Chiang Mai - Tak - Umphang

[sunnyhor]

My intention of visiting Tak from Chiang Mai is the Thi Lor Su waterfall. Never been there before.

I have a 2 days to drive there from Chiang Mai. Anyone can recommend what must I do and how to plan my route? Any above avearge Resorts to recommend. Thank you very much!

[Jdietz]

Chiang Mai-Tak is about a 4 to 5 hour drive, so should be easy enough in an afternoon.

[Puwa]

drive to mae sot, which is a couple of hours west of tak city proper, maybe stay over at the mae sot hills hotel (in the centara group now i believe), then drive another 5 hrs or so down to umphang. the road to umphang is beautiful but sketchy in places and has hundreds of curves and switchbacks. umphang district itself has that quaint, old fashioned feeling that you don't find in thailand much anymore.

[Fishenough]

I agree with Puwa, take the 105 from Mae Sarieng to Mae Sot then the 1090 death highway to Umphang. This route is a little over 500 km from Chiang Mai, but the driving time on the 2 roads mentioned is best enjoyed quite slow. We stay at the Gardens Huts, which was a nice lower-mid ranged bungalow, and don't know of any other accommodation in Umphang.

Haven't yet been to the falls, but hope to soon.

[cloudhopper]

As I recall the falls are about a half hour drive up a soft dirt road from Umphang and they did not allow motorbikes on it.

[Johpa]

There was a recent post over at the GT-Rider website on getting to the falls from Umpang. It appears you have to book a tour for transportation from Umpang to the waterfalls. It is a very full days drive to Umpang starting off very early from Chiang Mai so you would need at least three days to see the falls and get back, and that would be pushing it.

[sunnyhor]

Thank you guys so much, at least I have a clearer picture now.

I assumed motorbike cannot reach the fall itself, how about a car without 4X4???

[Fishenough]

Thank you guys so much, at least I have a clearer picture now.

I assumed motorbike cannot reach the fall itself, how about a car without 4X4???

I heard from a recent visitor that if you convince the entry guard that you can easily travel the road they will let you. I'm sure the lovely lady owner of the Garden huts said so also.

If you do so successfully please report back!!

[sunnyhor]

Thank you guys so much, at least I have a clearer picture now.

I assumed motorbike cannot reach the fall itself, how about a car without 4X4???

I heard from a recent visitor that if you convince the entry guard that you can easily travel the road they will let you. I'm sure the lovely lady owner of the Garden huts said so also.

If you do so successfully please report back!!

I will report back for sure but convince the guard....hmmmmmmm, I am lack of convincing words.....LoL

[Jdietz]

And I can second the recommendation for the number one contender of the worst named hotel in Thailand: Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort.

(Not in Mae Sot proper, Not on a hill, Not a resort...)

[sunnyhor]

And I can second the recommendation for the number one contender of the worst named hotel in Thailand: Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort.

(Not in Mae Sot proper, Not on a hill, Not a resort...)

Oooopss, can tell us more brother?

[vacationman]

We just did this trip about 10 days ago.

The trip from Hell is what it felt like, lol.

Departed on Tuesday 3rd Jan. Thought the holiday traffic was over but NOT.

Bumper to bumper traffic from Chiang Mai to Tak... and were on a motorcycle.

Cars 4 lanes wide on a two lane highway making it impossible for motorcycles

to get past without riding in a ditch.

From Tak to Mae Sot was not bad.

Found a New Hotel with pool called the

Queen Palace Hotel.

www.QueenPalaceHotel.com

450 baht per night.

Departed Wednesday Morning at 9 a.m.

toward Umphang.

Only 164 km but 4 LONG hours of driving.

Roads were in terrible shape. Many Landslides

from rain a few days before. Roads were wet

and it was like slippery MUD on the road

from long time. 10 - 20 km per hour max

slipping and slidding.

We make it to Umphang and go searching for

a Taxi to take us to Tee Lor Sui Waterfalls.

After asking about 15 - 20 places we finally decided

the lowest price was 1,500 baht for the 25 km ride to the

falls.

We recieved price ranges from 2,500 to a low of 1,500

baht for the taxi ride.

Price might not have been so bad if you have 10 people

to fill up the Bus and split the costs.

Returned via Mae Saring.

Spent the night there and headed back to Chiang Mai with

a stop over at the Thailands Grand Canyon. Ob Luang National

Park.

This was by far our most enjoyable day with good roads and

enjoyed the park for about 2 hours.

You can visit the waterfalls by Rubber Boat and then a taxi ride.

Only problem is you arrive in the afternoon when the sun will be

in your eyes at the waterfalls.

Price quoted was 2,500 baht lowest price for Boat and Taxi to the

falls.

Wonderful to see at least ONCE.

Highly recommend taking your own 4x4 so you can explore at your

own pace.

Enjoy..

www.Q

[sunnyhor]

Hi Bro,

this is a terrific report. The arriving to Tee Lor Su waterfall is just a 25km from Umphang, and it cost so much ( 1500 Baht ) just to go to the fall? It's way too expensive isn't it?

After reading your report, it makes me think again whether or not to visit this place because I have on the most 3 days. And the intention is to see this waterfall with my own eyes.

Thank you again for writing this and I am really appreciate with your effort!