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This 12-day Thailand Adventure is named after the area where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (previously Burma) meet. The tour focuses on the mountainous highlands of Thailand's northern provinces and south to the Kanchanaburi Province. The Adventure begins and ends in Chiang Mai in the far north of the country. The city is an ideal location from which to base our Adventures, as it's ideally situated for trips to the region's ancient temples, the teak forests and their working elephants, caves and waterfalls, and the northern hill tribes.
Highlights include:
- The mountainous jungles and rainforests of the country's northwest provinces, and a visit to remote villages of the Karen hill-tribe people, famous for their long necks and neck rings.
- The ancient kingdom of Sukhothai, regarded as the first capital of Siam and site of a Khmer empire.
- An excursion into Burma (now Myanmar) and a visit to the market areas and nearby Buddhist temples.
- The Mae Hong Son Loop, with its 1,864 bends it's the twistiest and most popular motorcycle riding in Thailand
- Climb Thailand's highest peak - The climb of Doi Inthanon - from 1500 to 7500 ft in 20 miles.
- Optional activities include elephant rides and boat tours on the Mekong River and the River Kok.
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Photos above by Jamie Elvidge |
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Day |
From |
To |
KM |
Arrive |
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Chiang Mai |
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2 |
Chiang Mai |
Thaton |
260 |
3 |
Thaton |
Chiang Khong |
240 |
4 |
Chiang Khong |
Nan |
310 |
5 |
Nan |
Sukhothai |
290 |
6 |
Sukhothai - Rest Day |
7 |
Sukhothai |
Mae Sariang |
390 |
8 |
Mae Sariang |
Mae Hong Son |
350 |
9 |
Mae Hong Son - Rest Day |
10 |
Mae Hong Son |
Pai |
130 |
11 |
Pai |
Chiang Mai |
145 |
12 |
Departure |
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| Total |
2,115 |
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Of Thailand, Rider Magazine Road Test Editor Greg Drevenstedt wrote:
"National Geographic scenery: Lush green valleys surrounded by bulbous misty mountains; ornate temples dripping with color; roadside huts chock full of fruits and vegetables; rice paddies worked by hand and ox."
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Day 1: Arrival in Chiang Mai, transfer to hotel, motorcycle handover, kickoff meeting and dinner
Hotel: Prince Khum Phaya Resort & Spa |
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Day 2: Chiang Mai – Thaton: ~260 km
Route: mostly small, twisty and challenging mountain roads. Highlights: visit of an Elephant Camp in the morning / lunch in Thailand’s “Little Switzerland” Doi Ang Khang
Hotel: Maekok River Village Resort, a new and quiet resort next to the river |
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Day 3: Thaton – Chiang Khong: ~240 km
Small, steep mountain roads and back country roads with sweepers
Highlights: visit of Akha hill tribe village, visit of Doi Tung Royal Palace, Mae Sai with possible border crossing (walking) to Tachilek in Myanmar / Hall of Opium (museum) / Golden Triangle viewpoint (Thailand, Laos, Myanmar) and sightseeing
Hotel: Namkong Riverside Hotel with panoramic views to the Mekong River
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Day 4: Chiang Khong – Nan: ~310 km
Small roads, hills and mountains, altitude differences Highlights: stunning scenery / Phu Chi Fa viewpoint at 5000 ft with view to Laos / lunch next to scenic Phu Sang waterfall / walk through Nan city center with its many temples / dinner in riverside restaurant
Hotel: Nan Boutique Hotel in traditional city center |
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Day 5: Nan – Sukhothai: ~ 290 km
Small mountain roads and bigger roads through flat rural region along rice fields. Sao Din & Kog Suea rock formations / Phae Mueang Forest Park with rock formations / Pratubjai teakwood house in Phrae
Hotel: The Leghenda Sukhothai, a luxurious Thai village style resort right next to the Historical Park |
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Day 6: Rest day in Sukhothai
Highlights: guided visit through the Historical Park (World Heritage Site) / other optional activities / Thai style relaxation afternoon
Hotel: The Leghenda Sukhothai |
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Day 7: Sukhothai – Mae Sariang: ~390 km
Straight highway-like roads in the morning – wide sweepers in hilly regions – twisty mountain roads in the afternoon.
