The Mae Hong Son Loop
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The operator's Tour A, an eight-day week built around the Mae Hong Son loop with a Saturday arrival at each end. Riders land, collect their bikes and eat together on day one, run a safety induction and a group-chosen day ride on the Sunday, then spend Monday to Friday on the loop itself through Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang and Doi Inthanon. Riding days are moderate at 155 to 233 kilometres, which leaves room for waterfalls, hot springs, a geyser, cave rafting, Karen long neck villages, temple gardens and a boathouse lunch on the lake. The company quotes 1,984 bends on the way out and 2,070 on the return, courtesy of the Thai Highways Agency. The published price is 64,189 baht per person all-inclusive, with discounts of up to 25 per cent for groups above five riders.
