Tail of the Naga Dragon - A Best of the Best Motorcycle Adventure in Thailand

You are invited to join us on a 10 DAY MOTORCYCLE & BEACH EXPERIENCE in the stunning kingdom of Thailand, guided by yours truly - Tim and Marisa Notier. On this adventure, we will ride through the famous twists of the northern mountains, as well as soak up the sun on Thailand's exquisite southern islands. We will explore sea caves, weave our way to mountaintop temples, encounter Asian elephants, and go island hopping, all while making great friends and lifelong memories.

This is the vacation of DREAMS.

When Tim and I first rode a motorcycle through this magical Southeast Asian country, we realized two very important things – 1) northern Thailand has some of the world’s best motorcycle riding, and 2) southern Thailand has some of the world’s most stunning beaches. But we realized that most people who are lucky enough to come to Thailand only visit one of these regions. It's such a shame to come all this way only to miss out on half of what it offers.

So then we got to thinking… wouldn’t it be great if people could experience both the motorcycle riding of the north and the crystal beaches of the south?

That is how our Thailand journey was born: it’s BIKE + BEACH. Half motorcycle adventure, and half island extravaganza. Whether you’ve been to Thailand before, or whether this is your first time, we know you’re going to LOVE it!

So get on your helmet and bathing suit (but maybe not together😜), and let us show you the time of your life!

~ Tim and Marisa Notier

Trip Overview

Start: Chiang Mai End: Krabi
Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights

We begin in the north for the first five days where we will be riding big motorcycles through magnificent mountain scenery while being immersed in the culture, sights, and history of the region.

Then we all fly to an island in Thailand's south where we will stay right on the beach for four more nights. There we'll have scooters to explore the island with (optional, but super fun), and we'll take day trips island hopping on traditional Thai wooden boats.

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Itinerary

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Thailand Tour Dates

We have picked THE BEST time of year for your tour to take place! The weather is simply heavenly at this time in Thailand. That being said, if these dates don't work for you, please Let Us Know.

2026

Sun Nov 1 - Tue Nov 10, 2026
10 Days, 9 Nights

Sun Nov 15 - Tue Nov 24, 2026
10 Days, 9 Nights

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I'm Interested in Other Dates

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Prices

These prices are ALL INCLUSIVE which means they include meals, hotels, the motorcycle, gas, support vehicle, and lots of other awesome stuff (see details HERE). It does not include airfare to and from Thailand, or personal travel insurance.

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Motorcycles

You'll get to ride any of the following motorcycles (note that availability is on a first-come first-serve basis).

SUZUKI V-STROM 650

KAWASAKI VERSYS 650

HONDA CB 500X

Thinking of bringing a passenger? All of these motorcycles are great for 2up!

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Difficulty - ★★★☆☆

PAVED, STEEP, AND THRILLINGLY TWISTY!

ROADS - This tour is 99% paved, and the pavement is FABULOUS! That being said, there are some riding challenges you should be aware of. We are going to be doing the Mae Hong Son Loop in northern Thailand, and this journey is world-renowned for its thousands of twists and turns over steep terrain (4,088 curves to be exact).

⚠️ In order to ride a motorcycle on this tour, you must be able to:

Ride paved tight turns
Throttle up hills
Engine brake on steep declines (8% grades are very common)
Pass other vehicles on straightaways
Ride in the rain

---> NOTE: If you're not sure about riding a motorcycle on this tour, but still want to experience Thailand with us, fear not! You can do it from the comfort of our support vehicle that goes every place we go. Plus, your tour will be at a discounted Price!

WEATHER - We've chosen the absolute best time of year for you to visit both northern and southern Thailand. Expect dry, sunny, beautiful days that aren't too hot. But of course, this is the tropics, and it could also rain at any moment. And some days may be uncomfortably hot, so make sure you bring appropriate gear (see our Packing List for more info).

ALTITUDE - The highest elevation that we will go to is 8,415 feet / 2,565 meters. This is at the very top of Thailand's tallest mountain, Doi Inthanon (there's a gorgeous road that goes all the way up there). The highest elevation that we will sleep at is 2,818 feet / 859 meters. And then of course... we're going to sea level too!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - Though all of our excursions are optional, we will be walking into hot jungles where the paths can get muddy, rutted, and slippery. There is also a cave tour in which the ground is extremely uneven.

