A Once-In-a-Lifetime-Trip! You will discover 5 exotic countries in 20 days:
Thailand / Burma / Laos / China / Tibet This tour starts and ends in the beautiful area of Chiang Mai with its breathtaking scenery, 800 km north of Bangkok.
The tour provides an outstanding opportunity to obtain a thorough impression of the uniqueness of Northern Thailand & Laos and Yunnan province in China including the autonomous province of Tibet via Shangri-La. We will explore small, almost hidden routes that are unknown to many.
Please be informed, that you need a visa before you can cross the border into China. You should contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country first. For Myanmar (former Burma) at the Mae Sai border and also for Laos is Visa on arrival is possible, the same as it is in Thailand. For more Visa information, please click the “INFO” tab.
Please be informed that this 20-DAY TOUR does include the arrival and the departure day, it means that we will be actual for 18 days on the road. The hotel on the arrival and departure day, of course, includes the tour price. We run this tour only twice a year. Places are limited and in high demand. Please have a look at our tour dates section for further information. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Amora Hotel Tapae, Chiang Mai (Thailand) | |||||||||||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | The tour will start at 8.30 am the day after the arrival day. | |||||||||||||
| RETURN TIME | The tour will finish after breakfast at the hotel on departure day. | |||||||||||||
| GEAR | We recommend bringing your gear to be the most comfortable. BUT we also offer helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards (European high-quality brands in many different sizes). Please be informed, that we do not offer boots and trousers due to hygienic reasons. |
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Please be informed, that our tours are all-inclusive. So you can completely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and amazing Thailand, unseen Laos & incredible Tibet. There are no hidden costs or other surprises – our tour prices are final. All is paid. Come ride with us – the real deal!
THAILAND – (MYANMAR) – LAOS – CHINA – SHANGRI-LA (TIBET) – CHINA – LAOS – THAILAND
(Distance: about 4.600 km / 2.860 miles)
Day 1. Chiang Mai, Arrival
Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) from Bangkok. Your guide will await you outside the customs hall and transfer you to Amora Tapae Hotel, located in the center and old city of Chiang Mai. Dinner with the tour crew and accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Amora Tapae Hotel
Day 2. Chiang Mai – Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) 247 km
We take the highway, heading north of Chiang Mai. Discover Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple near Chiang Rai. Continue along winding roads to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, Mae Sai at the Burma border. Cross into Burma (let the motorcycle at the border) and explore Tachilek in Burma and its attractions. (Visa on arrival). Spend the night in Mae Sai (Thailand).
Hotel: Green View Palace, Mae Sai
Day 3. Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) – Luang Namtha (Laos) 280 km
Heading east to the Golden Triangle – the area where Burma, Laos, and Thailand meet at the mighty Mekong River. Follow the river to the port town of Chiang Khong – the gateway to Laos and China. Crossing the Mekong on the new Friendship bridge into Laos (Visa on arrival) and after completing the immigration process ride to Luang Namtha. Sleep in charming Luang Namtha near the famous night market.
Hotel: Dokchampa Hotel, Luang Namtha
Day 4. Luang Namtha (Laos) – Jing Hong (China) 237 km
A bit earlier start since we are riding through Laos and crossing into China. We enter China at Boten, a purpose-built ‘Casino Town’ to serve the Chinese fondness for gambling. We try to arrive at Boten early morning and do the formalities to exit Laos. Afterward, we ride for a few hundred meters to the Chinese Immigration Building where our Chinese guide is waiting for us. After completing the immigration process we ride 45 km to Mengla, where we get our driver’s licenses and temporary plates at the police station, quite an experience. After that, we will ride to Jing Hong. Arrive in Jing Hong overnight. Dinner by the Mekong river at a local restaurant. Visit the night market near the Mekong river and get our first glimpse of China.
Hotel: Doudo Meilan Fengqing Inn
Day 5. Jing Hong – Shuangjiang (China) 327 km
Mostly riding today, but with stunning scenery. We will cross many times the Mekong River. Ride to Menghai, visit tea plantations and continue to Shuangjiang Lahu Minority town. Overnight in unseen Shuangjiang.
