Parcourir le Mali à moto

Salut à tous ! Nouveau sur le forum, mais un peu moins nouveau en Asie 😊 Moi c’est Nico, Suisse, actuellement basé à Bangkok. J’adore partir à moto me perdre dans les montagnes et les petits villages de Thaïlande, du Laos, du Vietnam, etc. Ça fait maintenant une bonne quinzaine d’années que je vadrouille dans le coin, avec pas mal de kilomètres au compteur notamment dans le nord du Vietnam. Cette fois-ci, je me suis enfin décidé à faire la Mae Hong Son Loop, dans le sens des aiguilles d’une montre. J’étais déjà allé plusieurs fois à Pai, mais bizarrement je n’avais encore jamais fait la boucle complète. Du coup je vais essayer de vous faire un petit retour ici, journée par journée, avec les routes, les arrêts, les endroits qui valent le coup… et ceux qui m’ont un peu moins retourné la tête 😅 J’ai aussi filmé le voyage, donc je mettrai la vidéo correspondante à la fin de chaque journée si ça ne pose pas de problème. Et si ce n’est pas autorisé ici, dites-le-moi et je les enlèverai sans souci. JOUR 1 — Chiang Mai → Doi Inthanon → Mae Chaem → Khun Yuam Départ de Chiang Mai après avoir loué un Honda ADV 160 chez Pop Motorbike. Pas exactement une Africa Twin, mais pour ce que j’avais prévu de lui faire subir, ça devait largement faire l’affaire. Petite parenthèse hôtel : j’ai dormi au Lanna Thaphae Hotel avant le départ. Environ 30 € la nuit, super bien placé et surtout probablement un des lits les plus confortables dans lesquels j’ai dormi de ma vie. Information capitale pour tout road trip moto, évidemment. Le plan du jour était relativement élaboré : partir vers Doi Inthanon… et voir ensuite. Une organisation suisse irréprochable. Premier arrêt en chemin à Wachirathan Waterfall. Très belle cascade, très facile d’accès, mais ne vous attendez pas non plus à jouer les Indiana Jones : il y a du monde, c’est touristique et on ne peut pas s’y baigner. Mais ça reste un joli arrêt sur la route. Ensuite, montée vers Doi Inthanon. La route grimpe bien et mon petit 160cc a commencé à découvrir que transporter mes 80 kg jusqu’au point culminant de Thaïlande ne faisait probablement pas partie de ses rêves de jeunesse. Je plafonait à 34km/h à certain endroit. Mais il l’a fait. Brave petite bête. Le sommet est sympa, la forêt est belle, il fait frais… mais je dois avouer que ça ne m’a pas non plus complètement retourné. Content d’y être allé, mais pas forcément le moment fort de la journée pour moi. Parce qu’ensuite arrive la route 1192. Et là, déjà beaucoup plus mon truc : petite route de montagne, beaux paysages, peu de circulation… le genre de route où je commence généralement à prendre beaucoup trop de détours inutiles juste parce qu’une petite route à droite « a l’air sympa ». Passage par Mae Chaem pour manger un morceau, puis direction Khun Yuam pour terminer la journée. Un peu plus de 200 km au total. Khun Yuam, c’est… calme. Très calme. 😅 Un petit marché sympa, deux-trois cafés/restos et pas franchement de risque de terminer en boîte jusqu’à 4h du matin. Mais après une journée sur la moto, ça faisait parfaitement le boulot. Nuit au Mit Khun Yuam Hotel, environ 20 € pour une petite chambre très correcte. Au final, une bonne première journée et une entrée en matière assez tranquille pour la boucle. Une partie de cette étape sert surtout, à mon avis, à sortir de Chiang Mai et à commencer à rentrer sérieusement dans les montagnes. Parce que pour moi, les choses vraiment intéressantes commencent surtout les deux jours suivants… Et quelques décisions d’itinéraire légèrement discutables vont également faire leur apparition 😅 Si certains préparent la Mae Hong Son Loop, n’hésitez pas à poser vos questions, je répondrai avec plaisir ! J’ai également filmé cette première journée, donc pour ceux qui préfèrent voir les routes et les paysages plutôt que de lire mes tartines, voilà le Jour 1 😊 VIDEO DU JOUR 1 Je posterai la suite ici dans les prochains jours avec Jour 2 : Khun Yuam → Mae Surin → Mae Hong Son. Et là, ça commence à devenir vraiment sympa. 😁Voilà voilà ! Au plaisir de contribuer le plus possible sur le forum!

