Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

5-Day Chiang Mai → Pai → Mae Hong Son Loop: Scenic Mountains, Caves & Hot Springs (Start 2025-12-05)

Viewed by 98 travelers

Day 1: Chiang Mai start → Pai

Chiang Mai, Thailand → Pai, Thailand on December 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Khao Soi Khun Yai

Local favorite for northern Thai khao soi; open from about 7:00am so you can get an authentic start before travel.
THB60, 0h45m

9:00am

Walk Chiang Mai Old City — Wat Chedi Luang

Brief temple walk through the Old City to see Wat Chedi Luang and the area’s Lanna architecture; temples typically open 6:00am–5:00pm.
THB20, 1h0m

11:30am

Lunch — Huen Phen

Well-regarded spot for Lanna dishes; open late morning through afternoon, great last Chiang Mai meal before departing.
THB120, 1h0m

1:30pm

Travel — Drive/Minivan Chiang Mai to Pai

Scenic mountain drive on Route 1095; minivan takes ~3–4 hours depending on stops and traffic (many curves).
THB200, 3h30m

4:30pm

Check-in & settle in Pai

Arrive, check into guesthouse, rent a scooter or arrange a tuk-tuk for local sightseeing; many guesthouses allow early check-in if rooms free.
THB0, 0h45m

5:00pm

Pai Canyon — Sunset

Short hikes and spectacular sunset views over jagged ridges — best visited late afternoon to sunset; area open 24/7 but come before dark.
THB0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner — Pai Walking Street

Night market with street food, snacks and local specialties; stalls generally open from ~5:00pm to 10:30pm.
THB150, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Chiang Mai

Day 2: Explore Pai

Pai, Thailand on December 6, 2025

6:00am

Yun Lai Viewpoint — Sunrise

Popular viewpoint above Pai for sunrise misty valley shots; best early (often opens before dawn, small fee and photo spot charges apply at times).
THB40, 1h0m

8:00am

Breakfast — Om Garden Cafe

Relaxed cafe with fresh options and good coffee; opens early and is a great base to plan the day's rides.
THB120, 0h45m

9:30am

Pam Bok & Mo Paeng Waterfalls

Short rides from town; Pam Bok is a peaceful river gorge and Mo Paeng has swimming pools — waterfalls generally accessible 7:00am–5:00pm.
THB0, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch — Na's Kitchen (local Thai)

Homestyle northern Thai dishes popular with both locals and foreigners; open midday for hearty lunch before afternoon exploring.
THB150, 1h0m

1:30pm

Sai Ngam (Tha Pai) Hot Springs

Relax in natural hot springs a short drive from Pai; typical opening hours ~8:00am–6:00pm (some pools close earlier), popular in cooler months.
THB100, 1h30m

3:30pm

Bamboo Bridge (Boong Ko Ku So) & Land Split

Scenic bamboo walkways across rice fields and the famous Land Split for tea and snacks — many small stalls open until late afternoon.
THB50, 1h30m

6:00pm

Sunset — alternative Pai Canyon or relaxed town stroll

If you skipped the canyon yesterday, catch sunset here; otherwise enjoy an easy evening exploring local cafes and bars.
THB0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Earth Tone (vegetarian/Thai fusion) or local BBQ

Choice of healthy fusion or go for local BBQ stalls on Walking Street; most dinner spots open 6:00pm–10:00pm.
THB200, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Pai

Day 3: Pai → Tham Lod → Mae Hong Son

Pai, Thailand → Soppong (Tham Lod) → Mae Hong Son, Thailand on December 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Pai Central Market or local café

Light breakfast and coffee, stock up for the road; markets open early and offer quick local bites.
THB80, 0h45m

8:30am

Depart Pai for Tham Lod (Soppong)

Drive the scenic Route 1095 toward Soppong (Soppong is between Pai and Mae Hong Son) — travel ~1–1.5 hours to Tham Lod depending on stops.
THB0, 1h30m

11:00am

Tham Lod Cave guided tour & bamboo-raft

Famous cavern with teak walkways and bamboo-raft river trip guided by local guides; tours typically run 9:00am–3:30pm and require a guide.
THB400, 1h30m

