Regardless of Pai being a well-liked backpacker hub, Mae Hong Son province doesn’t seem usually on a vacationer’s radar. Located in Northwest Thailand on the border to Myanmar, Mae Hong Son was put except for its neighboring provinces corresponding to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in relation to reputation and actions.
Suggestions for Mae Hong Son within the North of Thailand
Nonetheless, visiting Mae Hong Son seems 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 may 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 assets of Mae Hong Son alone makes your journey greater than value it!
On this article, I’ll inform you concerning the actions you are able to do and which sights you want to see in your little Mae Hong Son journey.
The right way 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, additionally it is 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 placement, the extra windy and slim the streets might be. In case you’re not driving by yourself, I extremely suggest you to carry 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 providers to and in Mae Hong Son province. A lot 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. In case you’re sitting subsequent or in entrance of a pile of containers, that may be a frequent sight right here.
The bus firm Sombat Tour has long-distance evening buses connecting Bangkok to Mae Hong Son and different cities within the province alongside the way in which. The journey takes round 15 hours.
By airplane
Essentially the most handy (and in addition not budget-friendly) solution to get to Mae Hong Son is by airplane. From Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok you’ll be able to 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 automobile/bike
If you wish to take a deep dive within the tradition and landscapes of Mae Hong Son by driving by yourself, I extremely suggest you to hire a motorcycle or automobile 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 a lot of resorts, guesthouses and homestays accessible. Even when you cease in a small village, yow will discover appropriate lodging. Listed here are just a few that I can suggest to you.
The Quarter (Pai): The Quarter is a chic 4-star lodge, positioned within the coronary heart of Pai. Every lodge room is vivid and spacious (particularly the loos). Furthermore, it has a terrace with an excellent backyard view. Moreover the comfy rooms, the inexperienced swimming pool is a spotlight of the Quarter. Breakfast is included within the lodge price.
Countryside Resort (Pai): The Countryside Resort is a budget-friendly lodge a bit exterior of city. The bamboo huts are directed to rice fields and mountains. I stayed for a few days there and I’d do that once more. The employees will not be solely pleasant and tremendous useful, additionally they give you laundry service (30 Baht per kg) and provide you with a elevate to Pai Bus station or different locations.
B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Resort (Mae Hong Son): This lodge is positioned proper within the coronary heart of Mae Hong Son city. The rooms are fairly snug and clear. The employees could be very pleasant and doing their greatest to make your keep fulfilling as doable.
Herntai Resort (Mae La Noi): Constructed within the Northern Thai conventional model, it’s positioned 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 loosen up.
Ban Huai Hom Resort (Mae La Noi): In case you’re a espresso lover like me, don’t miss this place! Ban Huai Hom is a small village positioned close to the border of Chiang Mai province. You’ll be able to get pleasure from espresso that the individuals grew on this space. Moreover, you’ll be able to hire one of many rooms if you wish to keep in a single day. Simply ask the locals. They’re greater than delighted that will help 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 snug. A pool and a small gymnasium can also 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 price.
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 individuals of the ethnic hill tribes, and have a once-in-a-lifetime sense of deliberation. The 373-mile (ca. 600 km) route might be achieved inside 4 days, however when you’re not in a rush, I like to recommend you to extend your journey. The fascination of the Mae Hong Son Loop might be in comparison with a dry-aged beef: the extra time you make investments, the extra intense your (style) expertise can be.
The popular time to do that loop is both within the chilly season (October-February) or dry season (March-Could). In case you wish to be adventurous, you’ll be able to journey the loop through the wet season (June-September). The rice fields are luscious inexperienced throughout this time whereas within the different seasons the rice vegetation are both already harvested or not planted but, therefore, they appear quite bare. The streets are very slippery if it rains. Potholes and landslides are frequent, so higher be further cautious.
In case you don’t really feel snug to journey by yourself, you can additionally ebook non-public excursions.
