Mae Hong Son Loop

A counter-clockwise mountain road trip starting from Chiang Mai, looping through Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, and Doi Inthanon.

This is Northern Thailand's most classic road loop, covering about 600 kilometers and over a thousand curves. Travel counter-clockwise through Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, and Mae Chaem, before crossing Doi Inthanon back to Chiang Mai. A seven-day itinerary is much more relaxed than the typical four-to-five-day versions, allowing you to add Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung Lake. The route features many mountain roads, making it suitable for experienced drivers or motorcyclists.

November to January is the best time; March to April has heavy crop-burning haze, and mountain roads are prone to landslides during the rainy season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Conquer 762 Curves to Pai

Pai & Mae Hong Son（Pai Canyon、Pai Walking Street）

Drive from Chiang Mai to Pai via Route 1095 (approx. 140 km, 3.5–4.5h of mountain driving).

Pai Canyon gets crowded at sunset; there are no guardrails along the edges.

Stay: Pai Town Centre

Day 2 · Leisurely Exploring Around Pai

Pai & Mae Hong Son（Yun Lai Viewpoint、White Buddha, Wat Phra That Mae Yen、Mo Paeng Waterfall）

Using the town center as your base, attractions in the surrounding area are all within a 30-minute drive, making for short trips throughout the day.

Stay: Pai Town Centre

Day 3 · Tham Lod Cave to Mae Hong Son

Pai & Mae Hong Son（Kiew Lom Viewpoint, Pang Mapha、Tham Lod Cave、Jong Kham Lake & Wat Chong Kham）

Drive from Pai to Tham Lod Cave (approx. 1.5h), then continue to Mae Hong Son (approx. 2h, around 110 km in total).

Stay: Mae Hong Son Town

Day 4 · Ban Rak Thai & Pang Ung Lake

Pai & Mae Hong Son（Pang Ung Reservoir、Ban Rak Thai、Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge）

Drive north from Mae Hong Son to Pang Ung (approx. 1h), then continue to Ban Rak Thai (approx. 100 km round trip).

Pang Ung Lake is most beautiful when the morning mist rises, so start early.

Stay: Mae Hong Son Town

Day 5 · Head South to Mae Sariang

Pai & Mae Hong Son（Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu）

Drive south from Mae Hong Son along Route 108 to Mae Sariang (approx. 165 km, around 3.5h).

Stay: Mae Sariang

Day 6 · Through the Valleys to Mae Chaem

Mae Chaem

Drive east from Mae Sariang along Route 108 and transfer to Route 1088 to Mae Chaem (approx. 3h of mountain roads).

Stay: Mae Chaem

Day 7 · Cross Doi Inthanon back to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai（Doi Inthanon National Park）

Take Route 1192 from Mae Chaem up Doi Inthanon (approx. 1.5h), and drive down the mountain back to Chiang Mai (approx. 2h).

The descent from Doi Inthanon features long slopes; drive slowly in low gear to prevent brakes from overheating.