Let's Ride Unseen Thailand

Thirteen nights in a loop from Chiang Mai, guided, more than 2,400 kilometres across the least travelled riding roads in Thailand, staying in boutique hotels throughout.

This is the operator’s flagship and the accommodation is part of the proposition: four and five-star boutique hotels for every night, with no hostels, which is unusual on a tour of this length in this part of the world.

The route opens with the 762 curves, then the high passes to Mae Hong Son and the southern loop, before turning south on the frontier trail to Mae Sot and across the plains to Sukhothai, the thirteenth-century capital that preceded Siam and a world heritage site, where a rest day falls. The great north-eastern run follows, then the secret ridges around Chiang Klang, the descent to the Mekong, the artistic heartland and the tea trails to Fang, with the R1095 and R1148 among the roads used: both technical, both well known to riders who live there and almost unknown to visitors.

A premium motorcycle from a BMW, Honda and Kawasaki fleet, the boutique hotels throughout and a lead rider, sweep rider and support vehicle for luggage and spare parts are all included; the full inclusions are not itemised on the operator’s page and are worth confirming at booking. The cool dry season from November to February is the window, since the burning season in March and April fills the valleys with smoke. Fourteen days with a rest day at Sukhothai is a touring holiday rather than an endurance run.