The Famous Mae Hong Son Loop

Today is a very scenic riding day on our short motorcycle tour of Thailand. Even if the distance is not that much, there are plenty of mountains and switchbacks to negotiate, don't worry, you will need the full day. This is also the second part of the road famous for its 1864 bends of varying sharpness. We will pass two mountains with 2 great scenic View Points en route.

The journey takes us through some beautiful mountainous scenery. Around mid-day, we arrive at Ban Rak Thai where we have lunch in one of the local Chinese restaurants by the little lake. They serve delicious Chinese specialities. Ban Rak Thai means literally "the Thai-loving village", built around a lake on the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance.

After lunch, we continue to the pier of the Nan River where we park our motorcycles. Enjoy a scenic boat ride on for about 20 min to the Karen Long Neck village (http://www.huaypukeng.com/info_visitor.htm). The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins. Many ideas regarding why the coils are worn have been suggested. Some have hypothesized that the rings protected women from becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Another theory is that the coils originate from the desire to look more attractive. Why don't you ask them and find out the real story?

We return by boat to the pier and ride to the nearby Resort. Enjoy first a drink at the sunset bar overlooking the rice paddies. Overnight in Mae Hong Son for the last night of our short motorcycle tour of Thailand.
(180 km/112 miles)

In the morning we ride Road 108 from Mae Hong Son to Khun Yuam. It is a great winding road with wide twists. In Khun Yuam visit the local War Museum. The Imperial Japanese Army troops were stationed in Khun Yuam during the construction of a highway intended to cross Burma to India.

Besides the museum, there is a Coffee Shop and a 7/11 store. From Khun Yuam continue to Mae Chaem on Road 1088 and 1263 on nice twisty back roads. Here is a little local restaurant where you can have lunch. Ride Road 1192 and turn left on Road 1009 up to the top of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. Park your motorcycles and walk up to the absolute peak and the little museum. Next stop is the Wachiratharn Waterfall - an impressive and powerful 80 m high waterfall. Continue on Road 1009 until reaching the intersection 108. The last 50 km or so, drive on Road 108 until reaching Bike Tour Asia Service Centre where you end our short motorcycle tour of Thailand. Expect to be back at no later than 5 pm. Transfer to the hotel.
(300 km/186 miles)