South East Asia is a wondrous and mysterious region and we are taking a full 360 degree tour around it. With a fascinating but often troubled history and unique and varying cultures, this enchanting region has much to offer. Join us for this six-week adventure packed with great riding, UNSECO listed sites and remarkable routes off the beaten track and South East Asia will live in your heart forever.
Fly into Bangkok and you will be met at the airport and transferred to Amphawa. We have a day here to collect your bikes, attend the final pre-tour briefing and enjoy the welcome dinner. Your first day of riding is high on excitement with a packed itinerary. En route you will visit a floating market and then on to Kanchana Buri; scene of the Bridge on the River Kwai. Your second day picks up just where the first left off; starting with an elephant ride through the forest we then head north, visiting Hellfire Pass and the museum of the same name. Hellfire was the scene of some of the worst suffering when the railways were built and the museum commemorates those who lost their lives here. In the evening wander the Mon Bridge and take a long-tail boat ride to the Sunken Temple "Wat Saam Prasob". If this is not enough then there is a chance to ride to the Three Pagodas Pass where Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) meet.
The following days meander through Kamphangphet and Pitsanulok provinces with the first taste of the mountain roads that await later, en route to Nakhon Sawan and the UNSECO-listed Sukhothai. An early afternoon arrival leaves time to visit the park and the ruins of the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom. Dating back to the 12th century, once the capital, over 190 temples have been excavated here. Your hotel is just five minutes from the park and you can ride in or take the regular shuttle bus.
Heading north you will ride into the Thai Highlands. These mountains stretch through Laos and Myanmar linking to the Himalayas. They make for fantastic riding as you climb up to 2,000m through tropical forest and ride the beautiful Mae Sod Mountain road. After a night spent near the Myanmar border (with the chance to pop across the border and get another stamp in your passport) you continue north to the Nam Ngao National Park with its many waterfalls.
More challenging winding mountain roads await as you ride a stretch of the road of 1864 bends en route to Mae Hong Son. In the afternoon you will take a long-tailed boat on the Pai River to "Ban Nam Piang Dinto" the Karen Tribe Long Neck Village. Traditionally the ladies of the tribe wear gold rings around their necks to make their necks look longer and them more attractive. Although traditional, each girl can now choose whether to follow the tradition or not. The following day is a riding day you will never forget. The road of 1864 curves. A seemingly endless procession of bends on a road cut through tropical jungle and over mountains. We divert off on side roads to the Pang Tong Royal Palace, a Royal Project and Reservoir before riding on through the Tam Pla National Park to the Tham Pi Man Jabo Cave with its 1700-year-old teak coffins. Arriving at Pai you will be pleased to know that tomorrow is a day off with a chance to explore this bustling, slightly hippy town or just lounge by the hotel pool.
Heading further north you visit the Angkhang Royal Project as we ride some of the best mountain routes in the world. Twisting and turning, climbing and descending harder and sharper than anything in Europe or the Americas these routes are a biker's paradise. Don't forget to stop and enjoy the scenery though! After a night in Doi Tung you can visit “Srinagaringdra” the former residence of the Late King's Mother and the Doi Tung Gardens. Turning south you will be riding through the infamous Golden Triangle, home to Opium producers for centuries. After a night in Kloa Bua, we head into country number two - Laos.
Laos is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. It has eschewed development with its economy remaining firmly in farming. The architecture reflects a French Colonial past but with its own unique charm. Our time in Laos centres on Luang Prebang, once called 'the last refuge of lovers and dreamers'. Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Khan River, nowhere else can lay claim to this UNESCO Listed gem's romance of 33 gilded wats, saffron-clad monks, faded Indochinese villas and exquisite French cuisine. You have a free day here to enjoy all it has to offer. From Luang Prebang we are riding north on some great, quiet, swooping roads through villages and past rice paddies, heading for a night in the small town of Oudom Xai. From here Vietnam is beckoning.
Vietnam can trace its origins back 25,000 years and is one of the oldest countries in the world. Often occupied and fought over, it has had both Chinese and French masters, but this time of conflict ended with the second Indochina war between the Soviet-backed communist north and the US-backed capitalist south. Since the late 1970s peace has largely settled on this land and, as the communist state has reformed, it has grown into the country we find today.
