Bangkok to Phuket

Thailand's southern peninsula is long, and any motorcycle tour that reaches Phuket from Bangkok and returns in a week has to be honest about what that means. Ride in Asia is: the itinerary is 1,879 kilometres over seven riding days, with a 474 kilometre leg on day three and a 385 kilometre leg on day six. The opening day is a modest 182 kilometres to Phetchaburi, with stops at the Mahachai seafood market, one of the largest in the country, and the Ao Mahachai Mangrove Forest Study Centre before a break at Models Beach. Day two covers 267 kilometres to Prachuap Khiri Khan, taking in the Venezia complex at Hua Hin, Pran Buri Forest Park and the Red Cliffs. Day three is the long one at 474 kilometres, crossing the narrowest part of the peninsula to Phang Nga with stops at the Nong Yai wooden bridge and the rock formations at Hin Pad. Day four is the reward: only 82 kilometres, ending at Kamala Beach on Phuket after visits to Baan Teelanka, the upside-down house, and the Rock Beach Swing. The return runs up the Andaman coast. Day five is 290 kilometres to Ranong with the Rattanarangsan Palace, a wooden building on a hill filled with bronze statues of local life, and the Chao Muang Ranong cemetery. Day six is 385 kilometres across to Hua Hin by way of the Wat Thang Sai temple complex with its golden Buddha and demon statues, and an hour and a half at the Cicada Market. Day seven is 199 kilometres home, with the hilltop palace at Phra Nakhon Khiri and the Tha Kha floating market, arriving at the office around ten past five. Guided pricing covers the motorcycle, guide, third party insurance, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, fuel, gear, GPS and padlock. Lunches, entrance fees and personal insurance are extra, as are the optional pick-up support truck, roadside assistance, BMW 1200 upgrade and airport transfers. Riders must be over 18 with an international motorcycle licence and a valid Thai visa.

Seven days, six nights and 1,879 kilometres down the whole length of peninsular Thailand and back, from the Bangkok office to Kamala Beach on Phuket by way of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phang Nga, returning up the Andaman side through Ranong and across to Hua Hin. This is the biggest tour in the Ride in Asia range and the daily distances show it: two days exceed 380 kilometres and the third day out is 474. In exchange the route takes in mangroves, red cliffs, wooden bridges, limestone formations, the Rattanarangsan Palace at Ranong, the Cicada Market at Hua Hin and the Tha Kha floating market on the run home. Guided, it costs 96,600 baht per rider; self-guided is 59,100 and a pillion seat is 25,700.