Thailand & Laos: Along 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 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. Northern Thailand Getaway also lasts 12 days, rated Intermediate, without leaving Thailand. The Best of Northern Thailand keeps the heart of it in 7 days.

The tour is rated Sustained: long stages, Laotian roads that are sometimes in rough shape and dirt tracks that can be bumpy. You need to ride regularly and be in good physical 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 per riding day on average, from 43 to 186 miles. The longest stage opens the tour, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong by way of 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 cell 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 heading out and on day 9 heading back. The motorcycles cross the border with the group. The first miles after each crossing call for extra care, especially at intersections and traffic circles.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, at ease on dirt tracks and serviced every day by our mechanic. If your height gives you second thoughts, talk to your travel advisor before you book. Riding two-up, at $3,490 per passenger, 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 passengers. In an emergency, our team in France can be reached around the clock.

$4,290 per rider and $3,490 per passenger. Included: your motorcycle and its gas, 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 $708 deposit per motorcycle. The $41 registration fee applies to your first trip with us only.

From October to April, in the dry season, outside the monsoon. Next departures: October 27 and November 10, 2026; January 19, March 2, April 2 (full), November 9 and December 7, 2027; then January 31, 2028. Valleys are hot, around 86 °F, but mornings are cool in the mountains: pack a warm layer and rain gear.

You book your own flights to Chiang Mai, usually with a connection in Bangkok. On day 1, our local guide meets you at the airport and drives 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 ride in the support vehicle: a soft duffel bag works best.

A passport valid for more than 6 months after entry, your motorcycle license and an International Driving Permit, available from AAA. Complete the TDAC digital arrival card online within 3 days before you land 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. Check the State Department pages for Thailand and Laos and our list of required documents.