You cross into Vietnam at the Tay Trang Border post to the Dien Bien Province, site of the battle to finally liberate the Vietnamese people from French occupation. There is a chance to visit the iconic A1 hill, site of the final battle. Next up is Sapa over the mighty O Quy Ho Pass, one of the highest and most dangerous roads in Vietnam. In Sapa we have a day off to explore the terraced rice paddies, visit the Sapa Silver Waterfall or, if you want more on-bike time, to ride the Tram Ton Pass. The next few days are running along the border with China over the remarkable and challenging Dong Van Plateau past the iconic "Fairy Twin Mountain". We visit Vietnam's most northerly point, the Lung Cu Flag pole up 389 stone steps. We ride the Road of Happiness over the Ma Pi Leng Pass and on past vertical stone cliffs.
Two special nights cruising on board a ship in the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay give you the chance to catch your breath and relax. These are followed by your first experience of riding into a Vietnamese city when you have two nights in Hanoi the capital. You have time to visit the Old Quarter - a maze of narrow streets dating back to the 13th century, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Ðình Square, where Ho read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Heading south from Hanoi we cross the old DMZ line and ride through the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park where massive tectonic movements have left miles of caves and rivers underground and a unique landscape on the surface. We also visit the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel which in 1972 was bombed for 80 days and nights by a rota of 140 B52 bombers. Only the front and rear gates remain. We also stay in the UNESCO-listed city of Hue with a half-day city tour. The sights keep coming as you visit the Forbidden City and UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town.
Our route then heads south, along the coast visiting the Twin Cham towers of Quy Nhon, Cliff of Stone Plates - Ganh Da Dia in Nhan Trang, the white beaches of Vietnam's resort destinations as well as Mui Ne Habour. All this before we arrive at Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and some of the most challenging riding of the trip battling through thousands of scooters into the city. A day off here provides time to explore this most fascinating and vibrant of cities. We will visit the vast tunnels of Cu Chi dug by the Viet Cong to store weapons, hide, treat their wounded and generally avoid the southern army. You can also visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Museum or enjoy the French colonial architecture of Notre Dame and the old Saigon Post Office.
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City we are heading for country number four, Cambodia. From the hustle of Ho Chi Minh straight to the bustle of the capital Phnom Penh. Once home to the Khmer Empire, French Colonialists and the Infamous Khmer Rouge it is now back as the capital and home to the King of Cambodia. We have a day off here to explore and you can enjoy a city tour that covers many of the must see sites including the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek. The latter two are built upon infamous locations used by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979. Choeung Ek is a former orchard and better known as The Killing Fields. We will also visit The Silver Pagoda. It was formerly known as the Temple of the Crystal Buddha and the Vihara now houses many Cambodian treasures including a small Emerald Buddha and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9,584 diamonds.
Leaving Phnom Penh we have a night in sleepy Stung Treng where the Mekong enters Cambodia. From here you are heading for one of the highlights of the tour - The City of Temples, Angkor. The largest Religious Monument in the world dates back to the 12C and is largely built from sandstone carried from over 50km away. Initially a Hindu temple, a statue of Vishnu still at its heart, it is now a Buddhist site stretching across and incredible 162 Hectares (we won't have time to see it all!). We have a full day's tour booked and then a second day at your leisure. Return and see more of the ancient temples slowly being overgrown by the jungle, wander the markets and the French Colonial architecture of Siam Reap or just relax at the hotel by the pool; it is up to you.
From Siam Reap we are heading to the border, via the Tonle Sap Lake crossing back into Thailand past the myriad of Casinos at Poi Pet. Our destination is Kabin Buri and a last night on the road. From Kabin Buri our route circumnavigates Bangkok to Amphawa on the Mae Khlong River. You have two nights here. All that is left is packing the bikes for the return journey and our farewell dinner and then it is time to leave this remarkable part of the world with hearts and cameras full of South East Asia.
Please Note:Your journey will actually start in Sept / Oct 2019 with a BMW Off Road Skills Level One training course and pre-tour briefing. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared and ready for the journey ahead. For international clients we will endeavour to make local arrangements for training and the pre-tour briefing will be available via teleconferencing.
Almost too many to list!