12:45pm

Lunch — Soppong riverside or local eatery

Simple Thai lunch near Tham Lod; good place to try local rice dishes before continuing west to Mae Hong Son.
THB120, 0h45m

2:00pm

Drive Soppong → Mae Hong Son

Continue the mountain route to Mae Hong Son (scenic 2–3 hour drive with curves and viewpoints).
THB0, 3h0m

5:30pm

Doi Kong Mu (temple viewpoint) — Sunset

Hilltop temple with panoramic views over Mae Hong Son lake and town; open mornings and afternoons until around 5:30–6:00pm, great for sunset photos.
THB20, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner — Mae Hong Son Night Market

Small but lively night market with local Shan and northern Thai specialties; stalls usually operate 6:00pm–9:30pm.
THB150, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Pai

Day 4: Mae Hong Son area

Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand on December 8, 2025

5:30am

Pang Oung (Little Switzerland) — Sunrise and boating

Peaceful reservoir and pine-forested scenery; best at dawn when mist sits on the lake — open early with small entrance fee.
THB50, 1h30m

8:30am

Breakfast — Nam Neung Cafe or local teahouse

Hearty breakfast in Mae Hong Son town after the early morning trip; cafes typically open from 7:30–9:00am onward.
THB120, 0h45m

10:00am

Ban Rak Thai (Yunnan tea village)

Scenic hillside village near the Myanmar border known for Yunnan-style tea and trout; shops and tea-houses open mid-morning to late afternoon.
THB0, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Ban Rak Thai tea house (Yunnan cuisine & trout)

Try Yunnan-style braised dishes or grilled trout with local tea; a unique regional meal experience.
THB200, 1h0m

2:30pm

Pong Dueat (hot springs) / Sai Yai Hot Spring

Relaxing thermal pools set in a natural environment; many pools open 8:00am–6:00pm with small entrance fees and changing facilities.
THB100, 1h30m

4:30pm

Mae Hong Son Cultural Walk — Chong Kham Lake & local temples

Stroll around the central lake, visit small temples and local markets; pleasant late afternoon activity and good photo opportunities.
THB0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Local Shan / Northern Thai restaurant

Enjoy local Shan specialities or northern Thai dishes near the night market; many restaurants open until 8:30–9:00pm.
THB160, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Mae Hong Son Province

Day 5: Return to Chiang Mai

Mae Hong Son, Thailand → Chiang Mai, Thailand on December 9, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Mae Hong Son Morning Market

Grab coffee, steamed buns, or khao tom for the road; markets open early and are convenient for breakfast on departure day.
THB80, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive Mae Hong Son → Chiang Mai (direct or via Mae Sariang)

Long scenic drive back to Chiang Mai (approx. 5–7 hours depending on route and stops). Depart early to arrive in the afternoon. Consider a break in Mae Sariang for a stretch.
THB0, 6h0m

12:30pm

Lunch en route — Mae Sariang or roadside local restaurant

Simple, hearty Thai or Shan lunch midway to Chiang Mai; useful refuel for the drive.
THB150, 0h45m

3:00pm

Arrive Chiang Mai — Warorot Market or Nimman coffee

Spend late afternoon browsing Warorot Market or relax at a Nimman cafe — markets open until early evening, cafes afternoon onward.
THB0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner — Khao Soi Nimman or Khao Soi Khun Yai (return visit)

Finish the loop with Chiang Mai’s signature dish, khao soi, open for dinner at many popular spots until about 8:00–9:00pm.
THB80, 1h0m

8:00pm

Evening — Final stroll or return to accommodation

Optional evening walk in the Old City or head back to your hotel to rest after the loop; most attractions closed but restaurants remain open.
THB0, 0h30m
Find Hotels in Mae Hong Son
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

More About 5 days from chaing mai to pai, mae hong son

Best Thailand Travel Deals
Travel Deals
Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed

Plan Your 5 days from chaing mai to pai, mae hong son Trip

Cost Estimator
Estimate your trip budget
Packing List
Get a custom checklist
Weather Expert
Check weather & best time to go