Windy roads, big bikes, and real northern Thailand. This 3-day ride mixes mountain backroads with temple stops and small-moment rewards, like lake views that slow you down for a minute and then send you back onto twisty highways. You get an organized crew with an English-speaking road captain leading the group, so you can focus on riding instead of route math.

I also love the practical setup: the motorcycle rental includes unlimited mileage, plus full riding gear (helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards) and a support van for luggage. On top of that, the trip wraps in good meal coverage and two quality overnights, so the day feels like riding first, logistics last.

One thing to think about before you book: this is for riders who are already comfortable on a bike and can show a valid license with at least 4 years experience. Expect long riding blocks (around 7 hours each day), and you cannot treat the experience like a casual scooter cruise.

Key things I’d bookmark before you go

• English-speaking road captain with a TAT license: fewer decisions for you, more time to ride.
• Unlimited mileage big-bike rental + full protective gear: you bring the right mindset, they bring the safety kit.
• Curve focus on No. 1148: 120 kilometers of ups and downs through the mountains.
• Nan hill temple moment at Wat Phra That Khao Noi: a scenic stop that breaks up riding time.
• Bo Kluea salt wells: a distinctly northern side trip that feels local.
• Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring: nature stops that work well as a reward after highway hours.

Starting from Chiang Mai at 8:30: bikes, gear, and first-road sanity

The tour begins in central Chiang Mai at Big Bike Tours, with a start time of 8:30am and the experience ending back at the same meeting point. If you’re flying in, pickup from Chiang Mai Airport is included, which helps a lot when your day starts early.

When you arrive, you’ll get kitted out with the riding gear included in the price: helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. In Thailand, helmets are compulsory, so having everything sorted for you removes one stressful variable. Also, the company specifically recommends protective clothing be worn, and that’s the kind of detail that usually means the ride is run with real-world safety in mind.

You’ll ride with a group capped at 10 travelers, led by an English-speaking professional road captain (with a TAT license). That small cap matters: you can actually hear instructions, traffic handling feels calmer, and the tour doesn’t turn into a chaotic line of bikes.

Day 1: Chiang Mai north toward Phayao via Chae Son and Wat Phra That Khao Noi

Day 1 is about getting your bearings fast and then letting northern roads do the work. You’ll head north of Chiang Mai with a route that uses winding mountain roads through Chae Son National Park and the road labeled R1252. The vibe here is classic northern Thailand riding: curves, elevation changes, and plenty of chances to settle into a smooth pace.

From there, you continue on the kind of roads that motorcyclists describe as a biker’s paradise, until you reach Phayao. One of the first big visual payoffs is Kwan Phayao Lake, one of northern Thailand’s larger lakes, seen from up on a hill viewpoint. It’s the kind of stop that gives you a break from constant steering without making you feel like you stopped for nothing.

Before you call it a day, you visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi, a scenic hilltop temple near Nan. It’s a good blend: temple time that isn’t too heavy, and views that make the effort feel worth it. After that, you check into your hotel, and yes, this day includes time to relax—there’s even mention of a swimming pool so you can cool down after a long ride.

Dinner timing and the evening plan are flexible enough that you’ll still have energy for Nan’s nightlife if that’s your thing. If nightlife isn’t your style, you still get a full reset day—ride, views, then recovery.

Day 1 reality check: with about 7 hours of riding time listed, you’ll want to eat well before you start and keep water nearby. The tour includes water and soft drinks around meals, and bottled water and cool refresher towels are carried in the support vehicle, which helps on hot days.

Day 2: Bo Kluea salt wells and the 1148 curve run into Phayao

Breakfast kicks things off, then the route pivots toward the motorcycle-favorite roads. You’ll ride away from Nan and take R1081, the road associated with the Bo Kluea area—often described as a motorcycle paradise road. This day is built around the idea that riding should feel fun, not just scenic, and that’s exactly what a curve-heavy route delivers.

A standout break comes at the Bo Kluea salt wells. Even if you do not plan to make this a deep cultural stop, it’s a useful change of pace: you get out of bike mode, see a very specific local industry, and then you’re back on the road with a story behind the stop.

