The main
road north (H107) passes the most spectacular mountain
in Northern Thailand - Doi Luang Chiang Dao - before
twisting across the low watershed between the River
Mekhong (Rivers Fang & Kok) and the River Chao
Phraya (R. Ping). An alternative route to Doi Ang
Khang follows a (sealed) military road through spectacular
high border country (the full tour offers two more
such high country border routes).
Your
destination for the day is Thaton, but you may wish
to go as far as Doi Mae Salong (fill up with gas at
Thaton to carry you as far as the main service stations
in Mae Sai, see Day
2).
DAY
1: SIDE TRIPS
ST1
The Mae Sa Valley
(Left
[west turn] at KM.17.)
The
cooler upland valley of the Mae Sa (700 m.) is a prime
location for tourist resorts. Orchid farms (try the
Sainumphung or Mae Ram Orchid Farms), the Mae Sa Falls,
the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens are among the
attractions. Hmong villages are found in the hills
that surround the Mae Sa Valley.
ST2
Elephant Camps
Elephant
camps are found at Pong Yang (ST1. H1096 KM 18. left
turn 1.5 kms) and at Mae Taman (H107 KM.43. Left (west)
turn onto a sealed road - 10 kms) and at the Tang
Dao Elephant Centre (H107 KM.56. Show times 09:00
and 10:00). The roadside location of the latter makes
it the easiest, but the Pong Yang Elephant camp on
ST1 also has a spectacular setting.
ST3
Caves
You
may visit Tham (caves) Chiang Dao (KM.72 Left turn
[west] 5 kms.), where guides with lanterns for hire
can take you deep into the mountain. The Tap Tao caves
(KM.117. Left [west] turn 3 kms.) are also interesting.
The latter contains a narrow chute (old clothes recommended)
which forces visitors to crawl. The country road north
from the caves passes the 'Lost Buffalo Pond' after
2 kms, where there are some floating local restaurants,
and continues along the foot of the mountains passing
through Yunnanese Chinese villages.
ST4
Doi Ang Khang (25 kms.)
(Left
[west] turn 25 kms)
Passing
through Chinese villages, the sealed road climbs very
steeply to an agricultural station (1300m.) which
is famous for temperate fruits and flowers. Where
the road reaches its highest point a fairly accessible
peak (approx. 30 min. climb on foot along a rough
path starting from the pine grove to the south of
the peak) to the east of the road offers a 360°
view.
ST5
Fang Hot Springs National Park (8 kms.)
Turn
left at KM.147 (2.5 kms along the Fang Bypass) or
in the middle of Fang town. Though a small geothermal
power station has spoiled the ambience, visitors can
enjoy a steam room and a hot soak.
ST6
Ban Mae Salak (24 kms.)
Ban
Mae Salak and Wawi (4WD. 37 kms.) and through route
to Mae Suai on H118 (87 kms). North of Mae Ai at KM.18
(H1089) a right (east) turn by a telephone box onto
Lane 35 leads across the valley. Turn left after 6
kms for Mae Salak (17 kms) and a rough dirt road to
Yao and Akha villages near Ban Huai Chomphu. The track
merges with the upgraded dirt road from Mae Suai via
Wawi (H118. KM.25) at KM.59.
Overview
Corporate
Housing
