Sigh! To finally see that sign was such a relief
About 35 kms from Mae Hong Son, Wat Tam Wua is accessible by road from all major centers in Thailand.
One doesn't need to call or write in to register since there are no timed retreats here. The whole place is a 365 day retreat accepting visitors all year round.
Most of those who arrive in Thailand would land at Bangkok first. Buddha enthusiasts like me will invariably find their way to Chiang Mai - the land of Wats.
Hence, I am covering these two common pit-stops. For anyone travelling from any other location, the Thai Bus Transport is impeccable in their network, punctuality and reach, so I am sure you would easily find a connection.
From Bangkok:
Head to the Mochit Bus Terminal which can be conveniently reached by taxi or BTS.
Tickets windows are divided according to geographical zones - north, south, etc. Head to the second floor and find service providers who caters to the north / north-east zone. Mae Hong Son is your destination - a 15 hour bus ride which would be surprisingly comfortable. Very few ticket windows have destinations written in English so it can get a little difficult. Most attendants don't speak English so pray to god that you find someone who can be a good translator. (I didn't have to go through this because I had a kind Thai friend helping me through it all!). I would strongly recommend taking the VIP seat in one of the buses by Air Udon. In all my bus travels across the country, Air Udon has been the best. For about 800 baht - you get comfortable seats that are larger than Business Class flight seats and good non-vegetarian meals. It's a great deal.
Tam Wua Monastery is about 30 minutes before Mae Hong Son. So now your task is to explain to the bus driver or bus attendant to make an early stop at the monastery. Try the names Wat Tam Wua or Wat Pa Tham Wua. If you can't manage to have your bus driver understand this then don't fret. You can peacefully reach Mae Hong Son and hitch-hike your way back to the monastery or get a seat on one of the vans which take regular rounds on Mae Hon Son - Chiang Mai route.
From Chiang Mai:
Did I just mention vans? I certainly did. It is the easiest way to reach the Monastery from Chiang Mai. Book a seat in one of the vans heading from Chiang Mai Bus Station to Mae Hong Son. It will be relatively easier to explain the van driver that you need to get down at the monastery because this is the most common route people would take - spend some time in Chiang Mai exploring the literally hundreds of Buddhist temples and then head to the monastery. So basically that driver has seen many like you. About 5 hours packed into the tiny van with 14 other people and you will be there. Don't forget to look out the window on the way, it will be worth it.
Once dropped off at the sign you see above, it's another 1 km walk.
The address is:
Wat Pah Tam Wua, Baan Mae Suya, Huay Pha, Mae Hong Son - 58000
One doesn't need to call or write in to register since there are no timed retreats here. The whole place is a 365 day retreat accepting visitors all year round.
Most of those who arrive in Thailand would land at Bangkok first. Buddha enthusiasts like me will invariably find their way to Chiang Mai - the land of Wats.
Hence, I am covering these two common pit-stops. For anyone travelling from any other location, the Thai Bus Transport is impeccable in their network, punctuality and reach, so I am sure you would easily find a connection.
From Bangkok:
Head to the Mochit Bus Terminal which can be conveniently reached by taxi or BTS.
Tickets windows are divided according to geographical zones - north, south, etc. Head to the second floor and find service providers who caters to the north / north-east zone. Mae Hong Son is your destination - a 15 hour bus ride which would be surprisingly comfortable. Very few ticket windows have destinations written in English so it can get a little difficult. Most attendants don't speak English so pray to god that you find someone who can be a good translator. (I didn't have to go through this because I had a kind Thai friend helping me through it all!). I would strongly recommend taking the VIP seat in one of the buses by Air Udon. In all my bus travels across the country, Air Udon has been the best. For about 800 baht - you get comfortable seats that are larger than Business Class flight seats and good non-vegetarian meals. It's a great deal.
Tam Wua Monastery is about 30 minutes before Mae Hong Son. So now your task is to explain to the bus driver or bus attendant to make an early stop at the monastery. Try the names Wat Tam Wua or Wat Pa Tham Wua. If you can't manage to have your bus driver understand this then don't fret. You can peacefully reach Mae Hong Son and hitch-hike your way back to the monastery or get a seat on one of the vans which take regular rounds on Mae Hon Son - Chiang Mai route.
From Chiang Mai:
Did I just mention vans? I certainly did. It is the easiest way to reach the Monastery from Chiang Mai. Book a seat in one of the vans heading from Chiang Mai Bus Station to Mae Hong Son. It will be relatively easier to explain the van driver that you need to get down at the monastery because this is the most common route people would take - spend some time in Chiang Mai exploring the literally hundreds of Buddhist temples and then head to the monastery. So basically that driver has seen many like you. About 5 hours packed into the tiny van with 14 other people and you will be there. Don't forget to look out the window on the way, it will be worth it.
Once dropped off at the sign you see above, it's another 1 km walk.
The address is:
Wat Pah Tam Wua, Baan Mae Suya, Huay Pha, Mae Hong Son - 58000