🚗 Self-Drive Circuit - In the Heart of Mae Hong Son Region

This morning, meet at the car rental agency to pick up your vehicle at 8:00 AM.

Welcome to the winding roads of northern Thailand! Head towards the country's highest point, perched at 2565 meters, in Doi Inthanon National Park.

• The two royal pagodas at the summit

• The panoramic view over tropical forests.

On the way back, Take time for a break at the majestic Wachirathan waterfall.

A little refreshing moment before the road to Mae Sariang !

After lunch, head towards the magnificent green city of Mae Sariang, on the border of Myanmar.

Lush rice fields, rivers with rushing waters, Karen tribe village, herds of elephants roaming freely in Salawin Park… Mae Sariang is a hiker's paradise. Along the way, you can stop at the Op Luang National Park.

Installation at Riverhouse Resort in a standard room with a double bed for 2 nights.

Morning departure – Take the road towards Doi Pui Co, a summit overlooking the Sop Moei region. A hike awaits you!

• Level: Moderate on trail

• Reward: A panoramic view of the Burmese and Thai border mountain ranges.

After lunch, get back behind the wheel to head to the absolute calm of Mae La Noi, made up of three traditional hamlets nestled in the heart of the mountains.

Here, you will mainly meet inhabitants from the Shan, Lua or Karen ethnic groups.

A genuine opportunity for exchange, far from tourist crowds.

After this day immersed in nature and culture, take the road back at a leisurely pace to your hotel in Mae Sariang.

A well-deserved evening of rest to take in all these discoveries.

Start the day with a visit to this spectacular cave, nestled in the heart of the national park.

This cave is known for its sparkling calcite formations, unique in the region.

Head to the Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu.

Perched on the heights of Mae Hong Son, this emblematic temple offers an incredible panoramic view over the entire region.

The two white pagodas are true treasures of Shan architecture.

The day ends heading towards the "fraternal" temples Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang.

These two temples, situated on the banks of Chong Kham lake, are true centers of life for the Thai Yai community.

Return to the heart of Mae Hong Son, discovering local shops, street markets and typical mountain cuisine.

Installation at Fern Resort for 2 nights. 1 luxury room with garden view (double bed).

This morning, drive to the Su Tong Pae bridge, a genuine artisanal gem, offering you a final poetic glimpse of the surrounding countryside.

Built by the Lahu community, this bridge is a powerful symbol of local cooperation.

Return to your accommodation. Enjoy your second night in the tranquility of nature

On the way, stop at Phu Klon. Discover one of the only three sites in the world where natural thermal mineral mud is found. Phu Klon is renowned for its health and beauty treatments based on mineral-rich black mud.

Then, take a break at this cave known for its natural pools filled with sacred fish, which you can observe in a lush setting.

Then join this refreshing waterfall in the middle of the jungle.

Accessible by car, it is a perfect place to take a break, refresh your feet and take photos in a restful natural setting.

Finally, drive to this charming Sino-Thai village nestled on the border with Myanmar.

Famous for its terraced tea plantations, Ban Rak Thai offers a peaceful atmosphere, unique culture and fusion cuisine based on tea, pork and mountain herbs.

Night at 168 rak thai. in double room

On your way back to Pai, make a stop in the Pang Mapha district, a true paradise for caving enthusiasts.

Discover the Tham Lod Cave, 1.6 km long and crossed by an underground river, explored aboard a bamboo raft.

Inside: silence, coolness, and spectacular stalactites await.

Then finish your day in the mountains of the Northwest and the Pai region, a charming border town of Myanmar.

Surrounded by mountains and crossed by the Pai River, this town is a true paradise for nature lovers and offers many hiking opportunities in the surrounding mountains.

Pai is also a festive and laid-back town. When evening falls, the streets come alive with street stalls in abundance. Food is flowing, bars fill up quickly and music is of course on the agenda!

130 km of mountain road with very many hairpin turns awaits us this morning. Allow between 3 and 4 hours, plus stops to be planned along this road nicknamed ''the road with 1600 hairpin turns''. This 130 km road immerses you in a landscape of dense forests, steep mountains and lush valleys. Plan for photo stops, a few refreshing breaks, and perhaps a small snack at a hilltop café.

Arrival in Pai, rest and first discoveries and walks in the city center at your leisure.

Installation at the Farmstay at Pai in a luxury cottage with a double bed.

In early morning, head out to the Pong Deuat geysers, in the Mae Tang region. An impressive natural site where water bursts forth in scalding steam.

Then head to Mok Fa Waterfall.

The waterfall is part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, adding to its appeal as a natural haven.

Then take the road via Chiang Dao, where you will take time to visit the Wat Tham Chiang Dao with its caves, temples and splendid viewpoints over the valley.

Arrival in Chiang Dao, we visit the village of Chiang Dao and its hot springs!

And finally, head to the highlands to reach a charming Lisu village from where we will have a magnificent view of Mont Doi Luang Chiang Dao, the 3rd highest peak in the country, towering at 2,175 meters above sea level.

Spend the rest of your free day wandering through nature and visiting the surroundings of Chiang Dao, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and magnificent landscapes.

Night at the DaraDao.

This morning, take the road into the mountains to Tha Ton, a charming village located near the Burmese border which, with its hill tribes, picturesque guesthouses and unique setting on the banks of the Kok River, has all the assets to seduce you.

The road to get there is equally magnificent, with its valleys, hills and lush rice fields succeeding one another as far as the eye can see.

Upon your arrival, you will meet Renato, your local guide, for a day of immersion in pristine nature and Karen traditions.

