Motorbike Tour - Thailand and Myanmar

Motorbike Tour – Thailand and Myanmar

From: ฿250,000.00

Tour Starts

28th November – 17th December 2023

We are ecstatic to be able to provide our guests with this genuine adventure tour: Twenty unseen days in Thailand and Myanmar (former Burma). We were the first tour company to ever organise tours on motorbikes that crossed the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

Pay a deposit of ฿17,500.00 per item

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Description

We are ecstatic to be able to provide our guests with this genuine adventure tour: Twenty unseen days in Thailand and Myanmar (former Burma). We were the first tour company to ever organise tours on motorbikes that crossed the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Managing all of the paperwork required by the Myanmar government was a time-consuming and challenging process. We are overjoyed that Myanmar is gradually becoming more accessible to tourists and revealing more of its wondrous and astonishing landscapes to them. I regret to inform you that in order to cross the border, you will need to obtain a visa first. It is not yet possible to obtain a visa upon arrival in Myanmar, unlike in Thailand. Your first step should be to call the embassy or consulate of Myanmar in the country where you currently reside. Please see the links below for further information regarding Visas.
It is important that you are aware that this 20-DAY TOUR does include the day of arrival as well as the day of departure; this indicates that we will spend an actual total of 18 days travelling. The tour price, of course, already includes the hotel for both the day of arrival and the day of departure.
This tour is only offered once per year by our company. There are only a few spots available, but the competition is fierce. If you need any further information, please have a look at the tour dates section of our website. If you have any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.

For activity times and locations, view the activity details tab.

What’s included

  • Tour and transfer services as described in the itinerary with English speaking professional Thai & Myanmar tour guides
  • The services of an escort vehicle (Service Truck in Thailand and small truck in Myanmar) for the transport of the main luggage; both guide and driver will take care of baggage delivery and pick-up at each hotel
  • Accommodation as per hotels and room types specified in the itinerary
  • All Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) – full board, except on arrival and departure day in Chiang Mai
  • All entrance fees to sights specified in the itinerary
  • Motorcycle Kawasaki Versys 650cc, fuel during the entire tour (optional: BMW F800GS  against surcharge)
  • Compulsory third-party insurance in Thailand
  • Experienced Thai motorcycle mechanic accompanies the tour
  • S.E.Asia-experienced and English/German-speaking “road captain” as a riding tour guide during the whole tour
  • Temporary drivers’ license for Myanmar issued based on a valid international driver’s license
  • Service charge, room tax, and baggage handling
  • Vehicle registration and inspection fees (Myanmar Road Transport Administration Department)

What’s NOT included

  • All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature
  • Any Alcoholic beverages
  • Any extra ietams purchased in hotels, souvenir shops and other such establishments
  • Travel insurance (cover against cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness). We highly recommend you arrange appropriate insurance in your home country
  • Airfares
  • Visa Fees

Gear

We recommend bringing your own gear as it will be the most comfortable, however we do offer helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards free of charge. Please note that due to reasons of hygeine, we do not offer boots and trousers, however these, and many other otems are available to buy in our show or pre-order on our website.

Itinerary

CHIANG MAI – PAI – MAE HONG SON – MAE SARIANG – MAE SOT – MAWLAMYINE – GOLDEN ROCK – BAGO – PYAY – BAGAN – MANDALAY – INLE LAKE – NAMSANG – MONGPING – TACHILEK – CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI

(Distance: 3,250 km)

Day 1. Chiang Mai, Arrival

Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) from Bangkok. Your guide will await you outside the customs hall and transfer you to the Amora Tapae Hotel, located in the center and old city of Chiang Mai. Dinner with the tour crew and accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Amora Tapae Hotel

Day 2. Chiang Mai – Pai (150 km)

Breakfast at the resort. In the morning, we find our way through small villages and rice fields and over small country roads until we land on the famous mountain road that leads to Pai. A stop is then made at Mokfa Waterfall. A short walk through the jungle and along the stream leads to the falls where takers can even go for a swim in a large natural pool. From here, we continue uphill on a road that epitomizes driving in the North of Thailand as it endlessly twists and turns its way through great mountain scenery. Simple lunch at a local restaurant on the way. We arrive in Pai in the afternoon. This pretty town, inhabited by Shan people and Haw Chinese, invites for a stroll through the center.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at Pai Hotsprings Resort.

