Siam Explorer itinerary

Days 1-2 (The Jomtien Beach near Pattaya-distance from the airport 140 km)

Your fellow travellers will be arriving at all times from around the world today, so there are no arranged activities for the daytime. Our taxi driver will pick you up at Bangkok Airport. We will hold a meeting in the evening when everyone arrives. You will get a note at reception explaining this. We recommend to relax at the pool or the sand beach opposite the hotel to get rid of jet-lag in the morning. Alternatively should you consider that you are not experienced enough, have not ridden for some time or just wish to ride with a group you can join our two hour morning ride/training. After you can do some shopping particularly items you might need on the tour. Pack your things into panniers in the afternoon. We shall have a dinner together this evening.

Days 3-5 (Khmer country and ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia)

Your suitcases with items not needed will be deposited at the hotel. After the breakfast we shall ride east to Cambodian border. This is one of the least populated areas of Thailand because it was until recently part of Cambodia. Good winding roads with hardly any traffic. At one stage the road disappears under the surface of the lake during the rainy season. We will have to take detour. There is a beautiful scenery all the way to Aranyaprathet (hotel) where we shall arrive after 290 kilometers of ride. You can join the tour leader for a meal on the night market and if the mood is right visit some Thai karaoke. Day 4 Two hours taxi drive to Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia. You will have about five hours to explore this architectural wonder. In the evening return to Thailand. Day 5 involves longer ride across the plains that extend through mainly Khmer (Cambodian) language spoken area. Rice paddies, water buffaloes - typical Thai rural life. After 390 kilometers ride we shall arrive at Ubon Ratchatani (hotel).

Days 6-7 (Mekong river, prehistoric paintings, boat trip to Laos and river rapids)

Leaving Ubon behind (as the locals call the city) we will have a short ride of 90 kilometres ahead to get to Khong Chiam (bungalow hotel) where you will get the first glimpse of Mekong river. On the way we shall stop at the river Mun rapids. After dropping our luggage at the hotel and a lunch we will board a boat and take 3 hours trip up the Mekong. We shall stop at the cliffs next to the river rapids and take a walk through bamboo woods to prehistoric rock paintings. On the way back we shall stop at Laos village (no visa or stamp but depending on border conditions) for some refreshments/shopping (Chinese medicines like bottles of rice brandy with cobra snakes or centipedes inside). After an exhausting day it will be pleasant to relax on the terrace restaurant on the banks of Mekong and enjoy tranquillity of the place. Day 6 After the breakfast we shall ride north along the river. There are unusual rock formations along the way to Mukdahan where we shall stop at the market (big variety of dried fruits, cashew nuts and others). Further north we shall visit the "pilgrimage" Buddhist temple - That Phanom with tallest pagoda in region. After 310 kilometres of ride we arrive at Nakhon Phanom (hotel) - that used to be the biggest American air-force base during the Vietnam war. From Nakhon Phanom there is only 60 kilometres to Vietnam and this narrow strip used to be the most bombed part of Ho Shi Minh trail.

Days 8-9 ( Jet Si waterfalls, Wat Phutok and Nong Khai).

In the morning we shall ride to Jet Si waterfalls which are the most magnificent during the rainy season. We shall take a walk along the stream with seven levels of waterfalls to the top. We shall refresh under the falling water. After lunch we shall visit Phutok (the Lonely Mountain) forest temple. The stairway to the temple is divided into 7 levels symbolising 7 levels of enlightenment. The view atop is striking. After a short ride to Bung Kan (hotel) on the banks of the Mekong and a well deserved dinner. On the day 8 we have a short morning ride to Nong Khai (hotel and laundry). On the way we shall stop at Wat Ahorn, the narrowest point on the Mekong with a Thai and Lao Buddhist temples on the top of the rock on each side of the river. We shall arrive to Nong Khai around mid-day giving everybody a chance to sort out laundry, visit some Buddhist temples or get a bargain in the Indochina market. Dinner on the banks of the Mekong overlooking Laos is a must.

Day 10 -11 (Vientiane-the capital of Laos and mountainous Loei province)

Today we travel to the Capital of Laos, Vientiane. At Nong Khai there is one of two bridges across Mekong river. At the Laos side we shall sort out all necessary visa formalities and after take a tuk-tuk taxi for 30 kilometres ride to Vientiane. Also called City of the Moon it is one of the classic Indochina cities, it conjures up images of exotic Eurasia, with its intriguing mix of Thai, French and Soviet influences. Very unusual items are for sale on the markets and you can enjoy a delicious French baguette with pate. Wide boulevards, tree-lined streets and sidewalk cafes impart a timeless atmosphere. We shall return to Thailand in the early evening before the border closes. On Day 10 we shall leave Nong Khai but instead of turning South we shall continue to ride West along Mekong river rapids into Loei mountains. This is not northern most area of Thailand but it is the coldest. With mountains up to 2000 meters high that is the only place where it can snow in the winter. In the valleys it still remains hot during the day (around 28 degrees Celsius). At Chiang Kan we shall leave the Mekong and ride into higher places until we arrive at our hotel resort.

