Regardless of Pai being a preferred backpacker hub, Mae Hong Son province doesn’t seem typically on a vacationer’s radar. Located in Northwest Thailand on the border to Myanmar, Mae Hong Son was put except for its neighboring provinces equivalent to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in terms of recognition and actions.
Suggestions for Mae Hong Son within the North of Thailand
Nonetheless, visiting Mae Hong Son appears like a frontier expertise because it’s off from the standard tourism buzz and thus, most of its cities and sights aren’t simply accessible for tourism. Some would possibly assume that it’s extra genuine than different provinces in Northern Thailand. Furthermore, it’s wealthy with luscious inexperienced mountains, dense rainforest, neverending rice fields and ethnic hill tribe tradition which makes you’re feeling like an explorer in an unknown territory. The pure sources of Mae Hong Son alone makes your journey greater than value it!
On this article, I’ll let you know concerning the actions you are able to do and which sights that you must see on your little Mae Hong Son journey.
Find out how to get to Mae Hong Son
By bus/minivan
Mae Hong Son is the westernmost province in Thailand. On account of its excessive mountain ranges lined in mist more often than not, it’s also referred to as ‘the town of three mists’ (three referring to the three seasons in Thailand; dry season, wet season, chilly season). The upper the situation, the extra windy and slender the streets could be. When you’re not driving by yourself, I extremely advocate you to convey some journey drugs together with you when you journey by minivan or bus. In any other case, you’ll simply get movement sick.
There are some bus corporations which give companies to and in Mae Hong Son province. Many of the minivans by Prempracha begin from the bus terminal (Arcade 2) in Chiang Mai. Don’t be shocked: Thai locals additionally use Prempracha to ship off packages. When you’re sitting subsequent or in entrance of a pile of containers, that could be a widespread sight right here.
The bus firm Sombat Tour has long-distance night time buses connecting Bangkok to Mae Hong Son and different cities within the province alongside the way in which. The trip takes round 15 hours.
By airplane
Probably the most handy (and in addition not budget-friendly) approach to get to Mae Hong Son is by airplane. From Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok you may hop on a airplane to Mae Hong Son which shouldn’t take you greater than 1,5 hours. There are frequent home flights operated by Nok Air.
By rental automotive/bike
If you wish to take a deep dive within the tradition and landscapes of Mae Hong Son by driving by yourself, I extremely advocate you to hire a bike or automotive and do the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Lodging in Mae Hong Son – our lodge ideas
Touring by way of Mae Hong Son province, there are numerous motels, guesthouses and homestays obtainable. Even when you cease in a small village, yow will discover appropriate lodging. Listed below are a couple of that I can advocate to you.
The Quarter (Pai): The Quarter is a chic 4-star lodge, situated within the coronary heart of Pai. Every lodge room is brilliant and spacious (particularly the loos). Furthermore, it has a terrace with a fantastic backyard view. In addition to the comfy rooms, the inexperienced swimming pool is a spotlight of the Quarter. Breakfast is included within the lodge charge.
Countryside Resort (Pai): The Countryside Resort is a budget-friendly lodge a bit outdoors of city. The bamboo huts are directed to rice fields and mountains. I stayed for a few days there and I might do that once more. The workers will not be solely pleasant and tremendous useful, in addition they give you laundry service (30 Baht per kg) and offer you a carry to Pai Bus station or different locations.
B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Lodge (Mae Hong Son): This lodge is situated proper within the coronary heart of Mae Hong Son city. The rooms are fairly comfy and clear. The workers could be very pleasant and doing their finest to make your keep pleasant as doable.
Herntai Resort (Mae La Noi): Constructed within the Northern Thai conventional fashion, it’s situated within the middle of Mae La Noi. The rooms aren’t that large, however very clear. The backyard round Herntai Resort is kind of spacious, with an superior view of rice paddies and mountains. Simply lie down in one of many hammocks and chill out.
Ban Huai Hom Resort (Mae La Noi): When you’re a espresso lover like me, don’t miss this place! Ban Huai Hom is a small village situated close to the border of Chiang Mai province. You’ll be able to take pleasure in espresso that the folks grew on this space. In addition to, you may hire one of many rooms if you wish to keep in a single day. Simply ask the locals. They’re greater than delighted that can assist you out.
Above the Sea (Mae Sariang): A contemporary boutique lodge within the middle of Mae Sariang. The rooms are fairly clear and the beds are greater than comfy. A pool and a small gymnasium can be a part of the amenities. Once I stayed there, I felt greater than welcome at Above the Sea. Breakfast is included within the lodge charge.
1. Mae Hong Son Loop
The loop begins and ends in Chiang Mai and takes you largely by way of the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Lamphun and Chiang Mai to a small extent. On account of its many turns and twists alongside this tour, the loop is most popular by many motorbikers. Doing the loop, you’ll expertise probably the most astonishing mountain sceneries, be taught concerning the folks of the ethnic hill tribes, and have a once-in-a-lifetime sense of deliberation. The 373-mile (ca. 600 km) route could be performed inside 4 days, however when you’re not in a rush, I like to recommend you to delay your journey. The fascination of the Mae Hong Son Loop could be in comparison with a dry-aged beef: the extra time you make investments, the extra intense your (style) expertise might be.
The popular time to do that loop is both within the chilly season (October-February) or dry season (March-Might). When you wish to be adventurous, you may trip the loop in the course of the wet season (June-September). The rice fields are luscious inexperienced throughout this time whereas within the different seasons the rice crops are both already harvested or not planted but, therefore, they appear fairly bare. The streets are very slippery if it rains. Potholes and landslides are widespread, so higher be further cautious.
When you don’t really feel comfy to trip by yourself, you may additionally e-book non-public excursions.
2. Mountain viewpoints
Quantity 2 correlates with number one on this record. Mae Hong Son has one of the vital beautiful mountain views in the entire nation the place you may look far into the space! Since this province is manner much less urbanized than its neighbor Chiang Mai, a lot of the nature stays untouched and well-preserved. There are various viewpoints alongside the Mae Hong Son Loop.
3. Scorching Springs
When you’re on the Mae Hong Son Loop, take a break at one of many scorching springs within the province. The doorway charge shouldn’t be greater than 50 Baht and you may keep so long as you need. Scorching springs equivalent to Nong Haeng Scorching Springs or Pha Bong Scorching Springs invite you to relaxation and ponder. You may as well hire a non-public bathtub if you wish to have extra privateness. Nonetheless, after Covid most of them look a bit run-down and never very well-maintained.
4. Go to the one crystal calcite cave (Tham Kaew Komol) in Southeast Asia
Round 6 km east from Mae La Noi city on Doi Tham, there is without doubt one of the most stunning crystal calcite caves in Thailand. The cave goes 30 meters deep and has 5 chambers in numerous sizes the place calcite crystals are shaped like snowy corals or clouds. This can be a uncommon phenomenon since calcite can solely change into crystalized and set stable on the proper temperature of scorching steam. Strolling out and in Tham Kaew Komol doesn’t take greater than half-hour. You’ll be able to solely enter the cave with a information. Entrance charge is 80 Baht.
5. Wat Tham Phra (Mae Sariang)
Near the town of Mae Sariang, there’s a distinctive Buddhist cave temple referred to as Wat Tham Phra. By scooter, the temple could be very simple to succeed in from the city. The temple is constructed within a mountain. From there you’ve got a tremendous view over Mae Sariang and its environment. The cave a part of this temple is kind of small, nonetheless, the Buddha statues are gigantic. Usually, the temple doesn’t have many guests, so benefit from the calm and tranquil environment at Wat Tham Phra. No entrance charge.
6. Native Thai Nightlife
If Chiang Mai continues to be too hectic for you, however you don’t wish to miss the nightlife. I like to recommend you go to native Thai bars within the cities of Mae Hong Son. A few of them are extra bustling than you assume. Relying on the bar, there are additionally reside music or karaoke nights. If there’s a reside band enjoying, the Thai locals could be extraordinarily extroverted. Regardless of language boundaries, Thai folks is likely to be and wish to chat with you over a beer or two.
My favourite bar in the entire province is Ching Ching within the middle of Mae Sariang. The beer costs are between 60 and 90 Baht per bottle. As well as, the bar could be very stress-free and infrequently performs quite a lot of Thai and Western music.
7. Salawin River Boat tour
The Salawin Nationwide Park is situated proper on the border to the Kayah state in Myanmar. The park itself is a spotlight of its personal; it’s very mountainous and consists of several types of forests. Nonetheless, the Salawin river is what makes it so particular (additionally it’s within the title of this park). The Salawin river flows from the Tibetan Plateau and ends within the Andaman Sea, crossing by way of three totally different international locations. Moreover, it capabilities partly as a geographical demarcation between Thailand and Myanmar.
You’ll be able to sit on a ship which sails throughout the river, actually crossing borders. There isn’t a lot public details about the itinerary. Nonetheless, I like to recommend driving south from Mae Sariang in the direction of Sop Moei and heading west to the Thai-Myanmar border. There’s a small village referred to as Baan Mae Sam Laep on the Salawin riverbank. Ethnic minorities equivalent to Karen and Shan folks reside there who’re very pleasant. Simply ask round concerning the boat tour they usually’d be completely happy that can assist you.
8. Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary (Pai)
Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary affords stress-free Elephant excursions in nature outdoors of Pai. On the camp, we had the pleasure to fulfill Ot and Tutdao, two sleek elephant women who’re very playful and revel in consuming. It was a lot enjoyable to stroll with the mild giants and bathing with them within the river. Thom herself grew up in a mahout household (mahouts means elephant keepers or trainers) and takes nice care of them. A two-hour elephant tour together with Bamboo rafting and lunch prices round 1800 Baht per particular person. Driving the elephants is strictly forbidden.
9. Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw)
When you’re doing the Mae Hong Son Loop, don’t miss Ban Rak Thai (In Thai, the title means ‘the village loves Thai’), a Chinese language village 44 km north from Mae Hong Son metropolis. In the course of the rise of Communism in China, folks from Yunnan province fled the nation and settled on this space. Some generations later, they absolutely tailored Thai language and tradition, however they’ve by no means forgotten about their heritage. The village often known as Mae Aw could be very small and you may simply discover the whole lot by foot. Particularly throughout winter, it may well get fairly chilly right here, so higher pack some heat garments. The most effective sightseeings is the central lake lined in mist within the early morning and the Chinese language-style homes surrounded by tea plantations.
You’ll be able to both e-book a non-public tour to get there or drive your self with a rental car from Chiang Mai, Pai or Mae Hong Son city. However the windy streets won’t be appropriate for inexperienced drivers. There are additionally yellow pick-up vehicles going backwards and forwards between Ban Rak Thai and Mae Hong Son city.
10. Chill out at cafes subsequent to a rice discipline
In Mae Hong Son province, you’ll have many alternatives to take pleasure in a chilly beverage with a splendid view over broad rice fields. Many of the inhabitants in Mae Hong Son work within the agricultural discipline and rising rice could be very important for a lot of households. A few of them constructed beautiful cafes subsequent to rice farms.
Two of my favourite cafés that are situated subsequent to rice fields are Mana and Phamolor Espresso in Mae Sariang. Additionally they supply a fantastic menu with self made desserts and scrumptious espresso! Furthermore, for the digital nomads amongst us: The WiFi connection is de facto quick and energy shops can be found at these locations.
Tailpiece
Truthfully talking, when you’re trying to find the last word, thrilling ‘Thailand’ expertise, Mae Hong Son is likely to be the mistaken place for you. The province could be very down-to-earth, largely rural and deeply stress-free. When you’re a fan of distant locations far-off from the tourist-y hustle (Pai is an enormous exception) and lovely nature, then you definately obtained to see Mae Hong Son.
This province invitations you to dive into the ethnic hill tribe life and benefit from the small issues in life. Mae Hong Son does neither supply a fantastic number of actions nor probably the most beautiful temples. Simply drive round, discover the province by yourself and discuss to the folks. By doing so, Mae Hong Son will give you the very best Thai native life expertise than wherever else.
Concerning the creator
Hey guys, it’s Pako Nam, working as a contract creator and digital creator. Born in Thailand and rising up in Germany, my cultural id interchanges between East and West. Touring and writing is my approach to discover the world which I doc on my social media channels.
