Mae Hong Son Highlights Experience the wilderness of this remote province. Go Trekking in Pai, Sopong or Mae Hong Son. Experience exciting white water rafting on the Pai river.

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 - 280 km), on winding and scenic mountain road, through the Pai and Soppong (Pang Ma Pha) districts.

The 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. This section is longer with a distance of approximately 350 km.

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. This map as well as many other interesting maps are available for sale at Contact Travel's office in Chiang Mai.

Tour Selection in Mae Hong Son CT526 Trekking: 5 days / 4 nights package (trekking and caving / Pai and Soppong) CA002 Rafting: 3 day trip on the Pai River / Mae Hong Son