Next, you ride into Doi Phu Kha National Park area and continue toward Chiang Klang, where lunch is served in a local restaurant. This is the kind of lunch stop that feels more real than a tourist checklist meal, and it also gives you a reset before the most serious riding stretch of the loop.

Now comes the headline riding segment: Highway No. 1148. It’s listed as one of the most fun biking roads, including a specific note of 120 kilometers of up-and-down curves through the mountains. If you enjoy steady, flowing riding, you’ll likely love this section. If you’re tired or new to longer days on a big bike, treat it as a pace day: ride clean, keep gaps, and let the road’s rhythm work for you.

After that, you cruise along R1021 through farming areas toward Phayao, with another lake sighting at Kwan Phayao Lake. Arriving in town, you get the chance to relax in your accommodation and recharge for the final day.

Day 2 reality check: there’s a lot of time in the saddle. Even with support for luggage, it helps if you’re physically ready for a full riding day and mentally ready for frequent, scenic turns.

Day 3: Kwan Phayao loop, Than Tong Falls, and Mae Kachan hot spring lunch

Your last day starts with a satisfying “slow view” moment—riding around Kwan Phayao Lake. Sometimes, that kind of lake loop is what keeps a trip from feeling like nonstop throttle. You get scenery without the pressure of an adrenaline-only day.

Then you head out on another winding road, R120, moving toward two nature stops designed for comfort and payoff: Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. The hot spring stop is also where lunch happens—listed as served at a local restaurant right in front of the hot spring. That matters because it turns a lunch break into a proper recovery break, not just a sandwich stop.

After lunch, there’s a local market stop for refreshment. Markets are great at this point in the trip because you’re not rushed to buy something big—you just need a chance to stretch, snack, and reset your senses before the return ride.

Finally, you head back to Chiang Mai. The trip ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t have to figure out a complicated end-of-tour logistics puzzle.

Day 3 reality check: the ride is still about 7 hours listed, but you end with more “body-friendly” time thanks to the hot spring. If you’re choosing between motorcycle tours, that is a practical differentiator.

The value behind the big-bike touring system (and why it feels smoother)

This isn’t a solo rental where you figure everything out yourself. It’s a managed ride, with the details you need to enjoy the roads more.

Here’s what you’re effectively paying for beyond the steering wheel:

• Unlimited mileage on the motorcycle rental, so you’re not doing math every time you see a detour sign.
• Third-party liability insurance for the motorcycles, plus motorcycle insurance with a deductible up to 25,000 THB in case of damage.
• Accident cover listed up to 100,000 THB, with life insurance up to 1,000,000 THB and additional accident coverage details included.
• A luggage support van, with space for a few guests on request. That lets you travel lighter and keep your riding space safer.

That support structure matters because Thailand roads can be busy, and mountain roads can be tiring. A road captain leading the group helps traffic flow, especially in places where stopping is needed but awkward. A support van also means you can keep less stuff on the bike while still staying hydrated.

Also, gear is included and the company provides it—helmets, jackets, gloves, knee guards. If you have special sizing needs, it says it’s best to bring your own protective gear, which is a smart option for riders with fit preferences. Most people will find the included gear does the job, but for long days, comfort and correct fit are real safety issues.

Hotels and meals: recovery is part of the itinerary

You get 2 overnights at carefully selected quality hotels and resorts with leisure facilities. The phrase carefully selected is not fluff when you’re riding: you want showers that work, rooms that are quiet enough to sleep, and places that help you reset after a long day.

Meals are included in a solid way: breakfast (2), dinner (2), and lunch (3). The tour also includes water, soft drinks, and coffee/tea in connection with meals. That’s not just convenience. It reduces decision fatigue, so you stay focused on the ride.

One small but helpful detail: the support vehicle carries cool bottled water and cool refresher towels. That kind of thing sounds minor until you’re halfway through a warm afternoon and you want a quick body reset.

On alcohol: you cannot consume alcohol during the day while motorcycles are in use. You can have alcohol in the evening when bikes aren’t in use. This rule is simple, and it helps keep the ride safer. If you’re the type who likes a morning beer, plan to wait.

