14 Day Myanmar and the Top of Thailand Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 1: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel (arrival not later than 1:00 p.m.). At 3:00 p.m., you will be transferred to Bike Tour Asia for a welcome briefing, answer any questions you might have, and motorcycle hand over. You will have a short motorcycle ride back to your hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 2: Chiang Mai, Thailand - Chiang Rai, Thailand (220 kilometres / 137 miles)

The first day of your Myanmar and Thailand motorcycle tour is a great way to get familiar with your motorcycle and the local riding environment. In the morning, you will head northeast towards Chiang Rai. Have a break at Doi Chang Coffee Shop, which has excellent coffee and cakes.

Another 20 kilometer and you will leave the main road and ride up the mountain to Doi Chang Coffee Plantation - a great remote and scenic area. During the afternoon when getting close to Chiang Rai, you will stop at Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), the remarkable temple which is today recognized as one of the main attractions all over Thailand.

Park your motorcycle and take a stroll inside the temple. There are plenty of coffee shops around the temple. From here you will have a short 30-minute ride to your hotel downtown Chiang Rai which is your destination of the day. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 3: Chiang Rai - Keng Tung, Myanmar (220 kilometres / 137 miles)

Leave Chiang Rai to the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Ride up to the viewpoint at Wat Pra That Pukhao for the signature group photo for your Myanmar and Thailand motorcycle tour.

From here you will ride to Mae Sot, the most northern part of Thailand, and also one of the main border crossings with Myanmar. After clearing Thai custom and immigration, cross the bridge to Myanmar.

Here you will meet your local guide, finalize custom and immigration, and you are in the town of Tachileik. Riding on the right side, continue a nice road along the Sai River to Keng Tung which is your end destination for the day. Overnight in Keng Tung.

Day 4: Keng Tung, Myanmar - Nam Sang, Myanmar (340 kilometres / 211 miles)

Today you will have a long and beautiful riding day in front of you through Myanmar hinterland. Leaving Keng Tung behind you, ride the switchbacks up the Mong Ka mountain range. There is not much traffic in this part of Myanmar.

Nature is spectacular, plenty of good photo opportunities. Head east through forested hills and remote outlying regions to Mong Ping where you will have lunch. If you check out the route on Google Maps, you'll see there are not too many straight sections!

From here you will cross over the Thanlyin River. There is a checkpoint at the bridge, the area is restricted. Before reaching Nam Sang, stop at a Myo Tribe village. Women are wearing big brass belts around their waists. Overnight in Nam Sang.

Day 5: Nam Sang, Myanmar - Nyaungshwe, Myanmar (150 kilometres / 93 miles)

A shorter ride today towards Inle Lake. The plan is the get to Inle by noon, have lunch, and take a boat trip on the lake during the afternoon. Inle Lake is like something straight out of a Nat Geo documentary.

The local fishermen here have developed an unusual style of paddling their craft - they stand on one leg at the end of their boat and wrap their other leg around the single oar to paddle. This leaves both hands free to manipulate and cast their net, whilst on the move.

It also gives them a higher vantage point above the reeds and plants, to spot the small schools of fish they seek. The boat will take you around the lake, along some of the many canals. A great way to explore. Overnight in Nyaungshwe.

Day 6: Nyaungshwe, Myanmar - Old Bagan, Myanmar (350 kilometres / 217 miles)

Today is a somewhat long riding day and takes you to the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Pagan. Pronounced "Pah-Gahn" and not to be confused with the modern interpretation of 'pagan', the Pagans were Buddhists and were the first to unify several disparate regions into what later became the country now called Myanmar.

Between the ninth and 11th centuries, for 250 years, Bagan's rulers and their wealthy subjects constructed over 10,000 religious monuments (approximately 1000 stupas, 10,000 small temples, and 3000 monasteries in an area of 104 square kilometres (40 sq mi) in the Bagan plains. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 7: Old Bagan, Myanmar (rest day)

More than 2,000 of these temples remain today, and it’s a stunning sight at sunrise to gaze down upon them from a nearby vantage point. Another great way of seeing the area is by hot air balloon.

There are some interesting temples and pagodas to visit, e.g. Anada temple, Bupaya Pagoda, Dhammayangyi Temple etc. A local Myanmar guide will join and share the history with you.

There are many souvenir / handicraft shops in the area. You can also take the opportunity to go on a boat trip on the mighty Irrawaddy River. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 8: Old Bagan, Myanmar - Naypyitaw, Myanmar (300 kilometres / 186 miles)

Today’s motorcycle ride on this Myanmar and Thailand motorcycle tour is more about the destination than the journey. Naypyitaw, being an entirely planned city, similar to Canberra in Australia, Brasilia in Brazil, Washington, D.C. in the United States and Islamabad in Pakistan.

The town is located about 320 kilometres north of the old capital Yangon. Naypyitaw has a short history, construction started in 2002. On 6 November 2005, the administrative capital of the country was quietly relocated from Yangon to here.

You will explore some of the landmarks like the Uppatasanti Pagoda, wide boulevards and endless government ministries. Overnight in Naypyitaw.

Day 9: Naypyitaw, Myanmar - Kyaikto, Myanmar (360 kilometres / 224 miles)

If your permit allows you, you will ride on the motorway south towards Kyaikto. If not you will spend a couple more hours on the old road. You'll then stick to the smaller regional roads, heading to Taungoo, a former Capital of Burma.

