| The Mae Hong Son Loop is a great trip for those | | | | activities such as visits to hilltribe villages, white |
| based in Chiang Mai with 4 or more days to spare | | | | water rafting, elephant riding, waterfalls and |
| who want to get out of the tourist bubble of | | | | trekking. Being more remote and less touristic the |
| Chiang Mai and explore the wilderness and | | | | area is known to have more authentic treks than |
| mountains of the North. The Loop is a 600km | | | | the ones offered in Chiang Mai and so is popular |
| circuit that starts and finishes in Chiang Mai taking | | | | amongst real trekking enthusiasts. |
| you through the Mae Hong Son province via Mae | | | | The loop needs a minimum of 4 days to cover |
| Sariang, Mae Hong Son town and Pai. Its the best | | | | but you could easily spend a week taking your |
| route to take to cover the province and | | | | time to explore villages and remote areas off the |
| recommended for nature lovers, trekkers, | | | | main route. On the last part of the loop from Mae |
| motorcyclists, off-road adventures and in those | | | | Sariang to Chiang Mai you can even take the |
| wanting to delve deeper into Northern Thailand to | | | | slightly scenic route via Doi Inthanon Mountain and |
| experience a traditional and authentic area. | | | | National Park, the highest point in Thailand. |
| The legs for the loop and driving distances are as | | | | The loop can be done by bus with several buses |
| follows: | | | | departing daily from each of the towns. |
| Chiang Mai - Pai 128km | | | | Otherwise hiring a car or motorbike are other |
| Pai - Mae Hong Son 109km | | | | options, which would also be needed to explore |
| Mae Hong Son -Mae Sariang 164km | | | | the outlying areas unless you sign up for a tour. |
| Mae Sai - Chiang Mai 190km | | | | If driving yourself make sure you feel |
| The route above assumes doing the loop in an | | | | comfortable driving mountainous roads with steep |
| anti-clockwise direction, but it can also be done | | | | uphill and down hairpin turns. For an extra 500bt a |
| the opposite way stopping at Mae Sariang first. | | | | day you can hire a driverto let you sit back and |
| Overnight stops are recommended at each of the | | | | enjoy the scenery along the way. For an extra |
| major towns (Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai) | | | | 800bt a day you can enjoy the services of a |
| and from here you can take a 1 day or more | | | | guide to explain to you exactly what you are |
| excursion before continuing back on the loop. | | | | seeing along the way and offer invaluable local |
| There are numerous tour operators in each of | | | | information. |
| the towns offering a variety of sights and | | | | |