Last Updated on February 21, 2024
Showers with mineral water
Pong Duet Geyser is on Route 1095, one of the attractions we can visit when we drive along this route by private car. But it would have been quite impossible without public transport, for sure.
There are dozens of hot springs around Chiang Mai; some are well-known and extensively developed, like Sankamphaeng, and others are little more than small pools of water in the forest.
A mini-adventure drive to Pong Duet Geyser
From Route 1095, the “adventurous” rural road, paved but a little rough, is about 6 km long, passing through a small village. There are some accommodations and restaurants made of bamboo. But they are not popular.
The route is quite narrow, and cars can pass each other. Then you pay the entry fee to Huay Nam Dang National Park and leave the car in the parking lot.
Amazing Force
Under high pressure, the water reaches a temperature of over 150 degrees underground, pushes up to the surface at boiling point, and reaches about 2 meters when there is more water. The sound of the boiling water gushing forth is eerie in the otherwise quiet jungle. There are several springs in a small area.
Unlike other hot springs I have visited, you cannot buy eggs and boil them in a side stream. It is a powerful site with amazing forces of nature.
The hot water is channeled into a little stream, and you can catch up with it by walking on wooden platforms. There are bungalows and private and public pools there.
According to a sign, you are supposed to pay extra for towel service.
When is the best time to visit Pong Duet Geyser?
Pong Dueat is a beautiful, little-visited, quiet rest stop on the way to Pai. The hot springs must be a real attraction during the cold months when mornings are positively chilly in the mountains. It is also highly recommended if your travel is not too tight to get an experience.
Is it worth it?
If you are traveling on the Mae Hong Son Loop and the itinerary is not too tight, ideally, you would not go back to Chiang Mai the same way. You can add a list of stops.
Or if you are traveling to Chiang Mai during the late morning. It would be appropriate to stop and then go to Chiang Mai around check-in time or before traffic hours.
For my advice, if you do not prefer to swim or take a mineral bath, I will skip this one.
Location of Pong Duet Geyser
The hot springs are six kilometers off Route 1095 to Pai, 56 kilometers from Pai, and 80 kilometers from Chiang Mai City itself (it is in Chiang Mai province). Entrance fees are 300 THB for foreigners.
Actually, this place is in the Chiang Mai area and almost at the boundary between provinces. If you’re not traveling to Mae Hong Son, it’s hard to add this stop to your list.
