TASTE OF THAILAND
ADVENTURE IN THE HIGHLANDS OF THE NORTH

“ON-road, OFF-road or NO-road, this place has it all… and the people are just so friendly.”

  

 

OVERVIEW

Thailand Guided Motorcycle Tour
The Ojai Motorcycle Club specializes in location-specific motorcycle tours, where you get immersed in the landscape, the culture, and most of all the roads. On-road, off-road, or no-road, this part of South East Asia really has it all and the locals are our friends, so you will experience something totally unique. The mystique of Thai culture, the food, and the people. It’s truly the friendliest place to experience “culture shock and total immersion”, especially if you’ve never been there before. Experience the Unforgettable:  ADVenture Motorcycle Riding in the North of Thailand!

KEY INFORMATION

Duration: 14 Days Total; 13 Nights Accommodation; 10 Days Riding
Bike Included: Suzuki V-Strom 650 – available upgrade to Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin
Terrain: 50/50 paved/unpaved
Total Mileage: 2,500 kilometers / 1,500 miles
Daily Mileage: 250 kilometers / 150 miles
Helmet Included: Basic only – Recommend bring your own riding gear (boots, jacket, pants)
All Meals & Non-Alcoholic Drinks Included
Tour Price: $6,445
Upgrade Motorcycle: Add $500

Scheduled Tour Dates

  • February 16-29, 2020
  • October 18-31, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS

  •  Starts and ends in Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • True ADV 50/50 paved/unpaved riding
  • Fascinating trails through the jungle, flatlands, and the mountains
  • Spectacular asphalt and concrete paved, exciting dirt, gravel and single track roads
  • Experienced ADV rider/guide passionate about sharing the joy of riding in his backyard
  • Company founder/principal from USA leads/manages the tour
  • Valuable orientation and guidance provided in ADVenture style motorcycle riding
  • Small group for an individualized experience, tailored to the tastes of the group
  • Support vehicle carries the luggage between overnight stops
  • 13 nights accommodation; 2 free days in Chiang Mai 

SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED FOR THIS TOUR

Intermediate

  • can ride for 4-6 hours
  • above average riding experience on surfaced roads
  • average experience with unsurfaced roads
  • little assistance required
  • comfortable with extreme curves and leans
  • steep ascents and descents

 

ACCOMMODATION

Your lodging will be in top-rated hotels with private/single rooms wherever possible; private guesthouses and/or tribal home-stays:

Night 1: Old City Wall Inn, Chiang Mai
Night 2: Pai Hotsprings Spa Resort, Pai
Night 3: Fern Resort, Mae Hong Son
Night 4: Mitkhoonyoum, Khun Yuam
Night 5: Riverhouse Resort, Mae Sarieng
Night 6: Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai
Night 7: Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai
Night 8: Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai
Night 9: Kangsadarn Resort & Waterfall, Mae Rim
Night 10: B2 Pai Premier Hotel, Pai
Night 11: Saranya River House, Mae Ai
Night 12: Chiang Dao Nest, Chiang Dao
Night 13: I-River Chiangmai

Arrival: Sunday January 12, 2020 – Departure: Saturday January 25, 2020
Arrival: Sunday October 18, 2020 – Departure: Saturday October 31, 2020

 

Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details

Price for the 14-day is $6,445 (add $500 to upgrade motorcycle)

50% non-refundable deposit payable with reservation

Balance due 30 days before tour start.

 


A snippet of our ride to Pai, through the mountains of Northern Thailand in the rainy season.

 

PROGRAM

Not only will you have an exceptionally good time, but you will also learn so much more about ADVenture-style riding than you could ever imagine. What could be better than riding around Northern Thailand on a well-prepared ADV motorcycle with friendly and knowledgeable professional guides… Who just can’t wait to share the treasures of their part of their backyard and show you the best time of your life?

