Traveling the Mae Hong Son Loop is one of the best ways to explore Mae Hong Son, the far-flung northern province of Thailand, in a way that will allow you to see one of the most beautiful landscapes and most authentic sides of Thailand, unlike any other places in the country, in 3 days or 10 days if you really want to dive into the region.
From the beautiful Chinese-inspired Baan Rak Thai town to the stunning waterfalls of Pai, here is a complete 10-day backpacking guide to the Mae Hong Son Loop with all the information you need, from where to stay to all the must-visit stops along the way, for a once-in-a-lifetime trip around one of the most remote regions in Thailand.
Without further ado, let's begin with an overview look at the Mae Hong Son Loop map and all the cities and side trips you should visit.
- Mae Hong Son Loop Map
- 10-Days Mae Hong Son Loop Backpacking Itinerary
- More Mae Hong Son Activities
- Thailand Travel Video
- When to travel the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- How to Travel the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- How to Get Around the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- Which Route to Take For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- How Many Days Do I Need For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- How Much Money Do I Need For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
- Is the Mae Hong Son Loop Safe?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
- What to Pack for the Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand?
- Further Reading for Northern Thailand
Mae Hong Son Loop Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Doi Inthanon |
| ☀️ Day 2-3: | Mae Sariang |
| ☀️ Day 4-6: | Mae Hong Son City |
| ☀️ Day 7-9: | Pai |
| ☀️ Day 10: | Huai Nam Dang National Park |
10-Days Mae Hong Son Loop Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1: Doi Inthanon (1 Night)
For this Mae Hong Son Loop itinerary, we will be traveling clockwise, starting our journey at the highest point of Thailand: the top of Doi Inthanon. Doi Inthanon is located only about 100 km from Chiang Mai, but due to the elevation you will be gaining, it will take around 2 hours to reach the top.
On your first day traveling the Mae Hong Son Loop, assuming you have already rented your vehicle the day before, you can start your day around 8 AM from Chiang Mai and visit Pha Chor, a stunning orange rock formation deep in the forest of Southern Chiang Mai where you can hike for about 1 hour.
The Pha Chor Canyon formed a long time ago when the Ping River, the main river in Chiang Mai, changed its course, leaving behind the corroded canyon we see today. Pha Chor is part of the Mae Wa National Park, and you will have to hike for about 20 minutes to see the Pha Chor Canyon.
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The area is extremely dry and can be quite hot when you hike, so be sure to bring a bottle of water. The trail will take you down the foot of the canyon, crisscrossing around cliffs, before you arrive at the viewpoint where the sight of Pha Chor will take your breath away.
A great photo spot is at the end of the trail, right under the Pha Chor Canyon, where you will get an almost perfect curve of this vivid-colored canyon. It is great for taking photos of yourself with the canyon.
To visit Pha Chor, you must pay an entrance fee for Mae Wa National Park, which costs around 100 THB (20 THB for Thais) per person plus 20 THB for a motorcycle. Pha Chor's opening hours are between 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
After Pha Chor, you can head up to the Doi Inthanon National Park straight to the top and hike the easy Ang Ka Nature Trail through the beautiful mossy forest and take a photo with the "Top of Thailand" sign.
After the little hike, you can drive down the summit and visit the Grand Pagodas of Doi Inthanon for a beautiful sunset and camp at Dong Son Campground, the campground provided by the national park for the night.
The following day, wake up at 5 AM and travel to the Kew Mae Pan trailhead. Watch the sunrise at the Kew Mae Pan's parking lot before hitting the trail. Remember that during the high season (late November to early January), many local tourists will also be doing the hike. There is often a long queue at the trailhead, so the earlier you arrive, the less you will have to wait.
The Kew Mae Pan Trail is a 2-hour long beautiful "balcony" hiking trail along the Doi Inthanon's mountain ridge, overlooking the Mae Pan River and the mountains surrounding it. It is one of the best places to watch the morning sea of fog in Thailand.
After hiking the Kew Mae Pan Trail, you can have breakfast at the Kew Mae Pan trailhead. Afterward, go down the mountain and visit all the stunning waterfalls around Doi Inthanon National Park.
