Looking for the best things to do in Soppong? Read this post to learn about it!
Soppong is one of the most captivating places you’ll ever visit. It’s situated in Northern Thailand, and its rolling hills, lush greenery, and spectacular natural beauty make it an ideal destination for anyone looking for a unique adventure. From the amazing caves to explore in Tham Lot National Park to the stunning rice terraces of Pang Ma Pha Town, Soppong offers something for everyone.
The locals here are incredibly friendly and welcoming, always eager to show off their culture and share why they love living here so much. Whether enjoying a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants or going on a jungle trek with your guide, you’ll feel right at home while exploring this area. There are plenty of activities to choose from, such as kayaking down the River Kok, rock climbing up towering cliffs, and even exploring some nearby tribal villages where you can learn about traditional customs.
If it’s rest and relaxation that you’re after, Soppong has plenty of that too! The hot springs in Mae Ngad Damresort are known for their healing waters and picturesque views. Many visitors come here after a long day of sightseeing to relax in the mineral-rich waters while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Plus, with its numerous outdoor activities like hiking trails, waterfalls, and more, it’s easy to stay active during your visit to this beautiful part of Thailand.
Soppong truly has something for everyone; whether it be another world-renowned attraction or simply taking time out from your daily life to relax amongst nature – this destination will not disappoint!
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Top 8 BEST Things to Do in Soppong
Enjoy a fantastic day at the Tham Lod cave
One of the most popular tourist spots in Soppong is the Tham Lod underground river, which boasts spectacular limestone formations.
Just twenty minutes from the center of Soppong, Tham Lod is home to thousands of bats and swifts – a few of the most famous sights in the area. Guests are recommended to visit the cave around dusk to witness these creatures fly inside the cave.
Tham Lod can be slippery with its ascending stairs, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
Trek in Hill Tribe villages
One of the best things to do in Soppong is the trek through its natural mountain scenery. While the town is not as touristy as the other villages near Chiang Mai, villagers in Soppong give a very warm welcome to tourists who want to experience their way of living like a real local.
For beginners, it’s easy to book a one-day trek to any of Soppong’s villages – Lahu, Lisu, and Karen. Local guest houses in the area offer site map for those who want to tour on their own, but guided tours are also available.
Guests who want to experience a three-day trek involve overnight stays and meals in all these three villages, giving tourists a full experience. The itinerary is more than just a long walk through the mountains; it includes bamboo rafting activities and waterfall visiting.
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Explore mountain roads on a motorbike
Tourists who are up for an adventure can get off the beaten track when they explore the mountains on a motorbike.
Backpackers know this by heart: there’s no better way to explore a foreign land than traveling on foot. But to get to places faster, riding a motorbike is one sure way to get lost in the northern part of Thailand without actually feeling lost.
Tourists coming from Chiang Mai can go to Soppong by passing through Pai. Traffic reduces when motorists go way up North, and there’s a beautiful scene to marvel at too. From Pai to Soppong, guests must travel through curves, but the road remains manageable.
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Climb a steep hillside at the Coffin Cave
Guests will find ancient teak coffins just about two kilometers west of Soppong. The most famous go-to stop to check out these relics is Tham Pi Man, which houses teakwood coffins over 2,000 years old.
There are more than 80 known caves in Soppong, which seem to grow in number as the years go by. Some people still find bones and other human remnants when exploring the deeper parts of the caves.
There are several coffin caves in Tham Lod that tourists can explore on their own or with a guide. The most accessible caves open to the public may be visited for only 40 baht per person.
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Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Join kayaking trips on Lang River
Whitewater kayaking is one of the best things to do in Soppong or nearby towns. It may not be as long and winding a journey as trekking, but it’s definitely full of thrill and excitement.
The river runs through Tham Lod Cave, so tourists can ride a boat through the passageway and see the bats hanging above their heads. It takes between 15 and 20 minutes before reaching downstream, crossing small rapids.
Often combined with trekking for a full-day trip, kayaking Lang River takes about two hours depending on the water level. No experience is necessarily required; tourists can also choose to kayak alone or join a group.
Relax on a hammock at the Cave Lodge
It’s easy to run out of things to do in Soppong, especially when trekking, cave hopping, and water rafting are already crossed off any traveler’s list. Those with enough time to spare before moving out of this small town can pay a visit to Cave Lodge.
The Cave Lodge is mostly known for its guided trekking, kayaking, and caving tours. But it’s more than that: Cave Lodge offers overnight accommodations for tourists who need a quick rest before they proceed to their next itinerary.
It’s a haven for tourists who want to meet people from all walks of life: Cave Lodge has bunk beds, ping pong tables, steam saunas, and recreation areas that make any visitor closer to nature.
After all, it’s nice to pause for a while and be overwhelmed with nature’s beauty while resting on a hammock.
[irp posts=”24454″ name=”A Step-by-Step Guide on Planning a Trip to Thailand”]
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Run rapids like a pro at Khong and Pai Rivers
Here’s a gift to travelers who want to paddle like a pro: a one-day kayaking trip on Khong and Pai Rivers is the perfect peak for any foreigner’s Northern Thailand tour.
The entryway to the Rivers is an easy grade 1 and 2 rapids from Susa Waterfalls. Two people can ride with local guides in their boats, and the guides can interchange passengers depending on their skill and strength.
After two hours on the calm river, guests will have lunch in a spot on Pai River before proceeding to the largest rapid trip towards the Khong River.
Indulge in a variety of dishes at the Seven Elephants Cafe
The perfect cap to the thrilling Soppong adventure is a nice cup of coffee at the Seven Elephants Cafe in Soppong, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son 58150. The restaurant’s atmosphere reminds guests of their experience in northern Thailand, including living with locals at the Hill Tribe Villages.
Here, tourists can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and vegetarian food–all while enjoying nature’s splendid view.
Soppong is bustling with great adventures and surprises, with many landmarks and cave systems that remain undiscovered. Indeed, northern Thailand promises more than affordable travel costs; it boasts of its eye-opening culture and extreme sports.
Planning to visit Thailand soon? Start here!
- How to plan your trip: A Step-by-Step Guide on Planning a Trip to Thailand
- When to visit Thailand: Find out here when to visit and plan your trip according to season
- Itinerary examples: 1-Week Itinerary, 2-weeks in Thailand Itinerary
- How much does it cost to travel Thailand? Read this guide on how to budget your trip!
- How to pack for Thailand? Read this guide to learn what to pack!
- Where to buy groceries in Thailand? Read this guide!
- How to get around Thailand? Read our transportation guide!
- List of places to visit in Thailand: Places to Visit in Thailand, Southern Thailand, Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Isaan
- Points of interest in Thailand: Things to do, Cities to Visit, Islands to Chill in, Best Beaches, Surfing Spots, Diving Spots, Best Hiking Destinations, Where to go Camping, Waterfalls to Chase, Temples to Visit, Romantic Destinations, Honeymoon Destinations, National Parks, Unique Experiences, Thai Cuisine, Fine-dining Experience, Attractions to Visit, Tourist Spots, Vacation Spots, Heritage Sites, Family Travel, Adventure Travel, Backpacking Experience, and Beautiful Resorts
- Cultural overview: Thai Customs, Culture and Traditions, Temple Etiquette, Tipping in Thailand, Things to Know Before Your Visit, What NOT To Do in Thailand, Facts about Thailand, Festivals in Thailand, How to Wai, Useful Thai Phrases, and How to Greet in Thai
- My Favorite Places in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Pattaya, Koh Samet, and Koh Samui
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