In keeping with our motto of 50/50 riding, the Ojai Motorcycle Club will endeavor to have you spend at least half the time each day riding paved roads and the other half on unpaved dirt roads and tracks. Our goal is to make sure you have an absolute blast, but also to give you some new skills and experience that help you improve your ADV/dual-sport motorcycle riding skills as a result of this tour.

The fully supported tour includes lodging in private guesthouses, tribal home-stays and/or top-rated hotels with all meals and non-alcoholic drinks included. We promise to offer exotic adventure in the mountains of Northern Thailand, excellent food, fascinating lodgings, intriguing encounters and an optimum mixture of perfectly paved, gravel and dirt roads.

You will spend a lot of time riding but plan on arriving at each day’s overnight stop with ample daylight left for exploring on foot, relaxing and cleaning up in time for drinks, the evening meal and socializing.

 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chiang Mai
Arrive, settle in, and collect the bikes for phase 1. On this fully catered and supported guided tour, you will ride off to the northwest, along the famous Mae Hong Son Loop that begins in Chiang Mai and follows a circuitous route through most of the length of the Mae Hong Son province.

The riding will include some of the best curvy asphalt roads in the world, while also taking you ways off and into the countryside on exciting unpaved roads, bringing you through cascading waterfalls, awesome limestone formations, and villages that are rarely seen by the average tourist.

Day 2: Chiang Mai to Pai via Wiang Haeng
(250 kilometers / 155 miles)
The first 5-day part of the extended tour takes you from Chiang Mai to Pai for your first overnight stay on the road – Monday, January 13. You can watch the sunset in the Pai Grand Canyon as it sits amidst the walls of this stunning canyon.
Day 3: Pai to Mae Hong Son via Ban Rak Thai
(160 kilometers / 99 miles)
On your way out of Pai, you’ll visit the Lod Cave, which can be explored on a bamboo raft as it has a stream running through it.
 
You’ll also visit the Chinese village, Ban Rak Thai, on the Burmese Border for lunch and then head back down the mountain going southwards to Mae Hong Son, where you will stay at the lovely Fern Resort for the second night on the road.
 
Lake Jong Kum, Mae Hong Son, a perfect place to seek shade, this small lake is completely surrounded by a pristine public park with a food market alongside with little tables where you can enjoy your freshly cooked meal. Hang out with the lakeside vendors as you watch the temple’s reflection light up the lake at nightfall.
Day 4: Mae Hong Son to Khun Yuam via various unpaved roads
(120 kilometers / 75 miles)
You will visit Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang, twin Burmese-style temples located in front of a beautiful lake and are conveniently close to the city center. You will visit Wat Phra That Doi King Mu, this temple atop Kong Mu Hill has amazing views of the entire valley.
 
This spot is particularly popular during sunset. There is also a coffee shop located at the top with stunning views of the mountains around us. In the early morning, watch the impressive view of the sea fog as it collects in the valley and later in the day catch the wonderful views of the town and surrounding valleys. Great photo opportunity at the bottom of the long stairway leading to the top.
 
En route to Khun Yuam, you will take several interesting unpaved detours through the forests and high country. You’ll visit a beautiful lake and also see Nam Tok Mae Surin, the highest waterfall in Thailand, along the way. You will visit Wat To Phae, an atmospheric temple that sits alongside a rural stream and has an impressive “chedi” (tower). You can also check out the Thai Japan Friendship Memorial with interesting displays about the Japanese occupation during WWII.
 
Day 5: Khun Yuam to Mae Sarieng, Doi Inthanon

(200 kilometers / 124 miles)
You will ride around paved and unpaved roads in the Mae Chaem district and eventually all the way up, along the most scenic route to the highest mountain in Thailand: Doi Inthanon. You will pass through several hill-tribe settlements in the area on our way to to the stunning riverside setting of this interesting low-key town.

Day 6: Mae Sarieng to Chiang Mai via Chomtong

(260 kilometers / 162 miles)
Mostly beautifully paved asphalt roads, curving you way back to the city. You will pass hill tribe settlements and might stop in at the interesting Weaving Museum for a look at the intricate methods of creating their beautiful fabric art.

