Northern Thailand
Lan Na: Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields
Burma & Laos Mountainous Borders

Considered by many as the birthplace of the first true Thai dynasty, Northern Thailand is a region rich with ancient tradition and customs! This unique tour combines legendary Thai hospitality and cuisine, with THE BEST up-country motorcycling in South East Asia- Journeying from the remote mountain outposts along the Thai-Burmese border and into little known Nan Province's magnificent Doi Phu Kha National Park along the Laos border. Join Roadrunners Motorcycle Tours, now in our 18th year of operation, for this nostalgic ride into the past on a classic Royal Enfield, and the motorcycling experience of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Arrive Bangkok - Fly to Chiang Rai
Roadrunners staff will meet you at Chiang Rai airport. Transfer to our resot accommodations in Ban Thaton (1.2 hrs) a stones throw from the Burmese Border, where Roadrunners staff are waiting with motorcycles and equipment. Afternoon briefing followed by motorcycle assignment, orientation and a short "shakedown" ride along the border and into the surrounding countryside.

Day 2 - Mai Sai-Golden Triangle-Chiang Kong
After a hearty breakfast, we will start out on the backroads to our lunch stop at Mai Sai , the Northern Most Point in Thailand, right on the border with Burma. Optional after lunch walking tour into Tachilek on the Burmese side. Afternoon ride into the Golden Triangle with a stop at the new Opium Museum at Sop Ruak, and then on to our overnight accommodations on the banks of the Maekong River at Chiang Kong, with close up views right into Laos. Fishing grounds here are home to the giant Maekong catfish, which can reach weights of 300 kilos!

Day 3 - Chiang Kong - Song Kwai - Pua
Heading southeast along the Lao border, we will have an early "last stop" lunch at Chiang Kham , before turning off onto mountain Hwy.1148, arguably one of the best motorcycling roads in the world! Late afternoon arrival in remote Pua. Guest house accommodations.

Day 4 - Doi Phu Kha National Park - Nan
Home to rare prehistoric vegetation and beyond reach of most visitors , the mountains around Doi Phu Kha offer a tremendous 200+ km. adventurer out on the bikes, and has often been referred to as Thailand's Jurrasic Park. Late afternoon arrival into Nan, established in the mid 13th century, famous for its many colorful Buddhist Temples know as Wats. Overnight accommodations at the comfortable Devaraj Hotel. Walking tour with our Thai guide to famous Wat Phumin. Early evening free to explore the town, a swim in the new pool, or massage. Group dinner options inclide spicy Northeastern Thai (if you dare!) or at a favorite Italian restaurant! Yes, italian!

Day 5 - Nan - Phayao-Chiang Mai
We will get an early start this morning for our long (300km) ride to Chiang Mai through rural Phayao Province. Late afternoon arrival in Chiang Mai, with very nice accommodations at the new Amora Hotel on Thapae Gate. Evening free to explore the town, sample one of the many good restaurants, cruise and shop the excellent night market, or perhaps an evenings entertainment at the trendy Goodview Cafe.

Day 6 - Chiang Mai
Entire day to relax after the previous nights outing, and free again explore the town, check out one of the many Buddhist Wats nearby, bookshops, bars & restaurants, go carting, or just sit by the pool.

Day 7 - Nan - Mae Hong Son
Long ride today as tour continues southwest into Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak, with a thrilling straight down switchbacked decent to our lunch stop at Mae Chaem. Outstanding backroad motorcycling to Khun Yuam then up the mountain highway to our overnight accommodations in the enchanting little town of Mae Hong Son.

Day 8 - Mae Hong Son - Pai
Organized optional morning river boat trip to a Long Neck village settlement on the Burmese Border, followed by an Elephant Back Safari. Group lunch at another Roadrunners favorite, followed by afternoon's ride through the steep northwest corner of the country to the mountain town of Pai for overnight. Garden bungalow accommodations.Dinner, drinks & evening entertainment in town walking distance away.

Day 9 - Pai - Chiang Dao - Ban Thaton
The last leg of our tour starts out with some incredible mountain road riding, as the route from Pai snakes its way along the high wooded ridgetops before decending to Mae Malai where we will meet the main road and ride back into the mountains and our lunch stop at Chiang Dao. Late afternoon arrival back where we started at the our Resort in Ban Thaton.Group farewell drinks & dinner tonight!

Day 10 - Chiang Rai - Bangkok Flight
Morning transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for flights back to Bangkok or onward destinations.

What's Included
Airport transfers as necessary, all hotel accommodations , all breakfasts, Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc motorcycle equipped with crashbars & leather saddlebags, all petrol, staff motorcycle mechanic, and support vehicle with adequate space for seating & luggage. Pre-departure information pack including a Thailand Road Map & Roadrunners Tour T-shirt.

What's Not Included
International airfare to Bangkok, Thailand. Domestic airfare Bangkok-Chiang Rai-Bangkok. Visa fees, optional activity fees ie. elephant riding and boat trips, cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, laundry services, staff gratuities, & airport taxes.

Visa & Passport Requirements
For most nationalities, a free 30 day Thailand Visa is available upon arrival at Bangkok's new International Airport. If in doubt, please check with your local Thai Embassy before departure. A full passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond date of departure from Thailand is required.

Immunizations
Immunizations are necessary for travel to Thailand and Southeast Asia. Please consult with your GP/MD or local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.

