I hope I can again get some helpful travel advice here. I just rented a car and plan to travel around the North with my wife and her folks. Is there a loop that would include CR, Pai, MHS and Mae Salong? I am also interested in day trips. I definite plan to go to Chiang Dao.

Can you suggest some comfortable but reasonably priced GHs. I would like to take a 4 to 6 day trip.

Thanks

The botanical gardens at Doi Ang Kang (near Fang which is just beyond Chang Dao) are rather special too.

Nice mountain road direct from Chang Dao to Doi Ang Kang.

http://wiitravel.blo...chiang-mai.html

Edited January 31, 201313 yr by TommoPhysicist

Budget Car Rentals has recommended driving routes. I just did a road trip to Chiang Rai and found their suggestions quite useful.

https://www.budget.co.th/travel_worldclass.aspx

Your loop would have to follow this route:

Chiang Mai, MHS, Pai, Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai

The final legs to MHS, Pai and Mae Salong are EXTREMELY curvy.

Check out http://www.gt-rider.com/ targeted at motorcyclists but some great info.

Check out http://www.gt-rider.com/ targeted at motorcyclists but some great info.

GT Rider has great info...but the GT Rider Maps are a bit outdated and a lot of the roads are not listed , while others are dirt trails.

Best to ask specifically about paved routes on the GT rider forum.

Btw, when does low season begin in Northern Thailand?

We also plan to head to Cha Am Feb 19. Will it be low or high season there?

Edited February 3, 201313 yr by vagabond48

Your loop would have to follow this route:

Chiang Mai, MHS, Pai, Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai

The final legs to MHS, Pai and Mae Salong are EXTREMELY curvy.

You have this a bit out of wack: Chiang mai, Pai, Mae Hong Song, Mae Saring, then back to CM. Its a bit hardd to get to Chiang Rai from Pai, you have to go back to the 107. It kind of makes these tripd independant of each other. You could take the 118 to the 1 and go thru phayao to Chiang Rai. Then come back thru Fang to the 107 and then cut across to Pai and continue on the MHS loop returning to CM on the 108

MHS an and Mae Salong are in opposite directions - so you will go back the same. There is a really cool place over there called Cave lodge (http://www.cavelodge.com/), it is just before Pai. Mae Salong have a very nice touch to it - feels like China... You can do a nice route by going CM-MHS-Pai-Mea Salong-Golden Triangle -Chiang Rain and back to CM.

Just go out and purchase the GT-Rider MHS loop map. None of the paved road information is outdated although by nature some of the dirt roads have now been paved since publication. From MHS do a day trip or overnight up to Baan Rak Thai (Mae Ah) visiting the attractions along the way . From MHS go to Khun Yuam and then over to either Mae Nachon or Mae Chaem rather than Mae Salong. Return to Chiang Mai to recharge the batteries or do some laundry and then either head up to Chiang Rai via Chiang Dao or, better yet, head over to Nan and drive the Doi Phuka loop through Bo Klua. Nan has far more charm than does Chiang Rai

Your loop would have to follow this route:

Chiang Mai, MHS, Pai, Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai

The final legs to MHS, Pai and Mae Salong are EXTREMELY curvy.

"The final legs to MHS, Pai and Mae Salong are EXTREMELY curvy"

They are, but the roads are very good! Even up to Mae Salong, the road is fine from the Chiang Rai side over to Fang, no problem at all.

Btw, when does low season begin in Northern Thailand?

We also plan to head to Cha Am Feb 19. Will it be low or high season there?

Been in the Cha Am, Hua Hin area just 3 times in the last week of February to late March, and it was quiet during each visit - was told it can get busy on the weekends.

Both the GT Rider and RideAsia forums are great resources for finding accommodation that is where and what you're looking for. We are major fans of Cave Lodge, staying there several times each year, but for some it is too rustic. In Chiang Dao the Chiang Dao Nest is a treat to stay at - a great host and fantastic food doesn't hurt also. Try and be there on a Thursday night, as their buffet is worth it (book in advance). Almost too many nice guesthouses to recommend along your intended route.

Happy travels

Btw, when does low season begin in Northern Thailand?

We also plan to head to Cha Am Feb 19. Will it be low or high season there?

Been in the Cha Am, Hua Hin area just 3 times in the last week of February to late March, and it was quiet during each visit - was told it can get busy on the weekends.

Both the GT Rider and RideAsia forums are great resources for finding accommodation that is where and what you're looking for. We are major fans of Cave Lodge, staying there several times each year, but for some it is too rustic. In Chiang Dao the Chiang Dao Nest is a treat to stay at - a great host and fantastic food doesn't hurt also. Try and be there on a Thursday night, as their buffet is worth it (book in advance). Almost too many nice guesthouses to recommend along your intended route.

Happy travels

I was just wondering if you were implying that since it is quiet there, the hotel/GHs will have low season pricing?

Regarding Pai MHS, any recommendations for reasonably priced comfortable accommodations (400 to 700B)? Since we are coming by car, can stay up to 10K from town.

As always, thank you all for the helpful suggestions.

I was just wondering if you were implying that since it is quiet there, the hotel/GHs will have low season pricing?

Regarding Pai MHS, any recommendations for reasonably priced comfortable accommodations (400 to 700B)? Since we are coming by car, can stay up to 10K from town.

As always, thank you all for the helpful suggestions.

I would guess it's the start of the low season, but prices are not bad - 1000 b or less for something nice close to the beach. It takes a few similes, and a it costs how much now, for the little bungalow we have rented several times south of ChaAm at 850 b a night. I don't have the # anymore.

In Pai stay mostly at the CountrySide or the Brookview, but there are so many options to choose from. In MHS the Piya guesthouse is nice, also quite popular with local expats - if there's an event happening it will be full. The Point Villa is a great spot for a group, but the pricing is just above your range. One walk around the lake and you'll find guesthouses of all price ranges.