Hi there,

I’d like to ride from Mahajanga to Morondava, sticking as close to the coast as possible—using roads and tracks—in September 2026. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know! 😉

Paul

hi I’m planning a 10-month trip to South America, and I’m looking into options for shipping a motorcycle to Buenos Aires by air or sea. If anyone has any info, thanks in advance! christian

Hi there,

With two friends, we just got back from a two-week trip across Sri Lanka on a Royal Enfield 350cc Classic, without going through a specialized agency.

I organized everything myself.

If you need any info, I’ve written a trip report and put together a financial breakdown of our adventure.

Cheers

Hello everyone. I'm looking for campsites around BOLZANO (South Tyrol) for early September. I'll be on my motorcycle with a small tent. I've noticed that some campsites have exorbitant prices. If you've traveled through the Dolomites by motorcycle or otherwise and camped there, I'd love any tips on places and prices where I can stay for one night or several. Thanks to all of you, and happy travels.

Hi everyone,

With a tourist visa, is it still tolerated in 2026 to buy and sell a small motorbike or scooter (with the green card in the previous owner’s name)?

Thanks for any recent first-hand experience! V

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:

Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?

Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?

Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences. Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!

Ride safe! ✌️ Didier

Hello everyone! ✌️

I just realized I’ve been registered on VoyageForum since... March 28, 2012 😊. Yet, I’ve barely participated until now.

August 1, 2026, will mark a somewhat special milestone: 5 years on the road.

We left Switzerland on August 1, 2021 with a simple idea: let chance decide our direction. We placed a bottle of wine on a world map, spun it... and it chose our first destination.

A year later, when we arrived in Morocco, we faced a new choice: continue toward Africa or head to Asia. This time, a tarot card game made the decision. Since then, we’ve tried to keep this journey as open to the unexpected as possible.

Today, that adds up to about 120,000 km, 46 countries, and over 1,800 days on the road—mostly by motorcycle, but also by sailboat, train, bus, hitchhiking, or on foot when adventure calls.

Our guiding thread isn’t just the motorcycle, but service exchanges. Instead of simply passing through countries, we try to stop regularly to lend a hand to the people we meet. So far, that’s about 600 days of volunteering.

Over the years, we’ve:

renovated a house in Croatia made earth bricks in the Moroccan desert helped sail a boat through the Greek islands looked after houses, dogs, horses, a camel... and lots of other animals worked at a street art festival in Morocco created videos for local associations and projects worked the grape harvest on the Tibetan plateau been accredited as "media" for the World Nomad Games in Central Asia

Some of the moments that have stuck with us the most include six months in China, a night spent on the Great Wall, the Pamir Highway, the Silk Road, three months in Taiwan, and the incredible encounters in the mountains of Central Asia.

We travel on Falkor, our lucky dragon—a 2014 BMW F800GS that’s been with us since the start and is starting to have some great stories of its own.

While we share our adventure on Instagram, Polarsteps, and YouTube, that’s not why we’re here. The forum’s rules about promotion are clear, and I totally get them. If I’m finally taking the time to write, it’s mostly because after five years on the road, I thought our experience might be useful to other travelers.