The two most beautiful waterfalls you should visit on your way down are the Wachirathan Waterfall, a powerful waterfall where you can witness the rare double rainbow phenomenon. You cannot get near the Wachirathan Waterfall without getting wet.
Another stunning waterfall is the Mae Ya Waterfall located outside of the national park (you can use the same national park ticket). Mae Ya Waterfall is enormous. With its height of 260 meters, cone shape, and all the levels of drops where the waterfall flows, it is quite a sight to behold.
After Mae Ya Waterfall, you can start heading out of Chiang Mai province and into Mae Hong Son, where the Mae Hong Son Loop really begins. Our first stop in Mae Hong Son is Mae Sariang. Let's see what this small town has to offer.
Where to Stay at Doi Inthanon?
Day 2 - 3: Mae Sariang (2 Nights)
Tranquility is how I would describe my experience in Mae Sariang. Mae Sariang is a quiet town tucked away between the mountains of northern Thailand and the River Yuam. Due to its remoteness, you won't find many tourists here, making it a great place to take a break from the bustling tourist city of Chiang Mai.
There is not a whole lot to do in Mae Sariang except to embrace the slowness of life here, and there is no better place to witness that than the Morning Market in Mae Sariang. After visiting the morning market, you can learn more about the history of Mae Sariang at the Mae Sariang Museum before visiting all the Burmese and Thai temples around the city.
One of the most popular things to do in Mae Sariang for Thais is to visit the 3 "Chom" temples for blessings. They call it the 3 "Chom" temples because the names of these temples start with Chom, and all 3 temples are built on top of 3 different high hills that surround Mae Sariang, making them excellent viewpoints to see the town from 3 different angles.
The 3 Chom temples are Wat Chom Thong, where you will find a huge Buddha image at the top of the hill, Wat Chom Mon, located on the other side of the Yuam River, and Wat Chom Kitti, a white pagoda on top of another hill, all of which provide a stunning panoramic view of Mae Sariang. You can spend the entire day just visiting these temples, with plenty of time to spare and relax in Mae Sariang.
If you are looking for a place to relax with a cup of coffee by the mighty River Yuam, there is no better place to be in Mae Sariang than Mitmaitre Coffee Shop, a café built inside an old-school wooden house with a balcony overlooking the River Yuam. I spent hours just relaxing here with my laptop when I was in Mae Sariang. I love this place!
After spending one full day in Mae Sariang, it's time to continue our journey to Mae Hong Son City, the capital city of the Mae Hong Son province. But before we reach the city, there are a few stops you shouldn't miss.
Where to Stay in Mae Sariang?
Day 4 - 6: Mae Hong Son City (3 Nights)
Mae Hong Son City, the capital of the far-flung northern province of Mae Hong Son, Thailand, is one of the main cities you will pass through on your way to complete the famous Mae Hong Son Loop. It is also one of the most underrated places in Northern Thailand and by far my favorite place to stay along the Mae Hong Son Loop.
That said, there are several attractions you should not miss on your way from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son City. Our first stop is the Khun Yuam town located south of Mae Hong Son City, halfway to Mae Sariang.
In Khun Yuam, there is a museum that praises the Japanese troops during their occupation of Thailand and the surrounding area during World War 2, which is definitely a first for me. Usually, the Japanese troops during WW2 are often condemned for their brutality against the local population and POWs, but not here.
They even have an entire museum dedicated to the Thai-Japanese friendship during the war, which praises the fact that, due to Khun Yuam's strategic location by the border of British Myanmar during World War 2, the Japanese were the ones who brought civilization to the almost forgotten Thai town.
The Thai-Japanese Friendship Memorial Museum is a great place to learn the history of the area during that time and hear the World War 2 story from a different perspective. It is highly recommended if you are a history buff.
One other tourist attraction in Khun Yuam is the sacred Wat Muai To and that's it. Don't worry, I didn't take you all the way to Khun Yuam to visit only 2 tourist attractions. Khun Yuam is at the crossroads between the north, the east, and the south of the Mae Hong Son province. From here, we can make a side trip to the east with a drive up to the beautiful Thung Bua Tong Fields.
