I usually take the southern route up, which can be accessed by following the sign for Samoeng on Route 1269, six kilometres from the Airport Plaza shopping centre. There are not many petrol stations en route, so it is a good idea to fill up at the PTT (the one with the big blue sign) just before the turnoff. The first 10 minutes or so of riding are easy, but then the 1269 starts to climb up past holiday resorts before heading through verdant forest. Several hilltribe villages are on sideroads off the main drag.

Those wishing to go to Samoeng itself and sample the delicious fare at Supanee’s Restaurant need to stay on the 1269. Riders heading for the Mae Sa Valley and the loop’s exit near Mae Rim should take Route 1096 at its junction with the 1269 near Samoeng. In the valley Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, elephant trekking camps and the Mae Sa Meo village are among numerous tourist draws. The Samoeng Loop is drivable by car, but a four-wheel-drive vehicle is probably better suited to the at times steep hills.

The two main features here are the hot springs and the waterfall after which the park is named. The springs have 9 bore holes and emit water at an average 75°C which is hot enough to hard-boil an egg in around 15 minutes. A rocky area close to the park reception office has a sulphurous smell and the waters of the bore holes run across it. In this area there is a communal bath or private huts where, for a fee, bathers can take advantage of spring waters that are said to be good for skin and blood flow.

Trekking trails lead out from the reception area with most people opting to take the one through the shaded valley to Chae Son Waterfall. Cement steps have been constructed beside the waterfall and allow hikers to reach the upper level of the six-tier cascade. On the way back, snack bars serve a range of refreshing beverages or, for the more adventurous, a meal of curried red ants’ eggs.

Tourists in Chiang Mai can book the thrill of a lifetime at city travel agents or directly online. Visitors will be taken to the start point for their adventure at Mae Kompong Village east of the city. They will then spend around three hours riding zip lines and walking on sky-bridges in the rainforest.

The zip line complex covers around two kilometres and people taking the trip can stop at special viewing stations to take in the scenery and try to spot the gibbons. Those taking the day tour will have lunch after the zip line rides. The multi-tiered Kompong Falls are included on the tour and are a great cooling off place.

The zip lines and other structures at Flight of the Gibbon were designed and installed by engineers who had over 20 years experience in similar ventures. This coupled with the safety and orientation briefing given before their odyssey begins reassures visitors that their safety is of the utmost priority.

Cows and buffaloes for sale can be found at the rear of the market. At one time, bags of snakes could also be purchased in this sector, but I have not seen any of these for a few years. Herbs, spices, including the ubiquitous dried chillies; fermented fish paste, hand-crafted utensils, traditional cotton clothes, sarongs, all manner of snacks and juices, motorcycles, bicycles, copy DVDs and CDs, plants and ornamental fish can be picked up for bargain prices at the countless vendors’ stalls here.

The stallholders begin setting up in the early hours of Saturday morning and the first customers arrive at about 08:00. The market shuts up shop around 11:00. Visitors planning to take in this unique market need to make an early start. Yellow Song Taew taxis depart regularly from Chiang Mai Gate for Sanpatong Saturday Market.

There are several orchid farms in the Mae Sa Valley just north of Chiang Mai which are dedicated to the preservation of these unique flowers. In olden times, butterflies were always found hovering around the blooms. One or two of the farms have built butterfly enclosures in order to protect the species.

The Orchid Farm was the original conservation centre and over the years it has been joined by Sai Nam Phung and Mae Rim Orchid. The farms house around 60 of the varieties indigenous to the region. Orchids are perennial bloomers, which allows visitors at all times of the year to be enthralled by the depth of the colours.

The road through the Mae Sa Valley stretches in a loop from Mae Rim to the south side of the city. As well as orchid farms there are two national parks, waterfalls, botanical gardens, an elephant camp and an extreme sports centre on the route. Chiang Mai travel agents often run combined day tours that take in an orchid farm and two or three other attractions.

