Pai to So Pong (Sappong) Motorbike/scooter Ride - Backpacking trip across Mae Hong Son Loop Thailand - Tham Lod Cave in So Pong and stay at Cave Lodge - Stop at Doi Giwlom View point on the way

Pai to Tham Lod, Sop Pong (Sappong) Scooter Drive

After exploring beautiful Pai on our Mae Hong Son Loop backpacking trip, we left for another destination – Pai to Sop Pong (สบป่อง). Sop Pong (also called as Sappong is a village in Pang Mapha District, in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand and is famous for its cave systems with Tham Lod Caves being the most famous ones.

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Pai to Sop Pong Motorbike Drive

It turned out to be a smooth and pleasant ride unlike Chiang Mai to Pai. Though these are lots of curves along this route but they are smooth and gradient/slope is manageable. Pleasant breeze and green mountains add to your joy on the way. Please do carry a jacket with hoodie as it gets really cold while driving. Overall, road condition is great, well paved and with all yellow signs at curves making it a perfectly safe ride. Traffic is far low compared to Chiang Mai to Pai. In general, traffic keeps on reducing as go to the western part of Mae Hong Son Loop. At some points, traffic is so less that you find road only for yourself for kilometers.

Pai to Sop Pong (Sappong) Motorbike/scooter Ride - Backpacking trip across Mae Hong Son Loop Thailand - Tham Lod Cave in So Pong and stay at Cave Lodge - Stop at Doi Giwlom View point on the way
A smooth and pleasant drive

Here is video of a part of our driving. Leaving apart some ascend as you drive through mountain passes, overall road is smooth and drive is very pleasant.

View Point on way from Pai to Sop Pong

On way from Pai to Sop Pong, you will reach the highest point, Doi Giwlom with beautiful panoramic views. After some sharp curves, it is advisable to take a break at this pleasant stop, enjoy fresh air and blue sky.

Pai to Sop Pong (Sappong) Motorbike/scooter Ride - Backpacking trip across Mae Hong Son Loop Thailand - Tham Lod Cave in So Pong and stay at Cave Lodge - Stop at Doi Giwlom View point on the way
Panoramic views from Doi Giwlom – En route Pai to Sop Pong

There is also a swing that you can hang on and enjoy. You have to balance yourself on the seats of this swing. Have fun but be careful !!

Pai to Sop Pong (Sappong) Motorbike/scooter Ride - Backpacking trip across Mae Hong Son Loop Thailand - Tham Lod Cave in So Pong and stay at Cave Lodge - Stop at Doi Giwlom View point on the way
Swing at Doi Giwlom View point

You can spend time doing better things than this, by the way : )

Market at Doi Giwlom View point was the best market both in terms of prices and souvenirs available. In case, you like something, please do not hesitate to buy. You will not get a better deal elsewhere – we realized this after completing our Mae Hong Son Loop and experiencing all cities on the way and their markets 🙂

Pai to Sop Pong (Sappong) Motorbike/scooter Ride - Backpacking trip across Mae Hong Son Loop Thailand - Tham Lod Cave in So Pong and stay at Cave Lodge - Stop at Doi Giwlom View point on the way

It was awesome drive all the way. Some of the quick tips are here –

  1. Get your gas/petrol full – There are limited gas stations on the way.
  2. You will get lots of fresh fruits on shops at Doi Giwlom View Point, Grab some for sure.
  3. You will get cheapest and best souvenirs over these shops. Do not hesitate to purchase if you like some.
  4. Get a good jacket with hoodie – It gets really cold on the way.

Enjoy your journey and have safe journey. We hope that our page helps you plan your trip better. Please drop us a comment in case you need any additional details or have more to share that we can include on our page to help fellow travellers better.

Happy Exploration !!

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