Highlights: Mae Sot border town to Myanmar with ethnic mixture / scenic ride along border to Myanmar and Karen hill tribe villages
Hotel: Riverhouse Resort next to river with peaceful setting |
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Day 8: Mae Sariang – Doi Inthanon - Mae Hong Son: ~ 350 km
Small and very twisty mountain roads; max. Altitude 7500 ft.
Highlights: ride to the top of 7500 ft high Doi Inthanon (Thailand’s highest mountain) / visit of 2 giant stupas (chedis, buddhist monuments) dedicated to the royal couple
Hotel: Fern Resort, luxurious and peaceful eco-friendly resort |
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Day 9: Rest day in Mae Hong Son
Highlights: visit of “Long Neck – women” village by bike and long tail boat / visit of Mae Hong Son downtown / relaxing afternoon in the resort
Hotel: Fern Resort |
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Day 10: Mae Hong Son – Pai: ~ 130 km
Route: small and twisty well maintained mountain roads
Highlights: visit of Shan village / guided visit of Lot Cave on rafts (limestone cave) / Pai downtown and nightlife
Hotel: The Quarter, high class hotel right next to city center Pai |
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Day 11: Pai – Chiang Mai: ~ 145 km
Well maintained and very twisty mountain roads
Highlights: visit of chinese Yunnan village / elephant ride to river / lunch in teakwood restaurant “Coffee Hill” / Chiang Mai downtown / night market
Hotel: Yaang Come Village Boutique Hotel |
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Day 12: Departure from Chiang Mai
Breakfast and airport transfer |
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There will be very little repetition between our Golden Triangle Adventure and our Legendary Thailand Adventure, which is offered immediately after the Golden Triangle. For riders wishing to take both of these exciting Thailand Adventures, there will be no additional lodging for the two nights between the tours.
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The route consists entirely of good, paved roads but the trip is for experienced riders only! Riding on the left side of the road. |
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Dates and Prices:
(Arrive at departure city on start date, depart final destination on end date)
Includes BMW F650GS.
Arrival and departure from Chiang Mai.
| Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
Price (USD) |
Co-Rider |
Note |
| Jan 15 2011 |
Jan 26 2011 |
12 Days |
$8,500 |
$5,950 |
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| Jan 14 2012 |
Jan 25 2012 |
12 Days |
$8,500 |
$5,950 |
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Note: The note entry above indicates which languages (other than English) are spoken by the tour leaders who are scheduled to operate the tour. From time to time it may be necessary to make changes in tour leader assignemnts prior to the tour date. All tour leaders are fluent in English.
Additional charge of $600 for BMW F800GS
Additional charge of $1,100 for a BMW R1200GS
Single room supplement - $800
Need a currency converter? Click here: CURRENCY CONVERTER
Meals:
All breakfasts and 9 dinners.
Two night stops in the same city do not include dinner.
Motorcycles Available: |
| Model |
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Specifications |
BMW F650GS
(2 Cylinder) |
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Seat Height: 820 mm / 790 mm
Seat Height: 32.3 inches / 31.1 inches
Dry Weight: 171 kg / 377 lb
Fuel Capacity: 16 Liters / 4.2 Gallons
Displacement: 798 cc
Damage Deposit: $2,500 |
| BMW F800 GS |
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Seat Height: 880 mm / 850 mm
Seat Height: 34.65 inches / 33.46 inches
Dry Weight: 178 kg / 392 lb
Fuel Capacity: 16 Liters / 4.3 Gallons
Displacement: 798 cc
Damage Deposit: $2,500 |
BMW R1200 GS
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Seat Height: 870 mm / 850 mm
Seat Height: 34.25 inches / 33.46 inches
Dry Weight: 199 kg / 439 lb
Fuel Capacity: 20 Liters / 5.3 Gallons
Displacement: 1170 cc
Damage Deposit: $2,500 |
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