Date | Day | Location | Mileage | About the day |
16 January 2020 | Thursday | Amphawa (Thailand) | 0 | Arrive in Bangkok early morning for Collection of bikes, final preparations |
17 January 2020 | Friday | Amphawa | 0 | Pre tour briefing and welcome dinner |
18 January 2020 | Saturday | Kanchanaburi | 180 | A great way to start the tour with a visit to a floating market and to Kanchana Buri and the Bridge on the River Kwai |
19 January 2020 | Sunday | Sangkhla Buri | 180 | After a morning Elephant trek take either the dirt or tarmac options today. There is a chance to visit Hellfire pass plus the Mon Bridge, before taking a long tailed boat ride to the sunken temple |
20 January 2020 | Monday | Nakhon Sawan | 210 | Using some great local gravel back roads you head for a ferry to Si Sawat and on to Nakhon Swan where dinner will be served in a favourite local restaurant |
21 January 2020 | Tuesday | Sukhothai | 135 | A short day to allow you to arrive with plenty of time to wander the UNESCO listed Historical Park of Sukhothai |
22 January 2020 | Wednesday | Mae Sod | 135 | You are heading into the Thai Highlands, riding the beautiful Mae Sod Mountain road with a chance to visit the Mue Sur Hill Tribe |
23 January 2020 | Thursday | Mae Sariang | 150 | More curvy mountain roads will take you through Mae Ramat and Tha Song Yang en route to the Mae Usu Cave, so long it is said you can walk through it to the Myanmar sea |
24 January 2020 | Friday | Mae Hong Son | 110 | Some more exciting riding today on the road of 1864 bends as well as a long tailed boat ride to visit the village of the Long Neck Karen |
25 January 2020 | Saturday | Pai | 110 | A great day as you continue on the road of 1864 curves. You break off on some local roads to the Pang Tong Royal palace and the Royal Projects before returning to the main road and on to Pai |
26 January 2020 | Sunday | Pai | 0 | A day off here to relax by the pool and take a moment to consider all the things you have already seen and done or ride the road of 1864 curves once again? |
27 January 2020 | Monday | Doi Angkhang | 195 | The morning spent riding another section of the road of 1864 curves and the afternoon heading into the mountains to the Angkhang Nature Resort |
28 January 2020 | Tuesday | Doi Tung | 150 | Ride along the Myanmar border through Tea plantations to the Thaton District and on to Doi Tung high in the Thai Highlands |
29 January 2020 | Wednesday | Chiang Khong | 195 | After the chance to wander the Royal Garden and visit the Royal Villa at Doi Tung in the morning, you will ride through the Golden Triangle and along the infamous Mekong River separating Thailand from Laos |
30 January 2020 | Thursday | Oudom Xay (Laos) | 125 | Cross the border from Thailand to Laos |
31 January 2020 | Firday | Luang Prebang (Laos) | 135 | Cross the border from Thailand to Laos and ride to the UNESCO listed Luang Prebang |
01 February 2020 | Saturday | Luang Prebang | 0 | Today you have a tour of the UNESCO listed Luang Prebang 'the last refuge of lovers and dreamers" |
02 February 2020 | Sunday | Namkat Yorla Pa | 185 | A great riding day today as we cross Laos riding through the mountains and past villages |
03 February 2020 | Monday | Dien Bien Phu (Vietnam) | 145 | Another border crossing (which can be slow!) and a ride to Dien Bien Phu site of the final defeat of the French Colonial forces in 1954 |
04 February 2020 | Tuesday | Sapa | 175 | The ride to Sapa takes us over the O Quy Ho Pass over 2,000 metres high in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains |
05 February 2020 | Wednesday | Sapa | 0 | A day off in Sapa to explore the terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley, visit the 100m Sapa Silver Waterfall or ride "Heavens Gate" the 1,900m Tram Ton Pass |
06 February 2020 | Thursday | Ha Giang | 145 | Today we run along the border with China headed for the town of Ha Giang the highest in Vietnam |
07 February 2020 | Friday | Dong Van | 100 | Continuing along the China border on the Dong Van Plateau we can enjoy the wild scenery and beautiful Yen Ninh Valley, before heading for the most northerly point of Vietnam Lung Cu Flag Tower |
08 February 2020 | Saturday | Cau Bang | 175 | Ride the "Road of Happiness" and the Ma Pi Leng Pass to Cau Bag where we are staying in the "Official Government Tourism" hotel |
09 February 2020 | Sunday | Ha Long Bay | 205 | An early start and a long day today as we ride to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay for two special nights in this incredible and memorable bay |
10 February 2020 | Monday | Ha Long Son | 0 | A day off the bikes to relax and soak up the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay |
11 February 2020 | Tuesday | Hanoi | 90 | After a late start we have a short day to negotiate the hustle and bustle of chaotic and iconic Hanoi |