Thung Bua Tong Fields is one of the largest Mexican Sunflower fields in the area, and what you will witness here will be one of the most beautiful sights in all of Mae Hong Son Loop, provided you are there at the right time.
If you visit Thung Bua Tong Fields between mid-November and early-December, you will see hills after hills after hills covered in these stunning bright yellow Mexican sunflowers straight from the road. It is quite a sight to behold and probably one of my favorite moments traveling the Mae Hong Son Loop.
After visiting Thung Bua Thong, you can drive a little further and visit Mae Surin Waterfall, a tall and narrow waterfall where the water flows off a cliff into the Surin river. The viewpoint itself is pretty far from the waterfall, which makes it a little underwhelming. However, since you are already in the area, you might as well visit it.
Along the road between Thung Bua Tong Fields and Mae Surin Waterfall, you will find several bright yellow rice fields that dominate most of the area. If you don't feel like paying for Mae Surin Waterfall, the view from Posaho Cafe will make this detour much more worthwhile.
Once you are done exploring Khun Yuam and its nearby attractions, you can continue your journey to Mae Hong Son City, check in to your accommodation, and check out the Chong Kham Night Market located around the scenic Chong Kham Lake by the sacred Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham.
Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham are also great places to watch the sunset over the Chong Kham Lake, so be sure to be there around 5 PM, just in time for the sunset and the night market.
The next morning, wake up around 5-6 AM and head out to the top of Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu, one of the oldest temples, to witness the stunning sunrise over the foggy city of Mae Hong Son.
Once you are done, you can make your way down to the Morning Market and get yourself an excellent traditional breakfast at The Congee Restaurant, and observe the laid-back life of the people of Mae Hong Son.
On your first day in Mae Hong Son City, you can start and explore all the tourist attractions in the north with a journey to the beautiful Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge that will take you through several rice fields up to Tong Pae Temple. The bamboo bridge is best visited in the morning, so you can do this right after your breakfast at the Morning Market.
After visiting the Bamboo bridge, you can continue and visit Tham Pla, or Fish Cave, where hundreds of fish living in the submerged cave can be found. Pretty unique and not something you see everyday.
Tham Pla is part of the Tham Pla and Pha Suae National Park. Since you have to pay to get in, it is also worthwhile to visit the Pha Suae waterfall, which is located on the way to Ban Rak Thai, our final destination of the day, using the same national park ticket.
One of the most beautiful places in Mae Hong Son, in my opinion, is Baan Rak Thai, an old Chinese settlement located right at the border between Myanmar and Thailand.
Baan Rak Thai was built by a group of former nationalists from Yunnan, China back in the day, and they turned the area into a checkpoint for trading jade. Nowadays, it has turned its history into an advantage and converted the town into a Chinese-inspired village with brightly colored Chinese-style accommodations, cozy cafes, and shops selling locally produced teas.
One of my favorite places to take photos at Baan Rak Thai is the Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort, a tea plantation turned accommodation. They have built bright yellow Chinese-style buildings around their tea plantations where you can stay for about 1200 - 3000 THB a night.
After the entire day exploring the north of Mae Hong Son City, you can return to your accommodation, rest for the day, and prepare for a half-day hike the following day.
One of the hidden gem hiking trails you can do around Mae Hong Son City is the Mae Sakut Nature Trail, a trail that will take you to 2 remote waterfalls through the thick forest and around the mountains of Mae Hong Son in 2.5 hours. The trail consists of 16 stations with different forest features to entertain you throughout the hike.
The Mae Sakut Nature Trail is a moderate hiking trail under a thick, humid forest, so I recommend starting as early as possible to allow time to explore one last tourist attraction near Mae Hong Son City: the Long Neck tribe village of Huay Pu Keng.
Huay Pu Keng village is the village of the Kayan long neck tribe, and you can visit the place, walk around their schools, and interact with the locals as you would anywhere else.
Within the village, you will find the long-necked women selling trinkets. However, what made this place different from the rest was that most people I interacted with were simply enjoying the conversation with me and were not pushing me to buy any of their trinkets.
If you are looking for a more authentic experience with the Kayan people, visiting Huay Pu Keng Kayan Long Neck Village is the better option.
