Route Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Mae Salong - Mae Taeng - Chiang Mai

SPANISH VERSION

Before starting to use the map or the list, it is advised to READ THIS ENTRY.



FAVORITE LIST

This round trip route that begins and ends in Chiang Mai (although you can start from any of its points, such as Chiang Rai) is a tour through some of the main points of interest to the north of Chiang Mai, such as Chiang Rai, Mae Salong tea plantations, Chiang Dao National Park or Mae Taeng district.

The fastest and most comfortable way to reach Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai is by plane. Its airports are international so you can fly there from many cities.

The points of interest are grouped into the following categories:

• Transport (gray): ports, airports, car rental, etc.
• Accommodation (orange): hotels, apartments, campsites, etc.
• Entertainment (purple): shops, markets, bars, pubs, restaurants, massage centers, shows, etc.
• Activities in contact with nature (green)
• Points of interest (blue): buildings, squares, monuments, archaeological remains, natural parks, etc. They are the points that make up the routes and therefore are ordered, have a logical sequence

To do this route it is advisable to rent a motorcycle or a car, although you can reach all points by public or private transport. With a 125cc motorcycle it is enough, even traveling 2 people, but it is advisable that the donkey be a little more powerful since the route is quite long and in some areas such as Mae Salong or Chiang Dao there are quite steep slopes. About the motorcycle rental shop indicated, Cat Motors is a reference in the city for its extensive experience and good valuations (it is advisable to book the most powerful motorcycles well in advance).

If you take full advantage of the daylight hours the tour can be done in 2 days, sleeping for example in Chiang Rai. The hotel that I indicate is normal, maybe a bit shabby, but clean and quiet considering that it is next to the Saturday Night Market, known as one of the best night markets in Thailand (at least it seemed to me).

If possible, spend several more days on the route. Other good options for resting would be the Mae Salong tea plantations or Chiang Dao National Park.

In Chiang Dao and Mae Taeng you can spend days doing activities in contact with nature: trekking, kayaking, animal sanctuaries, etc.

Respecting the order of the points of interest, the route would look like this:

It is an alternative to the famous Mae Hong Son Loop. Another option would be to combine them.

The Chiang Mai hotel was a success for location and optimum quality/price relation. It has a free storage, so you can lighten luggage and start this round trip route of several days, to the north, or do a shorter one to the southwest (also round trip):

Route Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

Or simply enjoy this charming city and its surroundings:

Route Chiang Mai & Doi Suthep (even if you are not interested in this route, keep in mind the driving advices, valid for all of Thailand, which I list at the end of the post)


PHOTOS:

Wat Rong Khun

Rest of the route