12 February 2020 | Wednesday | Hanoi | 0 | A day off here to explore this 1,000 year old city, the birthplace of modern Vietnam. Visit the Water Puppet Theatre, the One Pillar Pagoda or the heart of Hanoi the Hoan Kiem Lake |
13 February 2020 | Thursday | Vinh Cua Lo | 185 | Departing Hanoi early to avoid the rush hour traffic we are heading south down the spine of Vietnam to Vinh Cua Lo, once home to Ho Chi Minh with its long sandy beaches, perfect for Valentines Day |
14 February 2020 | Friday | Hue | 275 | Our longest riding day on tour as we continue down the coast south past some of the most significant battlefields of the America-Vietnam war en route to the Imperial city of Hue |
15 February 2020 | Saturday | Hoi An | 90 | We will spend the morning in Hue to see this UNESCO World Heritage city and take a tour of the Forbidden City before departing after lunch for the short ride to Hoi An |
16 February 2020 | Sunday | Hoi An | 0 | A day off the bikes to explore charming Hoi An set along the river, or just to relax around the pool at he hotel |
17 February 2020 | Monday | Quy Nhon | 185 | Today we are heading for the small port of Quy Nhon, home to shipbuilders, cool beaches and the ancient Thap Doi Cham - Twin Cham Towers |
18 February 2020 | Tuesday | Nha Trang | 135 | Ride along one of the most beautiful beach road from Quy Nhon to Nha Trang and visit the Ganh Da Dia stone plates - a intriguing series of interlocking basalt columns |
19 February 2020 | Wednesday | Mui Ne | 145 | South along the coast with spectacular views of Mui Ne Harbour and the white sand dunes. Arrive early to relax in this amazing beach resort |
20 February 2020 | Thursday | Ho Chi Minh City | 170 | The beautiful peaceful countryside en route will contrast with the crazy traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. Be observant and don't hesitate - fortune favours the brave! |
21 February 2020 | Friday | Ho Chi Minh City | 0 | A full day to explore the city including the tunnels of Cu Chi, the Old Saigon Post Office, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and much more in this charming, busy city |
22 February 2020 | Saturday | Kratie (Cambodia) | 160 | After crossing the border we are heading for a hotel in the rainforest on a small island sitting in the Mekong |
23 February 2020 | Sunday | Phnom Penh | 160 | We are heading of the capital sitting on the junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Home to the Khmer empire for centuries and French Colonists later it is a fascinating city |
24 February 2020 | Monday | Phnom Penh | 0 | A day off to explore the city. Visit the Silver Pagoda, part of the Royal Palace, the Tuol Sleng Museum chronicling the genocide of the Khmer Rouge, the former orchard Choeung Ek Orchard and much more |
25 February 2020 | Tuesday | Siem Reap | 195 | Today we are heading to one of the highlights of the tour, Angkor - The City of Temples. This UNESCO world heritage site spreads over 162 hectares and is the largest religious monument in the world |
26 February 2020 | Wednesday | Siem Reap | 0 | We have a full days tour arranged for Angkor to take is as many of its amazing sites as time will allow. Dating back to the 12C the original temples were Hindu, but are now transformed into Buddhist. |
27 February 2020 | Thursday | Siem Reap | 0 | After a full day at Angkor today is a day at leisure. You can choose to return and keep exploring, relax at the hotel or wander the markets and colonial architecture of Siam Reap. |
28 February 2020 | Friday | Kabin Buri (Thailand) | 170 | An early start as we cross the border, past Cambodia's own Little Las Vegas, back to Thailand and ride for our overnight stop at Kabin Buri |
29 February 2020 | Saturday | Amphawa | 165 | A full day riding through Thailand and avoiding Bangkok, takes us back to where it all started in Amphawa |
1 March 2020 | Sunday | Amphawa | 0 | A day to sort out the bikes for return freight, to recoup and tell stories before pakcing for the journey home |
2 March 2020 | Monday | Amphawa | 0 | We will arrange airport transfers and you are free to depart for home |
Most people will require Visas to undertake this Tour. Please check with the Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand Embassies in your home country for your requirements.
Most UK residents currently do not require a Visa for Thailand, can apply for both Cambodia and Laos Visas at the border, but will require a Visa for Vietnam as we are in the country for more than 15 days. You should also ensure that your passport has at least 6 blank pages prior to travel.
You can check your requirements at:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the correct visas in place for travel.