After exploring the Huay Pu Keng Kayan village, you should have an entire afternoon to rest and enjoy Mae Hong Son City at your leisure before we travel to Pai the next day.
Where to Stay in Mae Hong Son City?
Day 7 - 9: Pai (2 - 3 Nights)
Pai needs no introduction from me. It is a once-hidden, laid-back town tucked away in the mountains that has become an infamous tourist trap. However, after the pandemic hit in 2020, Pai has been slowly turning off its money-grabbing machine. Although you can still see some places charging too much for entry into poorly maintained areas, it is definitely an improvement from before.
But before we visit Pai, there are several stops along the way that you shouldn't miss. One of these places is the stunning viewpoint at Ban Cha Bo Hill, which overlooks the rolling mountains around Ban Cha Bo village.
At Ban Cha Bo Hill, you will find a cozy cafe and restaurant where you can have your morning coffee and warm noodle soup while dangling your feet off into the mountains. If you are there early enough, you might even see a sea of fog from the cafe.
Another tourist attraction you should visit on your way from Mae Hong Son City to Pai is Tham Lod, a 1.6 km long cave system with a river running through it. Studies have discovered that Tham Lod was used as a burial ground for the prehistoric people living within this region from the late Pleistocene to the late Holocene period.
You should visit all the viewpoints along the main road to Pai, such as the Pang Mapha Viewpoint and Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint, as well as the Sai Ngam Hot Spring before ending your day in Pai with a stroll around Pai's Night Market.
On your first day in Pai, you can wake up early in the morning and travel to Yun Lai Viewpoint for a panoramic view of the sea of fog over Pai before you go and freshen up at the slip and slide Mo Paeng Waterfall.
In the afternoon, you can go and visit the Pai Land Split, a natural phenomenon precisely as the name suggests, a land split where you can walk around, followed by exploring the beautiful Pam Bok Waterfall and its stunning canyon, walking the Buddha Bamboo Bridge through rice paddies, learning the history of Pai and its struggle during WW2 at the Ta Pai Memorial Bridge, and ending your day with a sunset at Chedi Phra That Mae Yen.
If you have a day to spare, you can spend another day in Pai just relaxing at all the cozy cafes in the area and taking it slow. Pai might not be as action-packed as other places along the Mae Hong Son Loop, but what attracts people to Pai in the first place is its slow life, so embrace it and do nothing except cafe-hopping for a day. A cafe I recommend is I Love U Pai Cafe, located just out of town.
Where to Stay in Pai?
Day 10: Huai Nam Dang National Park (1 Night)
After spending several days along the Mae Hong Son Loop, staying in cozy places like Pai, it is time to end our Mae Hong Son Loop trip with a bang by camping at Huai Nam Dang National Park, a national park located between Pai and Chiang Mai.
Huai Nam Dang National Park is located on a bald mountain ridge along the Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai province line, and it has several campgrounds on both sides of the mountain, allowing you to have an unobstructed view of both the sunset and sunrise over the stunning rolling hills between both provinces.
Plus, you will be able to witness a sunrise behind the 2,186m-high Chiang Dao Mountain, one of the most prominent mountains in the country, dubbed the Uluru of Thailand and the third highest mountain in Thailand.
There is no better way to end your Mae Hong Son Loop trip than witnessing the sunrise and sunset at Huai Nam Dang National Park. There's nothing quite like seeing layers and layers of mountain silhouettes shifting colors as the sun goes down and being greeted with a sea of fog right below the third-highest mountain in Thailand at sunrise.
For the sunrise, the best spot is actually at Doi Kiew Lom View Point where you will be able to see an unobstructed view of Chiang Dao mountain, unlike at the campground, so be sure to get here on time.
Huai Nam Dang National Park's entrance fee is 300 THB for foreigners and 50 THB for Thais, plus 20 THB for your motorbike or 30 THB for a car. If you prefer not to bring your own camping gear, you can rent everything at the National Park Office for 300 THB.
The National Park's office can provide a 3-person tent, a pillow, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping mat. There's no food available here, so be sure to buy some before you arrive at the national park.
