Mae Hong Son

Take a side trip to mountainous Mae Hong Son province and you’ll find yourself quickly immersed in nature. Follow the 600km Mae Hong Son Loop road through the countryside from Chiang Mai and soak in the scenery, visit caves and stay overnight in towns and villages.

The increasingly mainstream backpacker hub is the town of Pai. Situated in a valley, it’s a popular spot for tubing, trekking and white-water rafting, or, you can just soak in natural hot springs. Though lively, Pai still has a relatively laid-back spirit with a Western New Age influence. Bangkok weekenders boost the throng during the South’s warmest months and you’ll find a strong music scene there.