Top Asian Motorbike Tours You Cannot Afford to Miss
There are many advantages to going on a motorbike tour around Asia; as well as the relatively low cost of travelling around Asian countries after paying for flights, you can enjoy some of the most diverse landscapes in the world, as well as some of the most isolated roads you can find for pushing your bikes to the limits. One thing to remember, though, is that visa requirements can vary quite considerably between different countries, so make sure that you understand what you can do with your bike before setting off, and that you have the proper insurance in place, With this in mind, some top Asian motorbike tours you can take include:
Ho Chi Minh Trail, Vietnam
This epic ride takes you along the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam, which is closely associated with the Vietnam War – you start off near Saigon, and take a winding route through the South of the country, before heading up towards the North of the country; an excellent ride if you want to make the most of Vietnam.
The Silk Route, China
Another ambitious journey, this one can be taken either West to East, or East to West between Turkey and China, taking in Kazakhstan, the Great Wall of China, and Tibet – some tours also continue on down towards Thailand, and can involve 12 weeks of travel, and 12500 miles of journey distance.
Zao Ecoline, Japan
The Japanese mountains offer a lot of opportunities for winding bike paths, with one of the best crossing from the East to West of the country between the Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, taking in Mount Zao along the way. The route is closed off, though, between the beginning of November and the end of April.
Izu Skyline, Japan
One other touring option if you’re going to Japan is to take in the Izu skyline, which can involve a long distance ride through multiple mountain roads, and is ideal if you want a route that’s relatively near to Tokyo.
Cambodia Safari Tour, Cambodia
There are many different ways to see Cambodia by bike, with one of the most popular including a grand tour that covers the Kep region, Sihnaoukville, and the Kampot area of the country; you can also take a circular tour that crosses the Cardamom mountains, and visits the temples of Siem Reap.
Chiang Mei, Thailand
This route encompasses the Northern part of Thailand, and starts from Chiang Mei, before crossing through areas like Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, and across through the Doi Inthanon National Park, before returning back to Chiang Mei.
Singapore to Malaysia
One option for a motorbike tour in Asia is to start off on Singapore island, before crossing into the Malaysian mainland – from there you can explore the Genting Highlands, as well as the Segamat district, and the country’s coastal highways and the Cameron Highlands.
Southern Laos
If you want to experience the best of Laos, you’ll need to plan for a few weeks of biking, with key routes going via the Dong Hua Sao National Forest, the Kong Lor Caves, and routes from Vientiane to Pakxane via the Phou Khou Khouay National Protected Area, or from Xepon to Sekong.
Author Bio
AJ has been on several motorcycle tours through Asia and other parts of the world. She likes to blog about her experiences, and recommends that cyclists get their insurance through Direct Asia.