Kaew Komon Cave

Reputed to be the only calcite cave in all of Southeast Asia, Kaew Komon is a bit awkward to find but a memorable sight and well worth tracking down, particularly if you are passing nearby Mae La Noi on the Mae Hong Son Loop. It is nothing like the vast caverns of Tham Lod Cave further north near Soppong - in fact it is very small, with just five little chambers you visit with an escort, who points out the different mineral formations that smother the walls. The deposits are amazing to look at, sparkling and shaped like flowers, mushrooms, coral, snow and frost, with one section that even resembles a butterscotch sundae.

The cave lies within Kaew Komon Forest Park, a protected area of about 50 square kilometres. To reach it, follow signs for around 6km east of the centre of Mae La Noi and park at the ticket office; from there a songthaew takes you up the last, extremely steep stretch of narrow road to the entrance. Before going in you must store all bags and cameras in locked drawers, after which a member of staff guides you down steep steps through the illuminated cave, pausing to identify the different types of calcite. It takes only about 20 minutes to see everything, but the air is thin and stifling, so you will probably be glad to reach the exit. Photography is forbidden inside - a shame given the magical abstract patterns, though the use of flash could well harm the delicate mineral formations.