Welcome to Mae Hong Son
With its remote setting and surrounding mountains, Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน) fits many travellers’ preconceived notion of how a northern Thai city should be. A palpable Burmese influence and a border-town feel don’t clash with this image and, best of all, there’s hardly a túk-túk or tout to be seen. This doesn’t mean Mae Hong Son is uncharted territory – tour groups have been coming here for years – but the city’s potential as a base for activities, from boat trips to trekking, ensures that your visit can be quite unlike anyone else’s.
Top experiences in Mae Hong Son
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Travel guides
Starting at $29.99
Mae Hong Son activities
Private Transfer :Blue Temple, Union of Hill Tribe Village, Longneck Karen
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple), Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai ProvinceTravelers will visit the Blue Temple.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Long Neck Village, Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son ProvinceVillagers will spend time in the Karen Long Neck Village.Duration: 2 hours
3-Day Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai
This excursion will take you first to the highest peak of Thailand (Doi Inthanon with 8,415 feet or 2,565 meters above sea level). Ride along winding and narrow twisty curvy roads with high mountain scenery along the Myanmar border on perfect tarmac roads. 1,864 curves through a vast panorama view of Mae Hong Son and the charming Pai. National Parks and non-touristic places full of unique history and activities.Early morning meet and greet at your accommodation in Chiang Mai. We will provide the tour briefing, and then your riding gear and bike. We will inform you briefly of local history, geography and acknowledge any personal requirements. Lastly we have a general Q&A opportunity for any concerns you might have related to the tour.Day 1. Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon – Mae Sariang (170 miles or 275 kms.)Familiarize yourself with your bike on the highway ride heading south of Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park, the highest peak in Thailand, 8,415 feet or 2.565 meter above sea level. Ride along the excellent winding mountain road through pine forest scenery. Visit Thailand’s finest waterfall, nature trails, Royal pagodas and botanical gardens. Descending to Mae Chaem for a relaxing lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, ride on, passing through pine forests until we reach Mae Sariang where you later enjoy your peaceful accommodation.Day 2. Mae Sariang – Mae Hong Son – Pai (169 miles or 273 kms.)After breakfast, leave Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son on narrow twisty curvy roads. In Khun Yuam we make a break and visit a World War II museum. Visit the long-neck Karen tribe village near the border of Thailand and Myanmar. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, the first temple of Mae Hong Son on the hilltop. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Visit Lod cave, which means, “cave with stream running through”, on a bamboo raft. Then back on twisty curvy roads to Pai. Visit Tha Pai hot spring, where you can enjoy a mineral bath. Then we reach a charming accommodation with swimming pool.Day 3. Pai – Chiang Mai (84 miles or 135 kms.)Before breakfast, in the very early morning you have a chance to offer food to the monks along the streets of Pai`s local market. After breakfast, visit the Pai World War II Memorial Bridge. Back on winding mountainous roads to Mok Fah waterfall. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Continue along winding roads, passing farming areas before heading back to Chiang Mai City.
11 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure in Northern Thailand
Join us for a spectacular adventure tour of Northern Thailand from the seat of your very own Tuk Tuk. Starting and ending in Chiang Mai city and staying in 5 fantastic locations throughout Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces you'll get off the beaten track and discover the heart and soul of this wonderful part of the world. Day 1 - Arrival and Training • Transfer from Chiang Mai city to the Tuk Tuk training base in Mae Wang, around 60 minutes away. Get to grips with your Tuk Tuk in our detailed training session and then visit a remote hillside Temple and receive a blessing for the adventure ahead. Day 2 - Driving, Elephants and Rafting • More time to practise your driving skills before then heading to learn about elephants in Thailand and meet some of these beautiful animals at a forward thinking elephant home. End the day by relaxing on a bamboo raft down the local river. Day 3 - Up into the mountains • Our first serious day of driving as we head up into the foothills of Doi Inthanon to our overnight stay in a small hill-tribe village. Day 4 - Trekking and Waterffalls • A fantastic day exploring the forests and waterfalls around Doi Inthanon including the opportunity to explore a hill-tribe village Day 5 - Travel West to Mae Sariang • We head West ending up in the lovely small town of Mae Sariang where you can relax in the pool next to the river. Day 6 - Up and over the mountains to Mae Hong Son • Another day