Hotel: Shuangjiang Huayao Hotel
Day 6. Shuangjiang – Dali (China) 388 km
Ride to Dali old city via Lin Cang and Weishan Countries. Visit the very charming old town of Weishan; 1,5 hours before reaching Dali. The old town is one of the hidden gems of Yunnan and not so touristic. Dali has a long time been a crossroad for trades and culture. Until today, this walled city is well preserved, buzzing with shops, restaurants, and bars. Time to wander around the streets and explore…
Hotel: Dali Vienna Hotel
Day 7. Dali (China) (Rest Day)
A day of leisure. Dali Town is another division of Dali City, located 10 km (6.2 mi) to the north of Xiaguan. This town, commonly referred to as Dali Old Town to distinguish it from the city seat in Xiaguan, is usually the Dali referred to in tourist publications. The old town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan, known for its natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife.
Optional can visit the famous Three Pagodas. The Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple are an ensemble of three independent pagodas arranged on the corners of an equilateral triangle, near the old town of Dali, dating from the time of the Kingdom of Nanzhao and Kingdom of Dali in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Three Pagodas are made of brick and covered with white mud. As its name implies, the Three Pagodas comprise three independent pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. The elegant, balanced, and stately style is unique in China’s ancient Buddhist architecture, which makes it a must-see in the tour of Dali. The Three Pagodas, visible from miles away, have been a landmark of Dali City and selected as a national treasure meriting preservation in China.
Hotel: Dali Vienna Hotel
Day 8. Dali – Lijiang (China) 198 km
After check out we visit the nearby Three Pagodas of Shong Sheng temple. Afterward, we ride up into the Cangshan mountain range and visit a Kung Fu temple, where until today monks live, pray and practice Kung Fu. From the road to the temple, we have fantastic views of the Erhai lake and the Dali valley. Later in the day, we take the old road to Lijiang, where we stay in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lijiang’s charming Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, canals, and stone bridges that date from the Ming Dynasty. In the afternoon visit Lijiang old town (old town walk 1,5 hours). The earlier the better since fewer tourists will be around… 😉 You are free to explore this ancient city at your leisure. Lijiang is a ‘shop till you drop’ type place and all sorts of interesting items are for sale. Optional late afternoon/evening impression Lijiang show near the old town. This is a spectacular show!
Hotel: Lijiang Palace Hotel
Day 9. Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Shangri-La (China) 262 km
From Lijiang, we cross a small mountain range and arrive soon at the Yangtze River. (Third longest river in the world). We cross the Yangtze and ride into the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Short break at the attraction platform where we will walk down the wooden stairs closer to the river (45 min. breaks). Leave for Tiger Leaping Gorge, the highlight of motorcycle riding. This fantastic road follows the Yangtse River and is the third-deepest gorge in the world. Lunch in the gorge at a guest house restaurant. After lunch, we cross the gorge and take the old road to the Tibetan town of Shangri-La. You will notice the change of altitude and minorities we encounter as we ride to the plateau.
Hotel: Compass Hotel, Shangri-La
Day 10. Shangri-La – Deqen – Cizhong (Tibet) 306 km
After breakfast visit Sonzanlin Tibetan Monastery, this grand Tibetan Lamasery hosts 600 monks and is still practicing Tibetan Buddhism. Then From Shangri-La, we take the G214 up north to the Tibetan town of Degen (3.400 meters) some 70 kilometers south of the Tibetan border (T.A.R.). On the way to Deqen, we cross the 4.300-meter high pass of the White Horse. A little further north of Deqen, in the small town of Feilai Si (Flying Temple), we will access a panorama platform that offers stunning views on the mighty Mount Kawa Karpo – a stunning 6.700 meters high and holy mountain. The mountain is the third holiest to all Tibetans featuring a triangle-shaped snow-covered peak. Mount Kawa Karpo is one of the highest peaks in the Eastern Himalayas. We will ride along the Lancang Jiang (Upper Mekong River) to Cizhong Village. Spend a night in a fine Tibetan guesthouse in Cizhong.
Hotel: Cizhong Najizhaxi Guesthouse
Day 11. Cizhong – Weixi – Shaxi (Tibet/China) 432 km
From Cizhong we head south and lose quickly altitude. Soon we reach the shores of the Mekong river at 2.200-meter altitude, which we follow to Weixi. The area is called the three rivers valley since the three mightiest rivers of Asia almost meet here (the Mekong, Yangtze, and Nujiang). After a light lunch in Weixi, we ride to Shaxi village in the afternoon. Shaxi is considered to be the most intact caravan town remaining on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Shaxi’s Siding Market Square has been listed by UNESCO on their World Monument Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Cultural Sites in the World. We will visit this tea horse caravan town, old houses.
