TRIP INFORMATION

So Good it's hard to stop at just one

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If you're not into riding motorbikes any of these trips could be done in a rental car, jeep, van (if there's a group of you, which is great as you can get a driver and split the costs) and there are even a few trips where you can rent and drive your own tuk tuk (three wheeler). You could even take public transport and still have a great time. A lot of the routes are winding through the mountains as this is the most fun on a motorbike. In a car or bus however you might find yourself feeling a little carsick. 

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If there is a group of you and you don't want to ride bikes you could hire a van with a driver. Many of these trips leave from Chiang Mai where they have really good rates for van hire. Most vans have plenty of room for about 8 - 9 people with all of their gear plus room for an esky (drink cooler). The beauty of these trips are that you get right off the beaten track and have your own vehicle to get around. Van drivers are great value for their local knowledge as well as taking responsibility for everything. They are on hand for as long as you need them and are good fun. Vans are normally late model, safe and comfortable. The roads are generally in very good condition. The Thakhek Loop in Laos also has Minivans with / without drivers for hire. 

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     Enjoy the freedom of doing what you like when you like 

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WHEN - 

• Many of these trips are in northern Thailand which is very unpleasant during March - May due to the burning season when Chiang Mai has some of the worst air quality in the world. In recent years it has been occurring earlier in the year due to local fires in Thailand. Mid October to mid December is probably the safest time to avoid smoke and rain. December and January are peak tourist season.

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• Try to time it with the Loy Krathong / Yee Peng Festival in November when the skies and rivers of Chiang Mai come to life.

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START & FINISH -

• The trips are about 2 weeks plus a few days either side to get there and back.

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• I find 2 weeks on the bike living out of a day pack is enough. If this is all you are doing you could probably do it all with the day pack and not worry about taking book on luggage.

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• All trips are loops and start and finish in the same place to drop the bike back where you got it.

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• 4 of these trips start in Chiang Mai, 1 is across the border in Laos and there are 2 Tuk Tuk trips in India. More will be coming later. Flight and Airport information are given in the individual itineraries.

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COUNTRIES -

• Thailand and Laos

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BORDER CROSSINGS -

• One for Tha Kaek coming from Nakhon Phanom in Thailand.

• You can cross into Myanmar for half a day at Mae Sot in the Umphang loop

• And the same into Laos at Sob Ruak on the Golden Triangle Loop

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VISAS

• Most people get a 60 days visa exemption on arrival in Thailand with an option to extend for another 30 days

• Most people get 30 days in Laos with a visa on arrival the same 

• India has a variety of options including e-visa's online

 

HIGHLIGHTS -

• The wind in your hair and the sun on your face, not a care in the world, you might even find yourself bursting into song with the joy of it all.

• Just enjoying riding the bike and being out there in the middle of nowhere seeing new things and sharing the experience with your friends. 

• Wonderful scenery.

• So many interesting things to see and do and eat and drink.

• Any other form of transport insulates you from the environment where as on a motorbike you are part of it. Smoke gets in your eyes, you taste the smells, hear the noises, feel the weather changes and get hit by the bugs.

• Getting to explore magic little unknown towns and meet the friendly locals. You'll get to see what the country and it's people are truly like.

• It's very handy having your own transport when you arrive in town as well as being able to stop off along the way where ever you like.

• All of this fun and entertainment for around $10 a day plus petrol. 

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HISTORY -

• All of these routes go through areas with interesting histories - 

• Opium fields, the Golden Triangle, Communist hideouts, the Vietnam War, Druglord Khun Sa, the CIA, Ho Chi Minh, Chinese Nationalist KMT soldiers, Hmong refugees and a whole lot more

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COSTS -

• Very cheap way to travel. Minimal transportation costs. Free entertainment during the day and you can't be spending money while you're riding. Apart from roadside cafes, fruit stands, BBQ stalls and numerous other attractions.

• Golfers will find good reason to blow the daily budget. Hire clubs are outrageously expensive and it's not always easy to get left hand clubs, but there is a solution if you are going to do this often enough. Telescopic clubs. They are well made and as well as an adjustable loft iron you can get telescopic putters, fairway woods and drivers. You can carry them in your day pack They are good quality and you can get used to playing with them before you leave.

