Mae Hong Son

Thailand’s Remote Province
Called the valley of three mists, Mae Hong Son province is home to numerous hill-tribe villages and great adventure opportunities.

Mae Hong Son province is located in the remote West of Northern Thailand. The province borders Myanmar’s Shan state to the North and all along the west. The province’s total area is some 12,681 square kilometers, mostly mountainous and forest-covered, with a few flat valleys in which villages have developed. Rice paddies are cultivated in every valley.

Mae Hong Son is administratively divided in to 7 districts: Mae Hong Son town (in Thai = Amphoe Muang), Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, Sop Moei, Khun Yuam, Pai and Pang Ma Pha (Soppong).

From Chiang Mai by road it is a full day’s drive (7 hours+) with a distance of 280 kms, along the winding and scenic road, through the Pai and Soppong (Pang Ma Pha) districts.

The 1095 road is probably one of the most scenic drives in Northern Thailand. Driving south of Mae Hong Son, road 108 can bring you back to Chiang Mai passing through Mae Sarieng, another interesting district, close to the Burmese border in the west. The 108 road from Mae Hong Son to Chiangmai section covers a distance of approximately 350 km. An overnight stop in Mae Sarieng is recommended if you do the loop.

The Valley of Three Mists

It is often called the valley of Three Mists because it seems to have mist all year long. In the raining and cold season a humid fog covers the sky most days until mid-morning, and during the dry season, the smoke from slash-and-burn farming lingers in the valley as it is surrounded by mountains.

The airport is located in the city, and the landing is spectacular when the plane find it’s way to the runway, dropping down from the high surrounding mountains.

Thai Airways flights are sometimes canceled during the hot season on account of poor visibility due to smoke or fog. This can cause problem if you have a connecting flight, and Thai airways does not provide a ground transport alternative. You have to organize it on your own unfortunately.

Mae Hong Son Loop

Individual travelers as well as our organized tours generally do a loop from Chiang Mai, which can be done both ways. We recommend counter-clockwise, especially if you want to join our white water rafting expedition along the way. The Mae Hong Son loop is a great trip with plenty of scenic places and point of interests such as caves, waterfalls and hill-tribe villages.

A minimum of four days trip should be considered to do the loop and fully enjoy the sights.

ActiveThailand.com proposes a Self-discovery adventure of the Mae Hong Son loop for people that want to travel the loop in style.

Mae Hong Son (The Provincial town)

Before the road was built access to the Mae Hong Son valley was virtually impossible, except for logging industry workers who were going to sell and trade in Chiang Mai. Nowaday there is access from the East toward Pai and South to Mae Sarieng. After completion of the airport and with three daily flights access is now easy. However the town remains little visited, and this charming small provincial capital has kept its Shan influence from the past, as can be seen in the architecture of most temples and some older houses.

Pai

Pai is a small laid-back valley between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son town, surrounded by steep mountains. The place is becoming popular with western travelers. This is the starting place for great white water rafting expeditions down the Pai river.

Soppong

Soppong, in Phang Ma Pa district, is located between Pai and Mae Hong Son town. Soppong is well known for the surrounding limestone peaks and vast caves system said to be some of Southeast Asia’s largest! Tham Lod is a large cave with 3 main chambers linked together and a stream (the Lang river) flowing through. Set aside 2 hours for a deep exploration, with exit at the back of the cave before a short hike back to the main entrance on a scenic jungle trail. There are locals with gas or petrol lanterns ready to guide visitors through the cave and give some explanation (little English spoken). When the river’s high, locals build bamboo raft to cross from one chamber to next! Most scenic and fun cave to explore in the North. Highly recommended.

Another cave is the Tham Lang, not so accessible and very long.

Map of Mae Hong Son

Finally, the most detailed map of the area available is “The Mae Hong Son loop”, edited by the Golden Triangle Rider.
You can buy the map online at www.GT-Rider.com, as well as many other interesting maps.
Maps are available for sale at Contact Travel’s office in Chiang Mai also.