Golden Triangle Loop

If the Mae Hong Son loop is the technical week, this is the scenic one. Thai Motorcycle Tours is explicit about the difference: the Golden Triangle route is less arduous, for riders who would rather not spend every mid-week day wrestling switchbacks, and it trades some of that riding for border crossings, river trips and a wider spread of sights. The week opens with a Saturday arrival, bike allocation, welcome dinner and a night out, then a Sunday of safety induction and a day ride the group chooses. Monday is the biggest day at 245 kilometres, with an elephant camp and the largest cave system in Thailand. Tuesday drops to 167 kilometres and adds a boat ride, a hillside of seven temples, a Chinese village and an optional trip to a palace and gardens. Wednesday is the shortest at 152 kilometres and the most eventful: a trip into Myanmar, a visit to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge, and a souped-up longtail speedboat across to Laos. Thursday is left deliberately flexible, published as anywhere from 250 kilometres upward depending on the group, with the opium museum, temple ruins and the tulip fields when they are flowering. Friday runs 273 kilometres back to Chiang Mai past waterfalls and hot springs. Saturday is departure. The route follows the Myanmar border for much of its length, through lakes and mountain roads, and takes in the mighty Mekong, national parks, gardens and the Three Tribes Village of Akha, Karen long neck and Lahu communities. Groups usually run from five to fifteen riders with a maximum of twenty. Everything is bundled into the price: twin-share accommodation, all meals, fuel, the motorcycle and its maintenance, sightseeing and entrance fees, airport transfers, an English and Thai speaking guide, VAT and service charge. Riders provide their own travel and riding insurance and cover airfares, visas and personal expenses. Bikes range from a Honda CL300 or Rebel up through the CB500X, CB650R and Hornet to a Yamaha MT-07, Royal Enfield 350 or Suzuki V-Strom 650.

The operator's easier week, described on its own site as Scenic Riding Heaven and built for riders who want less arduous mid-week days than the Mae Hong Son loop demands. The route runs Chiang Mai, Tha Ton, Mae Sai, the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai, following the Myanmar border through lakes and mountain roads, with short crossings into Myanmar and Laos and a longtail speedboat on the Mekong. Attractions listed along the way include the largest cave system in Thailand, an elephant camp, a hillside of seven temples, the Three Tribes Village, the opium museum, temple ruins and tulip fields when they are in season. The week follows the standard shape: Saturday arrival, Sunday induction and group ride, Monday to Friday on the loop, Saturday departure. Published price is 64,189 baht per person all-inclusive.