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The
road passes a succession of valley settlements (Shan and Karen)
separated by low passes, where the forest closes in to the side
of the road. Start early if you wish to go to the Mae Surin
Falls and reach Mae Sariang in one day
 The
improved road allows for a fast journey that passes along narrow
valleys, bypassing the villages. The road climbs low hills seldom
reaching higher than 500 metres. In the rainy season the jungle
will appear verdant, coming right to the edge of the road, but
as the cold season progresses into the dry (February-March),
the leaves fall and the forested slopes appear more barren.
At
the end of the dry season ( March-April) fires burning off the
fallen leaf matter become so numerous that the sky becomes yellow
with smoke, sometimes forcing the temporary closure of Mae Hong
Son airport.
The
ranges to the west which flank the River Salween seldom rise
higher than 1300 metres, but dirt roads penetrating these mountains
should be avoided. Security in remote regions near the Burmese
border cannot be guaranteed due to the large influx of poor
Karen refugees. The mountains to the east average between 1500
and 1800 metres and are best appreciated on ST8 to Meo Microwave.
Khun
Yuam (KM.200)
 H108
becomes a high street lined with small shops as it drops down
south through the Shan and Karen town. The best restaurant (Khrua
Pik Mai) is found at the bottom of the hill. Accommodation is
limited, but a night at the Ban Farang Guest House (KM. 200
west side. Tel: 622086) will make the trip to Mae Surin Falls
easier. The lovely Shan temple of Wat To Phae (KM.200. Right
turn [west]. Concrete and asphalt 4 kms.) is famous for a Shan
style tapestry kept in a partitioned room to the left of the
entrance in the main vihara.
Mae
Sariang
The
wooden buildings along Laeng Phanit Road that parallels the
Mae Nam Yuam river suggest the town may once have been a post
in an overland link between Chiang Mai and the Gulf of Martaban.
A dirt road from Hot was first built there in 1954, and was
sealed in 1960.
Mae
Sariang use to benefit from the trade with the independent Karen
before the Burmese army successfully drove the Karen across
the border in early 1996. The road to Mae Sam Laep (46 kms.)
on the Salween has been improved and is the only safe route
to the Salween.
DAY
3 SIDE TRIPS
ST8
Meo Microwave
(KM.
235. Left turn [east] through boom gate. Asphalt 10 kms to 1470
m. 90 min.)
The
narrow, steep road climbs high to a Hmong (Meo) village ( 9
kms.) and a microwave station (1 km.). Superb views, especially
if you walk north from the station.
ST9
Mae Surin National Park
(KM.202.
Left turn [east] on H1263.Asphalt approx.10.5 kms. to left turn
[north]. Asphalt 3 kms + graded dirt approx.17 kms. Half day)
The
first kilometres on H1263 pass by Karen villages. From the turn
off on H1263 it is 6 kms. to the Hmong village of Ban U-Kho
and an area famous for sunflowers (bua thong ) between October
and December. After the boom gate entrance to the park, turn
right then next left which leads to a car park, from where you
walk to the viewpoint. From the lovely viewpoint over the south
facing falls a very steep track (90 min.) goes down to the base
of the falls. Birds, gibbons, leeches and a very sweaty return
climb reward visitors. H1263 provides an alternative route to
Mae Chaem (104 kms), but expect some rough patches after Ban
Huai Bong (55 kms.).
ST10
Ban La Up
(KM.131
Left turn [east]. Asphalt 1 km + graded dirt 24 kms.)
The
road gradually climbs to the wealthy Lawa village of Ban La
Up. Much of the population are Christian, so the cloth weaving
and silver beating ceases on Sundays.
Overview
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