The Road to Mae Hong Son - 2 Days / 1 Night

Chiang Mai – Pai – Mae Hong Son – Padaung Long Neck Tribe

The Road to Mae Hong Son tour offers an impressive ingredients of the breathtaking scenery of Mae Hong Son, natural surroundings and attractions such as Mok Fah Waterfall, Tham Pla Cave, Shan temple in Mae Hong Son, local market in Pai district and the friendliness of Padaung and Karen ethnic groups: all in this tour will become an unforgettable memory for you.

Tour Highlights

• Driving through the stunning mountains of north Thailand
• Encountering the ever smiling faces and hospitality of the Thai people
• Visiting the beautiful Mok Fah waterfall
• Lazing in hot spring waters
• Wandering around the market place of Pai
• Discovering Tam Pla caves
• Meeting the Padaung mountain hill tribe people in Nai Soi Karen refugee camp
• Exploring the Shan temples of Mae Hong Son

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Pai - Mae Hong Son
Morning departure by car northwards to Pai along winding mountain road. Stop to visit Mok Fah waterfall before arriving in the small scenic town of Pai at lunchtime. Visit the hot springs and wander around the market place before continuing the journey to Mae Hong Son. Stop again to visit Tam Pla, a park with a number of creeks running out of a cave which is packed with Phluang fish. Continue to Mae Hong Son.

Day 2: Mae Hong Son – Visit the Padaung “long neck” people – Departure (B)
After breakfast, drive into the mountains to visit the Padaung people at Nai Soi refugee camp. Part of the Karen ethnic group the long-neck Padaung traditionally live in Kerreni province in Myanmar. As with many Karen tribes they have sought shelter in Thailand from the troubles in their homeland. Wander around the village and interact with the extraordinary people many of whom speak English and will chat amiably about their situation. After the visit drive back to Mae Hong Son for lunch and some shopping before catching the flight to Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
Note: If flying to Bangkok it may be necessary to spend less time in Pai in and visit temples in Mae Hong Son on Day 2 rather than Day 3.

Notes on visiting the Padaung “long neck” people:
Part of the Karen ethnic group the long-neck Padaung traditionally live in Kerreni province in Myanmar. As with many Karen tribes they have sought shelter in Thailand from the troubles in their homeland. Nai Soi refugee camp is home to almost 20,000 Karen and most of the camp is closed to visitors. The Padaung live in a separate village adjacent to the main camp which is open for tourists to visit. The Padaung have always been a curiosity for outsiders because women born at the time of the full moon traditionally wear brass rings around their necks which they increase each year until their necks become elongated and the women take on a giraffe like appearance. There are three long-neck villages around Mae Hong Son of which Nai Soi is the furthest and least visited. The women sit peacefully and are pleased to talk to foreigners and have their photos taken. Their situation is not ideal but they claim to be better off than most refugees in the camp and many who still suffer persecution in Burma. The Padaung are a proud people who have suffered at the hands of many stronger groups and deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy.