{"id":6850,"date":"2016-03-21T14:48:40","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T12:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ants-in-pants.com\/?p=6850"},"modified":"2018-01-01T20:34:45","modified_gmt":"2018-01-01T18:34:45","slug":"mae-hong-son-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ants-in-pants.com\/en\/blog\/mae-hong-son-loop\/","title":{"rendered":"Extended Mae Hong Son Loop (Thailand). 1400 km by bike: detailed description and tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the main attractions in the Northern Thailand is a motorcycling Mae Hong Son Loop<\/strong>. The road runs through the main towns of the province Mae Hong Son \u2013 Mae Sariang and Pai, and usually starts from Chiang Mai. This city has an international airport as well as many companies renting out motorbikes and motorcycles. The 600 km path with 1864 curves brings about a lot of adventures. Mae Hong Son attracts tourists not only for sightseeing: for experienced drivers this is the opportunity to drive on the mountain roads.<\/p>\n

We (as always) expanded the loop from 600 km to 1400 km. Today we tell about our route, the places we visited on the way, and share some nuances of driving. As we add content about our trip to Thailand, this story will be updated with hyperlinks to a particular location (point of interest).<\/p>\n

Renting a motorbike.<\/h4>\n

For our adventures we chose Honda PCX (150 cc.).
\n\"Honda<\/p>\n

We took this more expensive model because of its power: we were two on one motorbike. For the long ride, we got some comfort provided by a large seat. Under the seat, we could place some of our luggage, and the seat length allowed Nastya to loosen the backpack on her back and put it on the seat surface. In Chiang Mai, most of rental companies\u00a0are located along the eastern and western parts of the old city. We took our Honda at A-rent Company. Here the prices are lower, but do not expect a huge choice. You can leave the passport or $ 150 as a deposit. The price of the motorbike was 450 baht per day.
\n\"Renting<\/p>\n

To find them, you need to cross the bridge from Suthep Rd<\/em> side, then than turn to the right (18.786994, 98.978186). A little further is Mr. Mechanic rent office. The prices of the latter are at the photo:
\n\"Renting<\/p>\n

Another company, which often appears in the reports of tourists, \u00abMister Pop\u00bb, is located on Bunrueang Rit<\/em>. This means, if you go from Suthep Rd, do not pass the bridge, turn to the left. Here they have\u00a0a very large selection:
\n\"Renting<\/p>\n

The day before our departure, we had a little practice with the help of a trip to Doi Suthep<\/a><\/strong>. This mountain is located near Chiang Mai, the road is full of twists, but wide. We recommend you to check yourself and your bike before you go to the loop.<\/p>\n

Mae Hong Son Loop.<\/h4>\n

The route we have covered in\u00a08 days (clickable):
\n\"Mae<\/a><\/p>\n

Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon Mountain – Mae Sariang<\/h4>\n

Day 1 (about 300 km).
\nStandard loop does not include Doi Inthanon<\/a><\/strong> mountain. Yet, we could not skip the highest peak in Thailand<\/strong> with altitude of 2565 meters above the sea leel. In addition, on the way you can see several pictorial waterfalls<\/strong> and explore the pagodas of King and Queen<\/strong>, which were erected in honour of their 60th anniversaries in 1987 and 1992.
\n\"pagodas<\/p>\n

\"Doi<\/p>\n

Of course, it was hard to start the journey with such a long distance, but it was worth it. The main road before the turn to Doi Inthanon is very good and wide. Before the turn, there is a large gasoline station, where you can relax, eat, use WC and pump up the wheels. The ascend to the top also did not seem so critical. The road is quite wide for mountains, in most cases with a slight slope. It helped to adapt to travel through the curves, both for the driver and the passenger. On the way back, going down was more difficult, besides, the brake cylinder broke.
\n\"road<\/p>\n

After descending, the wide road soon ended – it was necessary to turn off to Mae Sariang. At first, we were astonished by nature, but several hours later things started to get worse, since it was becoming dark and cold. We made frequent stops to stretch our legs. We reached the destination point tired, but happy, because it was the longest day distance on our route.
\nWe stayed at the PC Riverview guesthouse for 400 baht per night. The room was with its own shower, but the owner was a nasty old man, who was dissatisfied, as\u00a0we did not want to sleep with insects on the bed. It was very late to find something else, but the owner\u2019s wife was more kind and solved the issue.<\/p>\n

Mae Sariang and surroundings<\/a><\/h4>\n

Day 2 (about 100 km).
\nOn this day, we planned a trip to a nearby park<\/strong>, where we were walking for 2 hours, and then drove to the border with Burma to observe one of the longest rivers, the Salavin<\/strong>, and to have a look at the picturesque border village<\/strong>.
\nDespite the short distance, the road took a lot of time. This is due to the fact that the optimistic start with asphalt ended with dusty gravel road, where, at times, it was impossible to drive more than 10 km\/h. Perhaps, at the time of your journey it will change, because during our visit there were many heavy machines repairing\u00a0the road.
\n\"Mae<\/p>\n

We spent the second night in Mae Sariang in another place in front of the previous guesthouse: 300 baht per night, shared shower, but lovely hostess.<\/p>\n

Mae Sariang – Pang Tong Palace – Ban Rak Thai<\/h4>\n

Day 3 (over 200 km).
\nFrom Mae Sariang we headed to the Chinese mountain village Ban Rak Tai<\/strong>, which is located in the north of Thailand. On the way, we passed Mae Hong Son, had a look at\u00a0Pang Tong Palace<\/strong> (the farm residence of King), and watched Pha Sua waterfall<\/strong>. Ban Rak Tai is a very nice and scenic village, placed around the lake. There is a market, shops, restaurants, one hotel and a lot of guesthouses. We spent very nice evening here. The morning with fog on the water was also gorgeous.
\nSome sections of the road impressed us with steepness and twists. In general, it was not too difficult.
\n\"Mae-Hong-Son-Loop<\/p>\n