Don't worry, your last day on the Mae Hong Son Loop is not done yet. Once you spend the night at Huai Nam Dang, you can get down from the mountain and visit Pong Dueat Hot Spring for a stroll around the thermal area, and then last but not least, freshen up at Mork Fa Waterfall before you head back to Chiang Mai.
Where to Stay in Huai Nam Dang National Park?
More Mae Hong Son Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
When to travel the Mae Hong Son Loop?
The best time to travel the Mae Hong Son Loop is from November to January, when the weather is cold, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors more. Additionally, the flowers, especially the Mexican Sunflowers, are blooming across the region during early November to mid-December.
That said, Thailand has also suffered a lot from air pollution in recent years due to the burning season, and it is extremely prevalent during Thailand's late winter period (January - February). So, even though the weather is cooler, your visibility might not be the best. Be sure to buy a face mask if you visit Thailand during this time.
March - April are the hottest and most humid periods of the year, so if you can't handle heat well, avoid visiting during this time. The air quality may be slightly better during this time, though it's not guaranteed.
All the other months are considered to be a rainy season, which, even though the weather is a little more manageable than the summer months, you will also be seeing a lot more rain. This might make traversing the Loop much more difficult due to all the curves (over 1860 curves!). Plus, the rain will also prevent you from enjoying the outdoors, which is the highlight of visiting the Mae Hong Son Loop. Air quality during this time should be better due to rain.
As you can see, the best time to visit Thailand used to be during its wintertime, BUT now that the air quality is getting worse and worse, you will have to decide which is more important to you as a traveler: good weather but bad air quality or vice versa.
Personally, I recommend you visit around mid-November to early December when the weather is cool enough, the local tourists are still few in numbers, and the flowers are starting to bloom, giving you the best of both worlds: beautiful scenery with fewer tourists to share the road.
How to Travel the Mae Hong Son Loop?
The Mae Hong Son Loop begins and ends in Chiang Mai, the popular northern city of Thailand. Hence, the Loop in the name. To start the Mae Hong Son Loop journey, you must first get to Thailand from your home country.
To get to Chiang Mai, you will either have to fly to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, first, and then you can choose to fly or take an overnight bus/train to Chiang Mai. Alternatively, if you are from a city/country with a direct flight to Chiang Mai, such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, or Doha, then you can simply skip to the "How to Get Around the Mae Hong Son Loop" section.
From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Chiang Mai or Bangkok, so you will have to rely on transit flights by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast.
From Europe, you can fly from most European hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Bangkok. You can also fly with Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates if you do not mind transiting.
From within Asia, several low-cost airlines are offering numerous routes from various hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta, to Bangkok. AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are excellent low-cost options.
To find a cheap flight to Bangkok or Chiang Mai, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
By Air: You can start your Mae Hong Son loop journey from Chiang Mai by flying to Chiang Mai International airport on one of the many low-cost airlines in Thailand.
For AirAsia, there are over 13 flights per day, and they can cost as low as 492 THB, which is even cheaper than taking a bus or a train. Thai Lion Air and Nok Air also offer the same route, so be sure to check them out, too. You can book a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
By Buses/Vans: If you are not in a rush, you can also take an overnight bus from Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Chiang Mai Arcade 2 Bus Terminal, which will take you about 10 hours. You can book a bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
By Trains: You can take an even more scenic and slower route to Chiang Mai by taking the train from Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train Station, which can take anywhere from 11 to 15 hours.
It is a long ride, and you are not even saving that much as the price for a ticket is about 400-500 THB. 7 trains are running between the 2 stations from 08:30-22:00 every day. If you wish to travel by train, you can reserve your train ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here.
Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you can travel the Mae Hong Son Loop with the instructions under the "How to Get Around the Mae Hong Son Loop" section.
How to Get Around the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Rent a Motorcycle from Chiang Mai
One of the most popular ways to explore the Mae Hong Son Loop is with your own vehicle. To do that, most people will often rent a motorcycle or a car from Chiang Mai and traverse the loop.
To rent a motorbike from Chiang Mai, I recommend you rent it from Mr. Mechanic, a motorbike rental shop in Chiang Mai that offers a wide range of motorbike options for you to choose from.
