The Mae Hong Son Loop is a scenic route in northern Thailand that offers breathtaking views of the countryside, mountainous terrain, and traditional hill tribe villages. The loop covers approximately 600 km and passes through the province of Mae Hong Son, taking riders on a journey through some of Thailand’s most beautiful and remote regions.
We spent 4 nights / 5 days checking out hill tribe villages, waterfalls, temples, and other local attractions. If you stay in Chiang Mai (or plan to visit this region), this is a must-visit loop for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Thailand.
In this post, we share our detailed itinerary, our favorite places to stay at, where to eat as well as our tips and how much we spent!
How much time do you need to do the Mae Hong Son Loop in Thailand?
We recommend a minimum of 4 nights and 5 days to get a good taste of the area. If you have more time and want to drive less, 7-10 is a much better option. The loop we did was 600 km and we drove for 14 hours in total (for an average of 3-4 hrs per day) which can be quite tiring, especially as there are countless number twists and turns on the road.
Note on driving: The road conditions on the loop can be challenging in some areas, with steep inclines, sharp turns, and narrow roads. You should be prepared for the winding roads and be cautious while driving, especially in areas with limited visibility. Also keep in mind that people drive to the left in Thailand.
What did we do?
We booked 3 accommodations along the loop and rented a car. Most of our activities were also checking out the sights and enjoying good food. We did this loop on my birthday so we definitely treated ourselves a bit on that trip with some of our accommodations. We also were joined with another couple for the first part of the loop.
Here is a daily summary of our itinerary on the Mae Hong Son loop:
| Day | What did we do? |
| 1 (Sunday) | Picked up our car from Chiang Mai. Explored the Canyon, Big White Buddha, and Night Market, with a stop for lunch at Dang Thai Food And Drink. |
| 2 (Monday) | Journey from Pai to Mae Hong Son with a stop for lunch at Earthtone Vegetarian Cafe and a pitstop at the Cha Bo Viewpoint. |
| 3 (Tuesday) | Visited a Chinese village, participated in a tea ceremony, relaxed at a mud spa, and enjoyed dinner at Salween restaurant. |
| 4 (Wednesday) | Had a relaxing breakfast, visited a strawberry farm and Pha Bon Viewpoint, celebrated a special birthday, and had dinner at Mon Song Keang Camping View. |
| 5 (Thursday) | Watched the sunrise while having breakfast, hiked to Kew Mae Pan scenic lookout, visited the Twin Pagoda and a waterfall, and saw cherry blossom sightings at the Chiang Mai Royal Agricultural Research Center before returning to Chiang Mai. |
The map below captures all the sites we’ve stopped at as well as the places we stayed at.
Our Itinerary
Day 1 – Exploring the Pai Canyon, Big White Buddha, and Night Market in Pai
We picked up our rental car from Chiang Mai airport and set off for Pai, which was a 2 hour and 30 minute drive away. Our first stop was at the stunning Pai Canyon, where we hiked around its towering rock formations and took in the breathtaking views. The hike was easy and took us around 45 minutes to complete. The views from the top of the canyon are truly breathtaking, and it’s a must-visit for anyone visiting Pai.
We stopped for lunch at Dang Thai Food And Drink. We were blown away by the affordability of the local cuisine, with a pad thai and a rice dish both costing just 40 Baht.
Next up, we headed to the Big White Buddha, which offers panoramic views of the town. Visitors to the Big White Buddha often say that it’s an incredibly peaceful place, and that the views from the top are worth the climb.
We also stop at a Long Neck Village where we met local tribes. A long neck village in Pai refers to a settlement inhabited by the Kayan people, an ethnic minority group from Myanmar. The women of the Kayan tribe are known for wearing brass coils around their necks, which they start to wear at a young age. The practice of wearing brass neck rings is known as “giraffe women” and is considered to be a cultural tradition. The long neck village in Pai provides an opportunity for visitors to observe and learn about the unique cultural heritage of the Kayan people. However, it is important to note that some human rights organizations have criticized the operation of these villages as they may perpetuate stereotypes and commodify the culture of the Kayan people.