The forests here provide excellent hardwoods including teak which forms a major export industry, as well as a certain kind of palm called areca which is popular for supplying betel for the eight locals. Run parallel to mountain ranges on your east and west as you head south to Kyaikto where you will stay at a resort at the foot of the Kyaiktiyo hill. Overnight near Kyaikto.

Day 10: Kyaikto, Myanmar - Mae Sot, Thailand (270 kilometres / 168 miles)

For the early risers, there's an optional visit to the nearby pagoda of the Golden Rock. The legend associated with the pagoda is that the Buddha, on one of his many visits, gave a strand of his hair to Taik Tha, a hermit.

The hermit, who had tucked it in the tuft of his hair safely, in turn, gave the strand to the king, with the wish that the hair is enshrined in a boulder shaped like a hermit's head. The king had inherited supernatural powers from his parents.

They found the rock at the bottom of the sea. They found the perfect place at Kyaiktiyo for locating the golden rock and built a pagoda, where the strand was enshrined. It is this strand of hair that, according to the legend, prevents the rock from tumbling down the hill.

Rest of the day will be spent riding east towards the Thai border which you will cross in the afternoon. Overnight in Mae Sot.

Day 11: Mae Sot, Thailand - Mae Hong Son, Thailand (390 kilometres / 242 miles)

After breakfast, you will restart the tour by riding north along the Thai / Myanmar border. The road is winding and paved and you will be passing many small communities like Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang or Ban Sop Ngao.

On the way, you will also pass a huge Refugee Camp where thousands of Burmese refugees live. Lunchtime, you will reach Mae Sariang, a small town alongside the Yuam River where we have lunch. Ride-on Road 108 towards Khun Yuam.

It is a great wide winding road with long twists. In Khun Yuam, visit the local War Museum. The Imperial Japanese Army troops were stationed in Khun Yuam during the construction of a highway intended to cross Burma to India.

Continue on a great winding road with wide bends to Mae Hong Son. You will stay at Fern Resort, a lovely resort in the middle of rice paddies. If still some energy left, take a drink at the bonfire. We stay overnight near Mae Hong Son.

Day 12: Mae Hong Son, Thailand - Pai, Thailand (180 kilometres / 112 miles)

In the morning, take a pleasant boat ride on Pai River to visit a Karen Long Neck village. The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins.

You will then set out for the famously chic town of Pai on the beginning of the road famous for having 1864 bends of varying sharpness. The road passes through some beautiful mountainous scenery.

On the way, you will do a side trip to Ban Rak Thai (literally "the Thai-loving village"), built around a lake on the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance.

In the afternoon, arrive in Pai and relax in your hotel before you dine on delicious local or western food in a restaurant by the river. In the evening after dinner, you can enjoy the delights of the Walking Street market. Stay overnight in Pai.

Day 13: Pai, Thailand - Chiang Mai, Thailand (190 kilometres / 118 miles)

Today is your final riding day. Leaving Pai behind, you will use roads less travelled. First stop is the elephant camp outside Pai. Riding along the Pai river in direction of Wat Chan. A couple of years ago this road was gravel and difficult to pass, especially during the wet season.

Today it’s a beautiful windy road with great scenery. At Wat Chan, you will have lunch and visit the “RayBan” temple. From Wat Chan, continue over the mountains to Samoeng. There is little traffic, the scenery is as good as it gets.

Before you know it we are back in Chaing Mai. A beautiful way to end this spectacular motorcycle tour. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 14: Chiang Mai, Thailand (departure)

This amazing Myanmar and Thailand motorcycle tour ends with the transfer to the airport or your extension.

Bike rental deposit

Bike Tour Asia requires a security deposit by credit card authorization (Visa or MasterCard only) or cash. The deposit for F700 / 750GS is 1500 USD, 1700 USD for F800 / 850GS, and 2500 USD for R1200GS.

Skill level(s) required for this tour: intermediate

Intermediate:

• can ride for 3-4 hours
• average riding experience
• little assistance required
• comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• average experience with unsurfaced roads
• steep ascents and descents

This trip begins and ends in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Myanmar is finally slowly opening its gates for tourism. Be one of the first to explore this exotic country with its many hidden beauties and landscapes on a BMW motorcycle. We have combined the best areas in Myanmar and Thailand with historical sites along the route. Expect one million impressions, great food and diversity, friendly, and smiling people.

+−

You will be served daily breakfast, 11 lunches, and 12 dinners throughout the tour. Water, soft drinks, coffee / tea in connection with the meals are also included.

• Airport / hotel / Bike Tour Asia’s Service Center transfers in Chiang Mai during arrival and departure day
• 13 nights with breakfast at carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities
• 11 lunches and 12 dinners
• Water, soft drinks, coffee / tea in connection with the meals
• Late model BMW GS motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage and fuel
• Panniers and top box if desired, basic motorcycle crash protection bars, etc.
• Motorcycle damage and loss coverage, see details under “terms & conditions”
• Experienced tour leader on a motorcycle
• English speaking licensed tour guide
• Support vehicle
• Transfer of luggage in the support vehicle
• Entrance fees
• Tour description
• Bike Tour Asia t-shirt and pannier bag
• Travel accident insurance
• Myanmar permit, all related expenses including tour guide, additional support vehicle, tourist police, third party liability insurance (according to legal requirement), etc.

• Flights
• On rest days, if any, no lunch or dinner included
• Alcoholic beverages
• Riding gear (helmet, jacket, and gloves available to rent; recommended to bring your own pants and boots)
• All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature
• Optional motorcycle loss / damage waiver
• Myanmar visa (50 USD)

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.