2 Days 1 Nights - Pai - Mae Hong Son
Northern Vacation Packages
Tour Type : Private
Tour Duration : 2 Days |
| |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Set deep in a mountain valley near the Burmese border lays the city of Mae Hong Son. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Asia’ Mae Hong Son has become one of the fastest-developing tourist centers in Thailand with travelers coming here for the stunning temples, the pristine trekking and hiking in the beautiful countryside and the cooler climate. Travelers on this tour will first get a taste of the small town of Pai, notorious as the banana pancake capital of Thailand. You will lunch at a waterfall, visit a cave full of sacred giant carp, and explore the mountaintop temple at Wat Doi Kong Mu.
You will visit the morning market as local and hill tribe craftspeople sell their wares. Then we will venture into the hills to spend some time with a local Karen hill tribe. On the trip back to Chiang Mai you will stop at one of the largest caves in Thailand, part of one of the largest underground cavern systems in all of Asia. A very full and very rewarding 2 days.
Itinerary:
Day 1: 07:00 am Leave from Chiang Mai by air conditioned vehicle and drive along the winding road to Pai. At Pai we will stop and take in a couple of the local sights including the Mae Yen temple, located across the river from the tiny town and halfway up a mountain. Those who are willing to endure the 350 steps to get there will be rewarded with tremendous views of the valley and important and historic temples and mural renditions of the lives of Buddha and of the local Thai people.
Lunch will be at Mo Paeng Waterfall and afterwards we will continue on Mae Hong Son. Before we reach Mae Hong Son we will stop and visit Tham Plaa or ‘Fish Cave’. This is not a cave as you might expect but more a large pool of water with a natural rock protection. The pool is very unique as it is inhabited by hundreds of sacred Soro brook carp, some being a meter in length. We arrive Mae Hong Son about 16:00 pm and we will embark for the temple atop Kong Mu hill. Wat Doi Kong Mu affords a spectacular views of the entire valley in which Mae Hong Son is nestled. The temple itself is notable for its two large white chedis and its typical Shan architecture. We will then check-in at your hotel and you will have the evening free to enjoy your dinner, explore the city or to simply relax.
Accommodation: Imperial Tara or equivalent
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 : Early breakfast is at the hotel followed by a visit to the bustling morning market, where you can enjoy the mountain morning browsing the merchandise of the local and hill tribe crafts people. Then we will make our way to a Padong Village. Long Neck Padong people are a unique hill tribe in Thailand as some of the women choose to wear a brass coil that over time elongates the neck as much as double. Originating in the Shan State in Burma (Union of Myanmar) these unique peoples are a small minority of the Karennin or Red Karen people of Burma. There is much speculation about why the rings are worn by the women of this tribe but, when asked, most of these gentle and proud ladies will tell you it is simply tradition.
Some people will suggest that the Long Neck villages are a tourist display but perhaps the more correct view is that this is an opportunity to discover a people with an unsettled history and a very different culture. A visit to a Padong village will more likely leave you culturally enriched with a desire to better understand these friendly people.
Lunch will be at the hill tribe village and early afternoon we will depart back to Chiang Mai. On the way back we will take an 8 km side trip to view the Lod Cave. This enormous cave is part of a cavern system that is among the largest in Asia. You will be able to enter the cave by raft on the small river (Lang River) that runs through the cave. Then we drive back to Chiang Mai, returning at about 20:00 pm and the conclusion of a very full, very exciting 2 day tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Additional Information : Price per person includes guide, transportation, meals, admission fees and accommodations.
| Service Code : TDNP02 |
| Transportation : Air Condition Van |
| Physical Demands : Moderate activity |
Private Tour Price:
| Season |
Number of Person |
Triple Occupancy Credit |
2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-8 |
9-10 |
| Low Season : 2008-05-01 to 2008-10-31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| High Season : 2007-11-01 to 2008-04-30 |
10,995.00 THB |
9,810.00 THB |
7,370.00 THB |
5,750.00 THB |
2,100.00 THB |
950.00 THB |
Our agents are anxious to assist you.