Neil Aronson Samoeng Loop Part 2.
In Part 1 of this two part article, we took the Samoeng Loop road trip to Mon Jam. What is called the ‘Samoeng Loop’ has so many amazing attractions on it, that we are dividing it up in two parts, going counterclockwise on the route. Also since I have visited the area so many times with my wife and friends, I have a lot to cover.
The complete road trip is about 100KM long, and starts and finishes in Chiang Mai. What makes this one of the best day trips of travelers is all the attractions and activities along this loop. The route is a popular single day trip, but if you really want to take in all the attractions, you should stay overnight which I will cover where.
The ‘Samoeng Loop’ is essentially 4 roads making up the loop. Routes numbers 107, 1096, 1269, 121, and 108 back to the city center. As a result you start northeast of the old city through Mae Rim, and end up southwest around Hang Dong, making your way back to the old city. The loop takes you around Doi Suthep Pui National Park.
Therefor winding through these amazing mountains, many people agree it is one of the best day trips especially for motor bikes.
Most articles on the Samoeng Loop just mention the highlights. However Since we have discovered so many cool places, we are getting more detailed, thus the two parts. And most most include the stop at the end around Hang Dong. They are not exactly on the typical Loop, I am adding my own side trips!
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
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Contents:
Introduction
Leave early in the morning so you will have the entire day to explore the sights along the way, which we will dig into later.
Because a lot of the drive is out in the mountains, make sure you fill up on gas if you are driving yourself. You can hire a local driver for the day, there are many options for that in Chiang Mai. Just ask your local hotel staff, or look into an option on Viator to hire a drive for your small group for the day.
If you are going counter-clockwise on the journey, you will start in the Mae Rim Area. Keep in mind this is a busy area with traffic, so it will take time getting through. However this is where you will find lots of food, lodging, gas, and other attractions.
Part 1 of this article covers the area through Mae Rim. Now we will be heading through Mae Sa Valley to Samoeng on route 1096. After that we continue on 1269 until we get to the Hang Dong area, just before getting back to Chiang Mai city. The area just before Hang Dong is one of my favorites. More on that below.
Mon Jam (Mon Cham)
Mon Jam is a mountaintop farming community with panoramic views, accommodations, hilltribe shops & small local restaurants. It is somewhat of a side trip off the loop route but worth the visit. Beautiful views, local shops and local food. It is a well know area and considered up top for best day trips among Thai people.
Getting there is more of an effort than I thought it would be. Past Mae Sa Waterfall a few kilometers, you will take route 4051 up the hill. It is a windy road and very very steep. More considered to be in the Mae Sa Valley, not the Mae Rim Valley.
What to do in Mon Jam
Eat lunch at Nong Hoi Royal Project Vegetable Development Center. This is an incredible restaurant of local Thai food. Farm fresh food as a result of using their own locally grown crops.
There are also several local places to eat along the roads. In the main parking lot there is also food stands. The couple of the coffee shops have food as well.
Get Coffee at one of the many coffee shops along the Samoeng Loop. In fact, I was a little surprised how many there were. I have found over a dozen great ones. At the summit there are two really great ones with panoramic views of the valley below. YODDOI Coffee is this picture.
Go hiking: There are a number of hiking trails in Mon Jam, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Selfies in the flower fields. There are many smaller local flower fields run by the hilltribe. They are great for pictures and lots of butterflies. You will be charged a small fee to enter any of them. But you can take pictures standing outside.
Shop till you drop. Along the roads and in the parking lots are stalls with local products made by the hilltribe residents. Get anything from home made wine to table cloths.
Go Glamping. There are a handful of unique resorts here, some run by the hilltribes. See options below, and find all of them to book on Agoda.
Where To Stay Overnight
This area of the Samoeng Loop is close enough to Chiang Mai that it is perfect for day trips. However I would recommend a couple nights if possible. This way you can really take advantage of the area. As you will see there are a lot of things to do. I have driven out here many times just for the day, but it does end up being a lot of driving.
Here are some recommended great options along the Samoeng Loop.
I would recommend using Agoda to book your hotels.
Hmong Hilltribe Lodge Beautiful setting in the hilltribe village. A great opportunity to stay and learn the culture.
Phu Morinn Cafe & Camping Very popular unique ‘glamping’ experience.
Onsen At Moncham Ultra Luxury resort. It is located about half way up the hill to Mon Jam.
Pongyang Jungle Coaster Zipline Camp & Resort
On the road up to Mon Jam, about half way is the family friendly park and resort. Equipped with and small coaster, ziplines for kids, other rides, restaurants, accommodations, and more. Great fun for the family on the Samoeng Loop.
Last time we drove by at the end of November it was packed! So check ahead, looks like they are busy at holiday times. You can also book on Viator.
Viator is an excellent place to book these activities.
Samoeng Loop Viewpoint
This is your stop on the way to Samoeng, to take a photo of the sweeping vista. The viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Samoeng Valley as far as the eye can see. If weather permits.
Because of the location, sunrise and sunset are a great time to take a picture. They say the rainy season gives the best photos.
From here you are only 15 minutes to the town of Samoeng and a little further is the Mae Sap Cave, another spot of our tour.
Samoeng is a small town about half way on Samoeng loop, and is how it gets its name. It’s actually not directly on the Samoeng loop, but about 5km off. Because of its geography and climate, it is famous for its delicious strawberries. This is why they have an annual Samoeng Strawberry Festival, which coincides with Valentine’s Day.