Happy to chat about:

preparing for a long motorcycle trip visas and borders the Silk Road and Central Asia riding in China (with or without a motorcycle) volunteering and service exchanges while traveling gear, daily life on the road... or just the unexpected moments that make long-term travel so special

Looking forward to swapping stories and hearing about your adventures too! 😊 Greetings from Thailand, and happy to chat! ✌️

Vincent, Nathalia & Falkor

Hello, I’m retired and planning a roughly 3-week motorcycle trip (1200gs). The dates aren’t set in stone yet, and everything’s open to discussion—I’m pretty flexible with the planning.

hi planning to ride through Rajasthan on a motorcycle in January 2027 and I’d love to hear about the road conditions. I’ll be riding with a buddy on a Royal Enfield that I’ll rent in Delhi. Thanks for your tips!

hi there I’d like to ride the RN 12 by motorcycle in September. I’d love to know the main challenges—I ride a 300cc and do enduro in France. Thanks for your tips!

Paul Courtois

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a motorcycle road trip to Armenia and Georgia in September 2026 or May 2027. I’m looking for one or more riders (male or female) who’d like to explore these countries with me.

Along the way, we’ll visit Cappadocia, the capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi, Sofia, Skopje, and other cities—we can finalize the route and roadbook later.

This trip requires experience with long motorcycle journeys, as we’ll cover around 7,000 km over 5 or 6 weeks (or more, depending on sightseeing and time spent).

I don’t expect dozens of applicants, since motorcycle riders are few and far between on this forum, but I’m putting this out there anyway.

See you soon

Hi, I’d like to take a 15-day "break" to get away from the surrounding hustle and bustle. Why not explore the Peloponnese! I’m not particularly drawn to museums, ruins, or monuments. I want to experience local life—small villages, seaside spots, beaches, and the interior if the landscapes are extraordinary. Ideally, coming from Athens, I’d take a bus or train to get as close as possible to a starting point, then rent a scooter (125cc) to explore by taking secondary roads or even coastal paths. I’d stay in 2-3 places for a few days each to discover their surroundings. Do a loop. What do you think would be the ideal itinerary? From Athens, the best option would be to take either a flight or a bus to Kalamata. Rent a scooter and head either west or east. Is there a tertiary road (very lightly trafficked) or a path where I can ride slowly, take it easy, and enjoy the scenery without being bothered by traffic? I’d like to go all the way to Monemvasia, still hugging the coast. I need to find a way to avoid returning to Kalamata to drop off the scooter and catch a flight—maybe a small town where the train stops so I can head back to Athens. Thanks in advance for your tips.

Hi!

I want to rent an off-road style motorcycle to get around the coast during my trip to Ecuador. I’m only finding options in Quito. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thanks!

Hi there, I’m planning a sidecar trip to South America for 4 or 5 months at the end of this year. I’m looking for info on shipping my vehicle by sea—possibly to Uruguay or another destination, as I haven’t finalized anything yet. How do you get visas for the countries I’ll be crossing: Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile? Are they e-Visas, obtained at the border, or through embassies? Where can I get vehicle insurance? Lastly, if any bikers want to join us (my partner and me), we’re open to that possibility too. Patrick

Hi, I’m planning to head to Morocco in early May on my 1200 RT. I’ll be leaving from Dax to Kenitra—happy to ride together if anyone’s up for it!

Hey everyone,

I’ve got 15 days off in June and I’m pretty undecided about where to go for a motorcycle road trip. Two strong desires are pulling me in different directions: Corsica or Norway.

Corsica has been a dream of mine for a long time: legendary roads, stunning landscapes, a unique vibe, and the perfect mix of sea and mountains. At the same time, I’m wondering if 2 weeks might be *too much* for Corsica—risking feeling like I’ve seen it all too quickly, especially on a bike. Since I also have an extra week free in May, I could use that specifically for Corsica. Maybe splitting it into two trips would make more sense? If so, which routes or regions would be the most interesting to plan for a 7-day trip?