Mae Hong Son Loop has more than 1860 curves, and the road passes through some of the most stunning forests and hills. The route can be curvy and mountainous, so I recommend getting at least a 150cc motorbike. The rental price for a 150cc motorbike should be around 500 THB per day. You can also rent a 200-250cc motorbike for 700 THB or more from Mr. Mechanic.
To rent a motorbike here, you will have to provide an ID or a valid driving license (don't leave your passport with them as you will likely need it along the way when you pass through checkpoints. Give them a photocopy version instead), a deposit of around 1000 THB, and you're off to explore the Mae Hong Son Loop. Yup, it's that easy to rent a scooter in Thailand.
Rent a Car from Chiang Mai
Renting a car from Chiang Mai to travel the Mae Hong Son Loop is also a great option, especially for those not traveling solo or with a lot of luggage or camping gear.
Several car rental companies are operating right from the Chiang Mai airport, with a price range of around 700 - 1500 THB, depending on the size of the car.
Since you will be driving along a mountainous road, I recommend getting a car with at least 1500cc to navigate the area without stalling. To rent a car, make sure to click the link below and explore all the available options.
Other Ways to Get Around the Mae Hong Son Loop
If you do not wish to drive the Mae Hong Son Loop by yourself, you can travel by public transportation (buses and Song-Taew). However, this will limit you to only the attractions around the cities where you will be spending the night (Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son City, and Pai).
You won't be able to explore the remote areas of Mae Hong Son, which are the trip's highlights, unless you hire a driver in each place you spend the night. This is not ideal as you will be backtracking your journey often, and they are often way overpriced. I do not recommend traveling the Mae Hong Son Loop without your own vehicle.
If you really do not wish to drive (which is very understandable), you can opt for an organized tour instead, which is safer and will likely save you the trouble of planning and navigating the area. Click on the link below to book a Mae Hong Son Loop tour:
Which Route to Take For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Since the Mae Hong Son Loop goes in circles, you can travel either clockwise (Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son City, and Pai) or counterclockwise (Pai, Mae Hong Son City, and Mae Sariang) from Chiang Mai.
Usually, if you are not a strong driver, people will often recommend that you travel in the clockwise direction (Chiang Mai, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son City, Pai, and Chiang Mai). However, since we will be visiting Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, this consensus no longer applies to our itinerary. You will have to drive up the steep road to the top of Doi Inthanon anyway on your first day.
As you can see, both directions are pretty much the same in difficulty if you decide to go to Doi Inthanon, as I did in this itinerary. Either way, both directions will test your driving skills, so pick where you want to go first (Doi Inthanon or Pai) and just go with it.
Personally, I took the clockwise route because the day I started my journey, it was sunny and clear. Since I'll be at the top of Doi Inthanon by evening that day, I didn't want to lose a good sunny day for Pai.
I highly recommend you base your decision on the weather. On the day you are leaving Chiang Mai, check the weather forecast. If it is clear, take the clockwise route; if not, then take the anti-clockwise route.
How Many Days Do I Need For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Mae Hong Son Loop can be done in at least 3 days, sleeping in Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son City, and Pai each night. However, I do not recommend you do this as it will be way too rushed for you, and you won't have enough time to truly soak in the culture and scenery of each place.
For the best experience, I recommend you spend around 10 days exploring the Mae Hong Son Loop so that you can actually soak in the beautiful sights around the province at your own leisure and have time to relax in between.
Here is a rough 10-day backpacking itinerary:
Day 1: Visit Pha Chor and drive up to Doi Inthanon. Explore the attractions around the summit before camping at Dong Son campground near the top of Doi Inthanon.
Day 2: Watch the sunrise at the Kew Mae Pan parking lot and start hiking the Kew Mae Pan trail. Visit all the waterfalls around Doi Inthanon National Park for the rest of the day and drive to Mae Sariang to spend the night.
Day 3: Spend the day exploring Mae Sariang.
Day 4: Drive to Khun Yuam and spend an hour exploring the attractions there, followed by a few side trips to the Mexican sunflowers field and Mae Surin Waterfall before spending the night in Mae Hong Son City.
