This wonderful tour is a shortened version of our 10 day enduro tour, designed for those with limited time in the country, or for those who consider a 10 day trip too much for them. The dramatic scenery of Mae Hong Son province will provide the backdrop to our journey. A more perfect off-road paradise you will not find anywhere else in the region. We have chosen a great route through this heavily forested and mountainous landscape, taking in the best trails and visiting countless hill-tribe villages along the way. This tour brings together some unforgettable scenery with some of the more challenging and diverse riding available, with river crossings, single tracks and steep winding trails par for the course. The severity and ruggedness of some trails on this tour make it essential to have some previous off-road experience before considering this the trip for you. At the same time you don’t have to be an expert. If you think you qualify then look no further. We also offer a 2 day training course for any beginners prior to the tour which will give you the necessary skills for the trip.

Sight seeing highlights include a fascinating cave complex complete with ancient coffins; the laid back town of Pai and its natural hot springs; cascading waterfalls; Thailand’s highest mountain and the culturally diverse hill tribe communities that dot the landscape. You will gain an enthralling insight into their way of life in an area unspoiled by mass tourism. Expect lots of smiling faces merged with a look of curiosity at these strangely dressed guys on big bikes. Always fun. Throughout the tour we will visit an ethnically diverse range of people including Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Akha and Hmong tribes to name a few, all with different customs, languages, and dress, going about their daily life in the fields. A lot of these villages never receive western visitors so it’s as interesting for them as it is for you.

Although this is an enduro tour, we have to spend some time on the road to reach these great trails and the towns with the best accommodation available. The road we will be primarily using is the Mae Hong Son loop, known as the “road of 1000 hairpin bends”, an extremely popular choice for road bikers due to its natural beauty and weaving route through the mountains and around the province. We will leave and rejoin this classic road several times throughout the trip, providing time to recover from the rigours of the dirt tracks whilst still enjoying some great riding.

If a non riding partner or friend would like to accompany you on the trip then they can travel in our luxury 4x4 vehicle (or people carrier depending on number of extra passengers), meeting the bikers at the hotel at the end of the day. We have a great sightseeing itinerary for anyone choosing this option (price varies depending on numbers).

Day 1: Pick up at Chiang Mai airport. Transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and drinks at Goodview riverside restaurant. Tour briefing and discussion. Day 2: Depart at 9am after buffet breakfast at the hotel, taking the back roads and winding dirt tracks into panoramic Mae Hong Son province, reaching an altitude of 6000 feet before descending into the charming Pai valley and the town of the same name. We will stay at a beautiful riverside resort. Optional soak in hot tubs supplied by natural hot spring water. Very therapeutic and great after a days ride. Dinner in town at a restaurant famed for its authentic Thai cuisine. Day 3: Pai to Soppong to Mae Hong Son Depart at 8am driving off road to Mong Noi a large Karen settlement. From here we follow a weaving trail through valleys and villages, along hillsides and ridges all relatively close to the Burmese border. Fantastic scenery with a couple of river crossings thrown in for good measure.

Stop for lunch in Soppong. Optional trip to Cave Lod if we make good time, then ride on to Mae Hong Son for the night, staying at a local resort in Northern style bungalows dotted amongst the rice paddies. Dinner in another locally renowned establishment.

Day 4: Mae Hong Son to Khun Yuam
Depart 8am for a great days riding into the centre of Mae Hong Son province, starting with an 80km section over the mountains and through many a village to Wat Chan where we will break for lunch. From here we head back towards the Burmese Border on a 60km stretch of yet more stunning mountain and jungle scenery to our destination for the day, the picturesque town of Khun Yuam and our attractive guest house.

Day 5: Khun Yuam to Mae Sarieng Depart at 8am for a long days ride towards the south of the province through a myriad of hill tribe settlements, gaining picturesque views of Thailand’s highest mountain Doi Inthanon whilst gaining some serious altitude ourselves. We will stop for a packed lunch at a scenic spot along the way before arriving in Mae Sarieng in the late afternoon. Our accommodation for the night is a beautifully situated, modern hotel on the banks of the Sarieng River. Day 6: Mae Sarieng to Chiang Mai Depart 8am for the ride to Doi Inthanon National Park the home of Thailand’s highest mountain. We follow the snaking Mae Hong Son loop road for a 100km before turning onto the trails and the gradual ascent to the mountain peak. After taking in the views, we descend out of the park, taking back roads and trails all the way to Samoeng and our final destination, Chiang Mai, arriving in the late afternoon. Thai massage available – excellent after a few days on the bike.

A farewell dinner will be held at the famous Gallery Restaurant, on the banks of the River Ping, followed by great live music in the Brasserie bar next door. A trip to the Night Bazaar for some shopping is also an option.

We will be sticking to this itinerary as closely as possible throughout the tour although we will not take any responsibility for changes to this schedule due to circumstances or events that we have no control over.

Tour Price

45,000 Thai Baht per rider based on single occupancy

There will be a minimum of 3 riders and a maximum of 8 on this tour. Exceptions can be made with consultation.

Bike - Honda XR250 or Kawasaki KLX250, 4 stroke dirt bikes. Well maintained and meticulously checked before each trip. Recent model only.
Equipment - Helmet, goggles, gloves, upper body armour (chest/spine/shoulders), elbow, knee/shin guards.
Fuel costs.
Support vehicles - Quality 4x4 support truck carrying your luggage and shopping.
Professional mechanic - With full compliment of tools and spare parts.
Spare motorbike (for tours with 5 or more riders).
2 Experienced Guides - Lead and sweeper guides, speaking English, Thai and bad French.
Accommodation - Included on a single room basis for 10 nights. For those who don’t mind sharing a room, we knock 5% off the price.
Food - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on the riding days.
Drinks - Water and soft drinks provided during the days ride and at meal times.
Basic Liability Insurance - Customer liable for the first 7000 Baht damage only if damage is their fault.
Excursions - National park fees and all entrance fees included.

And most importantly…
a damn good time!

Boots - We can arrange rental of quality enduro boots at a small extra cost. We can’t guarantee a comfortable fit though. It is best to bring your own. A good sturdy pair of army boots will do.
Alcoholic beverages  (I have been known to buy a round or two for those I like).
Personal accident insurance
Clothing - Please bring clothing your comfortable riding in. Remember the days are pretty hot. A long sleeve top and a lightweight jacket for the cooler evenings, essential from mid October to mid February.