14 Days Grande Northern Thailand And Esaan Tour

OUR TOUR DESTINATIONS

• Chiang Mai
• Mae Sot
• Mae Hong Son
• Pai
• Chiang Dao
• Chiang Rai
• Chiang Khong
• Pua
• Nan
• Chiang Khan
• Udon Thani
• Phetchabun
• Sukhothai
• Chiang Mai

Total Distance – 3,870 Kilometers
More than 14,000 curves

PLACES OF INTEREST & TOUR SUMMARY

Our 14 day tours are very flexible as we can build rest days in too, we can even add a far southern loop too to include Bridge Over River Kwai “The real deal Grande Thailand Tour”

With so many route options please also consider letting us create your bespoke custom “Adventure Tour”

ENROUTE YOU WILL SEE

• Myanmar/Thai friendship bridge
• Refuge Camps at Mae Ramat
• Mae Hong Son Loop
• Pha Bong Gorge
• Karen long neck Hill tribe village
• Pai River, Longboat trip
• Pai Canyon
• WW2 Memorial Bridge
• River Rafting and Elephant camps
• Chiang Dao Cave
• Doi Ang Khang
• Doi Chang
• Amazing White Temple
• Doi Mae Salong
• Mae Sai/Takhilek Myanmar Border Town
• Infamous Golden Triangle
• Mighty Mekhong River routes
• Opium Museum
• Laos Border
• Phu Che Fah
• Phu Sang Waterfall
• Bo Klua ancient Salt Well
• Big Buddha
• Sirikat Dam/Reservoir
• Sk Walk
• Wat Pha Tak Temple
• Ex US Army base Ramasun
• Wild Elephants and Monkeys possible sightings
• Wat Phasorn Kaew Temple (unique 5 headed Buddha)
• Ancient Capital city of Siam and World Heritage site

14 DAY ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 – CHIANG MAI TO MAE SOT, 400 KILOMETERS – 8 HOURS

It’s big day of riding and a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with your bike on a variety of Thailand’s roads. There is a great selection of roads consisting of tight corners, fast sweepers, country and remote roads over mountains and through valleys.

After the daily morning briefing, we first head south then turn west towards the town of Mae Sot which is on the border with Myanmar/Burma. As with every day, you are provided with refreshments and a great lunch along the way.

Arriving at the hotel in Mae Sot you have a chance to freshen up before heading out to dinner at a lovely restaurant, good yarn about today’s ride and the days ahead.

DAY 2 – MAE SOT TO MAE HONG SON, 405 KILOMETERS – 8.5 HOURS

After breakfast we head off to ride some of the most beautiful and remote roads in Northern Thailand.

In the morning we hug the Myanmar/Burmese border where we will stop alongside the huge refugee camps to give you a chance to see this close up. The camp’s are situated over a vast area with most of the housing consisting of bamboo huts. The majority of the refugees come from Myanmar/Burma.

Continuing the journey we hook up with the famous Mae Hong Son Loop which for us starts at Mae Sariang. We also stop at Pha Bong Gorge along the way before entering the Shan town of Mae Hong Son, which is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains.

There is a spectacular view point that overlooks this picturesque town where we can watch the sun go down over the Himalayan chain of mountains with Myanmar/Burma in the distance.

In the evening you have a chance to experience the local Shan food if you desire at the restaurant and chat about the day’s ride. Followed by a walk around the markets or have a few drinks in this lovely Shan town.

DAY 3 – MAE HONG SON TO PAI. 220 KILOMETERS – 8 HOURS

Today is full of unforgettable sight-seeing and experiences and spectacular riding.
After breakfast we ride to the Pai River where we hop on a small boat and travel up this jungle river to visit the long neck Karen tribe. This excursion looks like it’s out of a National Geographic Magazine and a trip you will never forget.

Later we visit the famous Mae Hong Son Bamboo bridge, ride high mountain passes with magnificent viewpoints and visit Pai Canyon on the way to our overnight stay in the township of Pai, a vibrant location nestled in the hills.

We have a meal at a lovely restaurant in Pai with many food choices and talk about today’s ride. After you can walk around the town, check out some of the bars or listen to one of the bands playing in numerous places.

DAY 4 – PAI TO CHIANG DAO, 210 KILOMETERS – 7 HOURS

Following a good breakfast we visit Pai Canyon and a WW2 Bridge that is located there before getting back out on the road. Here we meet the challenge of the tight fun curves that go on and on then we stop for a well-earned refreshment after the exhilarating riding.

Following the break we will take some back roads over mountain passes that lead us to views of River Rafting and Elephant camps in mountain jungle settings.

After our lunch stop we head toward our overnight destination which is a magnificent spot nestled in the mountains. It is a truly magical place you will never forget.

DAY 5 – CHIANG DAO TO CHIANG RAI, 250 KILOMETERS – 7.5 HOURS

After breakfast we head out on the mountain roads that hug the border of Burma towards Doi Ang Khang a small border town high up in the mountains before descending into the valley below.

We then head east on remote roads till we again start to climb a twisty mountain road. This road runs along ridges providing breathtaking scenery on both sides of the road on our way to the coffee plantations of Doi Chang. Thai coffee is exceptionally good and sold all over Thailand and here we get a chance to enjoy Thailand’s finest coffee straight from the area it’s grown in.

Next we descend towards our destination for the night on our way we stop at the beautiful White Temple in Chiang Rai. This temple put Chiang Rai on the map and is an architectural masterpiece with a very peculiar twist.

