Arrival: Bangkok

Being that the majority of flights from Europe and North America arrive in the afternoon or in the evening, we organize transportation from the airport to your hotel.  For those who arrive earlier, the Sukhumvit neighborhood is very pleasant to discover.

The Chao Phraya river, its temples and the Grand Palace

Wat Pho massage – optional (about 8 dollars for one hour)

Chiang Mai

Morning departure for the airport.  Flight to Chiang Mai at 9:00 AM.  Visit of the ancient intramural city and in the afternoon, see its most beautiful temples including Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Pan Tao, Wat Saem Fang, Wat Pan Tao.  In the evening, supper and visit of the legendary Night Bazaar of Chiang Mai.

A 1 hour and 15 minutes plane trip brings you to Chiang Mai. Arrival at the hotel around 11:30 AM.  The city can be visited by minibus or by foot.

Doi Suthep national park

Morning departure for Doi Suthep by motorbike.  Stop at Huay Kaew and Mothathan waterfalls.  Village of Doi Pui and its gardens of poppy and opium.  The afternoon will be dedicated to the descent of the Doi Suthep by the trail connecting the tribal mountain villages.

This day will allow you to not only discover a whole mountain side ignored by tourists, but to familiarize you with driving your motorbike on tar mountain roads (morning) and trails (afternoon) in order to evaluate your skills and advise you on different off-road driving techniques that will be useful throughout your trip.  Important:  The motorbike is the only way to access a large part of rural Thailand and its mountains of the North.  This way of transportation is largely used by the local habitants (men, women and even children) because it allows them to go places that cars could not pass (narrow streets or poor road conditions).

Doi Suthep loop

Morning departure by motorbike to Mae Sa waterfalls and visit of the elephant camp Mae Sa (baths, care and training) and the orchids garden.  Then, departure towards the mountains to join the village of Samoeng and the villages Hmong situated nearby.

The Hmongs tribe distinguishes itself with its skill in horticulture.  Poppy culture being theoretically illegal, the habitants have thus turned their attention to the production of flowers, more particularly roses.  As all other tribes of North Thailand, the Hmongs have their own customs, traditions and costumes.

Doi Inthanon national park

First stop at Chomtong to visit one of the oldest temples in North Thailand.  Then, start of the 47 kilometers climb to Doi Inthanon with visits to the 3 principal waterfalls of the park, followed by an off-road exploration that leads to the 2 Karens villages.  In the afternoon, descent towards the small village of Mae Chaem where women weave one of the most beautiful cottons in Thailand.

The Doi Inthanon is one the highest mountains in Thailand.  It is very cold on its peek.  There are orchid trees present.  Its sides are mainly inhabited by the Karen and Hmongs tribes.  The Karens, originally from Myanmar, are  skilful cotton weaver.  We will go through several villages while ascending the Doi Inthanon. 

Doi Suthep national park and Chiang Dao

Very early morning departure (8:00 AM) to go to Doi Suthep National park.  Visit and swim at Pong Deud geyser.  Then, excursion to Mofka waterfalls.  In the afternoon, we will go to Chiang Dao national park and visit the very beautiful Chiang Dao troglodyte Buddhist temple and its caves, some filled with Buddha’s.

Doi Suthep national park, besides the mountain, also includes several protected zones North-West of the mountain, between Pai and Chang Mai.  The Pong Deud geyser is the largest natural geyser in Thailand.  At proximity, we can find spa type facilities where it is nice to relax.

Doi Ang Khang

Departure for the city of Arunothai where we will begin our ascension of Doi Ang Khang.  Visit of the royal Angkhang project.  Excursion on mule’s back from the city of BaanKhum (optional if available).

Nicknamed the little Switzerland of Thailand, the Doi Ang Khang mount peaks at 1300 meters in altitude.  There are several Hmongs, Lahus and Lisus villages.  The Doi Ang Khang roads are the most inclined in Thailand.

Doi Mae Salong

Departure by the frontier road to Mae Ai.  Visit of the Fang national park and its hot water sources, then visit the Fang market and the Wat Jong Paen temple.  Stop at Wat Thaton then take the mountain road to Doi Mae Salong and see its tea plantation.  Doi Mae Salong tribal market and visit the villages towards the Burmese border.

The frontier road departing Doi Ang Khang depends once again on road conditions.  The local authorities will confirm if we can use this road or must pass through Fang.  Doi Mae Salong is a village made of members of 93 Guomindang regiments.  It seems more like a Yunnan village than a Thai village.  It is surrounded by Miens (Yao), Hmongs, Lisus and Akkhas villages.

Doi Tung

Morning departure for Doi Tung.  Visit of several tribal villages (Akkhas and Yaos).  Ride along the Burmese border by a beautiful small winding road through the mountains to the royal villa of Doi Tung and its wonderful botanical garden.  Visit Phra That Doi Tung temple and descent towards the city of Mae Sai.

Possibility of different itineraries depending on your motorbike skills, our schedule and the road conditions of the inter-village trails.  During our ride along the Burmese border, we will pass several military control posts.  These posts are mainly to intercept drug traffickers that pass the border illegally.  They also can assure us that the road we will use is secure.  It is important to always have on you your passport and driver’s license.

Tachilek and the golden triangle

In the morning, pedestrian excursion to Myanmar to visit the Burmese city of Tachilek.  Return to Mae Sai to retrieve our motorbikes and go to the Golden Triangle.  Stop in the village of Tisserand Thai Lu and visit of the Hall of Opium museum.  In the afternoon, excursion in long tail boat on the Mekong river to Laos to visit the market.

In order to pass the Burmese border, you must have 2 identify pictures with you and your passport must be left at the Burmese border.  A receipt will be given to you in order to retrieve your passport upon your return.  The Burmese visa on your passport is valid for 24 hours only.  Once in Mae Sai, the Thailand authorities will give you a new free tourism visa valid for 30 days.  For Laos, an exemption permits us to visit the market without asking for a visa.  However a visa is required for all other stays in Laos.

Chiang Rai

Departure by the frontier road to the village of Ban Phami.  Visit of Tham Luang, Tham Poon and Tham Pla caves.  Arrival in Chiang Rai to visit the most beautiful temples of the city:  Wat Phra Sing, Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Doi Thong.  In the evening, visit the night market of Chiang Rai where you can find a lot of local tribal artwork.

Mae Nam Kok river

Departure by motorbike to ride along the Ma Nam Kok.  Visit of the Buddha Cave then elephant back trekking from the Karen village of Ban Ruam Mid.  Huay Mae Sai waterfalls and tribal villages nearby.

A large part of this ride is done by using trails.  Once there, road conditions will determine our itinerary.

Doi Saket and Chiang Mai

The end

  Price: $2310.00 for 2 weeks