And finally, we will be taking wooden longtail boats to islands in the ocean. Like everything else, these trips are optional, but highly recommended! On the boat trips you will have the chance to sea kayak, snorkel, and swim. You can also just stay back on the boat or enjoy the beaches.

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Why Choose Us

Even though I like to believe that Tim and I are super fun people to travel with, I might be biased😜. But these are some other reasons why you should definitely go on this tour with us!

After the success of our Borneo tours, and once we rode a motorcycle all across Thailand (twice), we realized two very essential things. One, Thailand is simply perfect for motorcyclists since the riding here is just that good. And two, we wanted to make our tour THE BEST Thailand experience out there.

And we had a plan on how to achieve that.

We spent nearly half a year riding to every corner of Thailand, and during that time we noticed a problem with how people were visiting the country - they were so focused on doing loops in the north, that they completely missed the south. Either that, or they did the south and then totally missed the north. What a total shame!

Another thing we noticed was that many motorcyclists had planned long, exhausting days in the saddle, and not much else. This can make a miserable trip. They stopped at attractions that were simply stops because they were on the way, or people posted about them online. But trust us, some of these places are overcrowded, over instagrammed, and are just part of Thailand's tourism mill.

If you want to see the absolute best of everything there is to see in Thailand, including real, authentic sites that are truly worth your time, and off-the-beaten-path roads providing you with exclusive experiences that will feel unique, inspirational, and memorable, then COME WITH US!

The north has tons of roads, zillions of attractions, and the south has literally hundreds of islands, as well as probably thousands of hotels. And they are not all created equal. Though many of these places may look nice in photos online, once you see them in person, like we have, you realize they can be a complete waste of your time and money.

That's why Tim and I have SCOURED this country for months on end, compiling the very BEST of the BEST of THAILAND for you, and wrapping it all nicely into a 10 day package of pure perfection!

We have worked incredibly hard to make this the one and only Thailand tour you'd ever want. I simply cannot wait to show you what we have in store for you...

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Are you ready to see what you'll experience on this ride of your dreams?

THAILAND - Let's Go!

Note: The following itinerary is a preliminary plan and is subject to change.

Location - Chiang Mai
Distance Riding - None, today is orientation day and exploring the city of Chiang Mai
Meals Included - Lunch, Dinner
Main Activities - A morning "Walk Through Time" from ancient to modern Buddhism. In the afternoon, we'll have our orientation meeting and you'll receive your welcome gifts. After dinner, there's an excursion to the night market.
Elevation - 301 meters | 990 feet

Tucked into the heart of northern Thailand's mountains, you'll find the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. It's bustling with culture and flair, tuk-tuks and scooters, but this city also has a walkable, laid-back side to it. Parts of town feel more like a village than a city. Around every corner there seems to be another "wat" (Thai for Buddhist temple), and every single alleyway is sprinkled in blooming flowers. It's a very safe, navigable city that will always inspire, enchant, and entertain.

Massage spas, tattoo parlors, bars, clubs, street markets, ancient ruins, marijuana dispensaries, peaceful monasteries... this city certainly has something for everyone.

But by far the best thing about Chiang Mai are its people! We highly recommend you arrive several days early to not only get over your jet lag, but to really get a feel for what Chiang Mai is all about.

Your Accommodations

We spent weeks searching for the right hotel in Chiang Mai for you, and we found it! This place has all the amenities you'd ever want, as well as the perfect location. It's less than five minutes walking distance from all the action of the Old City, while also being on a quiet and quaint street. I really think you'll love it.

After all that flying, you might want to spend some time in the hotel relaxing beside the pool, getting refreshments at the bar and restaurant, or checking out the spa downstairs.

It depends on where you're coming from, but jet lag can be really tough. We suggest arriving in this part of the world as early as you can. Contact Us for more information on great places to stay in the region ahead of this trip, such as our suggestions for Bangkok, Cambodia, and Laos.

