Thailand forum

Mae Hong Son Loop

Dutchgirl

noodle lady
Posts: 48
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Hi,
My husband and I will travel to Thailand in Feb. It's our first time there and we're really excited about it. Allready got some great information from this site, thank you all!

This is our plan for the first week. We arrive on 6th Feb in Chiang Mai and after a few days there, we'll drive with our rental pickup truck the Mae Hong Son Loop. The plan is to start on 8th Feb at Doi Inthanon Park and sleep in Mae Chaem , the next day drive to Soppong (Pang Mapha) to stay at Cavelodge. Here we can stay as long as we like (within limits), we rented the car till 12th but maybe we can extend it. We'll have to catch the nighttrain to Bangkok in Chiang Mai on 14th Feb.

I have a few questions:
1. Is it possible to drive in one day from Mae Chaem to Soppong? How long will it take us?

2. Is three nights, two days at Cave Lodge enough or should we stay longer? And if we have to choose: longer at Cave Lodge or longer in Chiang Mai, wat would you do? Also considering it'll be Chinese New Year that weekend, we might not miss that? Or is there nothing to be missed?

Thanks!

Miranda

#1 Posted: 21/12/2009 - 03:01
somtam2000

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mahout
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Hi Miranda,

Mae Chaem and Soppong are in opposite directions -- the former is south of Chiang Mai , the later north. So a better route would be Chiang Mai -> Pai -> Soppong -> Mae Hong Son -> Mae Sariang -> Mae Chaem -> Chiang Mai (or the reverse).

Three nights at Cave Lodge is a good span of time I'd say.

Hope that helps!

#2 Posted: 21/12/2009 - 08:59

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Dutchgirl

noodle lady
Posts: 48
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Hi Somtam,

Thank you for your reply! Still leaves me with questions.
We plan on driving from Mae Chaem by route 1263 to Khun Yuam, then the 108 to Mae Hong Son and the 1095 to Soppong. So we're skipping Mae Sariang.
According to Google Maps this would be 224 km and a 3.33 hrs drive. If that's really the case, it will give me time to stop every now and then, even strolling around in Mae Hong Son for a while and be at Cave Lodge end of the afternoon.

But, is that possible? I just wondered if Google Maps is right, if I drive 224 km in the Alps it would take about 5 hrs!

Can you, or anyone, tell me?

#3 Posted: 21/12/2009 - 15:43
khunwilko

som tam seller
Posts: 560

Decide your route - driving anywhere in that region can be breath-taking!...and well worth it.

#4 Posted: 21/12/2009 - 23:33
somtam2000

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mahout
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Hi Miranda,
Unlikely you do that in the time Gmaps is saying.

Mae Chaem to Khun Yuam would be at least two hours, Khun Yuam to Mae Hong Son is about 1.5 and onwards to Soppong is around 1.5 hours.

Yes it is still doable in a day though -- if you have the time I'd recommend breaking the trip up, but what you are suggesting is possible.

#5 Posted: 22/12/2009 - 14:46

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Dutchgirl

noodle lady
Posts: 48
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Thanks Somtam!

That's just what I needed, I guessed Googlemaps was a little bit optimistic. Five to six hours is really our max for a day, so we may break the trip up, stay in Mae Hong Son for the night, but I think we decide just there and then, according to circumstances.

#6 Posted: 22/12/2009 - 17:54
Flipfloppa

newbie
Posts: 1

Hi Miranda,

we made the trip last year. We drove from Pai via Soppong , Huai Pha and Mae Hong Son to Mae Chaem. From Soppong to Mae Hong Son it took us 1,5 h and for the other part about 4,5 h. It would be more comfortable if you stay in Mae Hong Son for the night, especially if you want to do some sightseeing along the way.
In MHS look for the Fern Resort. Its a little bit outside of the "city centre" but it was absolutely nice there.

#7 Posted: 2/1/2010 - 01:28
Dutchgirl

noodle lady
Posts: 48
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Hi Flipfloppa,

Guess we'll do just that, break the trip up in MHS. Heard a lot about the Fern Resort, looks great, little above budget though, but maybe just one night...

Did you drive the loop yourselves? What sightseeing did you do, what do you recommend?

#8 Posted: 2/1/2010 - 05:28