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5-Day Self-Drive Loop: Chiang Mai → Pai → Tham Lod → Mae Hong Son → Chiang Mai (Start 2025-12-05)

Viewed by 104 travelers

Day 1: Drive to Pai

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

6:00am

Pick up rental car & pre-drive check

Collect your self-drive vehicle (recommended: compact SUV or reliable hatchback) and check insurance, tires and GPS; rental desks typically open 6:00–8:00am depending on provider.
THB1200, 0h45m

6:45am

Breakfast — Warorot Market grab-and-go

Quick northern Thai breakfast like khao soi or steamed buns and coffee at Warorot or a nearby café; markets open early so you can depart fresh.
THB100, 0h30m

7:30am

Drive Chiang Mai → Pai (Route 1095)

Self-drive the scenic but winding Route 1095 — expect ~3–4 hours depending on stops; allow extra time for mountain curves and photo breaks, avoid night driving on this route.
THB300, 3h30m

11:15am

Arrive Pai — check-in & park

Check into your hotel/guesthouse and confirm secure parking; many guesthouses have private parking or nearby safe spots.
THB0, 0h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Na's Kitchen (local northern Thai)

Home-style northern Thai meals popular with travellers; open midday (roughly 11:00am–2:00pm) and a good energy boost after the drive.
THB150, 1h0m

1:30pm

Land Split & Bamboo Bridge (Boong Ko Ku So)

Short scooter/car ride to scenic bamboo walkways and the Land Split where owners offer fresh fruit and tea; sites are open throughout the day and are easy to reach by car.
THB50, 1h15m

3:00pm

Pam Bok Gorge & Mo Paeng Waterfall

Drive to a small gorge and nearby waterfall for a short hike/swim; waterfalls accessible in daylight (approx 7:00am–5:00pm), so plan arrival before late afternoon.
THB0, 1h30m

5:00pm

Pai Canyon — Sunset walk

Short ridge hikes with dramatic sunset views; arrive before dusk for best light and park at the designated lot (site open all day).
THB0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Pai Walking Street (street food)

Browse stalls for grilled meats, local snacks and desserts; the night market runs ~5:00pm–10:30pm and is ideal for a relaxed dinner.
THB200, 1h30m

Day 2: Pai exploration

Pai, Thailand on December 6, 2025

6:00am

Yun Lai Viewpoint — Sunrise

Drive up to Yun Lai viewpoint for the misty valley sunrise; access before dawn is possible but park safely and note limited lighting pre-sunrise.
THB40, 1h0m

8:00am

Breakfast — Om Garden Cafe

Popular café with good coffee, fresh breakfast and parking nearby; opens early and is a comfortable base to plan the day.
THB150, 0h45m

9:30am

Santichon (Yunnan village)

Short drive to the Yunnan-style village with tea houses and cultural displays; the site opens mid-morning and has parking for cars.
THB0, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch — Na's Kitchen or local Thai eatery

Return to town for northern Thai classics; most lunch spots open 11:00am–2:00pm and offer ample parking or nearby lots.
THB150, 1h0m

1:00pm

Tha Pai Hot Springs (Sai Ngam)

Drive to natural soak pools for relaxation; pools are generally open ~8:00am–6:00pm — avoid late-hour driving back on narrow roads.
THB100, 1h30m

3:00pm

Explore Pai town — cafés & boutiques

Park centrally and stroll art shops, galleries and specialty coffee houses; most independent shops are open until early evening.
THB0, 1h30m

5:30pm

Optional second canyon visit or riverside rest

Return to Pai Canyon for golden-hour views or relax by the Pai River; both options are easily reached by car with nearby parking.
THB0, 1h0m

7:30pm

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

Choose from healthy fusion or grilled northern specialties; most restaurants are open 6:00pm–10:00pm and have parking access.
THB220, 1h30m

Day 3: Pai → Tham Lod → Mae Hong Son

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

7:00am

Breakfast — Pai Central Market

Early market breakfast with coffee and sticky rice or khao tom for the drive; markets open early and are perfect for packing snacks.
THB80, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive Pai → Tham Lod (Soppong)