2. Mountain viewpoints
Quantity 2 correlates with number one on this checklist. Mae Hong Son has some of the gorgeous mountain views in the entire nation the place you’ll be able to look far into the gap! Since this province is means much less urbanized than its neighbor Chiang Mai, many of the nature stays untouched and well-preserved. There are lots of viewpoints alongside the Mae Hong Son Loop.
3. Sizzling Springs
When you’re on the Mae Hong Son Loop, take a break at one of many sizzling springs within the province. The doorway price shouldn’t be greater than 50 Baht and you may keep so long as you need. Sizzling springs corresponding to Nong Haeng Sizzling Springs or Pha Bong Sizzling Springs invite you to relaxation and ponder. You too can hire a personal 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 likely one of the most lovely crystal calcite caves in Thailand. The cave goes 30 meters deep and has 5 chambers in several sizes the place calcite crystals are fashioned like snowy corals or clouds. It is a uncommon phenomenon since calcite can solely turn out to be crystalized and set strong on the proper temperature of sizzling 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 price 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 achieve from the city. The temple is constructed within a mountain. From there you’ve 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 ambiance at Wat Tham Phra. No entrance price.
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 might be extraordinarily extroverted. Regardless of language obstacles, Thai individuals may 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 enjoyable and sometimes performs a wide range of Thai and Western music.
7. Salawin River Boat tour
The Salawin Nationwide Park is positioned 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 identify of this park). The Salawin river flows from the Tibetan Plateau and ends within the Andaman Sea, crossing by way of three totally different nations. Moreover, it features 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 corresponding to Karen and Shan individuals reside there who’re very pleasant. Simply ask round concerning the boat tour they usually’d be pleased that will help you.
8. Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary (Pai)
Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary provides enjoyable Elephant excursions in nature exterior of Pai. On the camp, we had the pleasure to fulfill Ot and Tutdao, two sleek elephant women who’re very playful and luxuriate 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. Using the elephants is strictly forbidden.
9. Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw)
In case you’re doing the Mae Hong Son Loop, don’t miss Ban Rak Thai (In Thai, the identify means ‘the village loves Thai’), a Chinese language village 44 km north from Mae Hong Son metropolis. Throughout the rise of Communism in China, individuals 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 also referred to as Mae Aw could be very small and you may simply discover every little thing by foot. Particularly throughout winter, it may possibly get fairly chilly right here, so higher pack some heat garments. Probably the greatest 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 ebook a personal tour to get there or drive your self with a rental automobile from Chiang Mai, Pai or Mae Hong Son city. However the windy streets may not be appropriate for inexperienced drivers. There are additionally yellow pick-up vans going forwards and backwards between Ban Rak Thai and Mae Hong Son city.
10. Loosen up at cafes subsequent to a rice area
In Mae Hong Son province, you’ll have many alternatives to get pleasure from a chilly beverage with a splendid view over broad rice fields. A lot of the inhabitants in Mae Hong Son work within the agricultural area and rising rice could be very important for a lot of households. A few of them constructed pretty cafes subsequent to rice farms.
Two of my favourite cafés that are positioned subsequent to rice fields are Mana and Phamolor Espresso in Mae Sariang. Additionally they supply an excellent 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 looking for the final word, thrilling ‘Thailand’ expertise, Mae Hong Son may be the unsuitable place for you. The province could be very down-to-earth, largely rural and deeply enjoyable. In case you’re a fan of distant locations far-off from the tourist-y hustle (Pai is an enormous exception) and beautiful nature, then you definately acquired 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 an excellent number of actions nor probably the most gorgeous temples. Simply drive round, discover the province by yourself and discuss to the individuals. By doing so, Mae Hong Son will give you the perfect Thai native life expertise than anyplace else.
Concerning the writer
Hey guys, it’s Pako Nam, working as a contract writer and digital creator. Born in Thailand and rising up in Germany, my cultural id interchanges between East and West. Touring and writing is my solution to discover the world which I doc on my social media channels.