A Journey Through Time

First thing on the agenda for Day 1 is something that Tim and I have spent a lot of time and thought preparing for you - it's an exclusive trip to special locations completely off the beaten path and away from the tourist track.

We'll pile into a van and head over (15 minutes away) to a Buddhist temple and monastery that's nestled into the foothills of Doi Suthep and surrounded by lush forest. It's truly a hidden gem where we can step through time.

Dating back to the first king of the ancient Thai Lan Na Kingdom (also spelled Lanna), King Mangrai founded this wat in the early 1300's. Since then, some of its ruins have been buried by the jungle, as we'll see later, while other parts have been maintained.

One of the most unique features of this temple are the old tunnels where Buddha statues are nestled into alcoves. There's a very special feeling you get when entering these sacred spaces, something I can't exactly describe.

The tunnels used to all be painted in brilliant colors and designs. Though it has mostly faded now, you can see a life-size replica of the paintings in the small museum here.

Oh yeah, and watch out for bats!

Once outside of the tunnels, we'll take a stroll through the monastery grounds and marvel at its beautiful structures.

And because Buddhists believe that all life is sacred, they love to feed the animals, and we'll get a chance to as well.

Ruins of the Lanna Kingdom

Behind the monastery, Tim and I discovered something incredibly special. For those who are feeling adventurous, we'll take you on a jungle path to a set of ancient temple ruins from the time of the Lanna Kingdom. It feels like you're Indiana Jones discovering your own vine-covered ruins, minus the booby traps. It's a bit like a miniature version of Angkor Wat, except without the crowds.

Thailand has a lot of places that are overly touristy, but this is the opposite of that. It's pure, authentic history that almost no one knows about. I've even talked to locals who'd never heard of this place!

The Classic Thai Temple

Next, we'll head back to the heart of Chiang Mai where I'd like to show you our favorite Old City temple - the impressive Wat Lok Moli.

Also dating back to the 14th century Lanna period, this temple has a gorgeously-detailed wooden viharn, or assembly hall, as well as a towering brick chedi.

But what I absolutely love most about this temple is its special water ceremony that we are allowed to take part in. I'll instruct you on how to fill the bamboo vessel with the sacred water, and then hoist it up to allow it to spill over at the Buddha's feet high above. You get to make a prayer or a wish when you do this, bringing us good luck for our upcoming journey.

Modern Thai Buddhism

As we make our way down the street, we'll be traveling through the centuries while visiting some examples of more recent Thai wats. At these temples, gold and sparkling designs dominate, while Buddha sits supremely huge. It's perfect for picture taking and completing our journey of traveling through the different eras of Thai Theravada Buddhism.

This is a naga, or Thai dragon. We'll be seeing lots of them throughout our trip, so keep your eyes open for them. They are long and serpentine (just like the roads we're going to ride!).

Nagas are often depicted flanking a staircase as if they're guarding the way to the temple. Occasionally, a multiple-headed naga will backdrop Buddha himself, almost looking like a seashell behind him.

Dinner with a View

We'll spend the afternoon relaxing back at the hotel, and then after our orientation meeting, we'll walk over to dinner at the rooftop restaurant of the Tha Phae Grill. This restaurant is near the famous Old City brick gateway in Chiang Mai called Tha Phae Gate.

I remember when we first came to this part of Chiang Mai and I laid eyes upon the brick walls surrounding the Old City. They're built in a perfectly square formation that's surrounded by a moat, which still exists today. I was just awestruck at how old and impressive these walls were. In that moment, the weather was idyllic (it usually is at this time of year), the skies were clear, the breeze was gentle, and the city was glowing. And I recall feeling like this was a gorgeous moment to hold onto forever.

Now Tim and I would like to share that moment with you.

Chiang Mai Night Market

We've arranged for this tour to take place at just the right time so that you'll have the opportunity to experience Chiang Mai's famous Tha Phae Gate night market.

With live music mixed with the chanting of monks, this is an experience not to be missed. You can buy local crafts, souvenirs, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

Wow, such an incredible start to our adventures, and we haven't even gotten on the bikes yet! Click below to see what's in store for us tomorrow: 👉

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Have any questions for us? You can ask us and we'll get right back to you.

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