Ready-made plans

Custom planning is temporarily unavailable for this route. Ready-made plans are still available.

Home › Journeys › Asia › Mae Hong Son Loop

Mae Hong Son Loop: Route Guide

Last updated:

The lit chedis of Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu above Mae Hong Son at dusk
Photo: Thanes Piamnamai · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Take seven days to wind through northern Thailand with a licensed driver you arrange, from Chiang Mai through Doi Inthanon, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son and Pai. Two days in Mae Hong Son leave time for the town's heritage before the daylight return to Chiang Mai. Visit only open park areas; trails, caves, rafting, hot springs and organised village visits are optional.

Mae Hong Son Loop is a 600 km loop (with a driver). It works best as a 7-day trip; the plan below is the 7-day version for December, built from 552 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

7
days
600km
distance
7
Stops
552
curated stops

View ready-made plans 7-day plan · best time to go

The route

Chiang Mai public heritage day→ 90 kmDoi Inthanon confirmed-open reserved-road day→ 100 kmMae Sariang reserved transfer and public town day→ 160 kmMae Hong Son reserved transfer and public heritage day→Mae Hong Son public culture day→ 110 kmPai reserved winding-road transfer and public town day→ 140 kmChiang Mai reserved loop-return day

What you'll see

Wat Chedi Luang
Witness the grand ruins of an ancient chedi toppled by an earthquake.
Chiang Mai public heritage day
Doi Inthanon Peak
Stand atop a sacred mountain with stunning views and historic stupas.
Doi Inthanon confirmed-open reserved-road day
Mae Sariang Museum
Discover local crafts and culture in a beautifully carved wooden building.
Mae Sariang reserved transfer and public town day
Mae Hong Son reserved transfer and public heritage circuit
Use the confirmed daylight transfer and a bounded public Mae Hong Son heritage circuit.
Mae Hong Son reserved transfer and public heritage day
Mae Hong Son public culture circuit
Use a second bounded public Mae Hong Son day without assuming a trek, village provider or remote detour.
Mae Hong Son public culture day
Village Farm
Enjoy fresh fruits, flowers, and alpacas, plus local coffee and snacks.
Pai reserved winding-road transfer and public town day
Chiang Mai reserved loop-return circuit
Complete the reserved daylight return to Chiang Mai with recovery margin.
Chiang Mai reserved loop-return day
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Behold the iconic gilded chedi, a symbol of Chiang Mai from a mountain peak.
Chiang Mai public heritage day

Choose your length

7-day plan20 stops · 17.2 h transit2.9 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February

Cooler, generally drier conditions suit the loop, but every mountain road and park remains a live check.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans