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Mae Hong Son Loop — a 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 3-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
3
days
500 km
distance
11.1 h
driving
17
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Cool season: clear ridgelines, morning mist seas at Ban Jabo, and Pai's high season buzz — 1,864 curves at their best.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (7h32) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 4 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Chiang Mai → Mae Sariang
🌡 5.9–29.6°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Chiang Mai Historical Centremuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Enjoy air-conditioned rooms with traditional guides and subtitled videos.
50 min · Chiang Mai · 90 baht
open: Tu-Su 08:30–17:00
09:50
Chiang Mai National Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore the rich history of Chiang Mai through captivating exhibits.
50 min · Chiang Mai · 100 baht
open: W-Su 09:00–16:00
10:40
Northern Telecoms of Thailand Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Learn about the evolution of telecommunications technology and services.
50 min · Chiang Mai
open: M-F 08:30–16:30
15:04
Mae Sariang Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Discover local crafts and culture in a beautifully carved wooden building.
50 min · Mae Sariang
15:54
Authentic Hilltribe villageslocal & traditional
Experience traditional hill tribe life amidst stunning mountain scenery.
90 min · Mae Sariang
18:30
Sawadeecraft beer & pubs
Relish river views and delicious Isaan-style dishes, paired with local beer.
75 min · Mae Sariang
Overnight: Mae Sariang
e.g. Northwest Guesthouse · Riverhouse Hotel
Day 2 Around Mae Sariang
🌡 5.9–29.6°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Trekkinglocal & traditional
Trek through rarely visited hills and genuine hill tribe villages, far from crowds.
90 min · Mae Sariang
10:30
Hot Springs
Relax in natural hot springs, surrounded by scenic, quiet landscapes.
90 min · Mae Sariang
12:00
Mae Sam Laeb
Enjoy views of the Salween River and nearby border villages from this tranquil spot.
90 min · Mae Sariang
13:30
Lanna Traditional House Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Step into traditional wooden houses showcasing Lanna culture and architecture.
50 min · Chiang Mai · 100 baht
open: Tu-Su 08:30-16:30
14:20
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthephikinghistory & sagas
Behold the iconic gilded chedi, a symbol of Chiang Mai from a mountain peak.
50 min · Chiang Mai
open: 07:00-17:00
15:10
Songkran Festivalmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Join joyful water fights steeped in cultural and spiritual tradition.
90 min · Chiang Mai
16:40
Tukki's Riverside Restaurantcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy tasty Thai meals with the best river views in town.
60 min · Mae Sariang
Overnight: Mae Sariang
e.g. Northwest Guesthouse · Riverhouse Hotel
Day 3 Mae Hong Son → Pai → back to start
🌡 3.6–28.2°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
11:50
Pha Sua Waterfallhiking
Admire a stunning 20-meter waterfall, especially beautiful in the rainy season.
50 min · Mae Hong Son
12:40
Thampla-Phasua Waterfall National Parkhiking
Discover vast mountain ranges and the highest peak in the area.
50 min · Mae Hong Son
13:30
Ban Rak Thaihistory & sagas
Visit a picturesque Kuomintang village near the Myanmar border.
50 min · Mae Hong Son
14:20
Salween River Restaurantlocal & traditionalhistory & sagascoffee & bakes
Feast on Shan, Thai, and Western dishes in a warm, book-filled space.
60 min · Mae Hong Son · 30-300 baht
open: 10:00-22:00 daily