Day 5: Explore the attractions within Mae Hong Son City, as well as Baan Rak Thai, Tham Pla, the Bamboo Bridge, and attractions in the north.
Day 6: Hike the Mae Sakut Nature Trail, visit the long-neck tribe village, and spend the rest of the day relaxing in Mae Hong Son City.
Day 7: Visit Ban Cha Bo Hill, Tham Lod, and other attractions before spending the night in Pai.
Day 8: Spend the day exploring all the attractions in Pai.
Day 9: Explore the rest of Pai's attractions before camping overnight at Huai Nam Dang National Park.
Day 10: Visit Mork Fa Waterfall before heading back to Chiang Mai.
How Much Money Do I Need For the Mae Hong Son Loop?
With the 10-day itinerary above, we can calculate roughly how much you would spend on this trip as follows:
Accommodation: For 9 nights in Mae Hong Son, you can expect to pay around 77 USD for accommodation.
Food: For 10 days in Mae Hong Son, you can expect to pay around 1,050 THB for food.
Transportation: For a 10-day 150cc motorbike rental (500 THB per day) plus gas (approximately 500 THB), you can expect to pay around 5,500 THB for transportation.
Activities: For activities, you can expect to pay around 1,100 THB per person for 10 days' worth of activities on the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Total budget for 10 days on the Mae Hong Son Loop: 9,957 THB (332.34 USD).
Is the Mae Hong Son Loop Safe?
Mae Hong Son is very safe for tourists. The locals are friendly throughout, and they will go out of their way to help you in any way they can.
That said, even though the road is well paved 99% of the time, it is still a mountain road, and the curves can be pretty tricky to navigate and prone to accidents if not careful. You must be extra cautious while driving on the Mae Hong Son Loop, especially when it rains. After all, the province does boast about having over 1,860 curves!
Accidents happen yearly on this road due to negligence, so please be extra careful if driving yourself. Also, suppose you are a newbie at riding a motorcycle. In that case, you might consider testing the water out first by driving up and down Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai to see if you can do it, as the road is pretty similar. However, it's longer and sometimes steeper, especially up the Doi Inthanon National Park.
If you can drive a car and can afford to rent one for 10 days for your safety, I recommend that you go with that option instead of choosing a motorcycle.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Mae Hong Son, Thailand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Mae Hong Son, Thailand:
There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverages. Personally, I use AIS because I have been with them since my first phone, and they have a lot of Support Centers around Thailand. Their coverage hasn't failed me yet, so if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.
There are 3 packages for tourists: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on how long your trip to Thailand will be, you can pick one of these 3 packages that fit your itinerary the most.
With these three packages, you can top-up more in case you need additional data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.
For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for the Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Mae Hong Son, Thailand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northern Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Northern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
- Not convinced by my words? How about looking through these photos I took in Thailand? 25 Beautiful Photos from Thailand.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning some Thai phrases will go a long way when visiting Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are many things you shouldn't miss in this city. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
- Want to spend a day outside Bangkok but unsure where? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok.
- Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
- Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
- For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
- First time in Northern Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand.
- Want to get off the beaten track and really explore Northern Thailand? Check out: 2 Weeks Northern Thailand Itinerary.
- Looking for another great road trip to get you off the beaten path in Northern Thailand? Check out: 9 Days Nan Loop Road Trip Itinerary.
- Not sure where to begin your journey in Northern Thailand? How about an old capital with a Complete Backpacking Guide to Phitsanulok?
- Come explore the lesser-known mountainous region of Phetchabun with this travel guide: Discover Phetchabun: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More.
- Tired of the constant heat in Thailand? Escape to the cool mountains of Khao Kho with this guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Khao Kho.
- As a gateway to the mountains of Phetchabun, Lom Sak is the perfect place to stop by before you head into the mountains. For a complete travel guide, check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Lom Sak.
- Did you know that the cradle of Thailand began in the ancient city of Sukhothai, north of Bangkok, in the 13th Century? If you are interested in the history of Thailand, here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Sukhothai.
- Sukhothai has a twin city that has prospered together since the first founding of the Siam Kingdom. The ancient city is called Si Satchanalai, 60 km north of Sukhothai, and there are many less-traveled ancient ruins there waiting for you to explore. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Si Satchanalai.
