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The Mae Hong Son Loop is the best-known road trip in northern Thailand. From Chiang Mai the road climbs to Pai, crosses the mountains to Mae Hong Son near the Myanmar border, and comes back through Mae Sariang and over Doi Inthanon. With your own car you stop at every viewpoint, waterfall and village along the way.
At a glance
- Start and finish
- Chiang Mai Airport
- Distance
- About 750 km
- Days
- 7, or 5 at a faster pace
- Driving per day
- Mostly 2 to 4 hours
- Roads
- Paved all the way, with many bends and steep climbs
- Best time
- November to February
The route day by day
The loop below runs clockwise, via Pai first, so you drive the most winding stretch on the first day while you are fresh. It works just as well the other way round. Distances are by road; the times are driving time without stops. The map shows the route and the numbered stops.
Day 1: Chiang Mai to Pai
About 140 km and 3 hours on Route 1095, the road with hundreds of bends. Leave Chiang Mai Airport northwards and stop after an hour at Mok Fa Waterfall (1), a short walk from the road in Doi Suthep–Pui National Park. The climb over the mountains is slow but beautiful; if anyone in the car gets travel sick, take it easy and stop at the viewpoints. Time your arrival for the late afternoon: Pai Canyon (2) lies right beside the road, ten minutes before Pai, and its narrow ridges of red earth are at their best at sunset. Take care on the edges; there are no railings. Then drive on to Pai (3), where the main street turns into a night market in the evening.
Day 2: Pai
A day without long drives. Pai lies in a green valley with rice fields, waterfalls and the old Memorial Bridge over the Pai River. South of town, the hot springs are an easy drive; come back to the canyon for a second sunset if you missed it yesterday.
Day 3: Pai to Tham Lod
About 50 km and 1 to 1.5 hours, with the best viewpoint of the loop. Doi Kiew Lom viewpoint (4) is about half an hour from Pai, and in the early morning the valleys below are often full of mist. Near Soppong, in the district of Pang Mapha, turn off to Tham Lod (5), a large cave with a river running through it. Local guides lead you through with a gas lantern and take you across the river on a bamboo raft. Stay the night in one of the lodges around Soppong: around dusk, thousands of swifts fly into the cave, and it is worth being there to see it.
Day 4: Tham Lod to Mae Hong Son via Ban Rak Thai
About 130 km and 3 hours, with a detour to the Myanmar border. Follow Route 1095 west and, at Ban Na Pa Paek, take the side road north to Ban Rak Thai (6), a village founded by Chinese settlers, with tea plantations, Yunnanese food and a lake. The last stretch is steep and narrow. From there the road winds down to Mae Hong Son (7), a small town around a lake with the Burmese-style temples Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang. Go up to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, on the hill above town, for the sunset over the valley.
Day 5: Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang
About 165 km and 3 to 3.5 hours south on Route 108. The road follows the valleys through Khun Yuam (8), where a small museum tells the story of the Japanese soldiers who passed through in the Second World War. In November, a mountain road west of Khun Yuam leads to Doi Mae U-Kho, where the hills turn yellow with wild sunflowers. Mae Sariang (9) is a quiet town on the Yuam River, with guesthouses along the water.
Day 6: Mae Sariang to Doi Inthanon
About 160 km and 3.5 to 4 hours over the mountains via Mae Chaem. This is the quietest part of the loop, through forest and small villages. Mae Chaem (10) lies in a broad valley and is known for its hand-woven cotton; the rice terraces nearby are greenest in September and October. Spend the night in Mae Chaem, in the national park or at the foot of the mountain, so that you are close to the top early the next morning.
Day 7: Doi Inthanon and back to Chiang Mai
About 105 km and 2 to 2.5 hours, with the highest point in Thailand. Drive up Doi Inthanon (11) early, before the clouds come in. Near the top stand the two royal pagodas with their flower gardens, and the Kew Mae Pan nature trail leads along the ridge (closed in the rainy season, roughly June to October). On the way down, stop at Wachirathan Waterfall (12). From the foot of the mountain it is about 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai Airport.
Extending the loop
With two or three extra days, add Chiang Rai. From Chiang Mai it is about 3 hours by road to the White Temple, the Golden Triangle and the tea hills of Doi Mae Salong. See car hire in Chiang Rai for the day trips there.
Car hire for this road trip
Pick up the car at Chiang Mai Airport when you land and return it there at the end of the loop. Car hire in Chiang Mai has the other pick-up points and more about driving there.
Car hire prices at Chiang Mai Airport
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Airport | €234 | €299 | €385 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
Included in the price
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year (3 years for selected cars), plus an International Driving Permit.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name. The desk holds the deposit on it.
- Deposit
- About €136 to €545, depending on the car.
- Driver age
- From 21 on selected cars, from 25 on the others. Upper age limit of 75 on selected cars. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with selected cars. Each car shows it before you book.
Driving the Mae Hong Son Loop
The rules for all of Thailand are under Driving in Thailand. On this route, these are the things to know.
Bends and steep climbs
The roads are paved all the way, but they climb and descend constantly. Use a low gear on long descents rather than the brakes, and leave room for pick-ups and scooters that cut the corners. An ordinary hire car is fine; there is no need for a four-wheel drive.
Fuel and daylight
Fill up in the towns: Pai, Pang Mapha, Mae Hong Son, Khun Yuam, Mae Sariang and Mae Chaem all have petrol stations. Between them there are long stretches with little more than villages. Plan to arrive before dark; in the mountains, mist and unlit bends make night driving slow.
National park fees
Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep–Pui charge an entrance fee per person and per car. Pay in cash at the gate and keep the ticket for the day.
Best time for the Mae Hong Son Loop
November to February is cool, dry and clear, and the sunflowers bloom in November. From late February to April smoke from field burning often hazes the views. June to October is the rainy season: the hills are green, but the roads are slippery and landslides can close a road for a while.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost for the Mae Hong Son Loop?
Car hire at Chiang Mai Airport starts at €234 a week for a small car, €299 for a mid-size car and €385 for a large car or SUV, fully insured with everything included. You pick up and return the car at Chiang Mai Airport. Updated 12 November 2026.
Do I need a credit card?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name. The desk holds a deposit on it: about €136 to €545, depending on the car.
How long is the Mae Hong Son Loop by car?
About 750 km from Chiang Mai and back, including the detour to Ban Rak Thai. Plan 7 days; 5 is possible at a faster pace.
Is the Mae Hong Son Loop difficult to drive?
The roads are paved and in good condition, but there are many tight bends and steep stretches. Drive slowly, use a low gear downhill and drive in daylight.
Clockwise or anticlockwise?
Both work. Clockwise, via Pai first, you drive the most winding road on the first day. Anticlockwise, via Doi Inthanon first, you end with Pai.
When is the best time to drive the loop?
November to February, when it is cool and clear. Avoid March and April for the smoke if you can.