Has anyone ever done this loop. I am thinking of doing this. If you have could you recommend going left or right in direction and where to stay.
Would like to do it on a MT-07.
Mae Hong Son (Thailand) Loop Tips
assface on 26/03/2018 - 20:42
Last edited 26/03/2018 - 22:53 by 1 other user
Last edited 26/03/2018 - 22:53 by 1 other user
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What’s a fair price for a deep fried dimmy?
About the same as a piecost.
I did it on a ER6n back in 2012
Tip 1 - Take your time and go off the loop, explore a bit
Tip 2 - Direction of travel doesn't matter
Tip 3 - Have travel insurance that covers motorcycle use (have a IDP to make it legal)
Tip 4 - If you are hiring a bike they may want to hold on to your passport - try to give a copy instead.
Tip 5 - Make sure you can afford to fix the bike you are riding if you have a bingle
Tip 6 - Stay off the highways after dark, stay off the roads full stop if it is Songkran (too many drunk Thais on the roads)Travelfish and Lonely Planet both have some good online resources for this, also Adventure in you website.
Thanks mate. Ive got plenty of experience about driving and riding in Thailand as I live here half of the year.
Good idea about the passport copy.Great - My other tip was going to be to learn a bit of Thai, but you've probably got that already.
I did the short route 2 x'mas' ago.
I did it clockwise in a rental car and I too don't believe direction matters. I started in CNX and finished in CNX, 5 days/4 nights trip.
First day, we checked-in into our hut in Doi Inthanon NP at แม่กลางหลวงฮิลล์ บ้านพักแบบโฮมสเต (don't have name in english). Explored the NP, tried some of the cafes and enjoyed the views.
Second day, woke up at 4am and drove up to the peak to see the sunrise. Before we left, a local gave us a tip do not bother with the sunrise at the peak because of the viewing position is quite disappointing. Instead half way up you'll see people lined up to do one of the famous hikes, parked vehicle further up and I got to see an awesome sunrise above the foggy mountain peaks. After sunrise, we drove all the way to top and got some very good brekky street food. It was freezing when I went, so I had the congee and it was really good. Coupled with warm Thai milk tea.
After Doi Inthanon, made the drive through the twisty mountain roads to Mae Hong Son. Near MHS, we went to Su Tong Pae Bridge, one of the bridges over rice paddy. Shame it was dry season, so everything was brown. Thampla was near by, so we did a walk and feed the fishes. Nothing outstanding, just a spot to relax really. Visited the temple in the main town to see the sunset. At night, we walked around the markets in town.
Third Day, woke up early again and went to Pang Ung. Its just a big dam on top of a mountain. Took a cruise, took some photos. Had breakfast at the many homestays/ hostels. It would of had that misty, mysterious, eerie mountain feel but the hoards of crowds and campers killed that mood.
The day continued on into Pai. We went to Pai Canyon and checked out one of the hot springs. The hot springs was a bit out away from town and I found an abandoned hut. I took a nap in it and it was one of the best sleeps I've had. It was eerily quiet. Again at night, we checked out the local market. This one is quite big and busy. Had dinner at one of the many street side restaurants by the river.
Fourth day
This day we broke off the main loop and drove the Mae Kampong. Had a coffee in one the shops that gets Instagrammed hundreds of times a day. The coffee was so-so but the views was very good. Stayed overnight in the mountains at a homestay.Fifth day back to the airport.
Along the way, there were more places I had visited that isn't written on here because they aren't on the tourist map. One of the easiest way is look for tourist attractions lined with flags. These indicate the royal family have visited it before. Another one was, "oh, this road looks interesting, lets see where this leads". Sometimes good, sometimes waste of fuel.
If you use Google Maps, trust it! Sometimes it took me onto roads that look like something is going to get me killed and I should turn back. But it got me to my destination just fine.
And lastly, give yourself heaps of time. Mine was a bit rushed but I didn't have much time. I would have loved to do the big loop with at least 2 weeks.
Bargain?