On the other hand, Norway is *super* appealing. The landscapes look incredible, totally different from anything I’ve experienced, and it’d be a real “wow” trip. I know 15 days is still short for such a vast country. Getting all the way to the North Cape seems pretty much impossible in that time, but I’m curious about what realistic routes could be planned.

So I’m wondering: Is it better to save Norway for next year, take 3 weeks off, and do it *properly*? Or are 15 days enough for a first amazing taste of the country?

I’d love to hear about your experiences—whether it’s Corsica (ideal duration, routes) or Norway (what’s realistic in 2 weeks on a bike). Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Hello, I'm thinking of buying a used small motorcycle to travel around the country for a month and a half. I've done this in other countries without putting the registration in my name—is that possible in Guinea given the apparently frequent checks, or do I have to go through the paperwork? Thanks.

Hello, My dream is to ride Route 66 by motorcycle. I have a disability—while I’m not in a wheelchair, my walking mobility is reduced. The ideal scenario would be to have a motorcycle driver and ride as their passenger on an organized trip. Are there any guides or services like this offered by travel agencies? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Hello, I’ve got a plan with a friend to go on a motorcycle road trip in 2028 or 2029, starting in Santiago de Chile and ending in Ushuaia, for about a month. Has anyone done a trip like this before, and what’s the best time of year? I’ve heard there can be quite a bit of wind depending on the season. Thanks for any tips! Cheers, PA

I'm seriously considering heading to Nepal to do some nice motorcycle loops... my goal is also to do the Kailash Yatra round trip from Kathmandu, in a small group with a guide, in May '26... but here's the thing—I'm solo! So if you're up for sharing a similar adventure, hit me up... Cheers, Frankoys

It's all in the title: I'm heading to Krabi soon and want to rent a scooter for a few weeks, but after reading comments about all kinds of scams, I'm reaching out to ask where and how (read: *the right way*) to rent one. Thanks for your tips and advice.

Hello everyone! Like every year, a winter migration is on the horizon (revised plan): this time, it’ll be Dakar, or even Abidjan, via Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. Looking for an experienced motorcyclist or pillion rider—small build preferred—on a GSA 1250 with a comfy seat and luggage setup, available from early November to late December 2025. I’d like to plan the trip together (important to me) to make sure we’re on the same wavelength. Don’t hesitate to get in touch! Didier

Hi everyone...

Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.

I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.

For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars. We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."

I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)

Have a great day, everyone!!!!!

Hi there!

I’m heading to Vietnam and Laos with a buddy next week for a month. We’re thinking of renting motorbikes, especially to do the Ha Giang Loop. We don’t have an international license, just our Belgian one. Is that enough? If not, is it risky?

Thanks for the info! !

Hi there,

In January 2026, I’m planning a motorbike trip through northern Vietnam for 3–4 weeks.

Must-dos: Hanoi, RC4, Dien Bien Phu, and of course the must-see landscapes.

I’m looking for any great tips, ideas… and maybe even a riding partner.

Cheers

Hi everyone,

In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎 We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.

If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.

Thanks in advance! 😉 Ladava

Hello! We’re planning a motorcycle trip that will include a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in June 2026. We’re unsure (still debating) whether we should stay at a hotel on-site and get to the memorial with an Uber (leaving our bikes at the hotel) and book a guided tour, or base ourselves in Kraków and take a tour that includes transport. One thing’s for sure—we’d prefer a guide in French since we don’t speak English 😅.

Could you share your experiences or advice? I understand we need to book online rather than on-site. Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a road trip in Cuba and was wondering if there are any bike rental places (125/500cc) with reasonable rates—not the Harley rental places!

Thanks for your help. Wave of headlights! !

Hello, Next October we’re planning to ride the Ruta de la Plata by motorcycle—a historic Spanish route that runs from Gijón to Seville, also known as the N630. Has anyone here already ridden it? Unfortunately, I’m worried that parts of the N630 may have disappeared or merged with the A66 motorway, forcing us to ride long stretches of highway, which we’d rather avoid. Thanks in advance for any tips or details about this route!