Beyond the Mekong

It is our only tour that crosses into Laos: 12 days with 10 days of riding, a loop of about 1,094 miles (1,760 km) from Chiang Mai, with a day in Luang Prabang, a night at the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury and a full day of off-road riding. It is rated Sustained. On the Edge of Siam Kingdom also lasts 12 days, rated Intermediate, without leaving Thailand. The Mountains of the Golden Triangle keeps the heart of it in 7 days.

The tour is rated Sustained: long stages, Laotian roads that are sometimes in poor condition and dirt tracks that can be rough. You need to ride regularly and be in good shape; some off-road experience helps a lot. The off-road riding is all in Laos: the end of the Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang stage, then the whole day from Pakbeng to Chiang Khong, through the jungle. In the rain, these sections get much harder.

About 109 miles (176 km) per riding day on average, from 43 to 186 miles (70 to 300 km). The longest stage opens the tour, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong via the White Temple, on fast, flowing roads. The shortest one stays in Luang Prabang, between the royal palace and Wat Xieng Thong. Some stages are far from medical help and phone coverage is limited: the support vehicle follows the group.

Both: on the left in Thailand, on the right in Laos. We switch sides at the Chiang Khong border crossing on the Mekong, on day 3 on the way out and on day 9 on the way back. The motorcycles cross the border with the group. The first miles after each crossing call for extra care, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, at ease on dirt tracks and serviced every day by our mechanic. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. Riding two-up, at £2,690 (€2,990) per pillion, is only possible with off-road experience: the day from Pakbeng to Chiang Khong is tough with two on board. To ride two-up without this condition, look at our Northern Thailand tours.

On riding days, your English-speaking motorcycle tour leader opens the road, followed by an experienced mechanic and a support vehicle driver, who carry the bags and spare parts. We take 10 motorcycles at most, so 12 participants including pillions. In an emergency, our team in France can be reached day and night.

£3,290 (€3,690) per rider and £2,690 (€2,990) per pillion. Included: your motorcycle and its fuel, the team, the hotels, airport transfers and half board (breakfast and lunch on riding days, water, tea and coffee). Not included: flights, the Laos visa, the International Driving Permit, dinners, drinks, temple and site entrance fees, tips and a €600 deposit per motorcycle. The £31 (€35) registration fee applies to your first trip with us only.

From October to April, in the dry season, outside the monsoon. Next departures: 27 October and 10 November 2026; 19 January, 2 March, 2 April (full), 9 November and 7 December 2027; then 31 January 2028. Valleys are hot, around 30 °C, but mornings are cool in the mountains: pack a warm layer and rain gear.

You book your own flights to Chiang Mai, often via Bangkok. On day 1, our local guide meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel; you meet the tour leader and your motorcycle the next morning. On day 12, your airport transfer is timed to your flight. We stay in standard to comfort hotels and guesthouses. Your bags travel in the support vehicle: a soft holdall works best.

A passport valid for more than 6 months after entry, your full motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit: the FCDO says UK licence holders need the 1968 permit in Thailand. Fill in the TDAC digital arrival card online within 3 days before landing in Thailand. Laos requires a tourist visa: the eVisa, applied for online, is accepted at our border crossing. E-cigarettes are banned in both countries. See the GOV.UK advice for Thailand and Laos, or your own government’s, and our list of required documents.