Finally we come to our overnight stay in Chiang Rai an exciting city where, after dinner, there is much to see and do.

DAY 6 – CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG KHONG, 260 KILOMETERS – 7 HOURS

After Breakfast we head to our first stop at the Chinese village of Doi Mae Salong. This spectacular bustling little town way up in the mountains dates back to the Chinese Communist Revolution (A great story I will tell you about on tour).

We leave Doi Mae Salong and ride mountain roads that hug the border with Myanmar/Burma till we reach the top of Thailand and the border town of Mae Sai the northern most point of Thailand. This is a bustling border town between Thailand and Myanmar/Burma with goods and produce crossing at this border.

Leaving Mae Sai we head off to the famous Golden Triangle. This is the place on the Mekong where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet, and it was home of the Opium trade. A trip to the Opium Museum, a remarkably interesting place, provides a glimpse into how it transpired.

From here we make our way to our overnight spot at Chiang Khong, a town nestled on the Mekong River. This also a border town which has a crossing to the country of Laos.

Another excellent days ride with more stories to tell at tonight’s restaurant.

DAY 7 – CHIANG KHONG TO PUA, 330 KILOMETERS – 8 HOURS

After breakfast we head along small country roads to breath-taking mountainous views of Phu Chee Fah. This mountain road allows you to follow the ridges providing magnificent views of the valleys and farmlands below. It is also the home of the Hmong people, a farming tribe, who live on these mountains.

We descend from Phu Chee Fah and have a brief stop at Phu Sang Waterfall. This warm spring waterfall looks as if it is descending from a cave. Leaving Phu Sang it is not long before we take on one the worlds best roads, the as we head to our overnight stay in Pua. This road has so many challenges with switchbacks, hairpin corners and magnificent views making it an unforgettable riding experience.

DAY 8 – PUA TO NAN – 220 KILOMETERS – 7 HOURS

Today we head north travelling past farm lands and small towns before looping back to hug the Laos Border on our way to the historical town of Bo Klua. This will be a unique experience visiting the salt mines where we will see how they still to this day mine salt.

Leaving Bo Klua we head along the challenging but fun, road full of twists, turns and switchbacks with our next stop being at the reclining Buddha. This is a great photo opportunity with the bikes lined up next to the Buddha.

Finally we head on to our overnight stop in the beautiful Riverside town of Nan.

DAY 9 – NAN TO CHIANG KHAN, 455 KILOMETERS – 9.5 HOURS

It is a big day of riding on our way to Chiang Khan in Esaan.

After breakfast we head towards the Sirikit dam where we cross via ferry (a unique experience). From here we take small winding roads heading past farmlands until we reach the high mountains around Phu Rua.

These great twisting mountain roads take us down to Loei in Esaan and off to our overnight spot on the Mekong River, Chiang Khan. This lively little town has a wonderful atmosphere, a great walking street with nice restaurants and bars.

DAY 10 – CHIANG KHAN TO UDON THANI. 240 KILOMETERS – 6.5 HOURS

Our first stop this morning will be the amazing new sky walk at Phuk Kngio it is a looped glass bottomed walkway jutting out from a cliff.

The view from the walkway, high over the Mekong River and across to Laos, is magnificent.
Leaving Phuk Kngio we have great riding that follows the banks of the mighty Mekong River for most of the day. This route includes a stop at the Wat Pha Tak Suea viewpoint.

Continuing along the winding road we head south toward our overnights stop in Udon Thani which is a lively place in Esaan.

DAY 11 – REST DAY UDON THANI

Today is a day to rest and check out Udon Thani. There is much to see and experience here with markets and various stores. With the whole day at your disposal there is also time for a relaxing massage or just laze by the pool.

DAY 12 – UDON THANI TO PHETCHABUN, 320 KILOMETERS – 7.5 HOURS

Our first stop this morning is the ex-US army base Ramasun Station 7th RRFS.
During the Vietnam war Udon Thani was a base for the US satellite communications station. This was their number one communication station for all South East Asia.

A very interesting place and a Thai army guide will take us through old tunnels and explain the significance of this base during the Vietnam war. You will see the old barracks and some of the machinery and weaponry used at that time.

Leaving Ramasun we take a series of mountain roads full of twists, turns and wonderful scenery. Some of these remote areas still have wild elephants roaming the jungle and also wild monkeys. If we are lucky we may see some as we head towards our overnight stop in Phetchabun.

DAY 13 – PHETCHABUN TO SUKHOTHAI, 260 KILOMETERS – 8 HOURS

Today we ride to the ancient city of Sukhothai that was once the capital and now one of Thailand’s most impressive world heritage sites and is listed by UNESCO. You will visit the ancient city’s ruins and its temples which are located in a beautiful historical park.

Our first stop is a Thai fortress, up in the mountains, from where they fought the communist regime seeking to take over Thailand. An interesting place with magnificent views.

We then visit Wat Phasornkaew Temple and the amazing 5 headed Buddha which is located in the hills of Khao Kho.
A truly awe-inspiring site.

Finally we head to the Sukhothai where we have our last dinner together and spend our last night of the Tour.

DAY 14 – SUKHOTHAI TO CHIANG MAI, 300 KILOMETERS – 8 HOURS

On our final day of the tour we head out along the plains and past rice fields until we reach the mountains again.

We ride a remote tight and twisty road where we have our final lunch stop.

After lunch we continue riding past farmlands and small villages till we reach our final destination back in Chiang Mai.

Contact us at info@thaibike.tours for more information