All routes
3 stops 8 days
Chiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong Son → Mae Hong Son Loop
Full loop by car: Chiang Mai 3 days → Pai 2 days → Mae Hong Son and Ban Rak Thai 3 days → back via Mae Chaem. To drive yourself you need an International Driving Permit.
How to travel this route
From Bangkok to each stop, between stops, and back home.
Times are estimates. Check Google Maps on the day.
Open whole route in Google Maps- Bangkok → Chiang Mai700 km · 1h15 flight / 10h busFlight · Bus · Train
- 1
- Chiang Mai → Pai, Mae Hong SonAbout 110 km · about 2 hrsBy van, bus or car. Leave in the morning so you arrive before dark.
- 2
- Pai, Mae Hong Son → Mae Hong Son LoopAbout 60 km · about 1.5 hrsBy van, bus or car. Leave in the morning so you arrive before dark.
- 3
- Mae Hong Son Loop → Bangkok920 km · flight via CM or 8h loop driveSame way back. Book the return a few days early on weekends.
Day-by-day plan
1Day 1 · Chiang Mai
- Fly DMK → CNX (1h15), or the night bus arrives at 06:00
- Check in at the Old City, rent a bike/scooter (250 ฿)
- Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao
- Khao soi for lunch
- Songthaew to Doi Suthep (60 ฿), temple + viewpoint
- Nimman cafés / One Nimman
- Night Bazaar, or Sunday Walking Street (on Sunday)
2Day 2 · Chiang Mai
- Half-day elephant sanctuary (ethical: Elephant Nature Park / Kerchor, ≈1,800–2,500 ฿)
- Back in town, snacks at Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
- Sunset at Wat Umong (forest temple) / Wat Suan Dok
- Khan tok dinner + northern dance show (≈500 ฿)
3Day 3 · Chiang Mai
- Doi Inthanon day tour (≈1,200 ฿ with transport) — the highest point in Thailand, 2,565 m
- Twin pagodas, Wachirathan and Sirithan waterfalls
- Lunch at the Hmong market, Ang Ka nature trail
- Back to Chiang Mai
- Chang Phueak night market (the famous khao kha moo of the 'cowboy hat lady')
4Day 4 · Pai, Mae Hong Son
- Van from Chiang Mai to Pai (3 hrs)
- Check in, rent a scooter (150–200 ฿/day)
- Lunch on Pai Walking Street
- Memorial Bridge, Bamboo Bridge (Boon Ko Ku So)
- Sunset at Pai Canyon
- Walking Street night market
5Day 5 · Pai, Mae Hong Son
- Sunrise at Yun Lai viewpoint + Chinese village (Santichon)
- Mo Paeng waterfall, Wat Phra That Mae Yen (White Buddha)
- Lunch, Tha Pai hot spring
- Sunset at Two Huts / Pai Land Split
6Day 6 · Mae Hong Son Loop
- Chiang Mai → Mae Hong Son (35 min flight / 7 hrs by car via Pai)
- Lunch, Jong Kham lake + Wat Jong Klang (Shan temple)
- Sunset at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
- Night market by the lake
7Day 7 · Mae Hong Son Loop
- Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge (monks collect alms in the morning)
- Tham Pla fish cave, Pha Sua waterfall
- Pang Oung lake — 'Switzerland of Thailand', swans, lunch
- Ban Rak Thai — tea tasting, Chinese clay houses, stay the night
8Day 8 · Mae Hong Son Loop
- Sunrise with mist on the lake, Yunnan breakfast
- Drive back via Pang Mapha → Tham Lod cave (bamboo raft)
- Stay the night in Pai, or keep going
Book & go
Partner sites show live prices.
1
Chiang Mai · 3 days
2
Pai, Mae Hong Son · 2 days
3
Mae Hong Son Loop · 3 days
฿19,920 / per person
8 days · 2 people · ฿39,840