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Sukhothai–Tak
3-Day Road Trip

Already in Sukhothai and want to push the trip a bit further? The Sukhothai–Tak corridor is an easy extension — the two provinces share a border and the drive is barely over an hour. Tak is also your gateway to Bhumibol Dam, Thailand's tallest arch dam, and beyond that lies Ob Luang Gorge, a dramatic slot canyon carved by the Mae Chaem River just over the border into Hot district, Chiang Mai. This 3-day, 2-night self-drive plan ties together an ancient city, a vast reservoir, and a river canyon into one seamless loop.

🏯 Sukhothai Old City💧 Bhumibol Dam🏞️ Ob Luang Gorge
Sukhothai–Tak 3-Day Road Trip

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Before you hit the road, here's the big picture. The route moves west then north: start at Sukhothai Historical Park, drive roughly 78 km west to Tak city (just over an hour), then head up to Sam Ngao district on day two to see Bhumibol Dam and explore the Mae Ping Reservoir. On the final day you push north along Highway 108, finishing at Ob Luang National Park in Hot district, Chiang Mai — the natural dividing line between lower and upper northern Thailand.

Who this trip is for

This itinerary is designed for travellers with their own car or a rental. The main attractions sit well outside town and public transport doesn't reach them directly. If you're not driving, consider limiting yourself to Tak city centre plus a guided raft tour on the reservoir instead.

3-Day Route Overview

  • Day 1 — Morning at Sukhothai Historical Park, then drive west to Tak city. Evening stroll through the old Chinese quarter and along the Ping River.
  • Day 2 — Head up to Sam Ngao district to see Bhumibol Dam and take a boat or bamboo raft on the Mae Ping Reservoir. Sleep near the dam or head back to Tak.
  • Day 3 — Drive north through Takshin Maharat National Park and on to Ob Luang Gorge in Hot, Chiang Mai. Continue into Chiang Mai city or overnight in Hot.

Total driving distance is around 300–350 km. Keep a relaxed pace — the Tak–Hot stretch involves long winding mountain roads, so leave early on day three and don't rush.

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Day 1 — Sukhothai Morning, Drive to Tak City

Day 1

Old City → Tak City

07:30
Morning loop of Sukhothai Historical ParkHit the central zone before the sun gets harsh. Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum look their best in early light. Entry for Thai nationals: 20 THB per zone. Foreign visitors: 200 THB (central zone), 120 THB (northern zone). Bike rental at the gate runs about 30 THB/day.
10:00
Sukhothai noodles for brunchThe local style uses thin rice noodles in a clear broth, topped with sliced long beans, red pork, and dried chilli. Plenty of spots in the old city and the new town side. Bowls start at 40–50 THB.
11:30
Drive Sukhothai → Tak cityTake Highway 12 (Jarod Witi Thong) west, roughly 78 km. Around 1 hr 15 min on a mostly 4-lane road.
13:00
Check in to your hotel in Tak, rest through the midday heatPlenty of guesthouses and hotels along the Ping River in Tak city centre. Budget rooms start from a few hundred THB; mid-range around 1,000 THB.
15:30
Explore the old Chinese quarter (Trok Baan Jeen)A historic riverside community of wooden shophouses, small cafés, and snack stalls. Quieter on weekdays, livelier on weekends — either way it's a pleasant wander.
17:30
Sunset at the Bicentennial Bridge (Saphan Somphot Krung Rattanakosin 200 Pi)The wooden bridge along the Ping River is the go-to evening spot for locals. The mountains in the background make for a decent photo even with a phone.
19:00
Dinner in Tak cityTry the local braised beef noodles, or grab a table at one of the riverside spots. The evening market has plenty of street food snacks.

Day 2 — Bhumibol Dam, Sam Ngao District

Bhumibol Dam is in Sam Ngao district, about 60 km north of Tak city on Highway 1. Around the 463–464 km marker, turn left and drive another 17 km to reach the dam itself. It's a double-curvature arch dam — the tallest of its kind in Thailand at 154 m from foundation to crest — backed by the wide Mae Ping Reservoir, which is the centrepiece of the day.

Day 2

Sam Ngao → Bhumibol Dam → Mae Ping Reservoir

08:00
Leave Tak city, drive up to Sam NgaoAbout 1 hour on Highway 1. Stop for coffee at a roadside shop if you spot one.
09:30
Walk the dam crest and viewpointsThe crest walk gives you a look straight down to the reservoir — cool and breezy in the morning. EGAT (the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) maintains the area with gardens and photo spots. Entry is free, but you'll pass a security checkpoint — carry your national ID or passport.
11:00
Boat or bamboo raft on the Mae Ping ReservoirSeveral operators run tours on the reservoir. Short half-day trips start in the hundreds of THB per person; overnight raft packages with meals start in the thousands. Call ahead to book, especially on long weekends.
13:00
Lunch on the raft or at a riverside restaurantFresh river fish — grilled or in tom yum — is what the area is known for. Don't skip it.
15:30
Decide: sleep near the dam or return to TakEGAT runs guesthouses in Sam Ngao with reservoir views from around 500 THB/room. Private resorts start around 580 THB. Book ahead in high season.
18:00
Sunset over the reservoirIf you're staying near the dam, the evening is worth it — flat water reflects the sky in a way you rarely see in a city.

