Chiang Mai Travel Forum

Hello,

We are travelling to Chiang Mai in February for 4 days.
I'm not interested in the typical touristic tours, spending the whole day in a bus & being taking to places to buy souvenirs.

I've read some great reviews on "Pai" the "Mae Kam Pong Village".
What is the best way to travel to these places, note that we wish to return to Chiang Mai in the evening. If worthwile we would consider to spend one night at one of these small villages. But first we need to get there :-))
Any ideas,I think that travelling by motorbike would be a bit dangerous as we plan to spend 2 more weeks in Thailand.

Recommendations for any other place to visit, far away from the touristic areas are also very welcome.....

Looking forward hearing from you soon.
Many thanks in advance.

google comes up with 5260 results for Mae Kam Pong Village, maybe you should try it. There seem to be some interesting options. When you visit places which can be reached on a day trip, you'll usually get quite a few tourists. To visit places which are "far away from the touristic areas" you need a lot more time.

motorcycle or auoto is the best transport or you will be on a tour bus or slow local bus. The roads are incredible and in excellent shape; be aware it was like driving the Grand Prix though.

I saw people riding scooters over the mountain to Pai but you will need to be an experienced rider as it was a challenge on a full-sized motorbike.

Stopping any where along the way was the biggest bonus; there are several great routes outlined on www.gt-rider.com Enjoy!

Hi we travelled to Pai from CM in Jan 05 via slow bus and from memory it was approx 4 hours one way so you would definitely stay overnight. Was not the most comfortable ride, very crowded and hot< and on the way back got a minibus which was alot quicker and more comfortable. Pai is a lovely place to relax for a couple/few days but not for a day trip, not sure about Mae Kam Pong.

Pai is the backpacker capital of the north you do not go there to get away from tourists but to party with them!

Try Phrao valley near Chang dao to see non tourist areas. it is a quaint village with farming not tourism as the main activity it has hot springs and hilltribes but not human zoos.