Lastly we indulged in the local food scene at the famous Night Market of Pai. The market was bustling with energy and a great place to try a variety of local dishes. Our favorite market during this trip.
Pro-tip: Make sure to come check the Night Market in Pai on a Sunday as it seems to have less food vendors during the week.
Day 2 – From Pai to Mae Hong Son
After a chill morning at the Thai-Zen Organic Farm And Cafe in Pai, we had a delicious and healthy lunch at EarthTone Vegetarian restaurant. Our favorite was the vegan ice cream and smoothies, which were a hit!.
After lunch, we set off for Mae Hong Son, which was a 3 hour and 45 minute drive away, with a pitstop at the breathtaking Cha Bo Viewpoint. This is a great place to enjoy at sunset (though people seems to prefer sunrise). The views from the viewpoint were truly breathtaking, and it was a great place to take a break from the road and admire the surrounding landscape.
Once we were done driving, we arrived at our lovely resort near Mae Hong Son for the night, the Fern Resort. This resort was a favorite among travelers and even Angelina Jolie has stayed here in the past while she was helping with refugees. We even booked the same room that she did: Room 39.
Day 3 – Experiencing Northern Thai Culture
We started the day with a delicious breakfast at the resort and headed out to visit a Chinese village, Ban Rak Thai. We made a stop at Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort to admire the beautiful tea fields and take part in a traditional tea ceremony. We dressed up in local outfits and took plenty of pictures to remember the experience. We then walked around the lake and attended a free tea ceremony to try some of the local teas produced there.
Later in the day, we indulged in some relaxation at a mud spa in Phu Klon. We went for a facial mask and dump our feet into some mineral water (total: 160 Baht)
The mud spa was a rejuvenating experience and was a great way to end a day filled with cultural experiences. After the mud spa, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Salween restaurant in Mae Hong Son before returning to the resort for the night.
Day 4 – Exploring the Surrounding of Mae Hong Son
We had a free breakfast at the Fern Resort and set off for a drive filled with scenic stops. Our first stop was at the Pha Bon Viewpoint, which offered panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Next up, we stopped by a strawberry farm near Mae Suek. The farm was a great place to stop and take a break from the road, and the strawberries were sweet and delicious.
We arrived at our accommodation for the night, Mon Song Keang Camping view near Mae Hong Son, which was overlooking the mountain and offered stunning views. This was a special night as we celebrated a very special birthday celebration while watching the sunset.
Day 5 – Breakfast at Sunrise, Hiking and Chasing Cherry Blossoms
On our last day in northern Thailand and we were determined to make the most of it. After a delicious breakfast at our accommodation with the sunrise, we set off to explore more of Mae Hong Son.
Our first stop of the day was the Kew Mae Pan scenic lookout, which required us to hire a guide for 200 Baht. The 90-minute hike was worth it as the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking.
We continued on to the Twin Pagoda and took in the stunning views from there.
Along the way, we were lucky enough to come across a waterfall and even had a chance to chase some cherry blossom sightings at the Chiang Mai Royal Agricultural Research Center. According to other travelers, this is a must-visit spot for those who love nature and outdoor adventures.
After an action-packed day, we made our way back to Chiang Mai, where we returned our rental car.
Where to stay?
Since this was an itinerary we had to book a few places along the way. While we usually like to use AirBnB for long stays to save close to 50% on accommodation cost, on very short stays AirBnB doesn’t always offer the best deals (partly due to the cleaning fee that can be as high as the nightly rate). This is when we also look to Booking.com which has a lot of options on what we were looking for.
