Journey to Mae Hong Son

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Journey to Mae Hong Son

Travel by private car through the scenic North West mountainous region of Thailand to the lovely town of Pai and on to Mae Hong Son, close to the Burmese border.

Visit Lisu, Lahu and Karen Hilltribe villages and see some of the natural attractions in this region.

Enjoy a City and Temples tour in Mae Hong Son, explore a jungle trail on elephant back and board a longtail boat for a river journey along the Pai River.

This is a beautiful region of Thailand and one which most visitors aren't lucky enough to discover.

At a glance

1 night Pai
1 night Mae Hong Son
Karen Long-necked village
Hilltribe villages
Hot Spa
Mae Hong Son tour
Elephant Riding
Longtail Boat Tour
Flight back to Chiang Mai

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Pai

Pick up from your hotel or the airport in Chiang Mai around 8:30 and drive from along the winding road through spectacular jungle mountain scenery en-route to Pai.

Stop along the way at the local market at Mae Malai and enjoy a hot spa.

Arrive in Pai District and visit Wat Namroo and the town of Pai.

Lunch is served in a local restaurant with dinner at the hotel.

Overnight : Pai Hotspring Spa Resort. Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 2: Pai – Mae Hong Son

This morning, visit the early morning market and witness the traditional Buddhist offerings.

After breakfast, leave Pai and drive through jungle-clad mountains for Mae Hong Son. On the way visit Lisu and Lahu Hilltribe villages and Tham Lod Cave.

After arrival in Mae Hong Son, lunch is served in a local restaurant. Mae Hong Son is a small town in a remote setting near the border with Myanmar and is home to many Shan people, originally from Myanmar. Much of the architecture of local temples is of Shan origin.

In the afternoon enjoy a City & Temples Tour of Mae Hong Son. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Doi Kong Moo on the hill overlooking Mae Hong Son town and the Burmese style temples of Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang.

Overnight Mae Hong Son. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 3: Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai

Today experience an unforgettable jungle elephant ride (approx. 1 hour) followed by a long-tail boat trip for about one hour, along the Pai River.

Continue by pick up (songthaew) to visit a Long Neck Karen Paduang Village. The Karen women wear numerous brass coils round their necks and legs. The coils are considered beautiful and are a sign of wealth.

Lunch is included before transferring to Mae Hong Son Airport for the afternoon flight back to Chiang Mai (Airfare is not included).

Arrive back in Chiang Mai in the early evening and transfer to your hotel or connect with your onward flight.

Breakfast & Lunch included.

Mae Hong Son

For those familiar with the name, Mae Hong Son conjures fantastic images of rugged, mist enshrouded mountains where isolated tribal villages await exploration.

Mae Hong Son is indeed a fascinating province of Thailand, with Burmese and Lanna style temples, hot springs, hill tribe villages, trekking, rafting, national parks, and even an annual reggae festival.

Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son town has long been isolated from the outside world.

Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, Mae Hong Son was once only accessible via harrowing, windy, narrow roads that took most of a day to traverse, an adventurous drive that made the town that much more alluring.

In addition to a charming capital in Mae Hong Son town, the town of Pai is also a travellers favourite.

2 night Journey to Mae Hong Son:

Price from £325 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

All of our Classic Thailand Tours are completely tailor-made and can be adjusted to suit your interests or budget.

Elephants in Mae Hong Son

The name of Mae Hong Son refers to the fact that its terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants. In fact, former governors of Chiang Mai used to organize the rounding up of wild elephants which were then trained in Mae Hong Son before being sent to the capital for work.

Elephants remain an important part of the local culture, and elephant trekking is a popular tourist activity, often combined with overnight hill tribe home stays and river rafting.