Hotel: Shaxi Aoding Courtyarrd
Day 12. Shaxi – Chuxiong (China) 308 km
We backtrack out of Shaxi and ride on the highway towards Erhai Lake. Very scenic ride passing this beautiful lake and we turn south to Kunming and Chuxiong.
Hotel: Jianhua International Hotel
Day 13. Chuxiong – Shuangbai - Mojiang (China) 293 km
Take first the national and then the provincial road to Mojiang via Shuangbai, very good road conditions with beautiful scenery and winding mountain roads.
Hotel: Mijing Minority Hotel
Day 14. Mojiang - Mengla (China) 381 km
Mostly riding today on highways, but again with stunning scenery. Ride to Ning’er and get on the highway, we ride through Xiaomengyang nature reserve, one of the most beautiful highways in China. Arrive in Mengla overnight. Dinner near the hotel at a local restaurant. Farewell party in a Karaoke pub to enjoy our last night in China.
Hotel: Dai Yuan Inn
Day 15. Mengla - Boten - Oudomxay (China / Laos) 144 km
We will reach the border 1 hour after breakfast. Cross back into Laos. Follow the stunning mountain road to Oudomxay. Boten to Oudomxai – Brand new stunning road through Lao’s highest mountains to the amazing Oudomxay. Overnight in the middle of nowhere in this beautiful and authentic Laos town still in the highlands, one of the most beautiful spots in Laos.
Hotel: Charming Laos Hotel
Day 16. Oudomxay – Luang Prabang (Laos) 195 km
After breakfast, we ride to Luang Prabang (literally: “Royal Buddha Image”) where we will stay overnight. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. It had also been known by the ancient name of Chiang Thong. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The old town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main part of the city consists of four main roads on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits temple Wat Pousi.
Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel, Luang Prabang
Day 17. Luang Prabang (Laos) (Rest Day)
This town is gleaming with temple roofs, fading colonial architecture, and a stunning mountain backdrop. It has been claimed by UNESCO as, “the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. This is a leisure day or you can also visit the former Royal Palace which is now a national museum and an important Temple named “Wat Xieng Thong”. A visit to Luang Prabang would be not complete without climbing the 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for a beautiful sunset view of the Mekong river overlooking Luang Prabang with a 360-degree view. Before dinner directly at the Mekong River, we have to lift our motorcycles in the long tail boat.
(Laundry service available)
Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel, Luang Prabang
Day 18. Luang Prabang - Hongsa - Chiang Klang (Laos / Thailand) 200 km
Once-In-a-Lifetime-Experience: cross the Mekong River on a ferry. We take the bikes with us on a very old ferry. In the morning ride the new road to Hongsa. Later cross back into Thailand. Overnight in the little charming town in Chiang Klang still surrounded by the high beautiful mountains. Stunning scenery.
Hotel: Sangthong Resort
Day 19. Chiang Klang - Phayao – Chiang Mai (Thailand) 330 km
Ride the top 10 motorcycle roads in the world R1148 to Phayao lake (one of the biggest lakes in Thailand). Lunch at the lake. Riding back home on the stunning road R120. Continue riding on windy mountain roads to Tharntong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. Visit a local market, stopping for refreshment, before heading back to Chiang Mai.
Hotel: Amora Hotel, Chiang Mai (deluxe room)
Day 20. Chiang Mai, Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) or stay and explore Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.
VISA THAILAND
Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Thailand for a stay that does not exceed 30 days. However, it is important to note that Thailand’s immigration regulations require that passports must remain valid at least six months beyond visitors’ intended length of stay in Thailand.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Thai Immigration authorities only grant a visa-free stay of a maximum of 15 days in Thailand if tourists enter the country overland (from Burma) rather than through an international airport. Hence, after returning overland from Burma, you will only be allowed a maximum visa-free stay of 15 days in Thailand.
VISA FOR MYANMAR (former Burma) & LAOS
For Myanmar (former Burma) only at the Mae Sai border and also for Laos is Visa on arrival possible, same as it is in Thailand. The Visa fee for one day in Burma is about 15 US$ (500 THB) and for Laos about 30 US$ for 30 days (1.000 THB).