Program highlights:

• Crossing through isolated Karen villages

• Discovery of their culture, spirituality and architecture, Preparation of a traditional meal in the heart of the forest, cooked in banana leaves or bamboo

• Trek through plains and forests.

Night at the Maekok River Village Resort in a double room.

This morning, meet up with Renato once more for a half-day cultural activity.

You will cross his farm, where you will encounter water buffalo.

Finally, you will end with a stop at the Karen market in Tha Ton, ideal for some shopping before our departure for Mae Salong.

Hop in your car for a splendid drive through the winding mountains of the north, up to Mae Salong, a former Chinese refugee village that has become Thailand's tea capital.

Along the way:

• Stop at the famous 101 tea plantation: tasting and a walk through the fields

• Visit to Santikiri village, founded by former members of the Kuomintang (KMT), exiled after the Chinese civil war

• Exploration of small local shops selling oolong tea, honey and handcrafted souvenirs.

Night at Wata Khiri in a deluxe room with mountain view. A magnificent hotel in the heart of the plantations.

This morning start with a stop in small villages of the Yoa and Akha communities.

If time and your heart allow, you can also stop in a Padaung community, a mountain people, a branch of the Karenni people, originating from neighboring Myanmar who found refuge in Thailand, and whose women wear the famous golden spiral necklaces that give the impression they have long necks.

Head then to the Mekong river and the Golden Triangle, the convergence point of Thai, Burmese and Laotian borders, following the route along the banks of the Mekong.

Head to The Golden Triangle, the famous meeting point of Thai, Burmese and Laotian borders.

At the local port, a private taxi boat awaits you for an hour-long cruise on the Mekong.

Let yourself drift along the tranquil waters, passing:

• the tree-lined banks of the river

• the floating markets

• the gigantic Sino-Roman casino on the Laotian side.

Once back at the car, departure for a visit to the magnificent Opium Museum, built into the side of one of the hills that overlooks the Mekong valley.

It traces the history of opium trafficking in Southeast Asia, with an immersive, poignant and educational scenography.

Night at Bansaeo Garden and Resort in a standard villa.

This morning, embark on a magnificent route skirting the heights of Phu Chi Fah, at an altitude of over 1700 meters.

The mountain landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, forming a natural border with Laos.

A true postcard scenery to savor at every turn.

Take a break at Wat Rong Sua Ten or the Blue Temple of Chiang Rai, a work by architect Chalermchai's disciple.

You will observe sculptures of Buddha in lotus position as well as figures of demons, legendary nagas that are half human and half serpent, and paintings illustrating events from Gautam's earthly life.

And finally, continue with the majestic Wat Huay Pla Kung, often confused with a giant Buddha.

In reality, it is a representation of Guanyin, goddess of mercy.

Climb to the top of the 9-story pagoda for an unobstructed view of the rice fields.

2 nights at Nak Nakara Hotel in a Lanna room.

This morning, head to one of Thailand's most iconic monuments: Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple.

Imagined by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, this temple is a work of art in its own right.

Admire:

-Its white façade, symbolizing the purity of Buddhism

• Its frescoes blending tradition and pop culture (Buddha, Michael Jackson, Matrix…)

• The striking architecture of its 9 buildings.

On the way back to Chiang Mai, stop at Bo Sang, the iconic village of Sa paper umbrellas.

Start with a visit to the Umbrella Making Center:

• Observe each step: frame construction, hand painting, drying…

• Exchange with the craftsmen at work.

Then stroll through the alleyways and discover other small workshops:

• Sa paper work

• Silver jewelry making

• Wood carving.

After art, it's time to relax! Head back to the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs which promise you a pleasant moment of relaxation in a pleasant setting.

The springs naturally release water at 105°C which cools down when exposed to air.

On site, several pools will allow you to soak your feet in water between 40 and 50°C before swimming in the mineral bath pool.

For a fun experience, you can buy small baskets of eggs and cook them directly in the spring water.

Free return to your accommodation in Chiang Mai, relaxation and free dinner in the old town or at the night market according to your preferences.

Overnight stay at the De Lanna Hotel in a Deluxe room.

Start your day with an immersion in the hustle and bustle of the great central market of Warorot, located in the heart of the commercial district of Chiang Mai.

A veritable Ali Baba's cave, this market is ideal for discovering and tasting the culinary specialties of northern Thailand:

• Sai Ua (spicy northern sausage)

• Moo Yo (Vietnamese pork sausage)

• Nam Phrik Num (green chili paste)

• Dried fruits, spices, local teas…

But also: fabrics, clothing, flowers, ceramics and handcrafted embroidery.

Late morning, take the mountain road to reach Doi Suthep mountain, at 1,200 m altitude.

Along the way, stop at the Wat Pha Lat temple, a small temple hidden in the jungle, on the edge of a waterfall.

Continue then to the majestic Doi Suthep temple, perched at the summit. This iconic temple of Chiang Mai, adorned with gold leaf and sacred relics, is a major site of Thai Buddhism.

Climb the 306 steps bordered by nagas, or take the funicular, to enjoy a panoramic view over the city.

In late afternoon, end your exploration with a visit to the Wat Umong, a 13th-century Buddhist temple nestled at the foot of the mountain.

Its underground tunnels, its moss-covered stupas and its meditation pond make it a timeless place.

You may have the opportunity to interact with the resident monks.

Return of your rental vehicle at the end of the day (by 5:30 PM at the latest).

End of your self-drive tour – Thank you for your trust, and see you soon for a new adventure in Thailand!