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ACCOMMODATION -

• Reasonably priced 3*** places are the old standby if there's nothing more exciting around.

• Flash 4 - 5***** hotels with nice pools are quite cheap out in the countryside.

• "A" framed bungalows are always a favourite. Resorts out in the middle of nowhere often have interesting owners. There is a beautiful teak hotel on the river made from 10 teak houses. Cavelodge offers bungalows scattered over the hillside with a big communal eating, drinking area and fire pit. 

• As prices are so cheap you can often have your own room.

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EATING -

• What ever fruits are in season you will see for sale on the side of the road. They will be the best quality, perfectly ripe and peeled and cut all ready to eat in a plastic bag with a stick.

• Other roadside stops are the many BBQ's you'll see. Hard to beat northern Thai  sausage, sticky rice and spicy papaya salad eaten together.

• Some of the best meals come from little places out in the middle of nowhere with no menu and some language or miming skills required to order.

• Tourist attractions are also a good source of food. They often have street stalls and local delicacies available for your eating pleasure and education.

• Not to mention the great eating opportunities you will find in the small towns where you stay overnight. Night markets, restaurants on the lake, the river, the roof.

• Your problem won't be finding good food it will be trying to fit all the different types in.

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DRINKING -

• It is important to stay hydrated while riding around. You may not feel the heat as the wind acts like a kind of air conditioner which also speeds up the dehydration.

• Alcohol and bikes don't mix. It's as simple as that and you should refrain from drinking until the bikes are safely parked and locked away. Riding at night isn't a good idea either.

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NIGHTLIFE - 

• Thais love a good time and a drink so no matter how small the place is there is usually something going on. Even small towns have bars, night markets and clubs where you can socialize.

• Beer with ice is better than hot beer. Just drink it quickly before the ice melts.

• If you can't find anything else your best bet is to find a concrete table and chairs outside a restaurant, shop or market. They should be able to provide you with some glasses, an ice bucket full of ice, ice tongs, some coke, soda water and a bottle of Sang Som. (Thai rum that doesn't taste like rum). It's good quality, cheap and you'll never get sick of it. Mix your own drinks how you like them and you only have to order once or twice a night and it's easy to keep tabs on your bill. Whatever shop you are outside of will be glad for your custom and if they haven't got something you want they'll probably go out and get it.

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FITNESS LEVEL -

• Low. The bike does all of the hard work. Generally any tourist sites you visit will require you to get off the bike and climb something. That is as hard as it gets. 

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HARD STUFF - 

• Riding in the rain. This usually happens one day per trip. Take a gardening bag for your pack and some wet weather gear for yourself. Most days are easy riding and there is plenty of time to spend in a bus shelter if it gets heavy. It can get a bit cold at the top of some hills but as soon as you start descending you'll feel the warmth returning. It is worthwhile having some motorbike gloves.

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SAFETY - 

• Get a small bike, ride slowly, give way to everything, beware of animals on the road, watch out for potholes, gravel on corners, wet roadway lids, enjoy the scenery it's not a race. Don't be shy about using your horn to let people and animals know you are there.

• Most days are only about 100 kms. Have a leisurely breakfast. There are around 4 or 5 hours of riding. Plenty of time to stop off and see things along the way and take photos. Stops for coffees and lunch. If you time it right by 5 o'clock the bikes are locked up, you've checked into the hotel and are sitting down enjoying a nice view with an icy cold beer, cocktail or other beverage of choice.

• Most of these have town stops between 2 and 4 days depending on how much is around to have a look at. Like everything else spend as long or little time as you like. Everyone's experience of a place is always different. You may decide you love it so much you're off to the local realtor.🏠

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SOUVENIRS - 

• On the Mae Hong Son Loop you can get a certificate to say you went around 1864 bends. 

• On the Golden Triangle Loop you can buy Elephant Poo coffee.

• On the Umphang Loop you can buy a big bundle of Burmese cheroots.

• On the Doi Phu Ka Loop you can buy Communist T-shirts.

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LASH OUT - 

• Get a better bike.

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