Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son

[TwistedVAmp]

Greeting to all,

My Husband and I are travelling to Thailand in mid of nov for 3 weeks. We start our journey in Chiang Mai and have book an accom in hang dong for 4 nights, we'd love to visit mae hong son area for our next adventure before heading down to south. We're not sure of which one would be best to do
taking a tour package or travelling solo

there's so much we wanted to do and see in chiang mai and mae hong son. We have found few tour packages via internet (again ahhh there so many to choose) , i like to see things in my own time and not being rush, my husband though suffer from anxiety disorder. this trip is itself is a ground breking nerve for him I'd like to make this trip easy for him. I have been to thailand many times though never been to north...

I'd like to know whether is best to leave things till we arrive in chiangmai re tour packages or we should be more prepare and organise booking things from aussi.. Would it be easy to organise our trips in last minute if so any recommendation of good tour and travel agent in chiang mai and mae hong son.We have thought about renting bicycles to ride around town and see things which are nearby. we thought about flying to mae hong son and again decide on the tour when we are there and taking bus back to chiang mai. I am so confused and need advised on what would be best

Thank you so much, I am really glad i find this forum.. it really helps knowing i can ask people around and making my life easier

[Phayao]

..

http://www.chiangmai-guideline.com/t...gram/index.htm

[Richard Barrow]

I think I would leave everything to the last minute. There are plenty of tour agencies around Chiang Mai that it won't be a problem. That way you can pick and choose what you want to do. One option is to rent a car and drive yourself to Mae Hong Son. In my opinion, people who fly there miss out on half the adventure. There are so many loops and bends in the road that once you get to the other end you are handed a certificate! There are a few places along the way worth visiting. Pai is quickly becoming the Khao San Road of thenorth. Some people even go straight from Bangkok to Pai without going to Chiang Mai first. Once in Mae Hong Son, if you have your own transport, you can easily drive out to visit one of the hilltribe villages to see the long-neck people. Or you can arrange a tour locally. There is a lot to do in the north and I really need to drive up there again. Just don't forget your car sickness pills!

[TwistedVAmp]

thanks for the link phayao, i'll keep this in mind.
Thanks for the tips richard, the drive sound awesome, we'll talk about driving and see what my husband feel about it.. How's the driving condition up in north, i am aware the road condition is not smooth which is not a problem, but what about direction and road signs are they easy to follow?

Does anyone know good car rental agent and a good tour company??

Again thank you so much

[Richard Barrow]

You won't have any problems on the main roads include this route. However, once you are on the smaller roads it becomes more useful to be able to read Thai. We found the following guidebook useful for road trips:

Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE Thailand

It helped a lot in our planning and also getting us to some out of the way destinations.

For car rentals, try this link:

http://www.budget.co.th