3 Day Motorcycle Tour (Nan Loop) from Chiang Mai, Thailand

The best views come with a throttle. This three-day motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai trades crowded sightseeing stops for mountain roads, lakes, temples, hot springs, and small-town northern Thailand. I like the famous 1148 route near Nan, one of the main reasons experienced riders book this trip, and I like that a support van carries luggage while a professional Road Captain leads the group.

The package also takes care of practical details, including motorcycles, riding gear, meals, hotels, bottled drinks, and insurance. The main consideration is simple: this is a serious riding holiday, with about seven hours on the road each day. Also, the supplied day-by-day plan focuses on Nan, Phayao, and the return to Chiang Mai, so you should confirm the route before booking if you specifically expect Sukhothai, Sirikit Dam, or the Lampang elephant center mentioned in the wider description.

Key Points Before You Book

• The famous 1148 road: Expect roughly 120 kilometers of mountain curves, climbs, and descents on one of northern Thailand’s best-known motorcycle routes.
• A proper riding schedule: Each day is listed at about seven hours, so this suits experienced motorcyclists rather than casual scooter riders.
• Support without carrying your luggage: A support van transports bags and can take a few people if arranged in advance.
• Nan and Phayao are the heart of the trip: You visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi, Bo Kluea salt wells, Kwan Phayao Lake, and mountain roads near the Laos border.
• Useful inclusions: Two hotel nights, three lunches, two breakfasts, two dinners, motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage, and protective gear are included.
• Small-group feel: The maximum group size is 10, giving the Road Captain room to manage the ride more closely than a large coach tour.

Why This Ride Works for Experienced Motorcyclists

I like this tour because the road is not just a way to reach the sights. The riding itself is the main event. Northern Thailand gives you long bends, high viewpoints, farming areas, forest roads, and towns where the pace is slower than in Chiang Mai.

The route includes R1252, R1081, Route 1148, R1021, and R120. Those road numbers may not mean much at first, but they matter to riders because the tour has been built around roads with changing elevation and plenty of curves. You are not simply being driven from temple to temple.

You need confidence on a large motorcycle. The operator asks for proof of a motorbike license and at least four years of riding experience. The minimum age is 21. That requirement is sensible. Seven hours of riding, mountain bends, changing weather, and unfamiliar roads demand focus.

The maximum group size of 10 is another plus. It is small enough to keep the group together more easily, while still giving you the social side of a shared motorcycle tour. A Road Captain leads from the front, and the support van carries luggage and can hold a few people if arranged beforehand.

The ride includes helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. You should use them. The operator strongly advises full protective clothing and notes that motorcycle helmets are compulsory in Thailand. If you need unusual clothing sizes, bring your own gear because the available range may not suit everyone.

Day One: Chiang Mai to Nan by Way of Chae Son

The first morning begins at 8:30 am at Big Bike Tours on Ragang Road in Chiang Mai. Pickup from Chiang Mai Airport is included, which is useful if you are arriving and starting the tour without an extra hotel night.

Day one is about getting comfortable with the motorcycle while heading north. You ride through Chae Son National Park on R1252, a winding mountain road described as a favorite among motorcyclists. This is a smart opening route because you can settle into the bike before the more demanding sections later in the trip.

The first major view comes at Phayao Lake, also called Kwan Phayao. It is one of northern Thailand’s largest lakes, and the high viewpoint gives you a chance to stop, stretch, and take in the scale of the water and surrounding hills. The stop also breaks up the riding day at the right time.

From Phayao, the road continues toward Nan. The approach is more about riding than sightseeing, with mountain highways and repeated curves. You should expect concentration rather than a lazy scenic drive. Keep water close, use the refreshment stops, and do not treat the schedule as a race.

Before checking into the hotel, you visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi, a hilltop temple above Nan. The temple is one of the best viewpoints in the area, giving you a broad look over the town and countryside. It is a fine place to end a long riding day because you get both a cultural stop and a view without adding a major detour.

