The Cave Lodge is an out of the way guest house located in Mae Hong Son province sandwiched between Sappong and the Burmese boarder. It sits in the jungle among a rolling landscape dotted with pillars of limestone and krast outcroppings. The Lodge is founded and run by John Dunkley, an Australian who has lived and traveled extensively in SE Asia, and his wife a local from the Shan hilltribe. The traditional Thai and Shan food is excellent, and, with a real wood-fire oven, the western cuisine of burgers and fresh baked goods is some of the best outside of Chiang Mai. John is a professional spelunker and has lead an effort to map the near endless caves that prairie dog Thailand’s northern mountains. See the caves by signing up for a prefabricated trip, customizing your own trip, or going out to explore! Careful though and good luck. The caves are well hidden. The main attraction is Tham Lot. Only one kilometer from Cave Lodge it is easily accessible by walking. A river flows through the cave and the featured tour takes you through by inflatable kayak or bamboo raft. The trip through the cave is eerie but relatively smooth. Once you exit the cave the rapids pick up and its a fast ride to the boat take-out. The caving ranges from a wet mud shimmy to a comfortable walkthrough. In the winter hot water is available in the bungalows, and the Lodge commons has a nightly bonfire. Whether you’re interested in trekking, caving, and biking, or sitting in a hammock and reading about crazy misadventures in John’s autobiography; the Cave Lodge provides adventure and a great sense of community. It is an affordable, beautiful and unique place to stay; so check it out. Other attractions include ancient coffin caves, cooking classes, hiking and more.

Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
Country code: th
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
Literacy rate: total population: 92.6%