The small mountain village of Ban Jabo lies about sixty kilometers from Mae Hong Son and a little closer to Pai. This place in Mae Hong Son province is still relatively unknown to foreign tourists, but very popular with Thais, who come in large numbers during the so-called cold season (November to March), especially on weekends and holidays. The village is inhabited by the Lahu hill tribe and is situated on a mountain ridge overlooking breathtaking scenery – one of the most spectacular in the region. There are several restaurants with stilt terraces where you can enjoy the view while having an inexpensive meal. The most famous is probably Guay Tiaew Hoy Ka Ban Jabo, which serves only noodle soups.

To fully appreciate the surroundings, the village atmosphere, and the views, an overnight stay in Ban Jabo is highly recommended. There are several host families, campsites, and very basic accommodations, most of which are not bookable online. Therefore, you'll need to book by phone (be aware that few speak English) or through the Facebook pages of the respective accommodations (which I've linked on the website). Although I haven't personally stayed at any of the accommodations, I've taken the time to locate a few on-site and have listed some host families in Ban Jabo here. This list is not exhaustive, however. Most of the time, you'll sleep like the locals in very basic conditions, in rooms with woven bamboo partitions or in tents – but that's all part of the experience. And with a bit of luck, you might wake up overlooking a sea of ​​mist. That's precisely what gives Ban Jabo its unique reputation.

To my knowledge, there is no public transport to Ban Jabo, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Mae Hong Son and Pai.

How to get there

How do you get to Ban Jabo? To my knowledge, there is no public transport to Ban Jabo, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Mae Hong Son and Pai.