One of the nearest is Mae Wang Elephant Camp which sits beside the River Mae Wang southwest of the city. The 40km journey takes around one hour each way. Many tour agencies in the city run daytrips out to Mae Wang which combine elephant riding with a bamboo raft trip down the river.

Tourists arriving in Mae Wang are met by elephant mahouts who lead them to their pachyderm. After climbing onto the howdah, on the elephant’s back, people watch from their lofty perch as the mahout leads the beast up the steep bank of the river. It is advisable to keep a firm grip on the siderail of the howdah as it sways when the pachyderm ascends or descends a slope.

Once away from the river bank, elephant trekkers are treated to a bucolic journey broken only when their mount stops to tug at vegetation for a snack. Riding time is about 30 minutes and finishes at a point farther upstream. People can then either take the raft trip or enjoy their own snack of grilled chicken and sticky rice.

Although there are evening dinner cruises on the Ping, daytime excursions are best for sightseeing. Boats for these trips depart from the jetty behind Chaimongkon Temple, which is just along from the Chedi Hotel on Charoen Prathet Road. Some hotels and guest houses will book river tours for their guests and provide transport to the temple.

The midpoint of the roughly 2.5 hour trip is a traditional Thai farm where visitors disembark and are provided with refreshing beverages created from lemon grass and other herbs and fruits. Guides give a quick tour of the premises and describe the various fruits and produce grown there, before heading back to Chaimongkon and the city.

The legendary Chiang Mai Riverside Bar & Restaurant is one of several enterprises which provide dinner cruises. Their craft departs nightly at 20:00, but guests can start boarding 45 minutes beforehand. The Riverside’s management say that as the trip is extremely popular, those wishing to take it should probably make a reservation on 053 243239.

I usually choose the government facility as the springs and streams in it are set amid shaded, landscaped gardens. A stream running through the middle of the park is a great place to dip feet in sulphurous water that has cooled slightly from its source.

A huge vat on the edge of the forested precinct is the place to boil chicken’s or quail’s eggs which can be bought at shops in the park. Notices advise of optimum times for soft and hard boiled eggs. There are also bathing huts and a swimming pool provided for those who wish to take a longer soak. Traditional Thai masseuses operate close to the covered swimming pool.

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs are around 40kms east of Chiang Mai and can be reached by rented vehicle or on a guided tour. Foreign visitors pay a 40 Baht entry fee, while expats with a Thai driving license are usually allowed in on half-price tickets.

There are a number of walkways around the falls to enjoy this spectacular site. However, a word of warning, these walkways tend to be very slippery due to the waterfall’s mist, so do ensure you wear proper shoes and take care when visiting Wachirathan Waterfall. That said, there is no better way to enjoy an afternoon and escape the Chiang Mai heat by strolling around this waterfall and taking in the amazing scenery.

There are a number of restaurants and food stalls on site, giving you a great place to stop and enjoy a meal while you take in the amazing view of the waterfall. Alternatively, this is an excellent place to take a picnic to enjoy with friends.

A short walk from Wachirathan Waterfall is a Karen hill tribe village called Ban Sop Had which provides an interesting look into one of Thailand’s ethnic minorities which live in the Chiang Mai area.

There are a number of excellent activities right near the Mae Sa Waterfall making for a very entertaining day trip from Chiang Mai. Perhaps one of the more popular places near the Mae Sa Waterfall is the Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre, and many visitors like to combine a trip to the breathtaking waterfall with a visit to see the elephants here. There is also a beautiful orchid farm and a number of animal shows including the well-known monkey show. For those who like a bit of an adrenaline rush, there is an exhilarating bungy jumping facility that will also give you a great view of the area from the top!

There are a number of fantastic restaurants and food stalls to keep you refreshed and nourished during your time here ranging from grilled chicken stalls to Northern Thai style restaurants.

Mae Sa Waterfall is very conveniently located from Chiang Mai and can be reached by hiring one of the city’s Songtaews. Songtaews can be hired for the day and very reasonable rates.