North Thailand Tour 5 days: Mae Hong Son Exploration

Pick up in Chiang Mai and departure for the North, up to Pai. On the way, visit the market of Mae Malai, where you can experience local foods like some exotic fruits. Then you'll stop at Pong Deuid, one of the most beautiful hot springs in the province of Chiang Mai. This Spa is little exploited commercially, in fact, and is part of a well maintained in a very picturesque wooded Valley Park. Downstream of bubbling geysers, the rock formations are shallow pools where you can have a nice swim. You will then have lunch by own in a restaurant before arriving in Pai. It is a small community located in a hilly and beautiful, natural environment clean, refreshing and warm atmosphere. Its different ethnic groups of the Plains or mountains, with their religious beliefs and their different languages, are mixed to form singular and common cultural traditions together. According to the time to arrive, you can visit the isolated village of Pai, and three other villages of the local ethnic groups: Ban Bang Paek (Lisu tribe) - although they represent about 5% of the total population of the tribes, the Lisu are very present, including through their clothing in bright colors. They are established in areas of high altitude. Ban Mae Ping (Karen tribe) and eventually Ban Jabo & Ban Payang (Lahu tribe). The Lahu: called "Have" by the thais, are hunters by tradition. Originally animists, as most of the tribes, many of them have converted to Christianity. The trait to identify: Lahu women wear red and black jackets with narrow black skirts. Dinner by own and night to Pai
 

After breakfast, visit the local market then departure to Mae Hong Son. Stop at the village of Baan Phang Paek where the wider community Lisou, sino-tibetaine ethnic minority. You continue the road towards Ban Tham Lod, and visit the caves of Tham Lod by bamboo raft. Cruise on the inland lake; discover its calcareous concretions and its prehistoric coffins. Since the entrance to the exit of the cavity, a water course follows a circular path on nearly 500 meters of height, by eroding it for more than a million years. The site includes three separate caves, in fact, those Sao Hin, Tukta and IP Man; to visit, tourists must climb aboard a raft on 1600 meters. Lunch is by your own along the way. You then take the road to Mae Hong Son with the visit of three temples near the picturesque lake of Jong Kham. It is one of the central points of the city, the western part of the Lake has a few restaurants, a night market, and a walk along the Lake path. Visit to Wat Chong Kham: located next to Wat Chong Klang, it is the oldest of the two wats (temples), founded in 1827 by the Shan of Mae Hong his sovereign. The Buddha, Burmese style, 5 meters high, is sitting. Wat Chong Klang was built in the 1860s, his Burmese style chedi can easily be seen from the banks of the Lake. Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is the main attraction of Mae Hong Son, keeping the city like a Sentinel. The best time to visit is during the sunset between November and February when the surrounding mountains are shrouded in fog. Overnight in Mae Hong Son.
 

Morning we begin the journey by taking a boat for sightseeing along the Pai River. You can catch sight of one of the most beautiful scenery and simply life style along the Pai River. Drop in to visit Long-Necked Karen village, the women in this tribal village wear their one brass winding rings on their neck. Lunch will be provided at local restaurant.  Continue the journey to pay the respect at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu temple. It is the important place worthy of worship in Mae Hong Son which located on the top of Kong Mu Mountain. Visit Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang temples.  Visit the Su Tong Pae Bridge, which is the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand. Then taking the next programmed directly journey to “Baan Rak Thai Village.” This interesting village located on the border between Thai and Myanmar with a big lake nearby. Next visit is the beautiful, calm and peaceful atmosphere in Shan village “Baan Ruam Thai”.Also known as Pang Oung, the village is located among the rugged mountain range. The reservoir or a big lake is so spectacular landscape that it is entitled Switzerland in Thailand, surrounded by pine forest and colorful winter flowers including year-round cold weather. stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.
 
 

After breakfast, contine driving to Mae Sariang which is a charming and quiet town in Mae Hong Son province. The town is relatively unknown to the majority of tourists and is situated in a lovely valley surrounded by the rice fields, in a very productive farming community
 
Upon arrive in Mae Sariang, enjoy a visit to the very famous and unique temples of the city such as Chom Thong Temple which is situated on a high point on the edge of the town and has a stunning view of the town, river valley and beautiful surrounding countryside.  Check in at your local homestay, a simple bamboo house with fan and private bathroom. Wander around the village meeting the local community
 
 

We leave the homestay early in the morning to go to the morning market to experience the local people buying fresh food and other products. You will also have the chance to offer food to the local monks on their daily alms procession through the town. After breakfast, return to Chiang mai and will enjoy the last beautiful scenic drive by visiting Mae Cham Hot Spring. Afterwards we will continue our journey along wonderfully natural routes through the farm land and the agriculture of the Hmong hilltribe and stop en route to see the farmer working on their farm. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, this is the highest mountain in Thailand 2,565m high above sea level where you can experience beautiful scenery and stunning waterfalls. Explore Wachirathan waterfall and Mae Klang waterfal, by far the most beautiful and spectacular waterfall in the National Park. Lunch served at local restaurant on the way. Drive back to Chiang Mai in the end of the day. End of service.