Ah, the thrill of the open road. Enthusiasts will tell you that two-wheeled road trips are the only true way to immerse yourself in a location’s culture, people and landscape. We scouted out 5 gorgeous countries in Asia for motorbike trips of a lifetime, and the best companies to book your tours with or rent your wheels from.
SCOOTERS, MOTORBIKES, MOTORCYCLES, mopeds, mosai, dirt bikes – whatever your saddle and terminology of choice, it only takes a few seconds on the ground in Asia to realize this continent runs on two wheels. From fitting families of five on the back to entire refrigerators, motorbikes are often more than just a mode of transportation.
But when you buck practicality, they’re made for joyriding. And it seems almost clandestine that some of the world’s best motorcycle routes are in Asia. From the mountains of the Himalayas to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, these are the best, and some perhaps most unexpected, destinations for hopping on and taking off on the ride of a lifetime.
5 Countries in Asia With Awesome Motorbike Adventures, and the Best Companies to Book Your Trips With
Vietnam
Spend a day riding around Vietnam, and you’ll encounter everything from frenzied intersections to swaying rice paddies to sweeping mountain vistas. The diversity of landscape and riding options make it one of the best places in not just Asia but the world for motorcycle trips.
No one knows the terrain better than Onyabike Adventures. With trips of up to 21 days, their tours are customizable and all-inclusive, so riders experience everything, including culture and food, and worry about nothing while on a Royal Enfield Himalayan 410cc.
The team at Onyabike Adventures has been roaming Vietnam since 2017, so they know all the best spots. Among their most popular is the seven-day Highlights of Central Vietnam route that rides over the iconic Hai Van Pass and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Sri Lanka
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Image courtesy of Ceylon Adventure Tours
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Image courtesy of Ceylon Adventure Tours
Sri Lanka isn’t just for surf trips and train rides. From its palm-fringed coastline to its tea-filled interior, it’s a beautiful place to explore at your own pace.
The crew at Ceylon Motorcycle Tours has a varied fleet of bikes to choose from, including a Baja 250 CC or a Royal Enfield. And while you can rent one and head off solo, riding is always better with a buddy. They’ve got 20 years of experience, local guides and the best motorbike tours and routes for all Sri Lanka’s highlights, Tangalle to Ella.
Bhutan
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Image courtesy of Bhutan TUSK Motorcycle Tours
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Images courtesy of Bhutan TUSK Motorcycle Tours
Switchback roads and mountain-peak views make Bhutan one of the most beautiful countries on Earth for motorbike trips. Ideal during spring and fall, it’s perfect for adventurous bikers who don’t mind dodging the occasional yak or two.
Bhutan T.U.S.K Motorcycle Tours specializes in touring the Himalayan country on two wheels. Fixed trip routes span four nights to 14, taking riders through some of the most famous and the most remote parts of the country.
For a far-flung ride, head to eastern Bhutan, where mysticism and magical views converge. If you’re looking for something shorter, opt for a trip that includes the route from the capital city of Thimphu to the country’s most famous dzong in Punakha.
Kyrgyzstan
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Image courtesy of SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours
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Images courtesy of SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours
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Image courtesy of SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours
While we stan the Stans, to some folks this motorcycle destination might feel like a roadside cow coming out of nowhere. But as soon as you coast down the Silk Road, you’ll understand why it makes our list.
Nicknamed the Switzerland of Central Asia, the majority of the country is covered by the Tien-Shan mountain ranges. SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours has been riding these mountain passes for more than 18 years, roving all over all the Stans. Their most popular Kyrgyzstan trip is the 11 Passes of Tien-Shan that lasts 12 days. The riders mount a Suzuki DR650 and take off on a journey that spans over 2,000 kilometers and reaches nearly 3,000 meters in elevation.
Laos
Landscapes in Laos are like scenes out of Jurassic Park. Lush jungle and leafy peaks dominate this all too underrated country, one of the best in Southeast Asia for spicy food, languid days, and dream-fulfilling motorbike tours. In a country this unique, your road trip should be, too.
Lao ADV Tours specializes in Dirt Bike trips venturing off-road through the country’s hidden trails. One of their most popular tours is the 10-day Lima Sites and Secret War Trails route, on which military-history enthusiasts can visit Northern Lao sites. Just be prepared to get muddy.
Lede image courtesy of SilkOffRoad Motorcycle Tours.
Written By
Katie Lockhart
Katie Lockhart is a travel & food journalist and copywriter traveling full-time around Asia. She writes for National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report and many more. You can follow her work and adventures on Instagram at @findyourhappyplate.