behind the wheel as we head to the stunning town of Mae Hong Son. Stunning views, lots of stops to experience local life and our final destination is a fantastic rural resort nestled around rice paddies and the forest. Day 7 - Explore Mae Hong Son • A free day to rest and relax or explore Mae Hong Son - it's up to you Day 8 - Drive to Pai • Back on the mountain roads as we head to the fabulous mountain village of Pai. More stunning views, fantastic roads and a chance to relax in the hotel pool at the end of the day Day 9 - Explore Pai • Another day out of the Tuk Tuks and time for you to relax and enjoy the views or get out and about and enjoy Pai Day 10 - Back to base camp • Journey through amazing rural back roads as we head back to base camp at Mae Wang for a farewell dinner Day 11 - Transfer to Chiang Mai City • Transfer by minivan back to Chiang Mai city arriving around late morning / midday
Mae Hong Son Loop 3-Day BMW Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai
Day 1: Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Mae Hong Son (Distance: 186 miles / 300 km) Meet your group of up to 10 riders and guide at the service center at 7:30am. Receive a briefing about the tour and your motorcycle. You will have time to familiarize yourself with your motorcycle before setting off.Start the tour from Chiang Mai and after about 31 miles (50 km), leave the highway and spend the rest of the day on exhilarating twisty rural roads. Your first stop may be at the Vachiratharn Waterfall - an impressive and powerful 260 foot (80 m) high waterfall.Proceed to climb to the top of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. Have lunch in Mae Chaem then continue to the City of the “Three Mists”, otherwise known as Mae Hong Son which is located along the banks of the Pai River close to the border with Myanmar (formerly Burma). Stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.Day 2: Mae Hong Son - Ban Rak Thai - Pai (Distance: 105 miles / 170 km) In the morning, take a pleasant boat ride on Pai River to visit a Karen Long Neck village in the morning. The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins. Then set out for the famously chic town of Pai at the beginning of the road famous for having 1864 bends of varying sharpness.The road passes through some beautiful mountainous scenery. On the way, add a side trip to Ban Rak Thai, the Thai-loving village, if the weather permits. Ban Rak Thai was built around a lake near the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance. In the afternoon, arrive in Pai and can relax in our hotel before having a delicious dinner one of the local restaurants. After dinner, enjoy the delights of the Walking Street market. Stay overnight in Pai. Day 3: Pai - Mae Sa - Chiang Mai (Distance: 110 miles / 180 km) On the final riding day, depart Pai in the morning and ride along the remaining 762 twisties over the mountains to reach Mae Taeng. Then drive on rural back roads to the Mae Sa Elephant Camp. If desired, you can pay the amazing pachyderms a visit before continuing your journey. Follow the Samoeng loop and enjoy more twisties. In the afternoon, arrive back at the service center in Chiang Mai. From there, transfer back to your Chiang Mai hotel or the airport at the conclusion of the tour.Note: All of the indicated times and distances are approximate.
Mae Hong Son City & Temples Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Wat Chong Kham, Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son ProvinceLarge attractive monastaryDuration: 20 minutesStop At: Wat Klang, Chiang Klang, Nan ProvinceLarge attractive monastery in Mae Hong Son Duration: 20 minutesPass By: I Asia ThailandBangkokPass By: Wat Chong Kham, Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son ProvinceMae Hong Son's beautiful large lakeStop At: Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son ProvinceOverlooks the town of Mae Hong SonDuration: 15 minutes
Half Day City and Temples Tour of Mae Hong Son
Join this small group tour led by a professional guide during your stay in Thailand. There are two departure options: the morning departure at 8:30am and afternoon tour at 1:30pm. The vehicle will stops at the main hotel's lobby to pick you up.For the morning tour, you will depart from your hotel in Mae Hong Son to visit the town of the three mists, Mae Hong Son. We start with the morning market, known for its variety of fresh food. One of the oldest temples, Wat Jong Klang, definitely mends a visit it houses the oldest, most revered Buddha in the province, said to have been cast in Myanmar and recovered from the Pai River. It also has complex glass paintings and old ancient wood carving of the Lord Buddha. Both attractions were brought here from Myanmar in 1857. Next visit, the Wat Phra Thad Doi Kong Mu, is known as “Temple on the hill”. Built 150 years ago, its sits atop a 250 meters high hill offering fine views down over the city, and the surrounding mountains and valleys. Wat Phra Thad Doi Kong Mou, which is situated on the mountains at an altitude of 1500 meters. The view of the fog, surrounding the complex is very impressive, especially in the morning time.Please note that the afternoon tour does not include the morning market. You will be transferred back to your hotel in Mae Hong Son after the tour.