Day 7: Chiang Mai - rest / free day

You have 3 nights in Chiang Mai again, doing a reset for the second phase of the tour. Saturday and Sunday will be free days for relaxing, sightseeing and/or exploring many optional excursions in and around Chiang Mai City. Like a visit to Elephant Nature Park, Flight of the Gibbon Zip-Lining Adventure, and/or a visit to the famous mountain-top temple Doi Suthep, just outside of Chiang Mai.

Day 8: Chiang Mai - rest / free day

Today is a rest day / collect bikes for phase 2.

Day 9: Chiang Mai to Mae Rim via Mon Chem

(150 kilometers / 93 miles)
The second 5-day leg of the tour starts on Monday, January 20 and takes you to overnight near a gorgeous waterfall in the Mae Rim district near the high mountain Mon Chem. You’ll ride along the famous Samoeng Loop with many twists and turns.

Day 10: Mae Rim to Pai via Wat Chan

(160 kilometers / 99 miles)
You will go from Mae Rim to Pai via Wat Chan.

Day 11: Pai to Doi Ang Khang via Huai Nam Dang, Meung Khong
(230 kilometers / 143 miles)
 
You will go from Pai to Doi Ang Khang via Huai Nam Dang, Meung Khong.
Day 12: Doi Ang Khang to Chiang Dao via Myanmar Border, Tha Ton Temple

(223 kilometers / 139 miles)
You’ll visit the fascinating Chiang Dao Cave and spend our last night on the road at the beautiful Chiang Dao Nest.

Day 13: Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai via Wat Ban Den, Mae Khong Lake

(160 kilometers / 99 miles)
On day five of the second leg of the extended tour, you’ll make your way back so you arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon/early evening. You’ll enjoy your farewell dinner together, spend the last tour night in Chiang Mai and then go your separate ways on Saturday, January 25.

Day 14: Depart

Today is the departing day.

LOCATION

This tour will take place in various locations in Thailand. You will visit Chiang Mai, Pai via Wiang Haeng, Mae Hong Son, Khun Yuam, Mae Sarieng, and many more.

Mae Sariang Route: Day 2-6

 

Doi Ang Khang Route: Day 9-13

 

 

FOOD

You will be provided with authentic Thai food as well as traditional western food wherever available. Full range of choices from meat, fish, and poultry to fruits and vegetables are available. Excellent espresso-style coffee is widely available.

The following meals are included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Drinks

 

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

  • Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it’s a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

 

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • 13 nights accommodation
  • All meals and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Motorcycle rental for 10 days: Suzuki 650 V-Strom (upgrade to Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin available)
  • Helmet (basic only)
  • Motorcycle operation orientation
  • Gear storage in support vehicle of anything you don’t want on the bike, on the road with you
  • Roadside assistance, technical support and on/off-road training orientation
  • Bilingual English/Thai tour guidance and cultural insight
  • Entrance fees to national parks

 

 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Fuel
  • Tolls, fines, and violations
  • Insurance and reductions in liability
  • $2,500 USD damage security deposit (charged on credit card)

 

HOW TO GET THERE

Recommended Airport:
CNX, Chiang Mai International Airport
3 km

Transfer not provided

Arrival by airplane:
Please book your flight to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) by early afternoon on the Sunday before the riding  starts. There is an easy and convenient taxi service from the airport to your hotel in Chiang Mai. Plan on departing from the hotel in Chiang Mai in the morning of the second Saturday after 2 weeks of riding.

 

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • 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 at least 30 days before arrival.

Arrival: Sunday February 16, 2020 – Departure: Saturday February 29, 2020
Arrival: Sunday October 18, 2020 – Departure: Saturday October 31, 2020

 

Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details

Price for the 14-day is $6,445 (add $500 to upgrade motorcycle)

50% non-refundable deposit payable with reservation

Balance due 30 days before tour start.