Day 3. Pai – Mae Hong Son (140 km)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning, we drive via Soppong to Mae Hong Son. High up in the mountains we make a stop at a very scenic Lisu market from where we can also enjoy great views over the mountains. At Soppong, we turn off and drive to the caves of Tham Lot where, on a bamboo raft, we drift down the small river and through one of these caves. Then we regain the main road and stop at a local restaurant for lunch.
Afterward, we continue to Mae Hong Son and stop at a Fish Cave popular with local tourists.
Mae Hong Son is a melting pot of different cultures, blending Thai Yai (Shan), Chinese, Akha, Lisu, Hmong, Muslim, and numerous other tribes. Streets are colorful affairs, as people from any one of these cultures ply their wares on street sidewalks. We visit the local market and the Burmese-style Temples of Wat Nong Jong Kam and Wat Jong Klang, located in the middle of town at a small lake. The roads of Mae Hong Son invite for a stroll and the opportunity to observe people of all kinds of ethnic origin.
Dinner and accommodation at Fern Resort.

Day 4. Mae Hong Son – Mae Sariang (165 km)

Breakfast at the resort. In the morning we take a boat trip on the Pai River to Ban Nam Pian Din, a village of the Padaung (long neck) women. The Padaungs belong to the Kayah or Karenni group in Burma. Over the years, hundreds of Padaungs have fled the off-and-on-fighting in northeast Burma and settled on the Thai side of the forested frontier. The Padaung women are known for wearing brass rings around their necks; therefore also known as “Giraffe Women”. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then, we leave Mae Hong Son and ride in the southern direction towards Khun Yuam. Khun Yuam was an important airbase during WW II from where the Japanese flew sorties into Burma and you can still see the old airfield not far from the small WW II Museum. From here we ride on to Mae Sariang through beautiful high plateau scenery with great forests.
Dinner at a cozy local restaurant. Accommodation at River House Resort.

Day 5. Mae Sariang – Mae Sot (235 km)

Breakfast at the resort. Leaving Mae Sariang, we ride south into the mountains. The road winds along the valley and up over several mountain ridges before we start the descent into the border town of Mae Sot. Simple lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
Dinner at a beautiful local restaurant. Accommodation at Centara Mae Sot Hills Resort.

Day 6. Mae Sot – Mawlamyine (190 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we cross the “Goodwill Bridge” which links Mae Sot with Myawaddy, Thailand with Myanmar (former Burma). As it is rather unusual that Myanmar immigration and customs officials are dealing with a group of motorcycles entering Myanmar, we are prepared to have a lot of patience until the lengthy procedures to get all the papers right, inspect all the motorcycles, etc. are terminated. Afterward, we drive from Myawaddy across the Dawna Mountain Range to Kawkareik on the Western side of the mountain range. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
Later, we cross the Thanlwin (Salween) River for the first time as we continue to Thaton, get onto the main road linking North and South Burma, and continue in the Southern direction towards Mawlamyine (Moulmein). Shortly before we reach Mawlamyine, we cross over the Salween River again as we take Burma’s longest bridge connecting the cities of Mottama and Mawlamyine. Mawlamyine is Burma’s 3rd largest city and capital of Mon State. This charming and multicultural city lies at the mouth of the Salween River and was British Burma’s first capital from 1826 – 1852. Depending on how much time remains after our arrival, we visit the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda which the famous English writer Rudyard Kipling meant in his poem when he wrote: “By the old Moulmein pagoda lookin’ lazy at the sea. There’s a Burma girl a-sittin’ and I know she thinks o’ me”. Sunsets at this pagoda are a scene to behold.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at Mawlamyine Strand Hotel.