Honest note on the reservoir

Bhumibol Dam is managed by EGAT and has entry checkpoints with set hours and security rules. During the dry season (March–May), water levels drop significantly and the view loses some of its impact. If you're after that full-reservoir panorama, visit between late rainy season and early cool season (October–January) for the best conditions.

Day 3 — North to Ob Luang Gorge, Hot, Chiang Mai

The final day is the nature highlight. Ob Luang isn't actually in Tak province — it sits in Hot district, Chiang Mai, on Highway 108, about 110 km south of Chiang Mai city. The gorge is where the Mae Chaem River has carved a narrow, deep channel through the rock — locals have nicknamed it Thailand's Grand Canyon. The drive from Tak passes through Takshin Maharat National Park, where you can stop to see a massive century-old Krabok tree along the way.

Day 3

Tak → Takshin Maharat → Ob Luang Gorge

07:30
Early departure from your accommodationAn early start matters here. The road ahead is mountain highway — slower than flat roads — and you want to arrive at Ob Luang before the afternoon heat.
09:00
Stop at Takshin Maharat National ParkOpen 08:30–16:30. The main draw is a massive centuries-old Krabok tree, plus cool forest air. A short walk to stretch your legs before driving on.
11:30
Continue north through Hot district, Chiang MaiThe road winds through passes and small villages — decent mountain scenery. Fill up on petrol and use the bathroom in Hot town before turning off to Ob Luang.
13:30
Arrive at Ob Luang National ParkEntry: Thai adults 20 THB, children 10 THB. Foreign visitors: 100/50 THB. Walk across the suspension bridge and look straight down into the gorge — the water runs green through the narrow slot far below. That's the shot everyone comes for.
15:00
Nature trail and prehistoric archaeology sitesOb Luang has cave paintings and traces of prehistoric habitation on the cliff faces. The trail around the gorge area is short enough to cover in an hour or so.
16:30
End of trip — choose your exitFrom Ob Luang it's roughly 2 hours to Chiang Mai city if you want to continue north. If you need to head back south, plan to overnight in Hot or Jom Thong rather than driving a long way in the dark.

Mountain driving tips

The Tak–Hot and Hot–Ob Luang sections are long stretches of uphill and downhill mountain road. Check your brakes and tyres before leaving Tak. Fill up in Tak city — petrol stations get sparse further along. Avoid driving these sections at night: road lighting is minimal and there's often fog in the cool season.

Rough Budget Per Person (2 people, 1 car)

  • Accommodation — 2 nights — From around 1,000–1,800 THB per person (splitting a 500–900 THB room two ways)
  • Park and site entry — Sukhothai Historical Park: ~40 THB (2 zones at 20 THB each for Thai nationals) + Ob Luang: 20 THB + Takshin Maharat: 20 THB
  • Bhumibol Dam boat/raft tour — Short trips from a few hundred THB per person; overnight raft packages from ~1,000+ THB per person
  • Petrol — Roughly 300–350 km total, around 1,000–1,300 THB per car
  • Food — 50–150 THB per meal, roughly 300–400 THB per person per day

All up, a comfortable but not extravagant 3-day, 2-night trip comes to roughly 3,000–4,500 THB per person, depending on whether you do the overnight raft package or keep it to day trips.

Looking for a well-placed hotel in Sukhothai before you set off?

See Top 10 Hotels in Sukhothai →

FAQ

Is Ob Luang in Tak province?

No — Ob Luang National Park is in Hot district, Chiang Mai province, on Highway 108. But it's a natural extension of this route because it sits right on the border between lower and upper northern Thailand, making it easy to pair with Bhumibol Dam in Tak on the same trip.

Can visitors enter Bhumibol Dam, and do you need to book in advance?

Walking the dam crest and viewpoints is free, but it's an EGAT facility with a security checkpoint — bring your national ID or passport. For boat and raft tours on the Mae Ping Reservoir, and for EGAT guesthouse rooms, call ahead to reserve, especially during public holidays.

Can I do this trip without a car?

It's quite difficult. Bhumibol Dam and Ob Luang both sit outside town and aren't served by public transport directly. The most practical alternative if you don't drive is to stay in Tak city and book a guided raft package that includes transport. Otherwise, you'll miss the main highlights.

When is the best time of year to go?

Late rainy season to early cool season (October–January) is the sweet spot. The Mae Ping Reservoir is full, the scenery is lush, and the mountain roads are at comfortable temperatures. Avoid the late dry season (March–May) when reservoir levels drop and the mountain driving gets hot.

Is 3 days enough?

3 days and 2 nights is the right amount to cover Sukhothai, Tak, and Ob Luang without rushing. If you only have 2 days, cut Ob Luang and focus on Sukhothai and the dam — still a satisfying trip.

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