accident cover, water, soft drinks, and hot drinks with meals.

That package reduces the small costs that can quietly pile up on a five-day ride. You do not need to arrange luggage transfers, find a mechanic, source protective gear, or choose a new hotel each night. The meals also make budgeting easier, although alcohol and personal purchases are extra.

The value depends on how much support you want. If you are a confident rider who enjoys planning routes, carrying luggage, and handling mechanical problems, a self-guided trip could cost less. If you want a known route, a lead rider, included meals, and backup on remote roads, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this ride

I would choose this tour if your priority is riding quality rather than checking off a long list of attractions. The best days are built around curves, mountain views, and roads that link smaller towns.

It suits experienced riders, couples sharing a bike, and small groups of friends who want a supported trip. It also works for riders who enjoy local stops but do not need every hour planned around major tourist sights.

I would hesitate if you are a new rider, dislike riding in rain, want a slow photographic pace, or feel uneasy about fast group riding. The company can provide support, but it cannot turn a demanding mountain route into a gentle sightseeing drive.

Big Bike Tours has a licensed English-speaking road captain, and past trips have also included team members such as Jaye, who has worked as mechanic, driver, and meal support, and Noah, who has joined departures. Staff names and assignments can change, so treat those as examples rather than guaranteed personnel.

Should you book the True Bikers Paradise tour?

Book it if you want Northern Thailand’s roads to be the main attraction. R1148, the Bo Kluea salt wells, Sirikit ferry crossing, and sunset at Sukhothai give the five days a strong shape, while the support van and included hotels remove much of the hassle.

Before paying, confirm the bike model, exact daily route, riding pace, insurance deductible, and availability of your clothing size. If those answers suit you, this is a well-supported way to reach parts of northern Thailand that are awkward to cover by ordinary sightseeing transport.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. After that, the payment is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The tour lasts approximately five days, with each riding day scheduled for about seven hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Road in Chiang Mai. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

Is pickup available from Chiang Mai Airport?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What motorcycle equipment is provided?

The tour provides helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. Protective boots are strongly recommended but are not listed among the supplied equipment.

Is a motorcycle license required?

Yes. You need evidence of a motorbike driving license and at least four years of riding experience.

What meals are included?

The package includes five lunches, four dinners, and four breakfasts. Water, soft drinks, and coffee or tea are provided with meals. Alcohol is not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Can the route change after booking?

Yes. The operator may change the route because of roadworks, weather, or new route information. The published conditions state that no refund is given for route changes.