VISA FOR CHINA
First of all, please note that today it is irrelevant whether you refer to China.
To facilitate the issuance of visas through a Chinese Embassy or Permanent Mission, it is best if persons with pre-booked travel arrangements submit along with their visa application a so-called “Visa Confirmation Letter” from the tour operator in Bejing responsible for the tour arrangements. We shall obtain the visa confirmation letter and forward it to you. The confirmation letter implies that the tour operator is responsible for you during your entire stay in China and eliminates further questioning by the Chinese Embassy.
Please note that Chinese Embassies generally do not consider the exact travel dates but simply stamp visas valid for 3 months and entitling the holder to 1 single entry into China within these 3 months. Therefore, we will forward to you the visa confirmation letter approximately 1 ½ months before the start of the tour to ensure that the validity of your visa will extend beyond the length of your stay in China. Once you have received your visa confirmation letter, you should contact the nearest Chinese Embassy or Permanent Mission to obtain visas application forms, fill in the visa application forms in triplicate, attach one passport photo to each copy of the application form and enclose a printout copy of the visa confirmation letter with the application. Please refer to the list of diplomatic missions of China for a list of all Chinese Embassies, Permanent Missions, and Consulate Generals.
REGISTRATION / DEPOSIT
Due to the cumbersome logistics involved with obtaining all necessary permits and border formalities, we must impose the following conditions for registration of your participation in the tour:
• The deadline for the latest registrations is two months before the tour start
• Confirmation of your participation in the tour will only be confirmed against the payment of a 10% deposit (down payment) of the total tour price
• First come – first served: the date of receipt of your deposit (down payment) will determine whose participation will be confirmed first. We will not confirm participation in the tour before receipt of your deposit.
We shall guarantee the departure of the tour with a minimum of 4 bikers and shall limit the maximum size of the group to no more than 15 bikes.
With your registration for the tour, we also need the following personal data from you:
Family Name(s) – as per passport:
First Name(s) – as per passport:
Passport Number:
Nationality:
Date of Birth:
Passport Issue Date:
Passport Issue Place:
Passport Expiry Date:
Please note that to participate in this tour, you must have a valid international driver’s license for motorcycles over 500cc.
For inquiries or in case of any uncertainties, please contact us at info@bigbiketours.com
FULL PREPAYMENT
Because we shall have to fully prepay all suppliers far in advance, we require your full prepayment of the tour (minus the deposit) by the latest two months before the tour start.
CANCELLATION FEES
Please note that the following cancellation fees apply in the case that you are obliged to cancel the reservations for the tour at the last minute:
If cancellation is received: Fee (in % of the total tour price)
60 Days to 15 Days 30% of Tour cost
30 Days to 8 Days 50% of Tour cost
14 Days or less 100% of Tour cost
We strongly recommend that you purchase individualized travel and/or medical insurance from any insurance company in your home market to prevent having to incur any unexpected medical or travel expenses.
INSURANCE – THAILAND & LAOS
The motorcycles carry compulsory third-party insurance according to Thai law but do not carry full comprehensive insurance as this is not available in Thailand for rental motorcycles. The tour participant, therefore, carries the maximum risk of 175.000 THB in case of total damage to his/her motorcycle. The participant is not liable for technical failure in the case of engine or gearbox problems nor for wear and tear.
INSURANCE – CHINA
The motorcycles only carry compulsory third-party insurance for Thailand – not for Burma as our Thai insurance company’s coverage does not extend beyond Thailand. Consequently, the participant carries full risk in case of an accident, regardless of whether the accident is caused by the tour participant or by a third party. Please bear also in mind that in the case of an accident, the adversary will most likely not be carrying any insurance coverage at all. Hence, the tour participant carries the maximum risk of 175.000 THB in case of total damage to his/her motorcycle.
OPTIONAL
Against the surcharge of 9.000 THB, we offer limited comprehensive insurance cover with a maximum liability/participation of 35.000 THB (instead of 175.000 THB) for the participant in case of damage sustained to his/her motorcycle. For minor damage, we will collect the costs for repair at the end of the tour as it is easier to handle such minor cases on the spot. Tour participants who opt for fully comprehensive insurance cover will also have to deposit 35.000 THB in cash at the beginning of the tour.
