The Golden Triangle refers to an area of approximately 367,000 square miles that overlaps the mountains of three countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. This wondrous stretch of landscape is packed with some of the world’s most beautiful riding and a rich cultural history. Which is why we at MotoQuest were thrilled to take a custom group there to ride 1,750 miles through this region! We came back with incredible memories and a better understanding of the people and the culture that make the Golden Triangle a destination worth visiting.
The first thing you’ll notice upon arriving in Chiang Mai, Thailand is the beautiful landscapes and buildings. Chiang Mai happens to be the largest city in Northern Thailand and the metropolitan area has a population of nearly one million people. The roads out of town become rural and offer nice twisties for a pleasant riding experience.
Most of the roads on this journey are fairly easy to ride, but there are some steep and technically demanding stretches. One highlight is riding along the famous Mekong River.
The Mekong River is the world’s 12th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia with an estimated length of 2,703 miles. The name Mekong loosely translates to mother of waters. Once you ride alongside it, you will understand why it was given this name. In order to cross the mighty Mekong, we took bridges over her powerful waters. During this trip, we were fortunate enough to not only cross the Mekong once, but twice.
After a relaxing ride on the river, we had the chance to add a few thrills to the tour by riding to the top of Doi Inthanon. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand standing tall at 8,415 feet, and the views from the top are absolutely stunning!
Not only is the landscape on this trip incredible, but so are the people. Another point of interest from the trip was our visit with the Long Neck Women of the Kayan Tribe, famous for the brass rings that they wear around their necks. Girls first start to wear rings when they are around 5 years old. The coil, once on, is seldom removed. It is usually only removed to be replaced by a new or longer coil. The women associate these rings with beauty and as a part of their rich cultural heritage.
After saying goodbye to the women of the Kayan Tribe, we finished our journey on the famous Mae Hong Son Loop.
The Mae Hong Son Loop is known by those who want escape the tourist scene in Chiang Mai and get a more comprehensive look at Thai & Shan culture. Mae Hong Son is the most mountainous province in Thailand and is often less traveled due to its difficulty to reach. This ride is perfect for motorcyclists however, stretching 370 miles in length with plenty of sightseeing along the way.
Over the course of 14 days, our trip around the Golden Triangle provided some incredible memories. From visiting the huge Choui Fong Tea plantations to the historical architecture, this adventure did not disappoint!
In fact, we enjoyed this custom tour so much that we’ve decided to take an official scouting trip in 2018 to further explore this incredible region. We think you’ll agree that The Golden Triangle is like no other place on earth! Click here for more information on our Golden Triangle Scouting Trip, including tour dates, pricing, bike options and more photos. And as always, if you have any questions or would like to talk to us about this or any of the other guided motorcycle adventures we offer, you can contact us at info@motoquest.com.