Day 7. Mawlamyine – Golden Rock (190 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the day with a short excursion of around 20 km to Mudon, the site of a huge reclining Buddha. From there, we drive North, again across the Thanlwin (Salween) River, as we continue to Thaton, which was the capital of the former Mon Kingdom which ruled Lower Burma from the 9th – 11th century and stretched far into Thailand. Lunch at a local restaurant in Thaton.
From Thaton, we continue in the Northern direction to Kyaik Hto, a small town in Mon State, known for its rubber plantations and the Golden Rock Pagoda in the vicinity.
Dinner and accommodation at Sane Le Tin Resort which also boasts a small private zoo.

Day 8. Golden Rock – Bago (95 km)

Early breakfast at the hotel. The morning is spent visiting one of Myanmar’s landmarks, famous for its precarious position and religious importance: Kyaiktiyo – the ‘Golden Rock’, a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. We ride by minibus to Kin Mon, the base camp from where a steep 15 km road leads to the upper staging point. The journey is made in open trucks which are very crowded. From the summit where you disembark from the truck, it is a mere 10 min. walk to the Golden Rock. A visit to the Golden Rock is a mesmerizing experience as you will encounter the religiosity of Myanmar people in stunningly beautiful natural surroundings. Afterward, return to Kin Mon base camp by truck. Lunch back at the Sane Le Tin Resort.
Afterward, we take off in the direction of Bago, also called Pegu and formerly known as Hanthawaddy (or Hongsawadee to the Thais). This city is located only 90 km to the Northeast of Yangon. We visit the over a thousand years old Shwemawdaw Pagoda with its spire taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda. If we have enough time, we can also visit the 55-meter long reclining Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha, which is among the country’s most impressive Buddha images.
Dinner and accommodation at the lovely Han Thar Gardens Resort.

Day 9. Bago – Pyay (285 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave Bago in the morning and ride to Pyay (formerly called Prome), situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River. Our ride today takes us initially over a few hills and then through vast plains made colorful with small villages and towns. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant on the way.
Prome is a lovely town and if time permits we visit the Shwesandaw Pagoda on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, one of the most scenic spots in the country.
Dinner and accommodation at Mingalar Garden Resort.

Day 10. Pyay – Bagan (380 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Our ride today takes us in the Northern direction and more or less along the Ayeyarwaddy River, all the way to Bagan. On our way, we cross a few karst hills and realize how the landscape is becoming visibly arider. Lunch at a local restaurant by the Ayeyarwady River in Magwe.
In the afternoon, we continue further in the Northern direction on our way to Bagan and visit the old wooden monastery of Yoke Sone in Sale. The last stretch of road leading into Bagan leads along the Ayeyarwaddy River and shortly before arriving in Bagan we can already glimpse the first pagodas.
Dinner and accommodation at Bagan Landmark Hotel.

Day 11. Bagan

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we explore the archaeological site of Bagan. Visits include the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, which is Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine – lookout for images of the 37 ‘nats’ housed in a small hall; Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi In Village), a ‘cave’ temple with fine frescoes of the ‘Jataka Tales’; and Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery with beautiful, well-preserved 18th-century murals. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we learn about one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts at a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. Then, we continue to Manuha Temple, built in the Mon-style in 1059, and Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings which today are under the protection of UNESCO. Finally, we proceed to Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Dinner and accommodation at Bagan Landmark Hotel.

Day 12. Bagan – Mandalay (260 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, a scenic overland journey leads us first to Mount Popa (approx. 50 km), an extinct volcano with a shrine dedicated to animist spirits known as “Nats”. Contrary to other countries practicing Buddhism, the “Nats” is a peculiarity for Burma only. There are 37 main “Nats”, all of which are ghosts of humans that mostly have died a painful death. Additionally, there are “Nats” that reside in the water, in the forest, in the house, or elsewhere and that demand to be respected if one does not want to attract the ire of a “Nat”. In urban Burma, the “Nats” do not play a significant role in daily life anymore, but in rural Burma, they are revered, particularly at Mt. Popa. We ride directly to the Mt. Popa Resort where sipping coffee and maybe sampling a cake, we enjoy the fabulous view over Mt. Popa. Afterward, we continue our journey through the pleasing landscape with little traffic, over three rivers, and through the local town of Thaung Tha to Mingyan where we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon and as we approach Mandalay riding through the towns of Myo Tha and Ta-U roads become a lot busier. Particularly the last 15 km will be hectic as we will have to fight our way through dense Mandalay city traffic to our hotel by the river.
Dinner and accommodation at Best Western plus Eastern Palace Hotel.

