Kings of the Mekong Tour
from 120,000 (THB)
per personJoin Mid Life Adventures for a spectacular ride out of Chiang Mai heading north on Thailand’s famous Highway 1155, crossing into Laos where we spend the next 8 days exploring this beautiful country, its environs, architecture, culinary offering, remote villages, historical hot spots and even the purpose built Casino town on the Chinese boarder at Boten.
This is the ideal ‘riders ride’ on current 650cc Kawasaki motorcycles with the option to upgrade to BMW GS800.
Limited to 10 riders so be quick to secure your position on this adventure.
A Once-In-a-Lifetime-Trip!
This tour starts and ends in the beautiful area of Chiang Mai ‘THE ROSE OF THE NORTH ́ with its breathtaking scenery, 800 km north of Bangkok.
This tour provides an outstanding opportunity to obtain a thorough impression of the uniqueness of North Thailand and unseen Laos. We will explore small, almost hidden routes that are unknown to many.
Laos is a country as yet untouched by modern demands. Its beauty lies in the stress-free, peaceful life of the Lao people, lush, pristine landscape, century-old traditions & heritage. The magical, lush and extremely colorful Laos offers motorcycle touring at its best: charming villages, exotic cultures, warm people, spectacular scenery and mostly good tarmac roads.
Lots of sightseeing and unforgettable memories as you pass through amazing natural, historical, traditional and cultural attractions.
Please be informed, that only experienced riders are able to join this tour.
Tour at a Glance
Period
24th February – 06th March 2019
Duration
12 Days 11 Nights
Riding Days
11 Days
Accomodation
Hotel
Motorbike
Current 650cc Kawasaki or upgrade to BMW GS800
Level of Difficulty
Easy
Fitness level
Moderate
Average Daily Distance
300 km
Total Distance
2,280 km
Cost
from 120,000 (THB) (Airfare not included)
Highlights
Licence
Yes, you need a Licence to go on this adventure. Also you need a valid License to obtain travel insurance.
Testimonial from our Last Tour
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DepartureChiang Mai
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Departure Time24th February – 06th March 2019
DAY 1. Chiang Mai, Arrival
Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal). Welcome Dinner with the tour crew.
Hotel: Banthai Village (Chiang Mai)
Hotel GPS: 18.787192, 98.997904
Hotel Phone: +66 (0) 53 252 789
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/9rW736qAnv12
DAY 2. Chiang Mai – Chiang Khong (345 kms.)
Familiarize yourself with the bike while heading north of Chiang Mai. You will ride on the windy mountain road to Mae Kachan hot spring and Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. Continue on true biker paradise roads until you reach the famous road No. 1155, along with the border with Laos.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Ride the exhilarating, mountainous roads to Chiang Khong, 60 kilometers of up and down curves through the impressive mountains providing you with pure riding pleasure.
Overnight in Chiang Khong, directly at the Mekong River, the 10th longest river all over the world.
Hotel: Fortune Riverview Hotel
Hotel GPS: 20.258125, 100.409325
Hotel Phone: +66 (0) 52 050 089
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/hx9Boj9TDWN2
DAY 3. Chiang Khong - Huay Xai – Luang Namtha (187 kms.)
In the morning cross the border to Laos. Thankfully the wait will be only about two hours, with all the documents filled out and paperwork ready to go (motorcycle and service vehicle registration, customs and insurance papers). Visa on arrival is possible and the easiest way to cross into Laos (1,200 THB Visa fee). Get familiarised with riding on the right side of the road. Continues the ride through 2 National Parks until we reach Luang Namtha.
Overnight in the middle of nowhere in this beautiful and authentic Laos town.
Hotel: Zuela Guesthouse
Hotel GPS: 21.002820, 101.409002
Hotel Phone: +856 (0) 20 22 063 888
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/cviHb7WsXj32
DAY 4. Luang Namtha – Chinese Border (Boten) – Oudomxai – Pak Mong – Luang Prabang (348 kms.)
A bit earlier start since we are riding through Northern Laos and want to reach the Chinese border at Boten, a purpose-built ‘Casino Town’ to serve the Chinese fondness for gambling. Explore the border area and maybe go shopping in the Duty-Free. Continue cruising along winding roads until we reach unseen Oudomxai where we will have lunch. Ride along the impressive mountainous road and follow this stunning mountain road to Pakmong, brand new stunning road trough Laos highest mountains. Then continue cruising along beautiful farming areas until we reach Luang Prabang where you relax at the charming accommodation again directly at the majestic Mekong River.
Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel
Hotel GPS: 19.894689, 102.137664
Hotel Phone: +856 (0) 71 253 555
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vcx1cFFbRAN2
DAY 5. Rest day in Luang Prabang
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.
Optional visit the world famous “Kuang Si waterfall”. These falls begin in shallow pools high up on the mountain. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. Relax and have lunch at the falls.
(Laundry service available)
Hotel: Mekong Sunset View Hotel
Hotel GPS: 19.894689, 102.137664
Hotel Phone: +856 (0) 71 253 555
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/us8ypwDkQgz
DAY 6. Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng (187 kms.) (01. MAR)
After breakfast, we leave Luang Prabang for pure adventure riding through a limestone karst landscape. The roads begin to deteriorate; however, the stunning mountain scenery makes for interesting riding. Then relax for lunch at local restaurant at the peak of a mountain with a great view. Continue riding the impressive mountainous roads until we reach Vang Vieng. Cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village to explore the local lifestyle.
Then relax at the peaceful accommodation.
Hotel: Silver Naga
Hotel GPS: 18.923804, 102.446215
Hotel Phone: +856 (0) 23 511 822
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/WES6YtpugGS2
DAY 7. Vang Vieng - Vientiane (199 kms.)
After breakfast, leaving Vang Vieng to the Capital of Laos “Vientiane”. Ride along fantastic mountainous roads to visit Nam Ngum dam. The largest dam in Laos with deep blue waters same the ocean. Lunch is served at a local restaurant at the dam. Then we cruise along the highway through farming areas to Vientiane. Visit Patuxai monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Visit the oldest Pha That Luang, ths pagoda according to the Lao people was originally built as a Hindu temple in the 3rd century.
Then we arrive and relax at the charming accommodation.
Hotel: Vientiane Garden
Hotel GPS: 17.968418, 102.600537
Hotel Phone: +856 (0) 21 241 964
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/8e3x4G9Pc312
DAY 8. Vientiane - Chiang Khan (219 kms.)
After breakfast, leaving Vientiane, we cross the border back to Thailand. Remember to ride back on the left side of the road. We cruise along the Mekong river on the curvy road to visit Mount Pha Tak Suea. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Then continue cruising along the Mekong river road to your lovely accommodation in Chiang Khan, the lovely old wooden houses, shops, and hotel in colonial styles town.
Overnight in a lovely Homestay directly at the Mekong River.
Hotel: Homestay
Hotel GPS: 17.894283, 101.652290
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/faYQbAznbEx
DAY 9. Chiang Khan – Khao Kho (278 kms.)
Before breakfast, very early in the morning, you have a chance to offer food to monks along the streets of Chiang Khan local market. After breakfast, we ride along curvy roads to discover Khao Kho, Thailand́s “little Switzerland”. Visit Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, “the ceramic and celadon temple” before we reach Khao Kho. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Khao Kho is a district over 1,000 meters above sea level: Often misty with a 360-degree panoramic view and refreshing weather the entire year (18 – 25 Celsius degree). Later you will enjoy and relax in your peaceful accommodation.
Hotel: The Imperial Phukaew Hill Resort
Hotel GPS: 16.784008, 101.010163
Hotel Phone: +66 (0) 56 750 056
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rTXQQFmsbnE2
DAY 10. Khao Kho – Phrae (311 kms.)
After breakfast, we visit Khao Kho Memorial Sacrifice monument and weapons museum. Between 1965 – 1984, this mountain area was the battle field of the Thai Communist Party and the Thai Royal Army. Then we continue uphill, cruising to Phu Ta Boek National Park: “The Shangri-La of Thailand”.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Continue along winding roads until we reach unseen Phrae, where you can relax at the beautiful accommodation with swimming pool.
Hotel: Phoomthai Garden Hotel
Hotel GPS: 18.135240, 100.141335
Hotel Phone: +66 (0) 54 627 359
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/E2K5GAbGfU82
DAY 11. Phrae– Chiang Mai (206 kms.)
After breakfast, we leave Phrae cruising along the highway to Den Chai, visit a large reclining Buddha. Then we ride through winding mountainous roads to Lampang. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Visit the Thai elephant conservation centre and world ́s first elephant hospital. Continue riding, passing through national parks and farming areas.
Visit a local market, stopping for refreshment, before heading back to Chiang Mai.
Hotel: Banthai Village (Chiang Mai)
Hotel GPS: 18.787192, 98.997904
Hotel Phone: +66 (0) 53 252 789
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PYb1bqUiU922
DAY 12. Departure from Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and leave for Chiang Mai airport and fly back to your final destination.
Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal).
TOUR ENDS.