Trip Plan
All routes
2 stops 6 days

Chiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong Son

The classic north: 3 days for the Old City, Doi Suthep and elephants, then 3 days for Pai canyon and hot springs. Best Nov–Feb.

How to travel this route

From Bangkok to each stop, between stops, and back home.

110 kmBangkok 760 km1Chiang Mai2Pai, Mae Hong Son

Times are estimates. Check Google Maps on the day.

Open whole route in Google Maps
  1. Bangkok → Chiang Mai
    700 km · 1h15 flight / 10h bus
    Flight · Bus · Train
    Van / bus / ferry tickets (12Go)
  2. 1
    Chiang Mai · 3 days
    Sleep in Chiang Mai
    Full guide
  3. Chiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong Son
    About 110 km · about 2 hrs
    By van, bus or car. Leave in the morning so you arrive before dark.
    Directions Van / bus / ferry tickets (12Go)
  4. 2
    Pai, Mae Hong Son · 3 days
    Sleep in Pai, Mae Hong Son
    Full guide
  5. Pai, Mae Hong Son → Bangkok
    830 km · CM + 3 hrs van
    Same way back. Book the return a few days early on weekends.

Day-by-day plan

Stop 1 · 3 days
Chiang Mai
Full guide
1Day 1 · Chiang Mai
  1. Fly DMK → CNX (1h15), or the night bus arrives at 06:00
  2. Check in at the Old City, rent a bike/scooter (250 ฿)
  3. Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao
  4. Khao soi for lunch
  5. Songthaew to Doi Suthep (60 ฿), temple + viewpoint
  6. Nimman cafés / One Nimman
  7. Night Bazaar, or Sunday Walking Street (on Sunday)
2Day 2 · Chiang Mai
  1. Half-day elephant sanctuary (ethical: Elephant Nature Park / Kerchor, ≈1,800–2,500 ฿)
  2. Back in town, snacks at Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
  3. Sunset at Wat Umong (forest temple) / Wat Suan Dok
  4. Khan tok dinner + northern dance show (≈500 ฿)
3Day 3 · Chiang Mai
  1. Doi Inthanon day tour (≈1,200 ฿ with transport) — the highest point in Thailand, 2,565 m
  2. Twin pagodas, Wachirathan and Sirithan waterfalls
  3. Lunch at the Hmong market, Ang Ka nature trail
  4. Back to Chiang Mai
  5. Chang Phueak night market (the famous khao kha moo of the 'cowboy hat lady')
Stop 2 · 3 days
Pai, Mae Hong Son
Full guide
4Day 4 · Pai, Mae Hong Son
  1. Van from Chiang Mai to Pai (3 hrs)
  2. Check in, rent a scooter (150–200 ฿/day)
  3. Lunch on Pai Walking Street
  4. Memorial Bridge, Bamboo Bridge (Boon Ko Ku So)
  5. Sunset at Pai Canyon
  6. Walking Street night market
5Day 5 · Pai, Mae Hong Son
  1. Sunrise at Yun Lai viewpoint + Chinese village (Santichon)
  2. Mo Paeng waterfall, Wat Phra That Mae Yen (White Buddha)
  3. Lunch, Tha Pai hot spring
  4. Sunset at Two Huts / Pai Land Split
6Day 6 · Pai, Mae Hong Son
  1. Tham Lod cave (1.5 hrs drive, bamboo raft ≈450 ฿)
  2. Lunch in Soppong
  3. Drive back, Pam Bok waterfall
  4. Live music bars (Edible Jazz, Yellow Sun)

Book & go

Partner sites show live prices.

1
Chiang Mai · 3 days
Booking.comHotelsAgodaHotels12GoBangkok → Chiang MaiGoogle MapsChiang Mai
2
Pai, Mae Hong Son · 3 days
Booking.comHotelsAgodaHotels12GoChiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong SonDirectionsChiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong Son
Pai, Mae Hong Son → Bangkok830 km · CM + 3 hrs van Directions
฿12,480 / per person
6 days · 2 people · ฿24,960