NBT SUPER LOOP
“Eleven days on the roads that define the North”
The short answer
The NBT Super Loop is an eleven-day guided motorcycle tour from Chiang Mai — 1,381 km joining Mae Hong Son and Nan, with a rest day in the middle, from $2,750 per rider, all-inclusive. No security deposit. No passport held.
Most riders come to Thailand and choose: Mae Hong Son or Nan. This is both, welded into one ride — 1,381 km over eleven days, with a rest day in the middle because by then you'll want one. Thailand's highest mountain, a Yunnanese tea village on the Myanmar border, Pai, the temples of Chiang Rai, sunrise above the clouds at Phu Chi Fa, the empty mountain roads of Nan, and a last night on the water at Phayao. It is the whole North, ridden slowly, in the order it deserves.
The whole group, mid-morning
Misty mountains
Famous Route 3 — Nan
Friendship Bridge — Pai
The Golden Triangle — where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet
Ringing the temple bell
The White Temple — Chiang Rai
The Blue Temple — Chiang Rai
HIGHLIGHTS
UPCOMING DATES
THE ROUTE
RIDING DISTANCES
approx riding time · excludes stops
- NBT → 1 Mae Chaem116 km~3h 15m
- 1 Mae Chaem → 2 Ban Rak Thai207 km~5h 15m
- 2 Ban Rak Thai → 3 Pai118 km~3h 15m
- 3 Pai → 4 Chiang Dao130 km~3h 15m
- 4 Chiang Dao → 5 Chiang Rai177 km~4h
- 5 Chiang Rai → 6 Phu Chi Fa84 km~2h
- 6 Phu Chi Fa → 7 Pua186 km~4h 45m
- 7 Pua → 8 Nan61 km~1h 30m
- 8 Nan → 9 Phayao150 km~4h
- 9 Phayao → NBT152 km~3h 30m
- Day 1Chiang Mai → Doi Inthanon → Mae Chaem
Climb out of Chiang Mai toward Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, with a stop at Mae Pan Waterfall on the way up. Drop down the far side into the Mae Chaem valley for the first night, deep in rural mountain country.
- Day 2Mae Chaem → Ban Rak Thai
A long mountain crossing into Mae Hong Son province, finishing at Ban Rak Thai — a Yunnanese-Chinese village tucked against the Myanmar border, known for its tea plantations, lake, and cool climate. Overnight on the lakeshore.
- Day 3Ban Rak Thai → Pai
Winding mountain roads through the Pai valley, with a stop at Tham Lot cave along the way. Arrive in Pai with the afternoon and evening free for food, cafes, and the walking street.
- Day 4Pai → Chiang Dao
Classic northern riding — continuous curves all morning, then a quieter run east to Chiang Dao, a small town beneath dramatic limestone peaks. Caves and hot springs nearby for the afternoon.
- Day 5Chiang Dao → Chiang Rai
Northeast through countryside and gentle mountain passes into Chiang Rai, the cultural heart of the far north. Overnight in town.
- Day 6Chiang Rai — Rest Day
A full day off the bike. Bike checks, laundry, recovery. Optional outings to the White, Black and Blue temples, the cafes, or short solo rides for those who can't sit still.
- Day 7Chiang Rai → Phu Chi Fa
East toward the Lao border, finishing at Phu Chi Fa — a cliff-edge viewpoint overlooking Laos. Optional sunset hike on arrival, and a sunrise hike the next morning for a sea of clouds (weather permitting).
- Day 8Phu Chi Fa → Pua
Rolling mountain roads back into Nan province. Pua is a small, peaceful town surrounded by green hills — a soft landing after a big day.
- Day 9Pua → Nan
Short on the map, big on the road — some of the best mountain riding in the region. Arrive in Nan with the afternoon free to wander the old town and its temples.
- Day 10Nan → Than Sawan Waterfall → Phayao
Forested back roads to Than Sawan Waterfall for a refreshing mid-ride stop, then onward to the lakeside town of Phayao. Overnight by the water.
- Day 11Phayao → Chiang Mai
A relaxed final ride via scenic secondary roads back into Chiang Mai. Tour ends at our base.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
When are you coming?
Tap a month. We'll tell you what the road is like then — no form, no sign-up.
GOOD TO KNOW
FREQUENTLY ASKED
+11 days is a lot. How much riding per day?
+Do I need a visa, and will I need to extend?
+What about laundry and luggage?
+What bike will I ride?
+What if I want to leave early or join late?
+There's a rest day in Chiang Rai (Day 6) — what do people usually do?
+Can you customize the tour?
Got a different amount of time?
All nine tours →“My bike was top tier. On arrival I had brand new tires and a freshly gone over machine… There were 3 others plus a mechanic. Having the mechanic come along puts the mind at rest. He is awake every morning before everyone else ensuring your bike is good to go… We did 10 days riding in Laos and it was the trip of a lifetime.”
“Wow what a team!… Such a professional team providing bikes, we had a NX 500, food and accommodation organised for us. My friend and I did the Mae Hong Song loop and it was amazing with a legend as a guide. A big thank you goes to Ling as she was helpful and very knowledgeable.”
Get in touch
BOOK THIS TOUR
20% booking deposit to reserve. Fully refundable 21+ days before departure.