Samoeng Loop, One of The Best Day Trips In Chiang Mai

Part 1 Chiang Mai To Mon Jam

Are you looking for the best day trips while in Chiang Mai? We have one of the top things to do. Take a road trip on what is called the ‘Samoeng Loop’.

This is one of the best day trips because it is a loop, that starts in Chiang Mai, and ends in Chiang Mai. Because we are getting detailed and sharing a lot of great places to go to and things to do, there are two parts to this article. In this part, we will take you almost half way. Going counterclockwise from Chiang Mai, the first part of this trip has the most places to stop.

Samoeng is a small town about half way on this loop. It’s actually not directly on the 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.

Best Day Trips Thailand — Strawberry Fields

The 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. This is a popular route for motorcycles.

For example you travel through the countryside mountains and villages. As a result, you have endless attractions to photograph and enjoy, such as nature, wildlife, activities, caves, temples, waterfalls.

The ‘loop’ is essentially 4 roads making up the loop. Routes numbers 107, 1096, 1269 and 121. 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.

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Why It Is One Of The Best Day Trips?

It starts and ends in Chiang Mai.
Easy Navigation.
Because it can be done in one day.
You can take a motorbike if you don’t have a car.
Inexpensive way to spend your day.
Over two dozen fantastic attractions, coffee shops, and things to do along the way.
Consequently excellent photography.

List of Recommended Stops is at the bottom of the article.

TIPS

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.

As a result of being out on the road all day, you should bring snacks and water. Some areas may be hard to find anything.

Bring long pants and a light jacket. Your in the mountains, so you will entounter bugs, weather.

If you are going counter-clockwise on the journey, you will start in Chiang Mai on route 107 going north to 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.

Heading north on 107 to Mae Rim Valley, there are a few attractions you can stop for, which we cover below. Once you turn left on route 1096 is where the fun and beauty really begins, making it one of the best day trips.

Stay Overnight Along The Route

Ok, so we are taking about one of the best day trips. However I will keep reminding you that you might want to stay overnight or two. Take your time exploring the area.

If you really want to not be rushed, see everything, and enjoy many activities, then staying overnight somewhere would a good option. More on where to stay below. There is a lot of hidden gems, and you may find things we did not.

There is no way you can see all these attractions, let along do any of them, in one day. Which is also why there are two parts to this article. We have done both, gone just for the day and did a couple things and go back to the city. And we have stayed overnight, really taking it all in. Either way you will enjoy the area.

Popular Activities On The Loop

Golf
Temples
Elephant Camp
Visiting Farms, Museums, and Botanical Gardens
Zipline
ATV Tours
Amazing Cafes
Incredible Coffee Shops
Waterfalls

Viator is an excellent place to book these activities.

Play Golf

The area is home to several great golf courses. As a result of the loop location, this makes a great home base for a few days if you are a golfer. Play great courses and explore the drive and its attractions.

Summit Green Valley Country Club is one of the most beautiful and popular golf courses in Northern Thailand. I little further off route 107 to the west is Mae Jo Golf Resort and Spa. Another spectacular golf course with a four star resort and spa.

Mae Jo Golf Resort and Spa Chiang Mai — Mae Jo Resort

Summit Valley Golf Club Thailand — Summit Valley Golf

Wat Pa Dara Phirom

Wat Pa Dara Phirom is a 100-year-old royal temple in the Mae Rim Valley. This is one of the most significant temples in Chiang Mai, and my local mother in law’s favorite of all the temples. It has stunning grounds and buildings.

To get to this temple, you will reach it off route 107, before you get to Mae Rim. It is located before the junction of route 107 and 1096. As you are going north, it is off to the left on a side road. When you leave the temple and go north, you can take an amazing side road to get to route 1096. There you will pass many great coffee shops and boutique hotels.

Visit A Butterfly Farm

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm. If you like or love seeing amazing butterflies, then you should definitely make a stop here. Right on route 1096, not far from the 107 interchange. For 60 baht, you can take a stroll through a large enclosure, where dozens of different species will land on you, and easily let you photograph them.

There is beautiful landscaping throughout the facility, and a somewhat small Orchid Farm. There is a restaurant and coffee shop. I was there on a weekday, but tour busses still made it fairly crowded, but not too bad. It is a stop on most of the tours.

Zipline

In the Mae Rim Valley there are several opportunities to zipline. The biggest and most popular in the area is Phoenix Adventure Park. They have both zipline and an amazing rope course. Getting to Phoenix is easy, it is just 2 km north of route 1096. Google maps took us there.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

This area of Chiang Mai Provence is one of the best for both hiking and mountain biking. Hike through the lush tropical forests surrounded by nature. Excellent for birdwatching. In the fall trails will be muddy from the rainy season. Alltrails app has over 70 hiking trails to choose from. Also there are two great easy walking trails from Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens.

Here are a few companies to book these activities in the Mae Rim Valley. It is also easy once in Chiang Mai to book all over town there are places. However some are not reputable, so either go with these, or ask your hotel.

Renting good mountain bikes in Chiang Mai city from trekking around Mae Rim Valley is fairly easy. Check with your hotel for recommended places. If your looking for more hard core rides check out Chiang Mai Mountain Biking.

