My Mae Hong Son Travel Guide
Mae Hong Son is the small town that anchors the far northwest of Thailand, near the Myanmar border. The town itself is quiet and pleasant – a lake, a couple of hill-side wats, an evening market – but the trip is really about the drive. The Mae Hong Son loop – Chiang Mai out to Pai to Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang and back to Chiang Mai – is one of the great road trips in Southeast Asia. Three days minimum, four or five is better, lots of small mountain towns and hill-tribe villages along the way.
We did the loop once when the kids were old enough to handle the curves. It’s the trip we still talk about. Not for everyone (the drive is real) but if you’ve done Chiang Mai once and want the deeper north, this is the move.
My 2026 Mae Hong Son Travel Guide
- Skip to our Mae Hong Son FAQ
Mae Hong Son Basics
- Where to stay in Mae Hong Son (coming soon)
- Best time to visit Mae Hong Son (coming soon)
- The Mae Hong Son loop itinerary (coming soon)
Mae Hong Son Hotels
- Best Hotels in Mae Hong Son (coming soon)
- Best Boutique Mae Hong Son Stays (coming soon)
Mae Hong Son Activities and Attractions
- Mae Hong Son loop drive (coming soon)
- Hill tribe village ethics (coming soon)
- Tham Lod Cave (coming soon)
- Sunrise at Doi Kong Mu (coming soon)
Mae Hong Son Travel Planning
Frequently asked questions
Is Mae Hong Son worth the trip?
Yes, if you have time and like the slow countryside. The Mae Hong Son loop (a 3-4 day drive from Chiang Mai through Pai) is one of the great Thailand road trips. The town itself is small and quiet; the drive is the point.
How do I get to Mae Hong Son?
Drive from Chiang Mai – the loop via Pai takes 7-8 hours direct or 3-4 days at a sensible pace. Small plane from Chiang Mai (35 minutes) is the alternative. The road is winding and 1,864 curves (more than Pai's famous 762).
When should I go?
November through February for the cool, dry weather and the mist over the valleys at sunrise. Avoid March-April (smoke). May-October is rainy but the countryside is at its lush best.
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About Bangkok John
Bangkok John was started in 2020 when I posted my first hotel review. The site now publishes regularly updated guides to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, and all of Thailand.
I'm a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member and an Emirates Skywards Gold member, so I lean toward Marriott properties when the choice is close. I pay for my own rooms.
Questions? Email me at hello@bangkokjohn.com.