Day 13. Mandalay

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we drive out of Mandalay to Amarapura to visit Mahagandayone Monastery, home to some 1,200 monks and one of the most prestigious monasteries in Myanmar. Afterward, we will take a stroll over a historic bridge, known as U Bein Bridge, originally built in 1851 entirely of teak wood and spanning over Taungthaman Lake. Return to Mandalay for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay and start with a visit to one of the most revered religious monuments of Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. Afterward, we witness how small gold nuggets are hammered into wafer-thin gold leaves which Buddhists use to stick on the Buddha statues in the temples.
In the evening we enjoy a performance of typical Myanmar puppetry at Mama Naing’s Marionettes Theatre.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at Best Western plus Eastern Palace Hotel.

Day 14. Mandalay – Inle Lake (260 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s ride promises to become spectacular as we move from the flatlands into the mountains and up onto the high plateau surrounding Inle Lake. At first, we ride in the Southern direction on a busy road, but then we turn off in the Eastern direction and continue on a smaller road with little traffic, up to a very long valley, and into the mountains. On the way, we realize that we are leaving behind us the Burmese flatlands and the Bamar culture as we enter the area of the Shan minority. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
We continue on our way through the mountains and stop frequently, either to take pictures or to just take a break. In the late afternoon, we reach Nyaungshwe at the fabled Inle Lake.
Dinner and accommodation at Thanakha Inle Lake Hotel.

Day 15. Inle Lake

Breakfast at the hotel. Inle Lake is a photographer’s dream as its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. We spend most of the day touring the lake by boat, passing endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown, and will observe the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. We visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State, and see traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmith shop. Lunch at a local restaurant on the lake.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at Thanakha Inle Lake Hotel.

Day 16. Inle Lake – Namsang (150 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s ride takes us first up a steep mountain to Taunggyi, the capital of Southern Shan State. From there we ride into fantastic mountain scenery and on a road which until recently was forbidden for any foreign visitors. We ride through spectacularly beautiful mountain scenery and many ethnic minority villages, particularly of the Shan people. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
We reach Namsang, an important Shan town, in the early afternoon.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at the simple Shwe Ngar Kan Guest House in Namsang.

Day 17. Namsang – Mongping (230 km)

Breakfast at the Guest House. The road takes in Eastern direction, through the spectacularly beautiful landscape and villages that are predominantly of the Shan and Palaung minorities. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
In the afternoon we cross again the Salween River which we had already encountered on our very first day in Burma more than 1,000 km further South. After we have crossed the river, a piece of work expects us as the last 80 km to our destination will take us up and over an important mountain range. Beware of construction sites, landslides, and potholes on the way.
Dinner and accommodation at the simple yet comfortable Sein Yatanar Guest House in Mongping.

Day 18. Mongping – Tachilek (270 km)

Breakfast at the Guest House. Today’s drive starts with another challenge as we take again up and over spectacular mountains in the direction of Kengtung which is the capital of Eastern Shan State. Kengtung is a lovely town built around a lake. Upon arrival in Kengtung we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we leave Kengtung in the Southern direction and ride one more time through beautiful mountains on a good and relatively fast road towards the city of Tachilek on the Burmese-Thai border. On the way, we will have to twice pass police and immigration checkpoints before we reach busy Tachilek. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation at Shwe Buu Thee Hotel in Tachilek

Day 19. Tachilek – Chiang Mai (250 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Our day begins with the border formalities as we exit Myanmar and enter back into Thailand. Then, we continue on a very good but busy road towards Chiang Rai. Right after passing Chiang Rai, we will visit Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary purely white temple with a startling design. Inside the temple, you will find astonishing paintings (they even include George Bush and Keanu Reeves) that “show an escape from the defilements of temptation to reach a supramundane state” – sic Wikipedia). The artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat also created the mural paintings at the Buddha Prateep Temple in London. Afterward, we continue towards Chiang Mai and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. Farewell-Dinner at a popular restaurant. Accommodation at Amora Hotel Chiang Mai

Day 20. Chiang Mai, Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) or stay and explore Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.