- Kamphaeng Phet, which translates to "The Wall of Diamond," was an outpost town that had protected the Siam Kingdom from invasion for several decades, and you can still see the remnants today. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Kamphaeng Phet.
- Lampang is low-key, one of the most laid-back places in the north, with a northern vibe similar to Chiang Mai but much quieter and more authentic. If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand, check out The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Lampang.
- Spending a few days relaxing in Lampang? Here are 9 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Lampang.
- There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here is a list of the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals.
- Chiang Mai is a big city. How does one find the best restaurants and cafes, you asked? Check out 25 Absolute Best Restaurants and Cafes in Chiang Mai.
- Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and to travel there, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Doi Inthanon.
- Have only 3 days in Chiang Mai? Check out 3 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Chiang Mai.
- Have a day to spare in Chiang Mai? How about going on a day trip to Lamphun? Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Lamphun.
- Looking to go off the beaten path in Chiang Mai? How about visiting the untouched nature of Doi Ang Khang and the Chinese-influenced towns of Arunothai and Chai Prakan? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Doi Ang Khang.
- Looking to start the Mae Hong Son Loop but unsure where to start? How about the city of Mae Sariang? Here are 8 Best Things to Do in Mae Sariang.
- Mae Hong Son City is one of my favorite cities from the entire Mae Hong Son Loop road trip. Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Mae Hong Son City.
- Pai has become a tourist hotspot ever since it was discovered and featured in many travel blogs, but what is there to do in Pai? We have the answer. Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand.
- Phrae is so much more than a stopover destination. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Phrae.
- Nan is an upcoming trendy tourist attraction in Thailand that is still pretty much unexplored by foreigners. If you want to travel to Nan, here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Nan.
- Phayao is a beautiful hidden gem of Thailand's north waiting for you to explore. It rarely gets any tourists, all the more reason to visit Phayao before it is discovered! Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Phayao.
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Central Thailand or Southern Thailand?
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
15 Comments
Wow, epic guide dude! I still not having done this loop, even though I heard so much about it... still on the list for someday. Nice to see your text and amazing photos
Thanks, Marek! Definitely, one of the best road trips you can do in Thailand. So many beautiful sights to see along the loop and the side trips are what made the loop so popular among travelers. Highly recommended!
Thank you for this! Its the most comprehensive guide that I have read, and will help me so much in my upcoming trip!
Thank you for the comments, Gladyn. Hope you will enjoy the Mae Hong Son loop as much as I did :)
Great guide! Thank you for putting this together. I am left with one question. I am also carrying a 65L backpack. How did you go about attaching your backpack to your scooter and did you always carry it with you at all your stops?
Thank you for the comments Elliott. I was driving with a car so I had it in the trunk but you can leave your big backpack with unnecessary items with the place you rent or the accommodation you are planning to stay once you get back and pack only the things you need in a daypack. If not, you can also ask the rental place for some ropes to attach your backpack to your motorbike. The rental place should be able to help you out with this.
I hope you will enjoy the trip!
This is a great List with stuff to do while doing the loop. Keep in mind that you need to to book/organize lots of stuff early in advance (like camping at Doi Inthanon or Ban Rak Thai). As for Ban Rak Thai (and maybe some stuff that I did not do): It's like Zermatt for Switzerland - a tourist trap (10x higher prices than everywhere else). It has a nice look but after a few moments everything feels artificial and half of the town is a building site. Dont think about going there spontaniously and asking the "nice locals" if you can stay at their guesthouse as it is booked out weeks in advance and you will get ripped off hard (20 USD/night gets you a shithole). In comparison Pai is like a secret.
Don't get me wrong: I really liked, having this list but the best part about the Loop is riding your motorcycle! At it's fun as hell because the roads are great. Just be careful as the locals like to overtake dangerously. Just stay calm and take your time.
Thank you for this great post, it has given me a good idea of what there is to do and how much time to spend on the Loop. :-)
Thank you for the comment, Nina!
Thank you for all the info of travelling Mae Hong Son loop, please advise what is best navigation aid for car driving, is google map alone can cover the journey, or need a GPS device (Garmin etc) ? Thanks.