Greater Mae Hong Son Loop

We meet at our Service Centre at 8 am for the motorcycle hand over and tour briefing. Once on our motorcycles we quickly leave Chiang Mai behind and start our first mountain riding towards Samoeng, our first destination for today on our tour of the best roads to ride by motorcycle in Thailand. A well-deserved coffee break and leg stretcher and we are back on our motorcycles again. The road to Wat Si Witchan is snaking its way over hills and mountains and was just recently fully paved. At Wat Si Witchan we have lunch and visit the "Ray-Ban" temple. From here we still have two hours enjoyable mountain riding to Pai. Before reaching our hotel we stop at an elephant camp were we feed those majestic animals and even get a hug from them. In Pai, we dine on delicious local or western food in a restaurant by the river. In the evening after dinner, you can enjoy the delights of the Walking Street market. We stay overnight in Pai.
(200 km/124 miles)

Today is a very scenic riding day on our tour of the best motorcycle roads of Thailand. Even if the distance is not that much, there are plenty of mountains and switchbacks to negotiate, don't worry, we will need the full day. This is also the second part of the road famous for its 1864 bends of varying sharpness. We pass two mountains with 2 great scenic View Points en route. The journey takes us through some beautiful mountainous scenery.

Around mid-day, we arrive at Ban Rak Thai where we have lunch in one of the local Chinese restaurants by the little lake. They serve delicious Chinese specialities. Ban Rak Thai means literally "the Thai-loving village", built around a lake on the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance.

After lunch, we continue to Mae Hong Son and up the hill to visit the Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu. From here we have a great view of the city and its surroundings.
Next destination is the pier where we park your motorcycles. We can leave helmets, jackets etc at the ticket office. Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Pai River for about 20 min to the Karen Long Neck village (http://www.huaypukeng.com/info_visitor.htm). The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins. Many ideas regarding why the coils are worn have been suggested. Some have hypothesized that the rings protected women from becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Another theory is that the coils originate from the desire to look more attractive. Why don't you ask them and find out the "real story".

We return by boat to the pier and ride to the nearby Resort. Enjoy first a drink at the sunset bar overlooking the rice paddies. Overnight in Mae Hong Son after experiencing the best motorcycle roads in Thailand!
(180 km/112 miles)

In the morning we ride the Road 108 from Mae Hong Son to Khun Yuam. It is a great winding road with wide twists. Short break at the lovely scenic place, great photo opportunity and something to drink.
Before Khun Yuam, we turn right and follow a remote winding road into the mountains. Stunning scenery all the way to the Mexican Sunflower Fields (Bua Tong) which are blooming in November and December.
We follow the road to Khun Yuam and visit the local War Museum. The Imperial Japanese Army troops were stationed in Khun Yuam during the construction of a highway intended to cross Burma to India. Next to the museum there is a Coffee Shop which also serves lunch and a 7/11 store.
From Khun Yuam we continue on roads less traveled to Mae Sariang, the final destination for today. Mae Sariang is a small town alongside the Yuam River, located near the Myanmar border. Overnight Mae Sariang.
(201 km/125 miles)

The early risers may visit the local morning market and give alms to the monks. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience an ancient Buddhist tradition. Since you are already up, take the opportunity to visit the local wet market, quite an experience.

After breakfast, we are back on the road in east direction towards the top of Thailand, Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. We park our motorcycles and walk up to the absolute peak and the little pagoda.

Next stop is the Wachiratharn Waterfall - an impressive and powerful 80 m high waterfall. Continue on Road 1009 until we reach the intersection. The last 50 km or so ride on Road 108 until reaching Bike Tour Asia Service Centre were this beautiful tour is ending. Expect to be back at no later than 5 pm, concluding our tour of the best motorcycle roads in Thailand!
(250 km/155 miles)