Self-drive along Route 1095 toward Soppong — allow 1–1.5 hours with a relaxed pace for narrow sections and viewpoints.
THB200, 1h30m

9:45am

Tham Lod Cave guided tour & bamboo raft

Park and join a local guided walk and bamboo-raft float through the large cave system — guided tours operate daylight hours (roughly 9:00am–3:00pm).
THB450, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Soppong local restaurant

Simple riverside Thai lunch near Tham Lod before the longer drive to Mae Hong Son; eateries open midday and are convenient for drivers.
THB120, 0h45m

1:00pm

Drive Soppong → Mae Hong Son

Continue on scenic mountain roads to Mae Hong Son — allow ~2.5–3 hours and take frequent breaks; avoid rushing on narrow stretches.
THB350, 3h0m

4:30pm

Check-in & park at hotel in Mae Hong Son

Arrive, check in and secure a parking spot; many hotels in town provide parking, which is handy for evening strolls.
THB0, 0h30m

5:15pm

Doi Kong Mu (temple viewpoint) — Sunset

Short drive up to the hilltop temple for panoramic sunset views over Mae Hong Son town and the lake; open through late afternoon and early evening.
THB20, 0h45m

7:00pm

Dinner — Mae Hong Son Night Market

Taste Shan and northern Thai dishes at the night market; stalls typically operate from ~6:00pm–9:30pm and parking is available nearby.
THB160, 1h30m

Day 4: Mae Hong Son region

Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand on December 8, 2025

5:30am

Pang Oung (Little Switzerland) — Sunrise visit

Drive early to this tranquil reservoir for misty-sunrise views and boat rides; best at dawn and access/parking is available early morning.
THB50, 1h30m

8:30am

Breakfast — Nam Neung Cafe or local teahouse

Return to town for a relaxed breakfast and local coffee; cafes generally open by 7:00–8:00am.
THB120, 0h45m

10:00am

Ban Rak Thai (Yunnan tea village)

Self-drive the scenic road to the tea village near the Myanmar border for tea houses and mountain views; most shops open mid-morning and parking is roadside or at tea houses.
THB0, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Ban Rak Thai tea house (trout/Yunnan dishes)

Try Yunnan-style cuisine and fresh trout at a tea house overlooking the valley; eateries open for lunch and offer a unique regional meal.
THB220, 1h0m

2:30pm

Sai Yai / Pong Dueat Hot Springs

Drive to nearby hot springs for a relaxing soak in natural thermal pools; facilities usually operate ~8:00am–6:00pm.
THB100, 1h30m

4:30pm

Chong Kham Lake & cultural walk

Park by the lakeside and enjoy temples, riverfront stalls and calm late-afternoon light; easy stroll with vendors open through early evening.
THB0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Local Shan / Northern Thai restaurant

Sample regional Shan specialties and northern Thai dishes close to the night market; many restaurants stay open until about 8:30–9:00pm.
THB160, 1h30m

Day 5: Back to Chiang Mai

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

7:00am

Breakfast — Mae Hong Son morning market

Grab coffee and local snacks for the drive back; markets open very early and are ideal for a departure breakfast.
THB80, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive Mae Hong Son → Chiang Mai (direct route)

Begin the long scenic drive back to Chiang Mai — expect ~5–7 hours depending on stops and traffic; take frequent breaks and avoid night driving on mountain sections.
THB700, 6h0m

12:30pm

Lunch en route — Mae Sariang or roadside restaurant

Stop in Mae Sariang or a recommended roadside eatery for a simple Thai lunch and stretch legs; most mid-route restaurants open through the afternoon.
THB150, 0h45m

3:30pm

Arrive Chiang Mai — return rental & Warorot Market

Return the rental car (confirm drop-off time) then explore Warorot Market for last-minute souvenirs; rental return desks typically close in early evening so schedule accordingly.
THB0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner — Khao Soi at a Chiang Mai favorite

Enjoy classic Chiang Mai khao soi at a popular restaurant open into the evening — a comforting end to your self-drive loop.
THB90, 1h0m

8:00pm

Evening — Return to accommodation

Head back to your hotel to rest after the trip; most daytime attractions will be closed but restaurants remain open for any last-minute evening plans.
THB0, 0h30m
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