Days 12-13 (Loei mountains,  ancient temples of Sukhothai).

 Today we have a long but scenic ride. Over several mountain passes through the area that was a stronghold of Thai communists for decades and even up to two decades ago it was a "no go" place for Thai police and army. The vegetation becomes lush and the temperature cooler as we climb into the hills of Thung Salaeng Luang national park. We shall ride over this mountain high plateau with tea and coffee plantations for 100 kilometres. From there the road winds downhill along the river cascades to central plains and emerald green rice paddies. We shall arrive at Sukhothai (hotel) around 5 p.m. Day 12 We shall rent bicycles early in the morning and ride around the ancient temples of World Heritage site - Sukhothai historic park. Later we shall have a good ride through the forests and over high mountains - including the "1000 bends road" to the medieval Lanna Thai capital Chiang Mai (hotel) . As the sun dips behind the mountains you can visit the vibrant and colourful Night Bazaar (we shall help parcel post any items purchased to your base hotel - postal service is very cheap and reliable in Thailand). Late in the evening you can enjoy an old traditional Thai dance show.

Days 14-15 (Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep, hill tribes and Chiang Rai)

In the morning you'll have a choice to relax in the silence of Buddhist temples, do more sightseeing, just swim in hotel pool or do some more shopping ( magnificent silk and cotton weavings, handicrafts ...)and in the afternoon take a short ride (12 km) to the top of Doi Suthep mountain (panoramic views) to visit Golden Temple. Day 14 Our way will wind along Ping river and over several passes to Chiang Dao elephant training camp. There we shall see this gentle giants at bathing and work. It will be enough time to take an elephant ride through the jungle if you wish. After the road winds over the foothills of Himalayas (1700 metres high) to Chiang Rai. You shall enjoy 70 kilometres of magnificent sceneries. Arrival at Chiang Rai at about 5.p.m. (hotel) At night bazaar you can have a good and inexpensive meal while watching the dance show.  

Days 16 -17 (Chiang Rai, Burma, Golden Triangle and Laos)

Today we travel to the Centre of Golden Triangle where Ruak river flows into Mekong and three borders meet. . You can walk across Thai-Burmese border (visa at the border GBP 7) to town Tacilek or better said "a big market". In the early afternoon at the Golden Triangle itself long-tail boats will take us up the Mekong river along Laos- Burmese border for sightseeing. We shall stop in Laos for couple of hours (no visa/no stamp) just to get a feeling of different language, customs, food, exotic drinks, Chinese medicine... Riding back we shall stop at Chiang Saen - an important port for goods from Chinese Yunnan province only 60 km away. We shall return to our hotel in Chiang Rai at about 5 pm. On Day 16 We shall leave the Golden Triangle and ride south through mountains to Kamphaeng Phet (hotel). This is a long ride - 470 kilometres but very pleasant because is not populated and there is hardly any traffic on a four lane highway. On the way we shall stop at Phayao lake and Buddhist shrine on dramatic Chao Pho Pratu Pha mountain pass where after a short walk through bamboo jungle we shall be awarded with prehistoric mural paintings.

Days 18-19 (Kanchanaburi (River Kwai Bridge and WW2 railway)

Today we have another long but scenic drive (360 kilometres). We shall ride through picturesque villages and across the farming lands along the Western jungle that is SE Asia biggest jungle stretching far into Burma. We shall arrive at Kanchanaburi in the late afternoon (hotel). A dinner on one of the River Kwai rafts-restaurants or in the town centre is an event that is not forgotten easily. On Day 18 You will have a choice to travel by train on Death Railway starting at River Kwai bridge, or take a motorcycle ride with tour leader Crasae viaducts on the railway and tiger temple where tigers walk free (if you enter you have to sign disclaimer..)

Days 20-21 ( Bangkok and Jomtien)

Departing Kanchanaburi, we shall ride in direction of Bangkok. We shall avoid the center's heavy traffic by taking a ferry across Praya river in the suburbs of Bangkok and ride along the shore of Eastern Seaboard. Before Bangkok we are going to stop at Damnoen Saduak floating market. The afternoon brings us back to our base hotel on Jomtien Beach. Usually the group has a last farewell dinner or some drinks this evening. On Day 14 your motorcycle touring holiday ends. You will receive a DVD with photos and video clips of your escapades during the tour before our taxi picks you up. The time will be arranged depending on your flight departure. The ride from the hotel at Jomtien Beach to the airport takes about one hour. We recommend to book an evening/night flight, giving you an extra day at the end of your holiday.