Those that choose can rise at dawn and make merit by offering food to the barefoot monks doing their alms rounds in the village beside our resort.

Following a leisurely breakfast beside the Pai River, and time for a morning swim in the pool, we're off on another day of adventure.

Our first stop is for an elephant trek for an hour through the forest, followed by a unique opportunity to help the mahouts bathe these great beasts in the Pai River. Washing and showering the elephant is one of the mahout's most important responsibilities because it it's the most enjoyable activity of the elephants. Mahouts must be able to read their mind and comfort them with cool water. As long as the elephant takes the mahout as its lifelong friend, their bonds are unbreakable.

Following lunch, we set off by boat for a lovely cruise down the Pai River to the border of Myanmar (Burma).

Just upstream from the border is the settlement of Padnang - a "Long neck" Karen village of refugees from Burma. The women here wear striking clothing and the neck rings from which their name derives. Originally semi-nomadic farmers in the jungle, they now rely on income from the sale of handicrafts and donations from visitors (made by our guide on your behalf).

Returning to Mae Hong Son there's time to visit some of the famous Burmese-style temples and shop for handicrafts before dinner (Overnight: Golden Pai Resort).