Bungy Jump & ATV

On route 1096 a couple KM past the Butterfly Farm is X Center. They have bungy jumping on site. Also they do ATV rides, mountain biking and more. They have been there over 20 years, owned by an Australian.

Mae Sa Waterfall

Mae Sa Waterfall is a popular 10-tiered cascading waterfall along a nearly 2.5 km trail into the forest. This is a very popular local attraction for the area.

There is a very nice trail going all the way to the 10th tier. Some of it is boardwalk and bridges, giving you great views for photography. Each tier is marked by a sign. Since the individual falls are not that high or fast-moving, they are ideal—and popular—for swimming.

This is a favorite picnic spot for locals. Swimming is also good. Not actually swimming, just getting wet.

There is a minimal Entrance Fee. There may be a few food vendors in the parking lot, however don’t count on it. As a result make sure you bring water. It is also a great place to bring a picnic, but can get crowded with locals. The best two sections are five and six. Number five is called Wang Thao Promma.

Along the trail, there are no boundaries to keep you out of the river or falls, so you can get in the water. But a lot of it is granite, so it gets slippery, be careful. You will also encounter lots of butterflies and birds. And the occasional huge spider, as I found this one.

Mae Sa Elephant Camp

One of the true elephant sanctuaries in Thailand is Mae Sa Elephant Camp. They have evolved over time and since Covid no longer allow riding of elephants or shows. As a result of changes, this is a care and educational facility run by donations.

Visiting The Chang is by appointment only, and you must reserve either a full-day or half-day activity program. The programs are fun as well as educational.

Because this is not a quick activity, it’s recommended you plan a visit if staying overnight in the area.

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

Without a doubt one of most impressing botanical gardens you will see. The gardens offer a mix of natural beauty along with curated gardens and glasshouses showcasing the richness of Thai, and other flora.

As a result it is also home to a great number of valuable Thai plants, with a focus on rare, endemic, and endangered species.

And if you are not totally into looking at plants, there are other things on the site to do. There also is a Natural History Museum. As well there is a really cool Canopy Walk. Which is along walking bridge above the tree canopy, allowing you to view across the tree tops.

There are also several amazing trail hikes, which will take from 45 minutes to 2 hours. So this would be something if you were staying in the area. There is also the The Golden Gardenia Coffee Shop, with views of the surrounding mountains.

Get Coffee & Lunch

If you read any of my other articles, you see I also mention when I find cool coffee houses. To my surprise, in the area, I find some amazing ones. So much so it is worth the trip up just to hang out at and enjoy them. I found four amazing ones in just a couple days, just by looking at Google Maps.

Vans Coffee Shop, is on the 1096 and close to the road you take to Pak Ram hotel and the Tat Mok Waterfall. Almost in the center of town, if you will, close to the 7-11, but on the north side of the road.

Zombie Cafe, also near Mae Sa Waterfall, just off the 1096. I did not figure it out, but it must have been some sort of plantation before. The buildings and property are huge for a restaurant. It is on a creek as well, with lots of trees and shade.

Rim Nara Cafe and Bistro near Mae Sa Waterfall. I was just looking for a cappuccino before heading back to Chiang Mai, and found this gem.

Rim Nara Cafe and Bistro Mae Rim Thailand

Grooveyard Cafe. This was an amazing find in the Mae Rim Valley we just stumbled upon when looking for lunch. If your looking for fantastic pizza, Thai food and more, go here for lunch. It is a few minutes off the route, and easy to find with your phone map. They also have cabins for rent.

Arrom Orchid Restaurant. I thought it was an Orchid Farm, since it looks more like that from the outside than a restaurant. There is a large parking area in front. The restaurant has a large variety, with lots of amazing grounds to walk around.

Over Night Lodging Options

The Samoeng Loop is close enough to the city 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.

Here are some recommended great options.

I would recommend using Agoda to book your hotels.

The costs of our listed hotels are very reasonable, as is most of the hotels in the area. Mon Jam area is a little more expensive as it has unique places and is very popular.

There are a couple exceptions if you want ultra luxury in the Mae Rim Valley. The Four Seasons Resort is located right in this area. I have not stayed there. I just snuck in with a friend to hang out. Also Onsen At Moncham is an ultra luxury resort.

Pak Ram Is my personal recommendation for the Mae Rim Valley. I stayed here in November 2023. It is located a couple KM off route 1096, set back in the hills. I think it only has 8 rooms, and they are all private Villas with a huge room and huge bathroom. Also a large covered patio. Breakfast was included and was great. In the countryside with mountain Views. Beside being central of all activities, down the road 8 Km is another waterfall, Tat Mok Waterfall.

Mae Jo Golf Resort and Spa Located on the east side of the Mae Rim valley set against the hills. Fantastic golf and spa resort. A little bit outside of the area we are focusing on, but an option if you also want to play golf. See more below under golf.

Mesa Greenery Hill Beautiful Boutique hotel setting on river. Very close to Mae Sa Waterfall and some great Cafe’s.

Grooveyard Cafe This was an amazing find we just stumbled upon when looking for lunch. So far it is my favorite place to eat in the Mae Rim Valley.

It is more of a restaurant than anything, however they have 3 super cool cabins for rent. The cabins are in a garden setting with mountain views. We had their wood fired pizza for lunch, which was near perfect. They also have Thai food and lots of other options. In the evening they have live music. When I was there they were closed on Mondays, so check.