The included accommodation has leisure facilities, and the plan specifically notes a swimming pool. That matters after seven hours in a riding jacket. The evening is free for Nan nightlife, giving you a chance to eat, walk around, or simply rest.

I would not overpack the evening. You still have a full mountain day ahead, and Nan is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. The trip includes dinner, but personal drinks and alcohol are not included. Alcohol is not permitted during the daytime while motorcycles are in use, though it can be consumed in the evening once the bikes are parked.

Day Two: Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha, and the 1148 Road

Day two begins after breakfast and moves into the most distinctive riding section. The route heads through the mountains on R1081 toward Bo Kluea, a small area known for its traditional salt wells.

The Bo Kluea salt wells give the day a welcome change of pace. You are not only stopping for another viewpoint. The wells connect the ride to local production and everyday life in the mountains. It is a useful reminder that northern Thailand is more than forests and dramatic bends.

From Bo Kluea, the route continues through Doi Phu Kha National Park toward Chiang Klang. The supplied plan does not list a separate admission charge, and the tour includes the road journey rather than promising a long park hike. You should think of this section as a scenic riding passage with a cultural stop, not a national park walking tour.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Chiang Klang. Three lunches are included during the tour, which keeps the day simple and reduces the need to search for food while riding. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator when you book so arrangements can be made.

The major highlight follows: Route 1148. The tour describes about 120 kilometers of up and down curves through the mountains, and this is where the Nan Loop earns its reputation. The road provides the kind of continuous riding pleasure that experienced motorcyclists often want from a northern Thailand trip.

There is a tradeoff. A road with this many bends can be tiring, especially if you are not used to riding a large motorcycle for hours. Do not focus only on the road surface and scenery. Take the planned stops seriously, drink water, and let the Road Captain set the pace.

The itinerary wording moves between Nan and Phayao, but the day plan ultimately takes you through farming areas on R1021 toward Phayao. This is a gentler close to the day. After the mountain curves, the farming areas offer a quieter view of northern Thai life before you reach Kwan Phayao again.

You finish in Phayao and relax at the second hotel. The accommodation is described as a quality hotel or resort with leisure facilities, so you should have a comfortable base after the longest-feeling riding section. Dinner is included, while personal expenses and alcohol remain your responsibility.

Day Three: Kwan Phayao, Waterfalls, and Mae Kachan

The final day begins by circling Kwan Phayao. Seeing the lake again from a different part of the route gives you a less rushed look at one of the region’s defining places. It also provides an easier opening before the road turns toward the hills.

You then ride R120, another winding mountain road, to Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. These stops give the final day a nice variety. The waterfall offers a natural break, while the hot spring adds a distinctly northern Thai roadside experience.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in front of the hot spring. That location makes the stop practical rather than ornamental. You can eat, rest, and refresh before the final run toward Chiang Mai. A local market stop follows, with time for a drink or small purchase.

The support vehicle carries cool bottled water and refresher towels throughout the tour. That is a small detail, but it becomes useful in Thailand’s heat, especially after wearing protective clothing for hours.

The ride ends back at the Big Bike Tours meeting point in Chiang Mai. There is no separate airport transfer listed at the end, so plan your onward transport with the meeting point in mind. The tour ends where it starts, which is convenient if you are staying in central Chiang Mai.

What the Price Includes at $1,125

At $1,125 per person, this is not a budget motorcycle rental. The value comes from the number of moving parts included in the package.

You receive a motorcycle with unlimited mileage, third party liability insurance, and motorcycle damage cover with a deductible of up to 25,000 THB. The package also includes accident cover up to 100,000 THB and life insurance up to 1,000,000 THB. You should still arrange suitable travel insurance in your home country, since the operator specifically recommends it.

Two hotel nights, two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners are included. Water, soft drinks, and tea or coffee are provided with meals. Add the Road Captain, support van, airport pickup, protective equipment, and luggage transport, and the price starts to make more sense for someone who wants a guided ride rather than a self-planned rental.