You may also like to check for recommended Vaccinations for this trip. There are none currently legally required unless you are travelling from a country with Yellow Fever, in which case you must get a Yellow Fever Vaccination prior to the tour.
Overland travel for an extended period is not the same as touring, even adventure touring. The challenges nor rewards should be underestimated. Daily movement becomes the norm, ride, sleep, repeat. The rewards are huge as you become immersed in a country and its culture, you feel at one with the place you are travelling. However it can also be challenging, even with twelve non riding days spread over the six weeks. A couple of these are truly rest days but on the others there is always something to see, something to do and you need to pace yourself. There is lots crammed in, but you cannot do it all!
We provide you with route guidance notes, maps and GPS routes (in a BMW/Garmin format) so you can chose to ride independently at your pace, stopping to see what you want to see when you want to. You are always welcome to ride with the Tour Leader who will set a leave time each day so you can join them. You can ride with them every day or swap and change what you want to do each day. You have the freedom to choose. How you ride is your choice. You are not compelled to ride in a line behind the Tour Leader at a pace set by the steadiest rider. You have freedom to make your own ride – it is not only the most enjoyable way but also the safest.
This trip has 5 days where there are some dirt road routes. However it also has many days on poorly maintained and remote roads. Add to this some of the swoopiest riding and some of the hardest turning hairpins we have ever ridden. Whether the riding is a challenge or "brilliant" will depend on your experience. If you have doubts or concerns about you suitability then please call us to discuss? We will routinely contact everyone who books to discuss your experience.
Included in the price of the tour is a BMW Off Road Skills Level one course. This will be held in South Wales in September / October 2019. We will also include a days pre tour briefing at the same time to ensure that every-one knows what to expect. For international clients who are unable to travel to the training we will see if there is a similar alternative availably locally for you. The pre tour briefing will be available on Skype for all riders.
The pricing for this Overland Adventure is accurate at time of publication but is subject to adjustment in line with exchange rate and other local changes. It includes air freight of your motorcycle from Heathrow in the UK to Bangkok and sea freight back to the UK. It also includes a BMW Off Road Skills Level One Course held in the UK. It does not include flights. International clients requiring bespoke freight and training arrangement should contact us directly at office@motorrad-tours.com
Tour Prices in GB£ | Solo Rider Shared Room |
Solo Rider Single Room |
Rider and Passenger * |
Riding Your Own Motorcycle | £14,995 | £16,995 | £23,995 |
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
The pricing for this Overland Adventure is accurate at time of publication but is subject to adjustment in line with exchange rate and other local changes. It includes air freight of your motorcycle from Heathrow in the UK to Bangkok and sea freight back to the UK. It also includes a BMW Off Road Skills Level One Course held in the UK. It does not include flights. International clients requiring bespoke freight and training arrangement should contact us directly at office@motorrad-tours.com
Tour Prices in €uro | Solo Rider Shared Room |
Solo Rider Single Room |
Rider and Passenger * |
Riding Your Own Motorcycle | €16,995 | €19,495 | €27,495 |
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
US$ OR EURO PAYMENTS: Currently our website will only take your 10% deposit payment in GB£ and your credit card company will convert this to your home currency. However if you wish to pay your deposit in either Euros or US$ please contact us and we can arrange this. Your balance payment will be made in either US$ or Euro, directly by bank transfer with no currency conversion. Your balance payment will be 90% of the US$ or Euro Price shown.
The pricing for this Overland Adventure is accurate at time of publication but is subject to adjustment in line with exchange rate and other local changes. It includes air freight of your motorcycle from Heathrow in the UK to Bangkok and sea freight back to the UK. It also includes a BMW Off Road Skills Level One Course held in the UK. It does not include flights. International clients requiring bespoke freight and training arrangement should contact us directly at office@motorrad-tours.com
Tour Prices in US$ | Solo Rider Shared Room |
Solo Rider Single Room |
Rider and Passenger * |
Riding Your Own Motorcycle | $19,995 | $22,995 | $32,995 |
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
US$ OR EURO PAYMENTS: Currently our website will only take your 10% deposit payment in GB£ and your credit card company will convert this to your home currency. However if you wish to pay your deposit in either Euros or US$ please contact us and we can arrange this. Your balance payment will be made in either US$ or Euro, directly by bank transfer with no currency conversion. Your balance payment will be 90% of the US$ or Euro Price shown.
Here is a little taster of the trip, filmed in Vietnam.