VISA THAILAND
Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Thailand for a stay that does not exceed 30 days. However, it is important to note that Thailand’s immigration regulations require that passports must remain valid at least six months beyond visitors’ intended length of stay in Thailand.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Thai Immigration authorities only grant a visa-free stay of a maximum of 15 days in Thailand if tourists enter the country overland (from Myanmar) rather than through an international airport. Hence, after returning overland from Myanmar, you will only be allowed a maximum visa-free stay of 15 days in Thailand.

VISA FOR BURMA / MYANMAR
First of all, please note that today it is irrelevant whether you refer to Burma or Myanmar.
To facilitate the issuance of visas through a Burmese Embassy or Permanent Mission, it is best if persons with pre-booked travel arrangements submit along with their visa application a so-called “Visa Confirmation Letter” from the tour operator in Yangon responsible for the tour arrangements. We shall obtain the visa confirmation letter and forward it to you. The confirmation letter implies that the tour operator is responsible for you during your entire stay in Myanmar and eliminates further questioning by the Myanmar Embassy.
Please note that Myanmar Embassies generally do not consider the exact travel dates but simply stamp visas valid for 3 months and entitling the holder to 1 single entry into Myanmar within these 3 months. Therefore, we will forward to you the visa confirmation letter approximately 1 ½ months before the start of the tour to ensure that the validity of your visa will extend beyond the length of your stay in Myanmar. Once you have received your visa confirmation letter, you should contact the nearest Myanmar Embassy or Permanent Mission to obtain visas application forms, fill in the visa application forms in triplicate, attach one passport photo to each copy of the application form and enclose a printout copy of the visa confirmation letter with the application. Please refer to www.myanmar-evisa-online.com/myanmar-embassy for a list of all Myanmar Embassies, Permanent Missions, and Consulate Generals.

REGISTRATION / DEPOSIT
Due to the cumbersome logistics involved with obtaining all necessary permits and border formalities, we must impose the following conditions for registration of your participation in the tour:

• The deadline for the latest registrations is 30. September
• Confirmation of your participation in the tour will only be confirmed against the payment of a USD 1.500 deposit (down payment) of the total tour price
• First, come – first served: the date of receipt of your deposit (down payment) will determine whose participation will be confirmed first. We will not confirm participation in the tour before receipt of your deposit.

We shall guarantee the departure of the tour with a minimum of 6 bikers and shall limit the maximum size of the group to no more than 15 bikes.

With your registration for the tour, we also need the following personal data from you:

Family Name(s) – as per passport:
First Name(s) – as per passport:
Passport Number:
Nationality:
Date of Birth:
Passport Issue Date:
Passport Issue Place:
Passport Expiry Date:

Please note that to participate in this tour, you must have a valid international driver’s license for motorcycles over 500cc.

We strongly recommend that you purchase individualized travel and/or medical insurance from any insurance company in your home market to prevent having to incur any unexpected medical or travel expenses.

INSURANCE – THAILAND
The motorcycles carry compulsory third-party insurance according to Thai law but do not carry full comprehensive insurance as this is not available in Thailand for rental motorcycles. The tour participant, therefore, carries the maximum risk of USD 6,000 THB in case of total damage to his/her motorcycle.
The participant is not liable for technical failure in the case of engine or gearbox problems nor for wear and tear.

INSURANCE – MYANMAR
The motorcycles only carry compulsory third-party insurance for Thailand – not for Myanmar as our Thai insurance company’s coverage does not extend beyond Thailand. Consequently, the participant carries full risk in case of an accident, regardless of whether the accident is caused by the tour participant or by a

Additional information

Pick Up Time

1 Hour Before Activity Starts
Activity Location

Thailand & Myanmar
Activity Start Time

08:30
Activity Finish Time

17:30
Drop Off Time

1 Hour After Activity Finish
Notes

Transport Times Confirmed in Email

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