Note: Links to the accommodations below are affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase any of them, Nomad Numbers may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please review our disclaimer page.
| Day | Accommodation / Location | Nomad Numbers Rating |
| 1 | The Countryside Resort (Pai) | 4 out of 5 – Great but a bit off center A rustic, yet pretty good place to stay in Pai. It is away from the busy center at a super affordable price and come with a pool and a cool roof top! (8.9 score on booking.com) |
| 2-3 | Fern Resort (Mae Hong Son) | 5 out of 5 – Comfortable and beautifulAngelina Jolie stayed at this nice villa in 2014 and we can tell why. Beautiful and really comfortable. Comes with free breakfast and a great infinity pool to watch the sunset from. (8.9 score on booking.com) |
| 4 | Mon Sonkeng Camping view (Mae Chaem) | 5 out of 5 – Exceptional view and sunsetThis is a really cool accommodation. Only 3 units are available at this location. We took the one with the private bathroom and the view was amazing. Also the host is really nice and kind. Highly recommend! My favorite accommodation of the stay (b/c this is also were I celebrated my birthday) (8.9 score on booking.com) |
Our first accommodation:
Our second accommodation:
Our third and last accommodation:
How to get there?
Starting the loop from Chiang Mai is the most convenient option as it is a prime location to rent a car. To guarantee a rental car on arrival, it’s recommended to book one in advance. Our trip began smoothly as we picked up the rental car from the airport.
How much did we spend?
Our 5-day trip to Mae Hong Son was budget-friendly, especially considering the top-notch accommodation we experienced. Eating in the area is a real bargain. The bulk of our expenses went towards renting a car and paying for gas. Sharing the trip with others would make it even more economical. For solo travelers, renting a motorbike is a cost-effective alternative, but be prepared for the winding roads.
TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 413 USD for this trip. Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.
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Here is our budget breakdown per spending category:
| Category | Total Cost USD | Comments |
| Local Transportation | $200.02 | This is for the gas for our car, car insurance and car rental. |
| Accommodation | $144.97 | Four nights split across 3 different accommodations. |
| Dining Out | $31.25 | This covered all of our lunch and dinner. The food in this area is definitely on the cheaper side. |
| Entertainment | $23.07 | Guide for hiking, entrance to the Long neck village and other attractions. |
| Snacks | $13.87 | Snacks because why not? 🙂 |
| TOTAL | $348.03 | At $82.64 per day for two people, this 5 day trip to Mae Hong Son was okay. This was higher than our budget while staying in Chiang Mai but for what we got to explore we felt this was definitely worth it. |
Others tips?
Here are our tips for anyone that is planning to visit Lake Como and wants to save time and money while having the best possible experience:
- Pack water – The area can get really hot in the summer, especially if you like hiking. Make sure to pack plenty of water and stay hydrated.
- Enjoy hiking – There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails around the lake that provides stunning views of the region. We love hiking and would rather hike than drive around to see the sights. Your mileage might vary.
- Rent a car: Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Northern Thailand, as it allows you to have flexibility and control over your itinerary. It’s important to note that while the roads in Northern Thailand are generally in good condition, they can be winding and hilly, so make sure you feel confident driving in these conditions before setting off.
- Plan ahead: While it’s important to be flexible and go with the flow when traveling, it’s still a good idea to plan ahead and make reservations for accommodations, activities, and dining experiences. This will ensure that you get the most out of your time in Northern Thailand and don’t miss out on anything important.
- Respect local culture: Northern Thailand is home to many unique and fascinating cultures, so it’s important to be respectful when visiting. This includes dressing modestly, being mindful of your manners and behavior, and showing respect for local customs and traditions. By doing so, you’ll have a more authentic and enjoyable experience and help to preserve the local way of life for future generations.
In conclusion, we highly recommend a visit to Mae Hong Son for anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure in northern Thailand. Whether you are a foodie, nature lover, or culture enthusiast, this region has something for everyone. With scenic drives, traditional experiences, and breathtaking views, you will not be disappointed. So pack your bags and get ready to create your own unforgettable memories in Mae Hong Son!
What do you think about the Mae Hong Son loop? Did you know about it? Would you like to spend a few days there and enjoy everything this region has to offer?
2 Comments
Brad · February 8, 2023 at 1:31 am
Thanks for your post. It’s very timely for me as I’m heading to Thailand to ride the loop on motorcycles with my son next week. Can’t wait
Mr. Nomad Numbers · February 12, 2023 at 10:31 am
Hi Brad. Glad you find this useful. Enjoy Thailand and make sure you have a valid driver’s license! I had to take the test on my end as my Californian’s license was car only, which would have led me to trouble if stopped by the police.