It is also important to know that the participant is liable for damage caused to his/her motorcycle in the case of an accident caused by a third person. Third-party insurance in Thailand generally only covers bodily harm caused to the third party and does not cover damage caused to the vehicle of a third party.
THAILAND CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Visa, and Master Card are widely accepted in Thailand. Cash payments are only accepted in Thailand’s own currency (Thai Baht). It is easy to exchange major foreign currencies into Thai Baht as there are official money changers at most tourist places. ATMs can be found almost everywhere. Please do not bring Euro cheques as these can only be cashed at major banks.
LAOS CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Visa, and Master Card are widely accepted in Thailand. Cash payments are only accepted in Thailand’s own currency (Thai Baht). It is easy to exchange major foreign currencies into Thai Baht as there are official money changers at most tourist places. ATMs can be found almost everywhere. Please do not bring Euro cheques as these can only be cashed at major banks.
CHINA CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS
ATMs are not yet widespread in China, and only major hotels and sometimes upcountry accept the most common credit cards such as American Express and Visa. In many places, however, credit cards will not be accepted at all. Hence, it is useful to bring cash US Dollars, preferably also in small denominations as many shops upcountry cannot easily provide change for a 100-Dollar bill. You may also want to change some foreign currency into Chinese Renminbi (Yuan) as the Chinese only trade in their currency. When paying for something small with US Dollars, the change will most likely be rendered in the Chinese Renminbi (Yuan). This change, in turn, can be used again for buying a drink or for small tips, etc. Bringing traveler cheques is useless as only the Chinese Investment, and Commercial Bank (CICB) or the Chinese Foreign Trade Bank (CFTB) in Bejing would trade in these through cumbersome and time-consuming procedures. However, it is now possible to change US Dollars and even Euro into local currency at most airports and many other places. We recommend changing some Chinese Renminbi (Yuan) already in your home country.
Tour Highlights: Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple near Chiang Rai; Golden Triangle; Mekong River; Mountains of north Laos; old city of Weishan; World heritage town of Dali; Three Pagodas of Shong Sheng temple; World heritage town of Lijiang; Yangtze River, the third-longest river in the world; Tiger Leaping Gorge, the highlight of motorcycle riding and the third-deepest gorge in the world; Shangri-La; Unseen Tibet: Sonzanlin Tibetan Monastery and Feilai Si (Flying Temple); Kawa Karpo, stunning 6,700 meters high and holy mountain; homestay with Tibetan wine farmers; Shaxi’s Sideng Market Square (UNESCO World Monument); World heritage town of Luang Prabang; Mountains in Nan province; road R1148, ranked as one of the top 10 world`s best biking roads; Phayao lake (Kwan Phayao); Tan Tong waterfall; Mae Katchan Hot Spring and Geyser
Day 1. Chiang Mai, Arrival
Day 2. Chiang Mai – Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) 247 km
Day 3. Mae Sai (Golden Triangle) – Luang Namtha (Laos) 280 km
Day 4. Luang Namtha (Laos) – Jing Hong (China) 237 km
Day 5. Jing Hong – Shuangjiang (China) 327 km
Day 6. Shuangjiang – Dali (China) 388 km
Day 7. Dali (China) (Rest Day).
Day 8. Dali – Lijiang (China) 198 km
Day 9. Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Shangri-La (China) 262 km
Day 10. Shangri-La – Deqen – Cizhong (Tibet) 306 km
Day 11. Cizhong – Weixi – Shaxi (Tibet/China) 432 km
Day 12. Shaxi – Chuxiong (China) 308 km
Day 13. Chuxiong – Shuangbai – Mojiang (China) 293 km
Day 14. Mojiang – Mengla (China) 381 km
Day 15. Mengla – Boten – Oudomxay (China / Laos) 144 km
Day 16. Oudomxay – Luang Prabang (Laos) 195 km
Day 17. Luang Prabang (Laos) (Rest Day)
Day 18. Luang Prabang – Hongsa – Chiang Klang (Laos / Thailand) 200 km
Day 19. Chiang Klang – Phayao – Chiang Mai (Thailand) 330 km
Day 20. Chiang Mai, Departure
2023 Tour Dates
| 03. September – 22. September|
2024 Tour Dates
| 14. April – 03. May |
| 01. September – 20. September|