Stay at Lhongkhao Samoeng By Chi Villa in Samoeng and explore some real local culture of Thailand by staying local.
Another recommended place to stay is Doi Nok Strawberry Resort. The resort is close to town, Mae Sap Cave, and to the east just 15 minutes is Khun Khan National Park. There is a bar and restaurant on site.
Mae Sap Cave
Mae Sap Cave is located in the Khun Khan National Park. There is a small entrance fee and you can tour on your own.
As this is part of our best day trips, it is a popular and busy tourist destination. Known for its colorful stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its large chambers and easy accessibility. Because of this it can get busy, so I would try not to go on a weekend.
Hiking is another popular thing to do in this area.
The Cave is about a 20 minutes drive from the Samoeng best day trips viewpoint. Therefor it is slightly off the Loop Route, and you will pass through the town of Samoeng. If you are traveling on route 1096, you will turn right where routes 1096 and 1269 meet. Go northeast on route 1269.
Passing through Samoeng, you can get something to eat, coffee, gas. Since this is a prime strawberry growing area, there are several strawberry farms you could visit as well.
South Back To Chiang Mai
Heading south on route 1269 is an underrated part of the Samoeng Loop. The winding mountain road is peaceful and surprisingly full of things to do and places to stop. It is hard to go far without passing a cool boutique resort, jungle activity, local coffee shop, or unique restaurant. One of the best ways to drive areas like this is to just drive slowly and stop with no plans. This is how we found so amazing places.
One of these amazing places we found is Valley Coffee By Lanna Resort. Just driving down the road we decided to stop for a coffee. Not realizing it was a bit of paradise in the middle of nowhere.
You can to pass a security guard, just tell them your going to the coffee shop. When you pull in to the resort, it opens up in this jungle valley with a large creek running through the property, and next to the restaurant and coffee shop. There are beautiful patios, and you can walk through the creek and relax on the rope swing.
While we did not stay at the hotel, it looks amazing. This is a view of one of the suites.
We have gone back several times just to relax. Oh and there are butterflies everywhere.
Right down route 1069 on the Samoeng Loop are many other great coffee houses, restaurants and boutique resorts. Here are more recommended ones.
Where To Stay Overnight
Veranda High Resort – Veranda High Residence is 2 mi from Chiang Mai Night Safari and 4.3 mi from Royal Flora Park. Chiang Mai Airport is 5 mi away.
Hernlhin Natural Resort is located in Ban Pong, 5.9 miles from Grand Canyon Chiang Mai, Hern Lhin Natural Resort provides accommodations with free bikes, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Among the various facilities of this property are a garden, a restaurant and a bar. The property has a 24-hour front desk, airport transportation, a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property.
Royal Train Resort is located in Chiang Mai, 4.2 miles from Grand Canyon Chiang Mai, Royal Train Garden Resort has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a restaurant.
Wat Phra That Si Mueang Pong
Driving a little further south on 1269 after leaving Lanna Resort, I looked up and saw this huge white castle way up on the hill. No one had ever mentioned it before. That is because it was just built recently, so tourists, and most locals don’t even know about it. This is Wat Si Mueang Pong. Turns out it is called the White Castle.
Soon I saw signs on the main road to a temple, and figured it was for the one I saw way up in the mountains. Passing through some really cool villages, the road turns sharply and steeply up the mountain. Eventually you make it to the parking lot.
The only structure, although more were being built, was the main castle. From there you can walk around and take in the amazing views of the mountains and valley below.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Towards the end of the Samoeng Loop route, you can visit one of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples. Known as the Golden Mountain Temple. Located on the eastern mountain side of Chiang Mai, near Hang Dong area. Driving up a hill to this temple, and enjoy views of the Chiang Mai valley below.
A much-revered site in Thailand, Wat Doi Kham temple was built towards the end of the seventh century and is known for its 56-foot-tall (17-meter-tall) Buddha statue swathed in gold robes.
This ancient temple has more than 1,300 years of history, believed to be built in circa 687 to enshrine Buddha’s relics. It is known locally as the ‘wish temple’. Locals go to make a wish. This title has become so because of a local lottery winner, who won several times after making wishes for prosperity at the temple. If your wish comes true you must repay by giving back to the temple, by service or money.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham was built during the reign of Queen Chamthewi, the king of Hariphunchai. It consists of a pagoda containing the Buddha’s relics. A pavilion of monks’ residence, and stucco Buddha statues. Formerly known as Wat Suwanbanphot.
From Here you are only about 25 minutes back to Chiang Mai Old City, where we started our journey.
Bonus Stop – Royal Park Rajapruek
Another bonus stop, as it is one the way, is to stop at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Combine this with Wat Phra That Doi Kham. The two of these attractions alone make up one of the best day trips in Chiang Mai.
These royal gardens are a beautiful expansive park with hours of things to see and activities to do. Essentially a botanical gardens, but there is much more.
The park started out as an International Horticultural Exposition at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre, Chiang Mai, for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
The center is used for botanical agriculture. And the site for agro-tourism and culture at the international level of Thailand (source: Royal Park Website).
In Conclusion; Enjoy the ride on the Samoeng Loop. And do not forget Travel Insurance, to protect you, your family, and your trip.