The key question is how much support you want. If you already have a motorcycle, local route knowledge, insurance, riding gear, and the confidence to manage mountain roads alone, you could spend less independently. You would also take on the work of selecting hotels, carrying bags, planning food stops, and handling problems.

I see this package as good value for riders who want the route and the riding without the administration. It is less compelling for anyone mainly interested in temples or sightseeing, because a large part of each day is spent on the motorcycle.

Bikes, Safety, and the Road Captain

The operator provides the motorcycle and riding gear, but the supplied information does not specify the exact bike models. Ask about the available motorcycle before paying, especially if you have a preferred engine size, seat height, or riding position.

You need to show a valid motorbike driving license and a current passport on the day of the tour. The four-year riding experience requirement is important, not a box to tick casually. Thailand’s mountain roads can be exciting, but excitement and overconfidence are poor riding partners.

A professional English-speaking Road Captain with a Tourism Authority of Thailand license leads the group. The support van transports luggage and can carry a few people if requested in advance. That safety net is especially helpful if you become tired or need a break from riding.

Past Big Bike Tours ride feedback has specifically praised the motorcycles, route planning, hotels, and support crew. Names mentioned on earlier rides include Thai guide Kaeb and support staff Tony and Lrut, though you should confirm the team for your own departure. The consistent practical message is clear: the operator puts real attention into the bikes and the support operation.

Road changes are possible because of construction, weather, or updated route planning. The operator reserves the right to alter the route, and no refund is offered for a route change. That is normal for a mountain motorcycle tour, but it is worth accepting before you book.

Who Should Book This Nan Loop?

I would recommend this tour to an experienced rider who wants northern Thailand’s best roads with a guide, support vehicle, hotels, and meals already arranged. It also suits couples or friends who want a shared motorcycle holiday without carrying luggage from town to town.

You will likely enjoy it if the following sound appealing:

• Seven hours of riding per day
• Mountain roads with frequent curves
• Small-group travel with a maximum of 10 people
• Local restaurants and northern Thai towns
• Comfortable hotels with leisure facilities
• A mix of temples, lakes, salt wells, waterfalls, and hot springs

I would hesitate to recommend it to a first-time motorcyclist, anyone uncomfortable on mountain roads, or anyone hoping for a slow cultural tour. The schedule is active, and the motorcycle is the center of the holiday.

Pay attention to the route description before booking. The broad tour summary refers to a Sukhothai Loop, Sukhothai’s World Heritage temples, Sirikit Dam, and an elephant conservation center in Lampang. The detailed three-day schedule provided here instead describes Nan, Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha, Phayao, Mae Kachan, and the return to Chiang Mai. Ask Big Bike Tours to confirm which version applies to your departure.

Should You Book This Ride?

Book it if you want a guided big-bike adventure where the roads matter as much as the stops. The combination of Route 1148, Bo Kluea, Nan, Phayao Lake, and a support van gives you a strong mix of freedom and structure.

Skip it if you want long temple visits, short driving days, or a low-cost motorcycle rental. For the right rider, the price buys convenience, local route planning, protective equipment, and a well-supported three-day loop. Confirm the motorcycle model and final route first, then bring the right attitude: ride steadily, respect the curves, and save some energy for the view from Wat Phra That Khao Noi.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days, with each riding day listed at about seven hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Road, Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What riding experience is required?

You must be at least 21 years old, provide evidence of a motorbike driving license, and have at least four years of riding experience.

Is motorcycle gear provided?

Yes. Helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards are provided. Protective boots and other protective clothing are strongly advised.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Water, soft drinks, and tea or coffee are provided with meals.

Is travel insurance included?

No. Motorcycle insurance and accident cover are included, but the operator recommends arranging appropriate travel insurance in your home country.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people. The support van can carry a few people during the tour if this is requested in advance.