Cultural stops and the wider loop promise (temples, dams, elephants)

The tour is described as part of a northern riding loop tied to famous No. 1148 roads, with the overall concept including cultural and natural anchors like UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai temples, Sirikit dam, and an elephant conservation center in Lampang. In practice, a 3-day schedule has to choose when to pack those moments in, so the day-by-day focus here leans heavily on mountain roads, lake views, and nature stops like hot springs and waterfalls.

What you can count on from the specific schedule you have is strong northern flavor: Wat Phra That Khao Noi on a hilltop, Bo Kluea salt wells, and the combination of Than Tong waterfall plus Mae Kachan hot spring. That blend keeps the ride from becoming only highway time.

If you’re coming for cultural depth, treat this trip as road-first with a thoughtful mix of heritage stops, not as a full temple immersion tour. If you’re coming for riding, this tour still delivers, and the temple and hot spring moments act like breathers.

Price and value: what $1,125 covers (and what it does not)

At $1,125.00 per person for about 3 days, the cost is not cheap—so you should ask what you’re really buying. Here’s the value math that matters:

You’re getting:

• Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
• Riding gear included
• English-speaking road captain and group leadership
• Support van for luggage
• Insurance coverage for the motorcycle (with deductible terms) and rider accident/life coverage
• Airport pickup from Chiang Mai
• 2 nights of accommodation plus meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)

What’s not included is also clear: travel insurance is recommended, airfare isn’t included, and alcoholic beverages are not included. Personal expenses are on you. Visa fees are also not included.

The reason this price can make sense is that many of the items riders usually pay separately—bike rental, protective gear, insurance structure, and a guided route—are bundled together. You’re not just paying for roads; you’re paying for reduced friction and safer execution.

Best fit: who should book this Nan Loop

This tour fits riders who:

• Already have at least 4 years of riding experience and can show a valid license
• Are comfortable with big-bike riding and day rides around 7 hours
• Prefer organized road touring with a road captain and support van
• Want northern Thailand views plus practical breaks like hot springs and lake stops

If you’re a brand-new rider, this might feel like too much. The minimum age is 21, and the requirement around experience is not random. Big bikes plus mountain curves is fun, but only when you’re ready for it.

If you love motorcycles and you want a tight trip from Chiang Mai that mixes curves, temples, and nature stops, this is the kind of ride that can leave you thinking about one specific road section long after you get home.

Should you book this 3-day Nan Loop?

I’d book it if your top priority is riding quality with real support. The combo of unlimited mileage, included gear, a small max group, and an English-speaking road captain is what turns a “rental ride” into an actual touring experience.

I’d pause and reconsider if you hate long days in the saddle or if you don’t meet the experience and license requirements. Also, double-check your comfort with weather and mountain roads, since the company can amend routes due to road works, weather conditions, or updated route research.

If you want a balanced 3 days where the roads do the heavy lifting and the stops are practical rewards—hot springs, waterfall breaks, lake viewpoints—this Nan Loop looks like a strong fit.

FAQ

How long is the 3-day Nan Loop tour?

The experience runs for 3 days (approx.), with about 7 hours of riding time listed for each day.

What time does the tour start, and where do we meet?

You start at 8:30am at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is motorcycle rental included, and is there a mileage limit?

Yes. Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage is included in the tour price.

Do I need prior riding experience and a specific license?

Yes. You must show evidence of a motorbike driving license with a minimum of 4 years riding experience. Minimum age is 21.

Is pickup from Chiang Mai Airport included?

Yes. Pick up service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What riding gear is provided?

The tour provides helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. Helmets are compulsory in Thailand, and protective clothing is strongly recommended.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What meals are included?

In total, you get breakfast (2), dinner (2), and lunch (3). Water, soft drinks, and coffee/tea are included around meals.

Are alcohol and drinking allowed during the ride?

No alcohol is provided, and you do not allow alcohol consumption during the day while motorcycles are in use. Alcohol can be consumed in the evening when motorcycles are not in use.

What’s the cancellation rule for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 3 full days before, the amount paid is not refunded.

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