Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Mae Sa Valley & Samoeng
One of the easiest mountain escapes, the Mae Sa-Samoeng loop travels from the lowland's
concrete expanse into the highlands' forested frontier. The 100km route makes a good day
trip with private transport or a country getaway with an overnight in Samoeng. Golden Tri-
angle Rider ( Click here ) publishes a detailed map of the area and provides trip reports.
Head north of Chiang Mai on Rte 107 (Th Chang Pheuak) toward Mae Rim, then left
onto Rte 1096. The road becomes more rural but there's a steady supply of tour-bus attrac-
tions: orchid farms, butterfly parks, snake farms, you name it. Also lots of all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) and off-road buggy hire.
Only 6km from the Mae Rim turn-off, Nam Tok Mae Sa (adult/child 100/50B, car 30B) is part of the
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The falls are more of a series of pools than a full-blown cas-
cade but it is a picturesque spot to picnic or tramp around in the woods for a bit. It is also a
great place to take a plunge, especially during the hot season. You could bring your swim-
suit or do as the Thais and frolic in your street clothes. It is a favourite weekend getaway
for locals so get there early and stake out your waterhole.
The road starts to climb and twist after the waterfall entrance. Catch your breath at Mae Sa
Elephant Camp ( 0 5320 6247; www.maesaelephantcamp.com ; Rte 1096; shows adult/child 200/100B, ride for 2
people 800B; shows 8am, 9.40am & 1.30pm) , one of the north's largest. Mae Sa is a bit old-fash-
ioned in its attitudes towards elephant entertainment, but it enjoys a good reputation for the
general welfare of the herd. The camp has a high fertility rate, which is a good sign that the
elephants are mentally and socially healthy. The camp attracts criticism from animal rights
activists because they still offer old-fashioned circus shows with balancing acts, considered
dangerous because of the crippling effects a fall could cause. Mae Sa also pioneered the
'artist' elephant, in which the elephant holds a paint brush in its trunk to paint; it is a peren-
nial hit with tourists, though it is another sore point with activists. There is also elephant
riding and mahout training. The camp is in a lovely wooded setting and you can skip the
shows (held three times daily) and just wander the grounds feeding, petting and posing
with the creatures.
Two kilometres past the elephant camp is the Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens ( 0 5384 1333;
www.qsbg.org ; Rte 1096; adult/child 100/50B; 8.30am-4.30pm) , a shorn mountainside displaying 227
hectares of various exotic and local flora for conservation and research purposes. Near the
 
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