The Mountains of the Golden Triangle

It is our short format: 7 days with 5 days of riding, a loop of about 510 miles (820 km) from Chiang Mai through Chiang Dao, Tha Ton, the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai. It suits you if your holiday is short. On the Edge of Siam Kingdom also takes in the Golden Triangle, but over 12 days, adding Doi Inthanon, Mae Hong Son, Pai and Nan. Beyond the Mekong crosses into Laos, on more demanding roads.

The tour is rated Intermediate: you should ride regularly, as the mountain roads are a string of hairpins climbing to around 2,000 m at Doi Angkhang. Most stages follow small paved back roads; the itinerary mentions a short stretch of dirt track on the last riding day, before lunch. Traffic drives on the left. Some stages are a long way from medical help: the support vehicle follows the group.

Between 68 and 149 miles (110 and 240 km) a stage, about 510 miles (820 km) over the 5 riding days. The shortest, from the Golden Triangle to Chiang Rai, arrives in time for lunch and leaves the afternoon for the White Temple or Baan Dam. The longest brings the group back to Chiang Mai via Phayao and its lake, with a busy run into the city that calls for extra care.

A Royal Enfield, checked every day by our mechanic; your travel advisor will tell you which model your departure uses. Riding two-up works well here, at £1,390 (€1,530) per pillion: your luggage travels in the support vehicle and the days stay a reasonable length, which makes it an easy week for two. If your height makes you hesitate, either way, talk to your travel advisor before booking.

On riding days, an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader rides at the front of a group of no more than 10 motorcycles, or 12 participants with pillions. An experienced mechanic and a driver bring up the rear in the support vehicle, which carries your bags and the spare parts. Our team in France can be reached around the clock in an emergency.

£1,690 (€1,890) per rider and £1,390 (€1,530) per pillion. The price covers your Royal Enfield and its fuel, the team, the support vehicle, hotel nights, airport transfers, and breakfast and lunch on riding days. On top, allow for your flights, the international driving permit, dinners, lunch on the first and last days, drinks other than water, tea and coffee, temple entry fees, tips and a €600 deposit per motorcycle. The £31 (€35) registration fee is charged on your first trip with us only.

The season runs from October to February, the dry season in the north, outside the monsoon. Next published departures: 28 October to 3 November 2026 and 9 to 15 January 2027, both full, then 8 to 14 January 2028. Other dates are possible on request to your travel advisor. Days are mild, but mornings are chilly at altitude around Doi Angkhang and Doi Mae Salong: keep a warm layer within reach.

The tour starts and ends in Chiang Mai. You book your flights to its airport, often via Bangkok; on day 1, our team meets you there and drives you to your hotel in the centre. The rest of the day is free for Wat Chedi Luang and the night market. On day 7, depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours in town before the transfer to the airport.

In standard hotels in Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao, and comfort hotels in Tha Ton, the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai. The support vehicle carries your belongings from one stop to the next: a soft holdall fits better than a hard suitcase. Add a warm layer for mountain mornings and clothes covering shoulders and knees for the temples.

A passport with at least 6 months left after you arrive, your full motorcycle licence and the 1968 international driving permit: the FCDO says UK licence holders must carry both, and the permit can only be bought in the UK. Before landing, complete the digital arrival card online. The FCDO currently allows UK tourists up to 30 days without a visa; other nationalities should check their own rules. See the GOV.UK advice for Thailand and our required documents.