Motorcycle Damage Deposit
A safety deposit of USD $1000. is required prior to motorcycle assignment and this can be secured via our websites by a simple credit card authorization only. No charges will appear on your card upon return of undamaged motorcycle. Please make all damage deposits within 15 days of tour departure date! Repairs of small accidental damage from bikes falling over & light spills are normally covered in the tour cost, but HRR reserves the right to appraise all damages/repair costs and bill accordingly

A Word of Caution
Motorcycling the mountainous areas of Northern Thailand is sureley one of the best ways to experience the regions rich cultural history, friendly people, and unequaled scenary. At the same time, motorcycling does have its dangers, especially on narrow mountain roads with sometimes unpredictable traffic & loose gravel. Some of the tours operated by North Siam Roadrunners Ltd are better termed "Motorcycle Expeditions", and should be undertaken by fit, experienced riders with an open mind for travel in this part of the world, changing conditions, and different rules of the road.

Sawat-dii ! Welcome to Thailand!

Airfare Arrangements

International airfares are not included in the price of the tours. It is the responsibility of the participant to make the necessary air travel arrangements to the tour departure city. Contact Roadrunners for the latest information on the best airfares available for your tour!

Insurance

All tour participants should have travel insurance providing coverage in the event of trip cancellation, lost baggage, and evacuation (such as helicopter rescue) in the event of an accident. Motorcycles provided by HRR are insured to local legal requirements for accident and liability.

Passports & Visas

Tour participants must hold a current passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the tour end date. For most nationals, Thailands Visa's are obtainable upon arrival at either Bangkok or Chiang Rai Airport.

Tour Reservations

A deposit of USD$500 is required to secure a position on one of tours. If sending this deposit by bank wire transfer, please ensure that wire transfer fees are included or this fee will be added to the tour balance invioce. Unpaid transfer fees must be settled prior to the tour departure date. Paypal is also an acceptable means to transfer tour deposits but again please ensure that the transfer fees are included! Upon receipt of your tour deposit, you will be notified by email. A TOUR BALANCE INVOICE will be sent usually 90 days prior to tour departure.

Driving License Requirements

Tour participants MUST hold a valid International Driving License endorsed for motorcycle operation and valid for the country of the tour. These can usually be obtained from your local Automobile Association for a small fee.

Medical Requirements

A thorough medical checkup is recommended before tour departure. Immunizations are necessary for travel to the Himalaya and South East Asia! Participants are advised to consult their nearest travel clinic or doctor/GP for the latest uptodated recommendations for high altitude travel and the destination country (s) of your tour.

Tour Payment Security

In full compliance with the EC Travel Directive (implemented under UK statutory instrument 1992 No. 3288) all client funds are deposited into a trust account and are only released to the company after completion of the tour.

Ability

All interested partipants in a Roadrunners Motorcycle tour MUST have adequate motorcycling experience, which can be initially gauged by how comfortable a rider is in modern day rush hour city traffic on a regular sized bike (500cc and above) While most of the tours are on paved roads, there is occasonal loose gravel, tight bends , etc and any off road experience is a plus! While Roadrunners will from time to time work with new riders given advance notice, we are not motorcycle riding instructors nor to we wish to be! As of January 2008, our new road policy is a follows: If a rider comes off the bike a 1st time, Roadrunners staff & tour leaders are watching. A 2nd time coming off the bike, consulations and discussions with tour leader on exactly whats is going wrong. A 3rd time off coming off the bike is forfeiture of the motorcycle with transportation provided in our sweep vehicles from behind! No exceptions to this rule.

Motorcycle Damage Deposit

A safety deposit of USD $500. is required prior to tour departure and will be refunded upon return of the undamaged mororcycle. While HRR makes every effort to supply a back-up motorcycle and/or spares in the event of a mechanical brakedown, HRR is not obliged to replace a damaged motorcycle. Please note under most circumstances, we cannot refund this deposit in cash on the last day of the tour! Refunds will be made within 60 days after tour end date depending on in-office time and general accounting requirements! Refunds sent by bank wire transfer are minus the return wire transfer fee, usually USD$45 from the USA.

Age Limitations

We have hosted riders from ages 18 to 76! Riding experience and state of health are the most important considerations for participation. Riders under 21 years of age should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Senior riders should contact us to discuss participation on the more demanding tour route itineraries, such as high altitude travel in Ladakh & Tibet 13,000 - 18,360 feet.

Accommodations

Accommodations for all Roadrunners tours are the best catagory, the best situated, or the most culturally desirable, why stay in a concrete box when you can hang out at an all teak guest house with loads of character and one of the oldest lodges in a village ? New hotels do have their place and we do use them, depending on whats available. None of the trips operated by Himalayan Roadrunners utilize "cheap" accommodations as a business means, which abounds in SE Asia! We dont! and this is guaranteed. Check other operators carefully as nearly all do this. Tour prices are based on double occupancy on a shared basis with another member of the tour. A single supplement can be added to the tour cost if participant requires single accommodations. If a roommate cannot be found for participant on a sharing basis, a single supplement charge will be added.

Riding Style

All tours are guided by at least one western group leader. Most touring will be together utilizing a leader-sweep system to facilitate route changes and lunch stops. A guide rides at the front, a staff mechanic is last bike in line, and our support vehicles bring up the rear with first aid equipment, spare and luggage.