The rice fields of Mae Hong Son
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – From Chiang Mai to Pai
After breakfast this morning, you’ll make your own way to the bus station and board the bus to Pai. The road to Pai is a windy one, twisting through lush green mountains, dense jungle and local villages, where you’ll spot small wooden houses and residents going about their day. After around 3-4 hours, you’ll arrive in the laid-back town of Pai, tucked away in the green valley, where you’ll spend the night in a boutique hotel surrounded by peaceful gardens and a beautiful swimming pool.
Afternoon in Pai
Immerse yourself in the peaceful hills of Pai, where caves, rice paddies, and cascading waterfalls are scattered across the landscape. Just outside of the town, you’ll find the Memorial Bridge, built by the Japanese in 1942, to transport weapons and goods to Myanmar during World War II. You’ll also find the Tha Pai Hot Springs nearby, perfect for a relaxing soak before finishing the day enjoying a magnificent sunset over the rolling mountains at Pai Canyon.
Day 2 – Meet the Lisu and Lahu tribes
You’ll start the day with a delicious breakfast, before being collected from your hotel and driven around 20 minutes to a local Lisu village. The Lisu tribe originates from eastern Tibet, and are known for their brightly coloured, hand-stitched clothing and traditional way of life in the mountains of northern Thailand. On arrival in the village, you’ll be greeted by the Lisu people, before setting off on a hike through the lush green landscape, alongside your guide who will tell you all about the history of the region and its inhabitants. Later that afternoon, you’ll return to your accommodation in Pai for another night.
Day 3 – Temples and caves en route to Mae Hong Son
It’s an early start today, as you’ll be travelling by minivan from Pai to Mae Hong Son, stopping at Nam Lod Cave, a limestone cavern with a river flowing through it. You’ll cross the river on a bamboo raft, gliding past stalagmites and limestone pillars, before continuing your journey into the mountains, where you’ll make your way to a Lahu village, where you’ll find wooden houses on stilts surrounded by forests and experience a slower pace of life. The Lahu people also originate from Tibet, and the women are known for their strikingly long tunics embroidered with beads and vibrant patterns. Along the way, you will stop off at a waterfall, the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in the cool, shaded pools or relaxing at the water’s edge. On the outskirts of Mae Hong Son and perched on top of a hill overlooking the town, is the iconic temple Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, which will be your last stop before checking into your small-scale resort on the edge of Mae Surin National Park, among the rice terraces.
Day 4 – Back to Chiang Mai
This morning, you’ll be travelling back to Chiang Mai by bus, which takes around 5-6 hours. Halfway through the journey, you’ll pass through Doi Inthanon National Park, famous for its temple, waterfalls, lush green jungle, and small, remote villages. Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you can continue your journey through northern Thailand, or head to the airport to catch a train or fly to central or southern Thailand.
Accommodation
