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How much time for Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son

How much time for Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son

Old Oct 9th, 2007, 01:59 PM
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How much time for Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son

We will be flying into Bangkok on November 15, and will spend the 16, 17, and 18 in Bangkok. Then we have tentatively planned on flying to Mae Hong Son early on the 19th, spend the afternoon of the 19th, and 20, 21 in Mae Hong Son - hike into Mae Surin National Park one day, and other day maybe raft or elephant trek, or tour of coffee and tea plantations. Then we plan to fly to Chiang Mai on the morning of the 22, which will leave us the afternoon of the 22nd, the 23, and 24 for Chiang Mai. I figured on the 22nd we could hike around the old city. On the 23rd, maybe go to Lampang for the Elephant experience, then to visit hill tribe village. On the 24th hike to Doi Suthep. We may check out Sergeant Kai for these activities. Then we'd fly back to BKK on the 25. Does this sound reasonable, or should either cut out the Mae Hong Son part, or maybe just spend 1 1/2 days there instead of 2 1/2 days, which will give us an additional day in Chiang Mai? I really would like to get away for the cities a bit, and Mae Hong Son sounded nice and rural. We may have the option of taking a day off the Bangkok portion of the trip, which we could add to Chiang Mai. I'd appreciate your comments - thanks in advance!
sailingchick is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2007, 03:19 PM
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Chaing Mai is a huge, sprawling city. So if you are looking for a rural area, don't cut Mae Hong Son - that's where you'll find it. Two and a half days in CM will allow you to get the expereinces you want.

I'd also recommend that you not cut any Bangkok time as you really don't have enough time to see the must-see places in Bangkok already.
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Old Oct 9th, 2007, 06:17 PM
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Based on your interests I think your plan sounds perfect.
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Old Oct 9th, 2007, 06:24 PM
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I think you have alloted enough time for each place. We spent the same amount of time in Mae Hong Son 2 yrs ago and were able to visit the hill tribe village (long neck), a temple overlooking MHS, a coffee plantation, go on a raft ride, and go elephant riding. I would suggest hiring a guide as all of the places require transportation to get to. Just be aware that the flights to and from MHS can be delayed or cancelled due to foggy weather conditions in the mountains. You also have to fly through Chiang Mai to get to MHS.

I agree that you shouldn't cut a day from Bangkok.
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Old Oct 10th, 2007, 03:11 PM
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I only know CM and BKK, not Mae Hong Song. Personally I find the remainder of the 22nd not very much for the wonderful wats in the old city. They are quite different from those you'll get see in BKK, different period, different material (wood). One has a regular Meet A Monk Hour scheduled. The idea is to give them an opportunity to practise English and obviously you have the rare chance to speak to a Thai outside the tourism industry. Try to find out the schedule beforehand.

Doi Suthep is the one thing I would cancel if pressed.As a wat it is rather unimpressive, the view can be nice - we had a rather misty day, hence no view - but no more.

Lampang has wonderful wats, especially Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao. I suppose you are referring to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center http://www.changthai.com/elephant-hospital/ on the Hwy from CM. I spent an afternoon there and really loved it. How you could cram a hill tribe visit into the 23rd on top of Lampang, I have no idea. If memory serves me right, hill tribes are situated to the north of CM, Lampang to the south. But then I'd rather experience/ relish one thing "properly", give it the time it takes, instead of rushing through photo opportunities. What would one take away from a visit to something as startingly alien as those hill tribes that lasted only an hour or two, I wonder. No criticism, just a thought.

Hendrik (give the elephants a banana for me ;-) )
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