Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll land in Bangkok and jump right into the city's vibrant atmosphere. Depending on your arrival time, there's plenty to do - hit up the Night Market, walk through Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, or check out Khao San Road for the backpacker scene. Street food is everywhere: grab pad Thai, mango sticky rice, or deep-fried insects if you're feeling brave. If it's the weekend, Chatuchak Market is massive and worth the visit with thousands of stalls.
Optional Activities
- Explore Night Market
- Visit Yaowarat Road in Chinatown
- Visit Khao San Road
- Visit Chatuchak Market (weekends)
Landmarks/POIs Night Market Yaowarat Road Khao San Road Chatuchak Market - Day 2
Bangkok
Start early to see Bangkok's temples while it's cooler. The Grand Palace has those gleaming golden roofs everyone talks about, then head to Wat Pho to see the enormous reclining Buddha. After that, climb the 300+ steps at Wat Saket to reach the golden dome and get sweeping city views from up there. By evening, make your way to the Flower Market where the whole place smells incredible and locals are bustling around.
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Wat Pho
- Visit Wat Saket
- Visit Flower Market
Landmarks/POIs Grand Palace Wat Pho Wat Saket Flower Market - Day 3
Bangkok
Head up to King Power Mahanakhon Tower for views from way up high. The Observatory on the 74th floor gives you the city spread out below, or push it further and hit the glass floor on the 78th floor at 310 meters if heights don't bother you. After coming back down, spend the afternoon at Lumphini Park, Bangkok's main green space where you can relax and might even spot monitor lizards hanging out by the lakes.
Optional Activities
- Visit King Power Mahanakhon Tower Observatory (74th floor)
- Visit King Power Mahanakhon Tower glass floor (78th floor)
- Explore Lumphini Park
Landmarks/POIs King Power Mahanakhon Tower Lumphini Park - Day 4
Bangkok
Explore Bangkok's most famous markets on your own schedule. Start at Maeklong Railway Market where vendors move their stalls aside as trains roll through, which is quite a sight to see. Then head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the khlongs where boats are the main transportation and vendors sell directly from their watercraft, giving you a completely different shopping experience than typical markets.
Optional Activities
- Visit Maeklong Railway Market
- Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Landmarks/POIs Maeklong Railway Market Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - Day 5
Bangkok
Try Nunu Pad Thai for some of the city's best version of this dish - it's a local favorite for a reason. If you want to see Bangkok from the water, take a boat trip on the Chao Phraya Royal River to check out Wat Arun and the skyline from a new angle. Later in the evening, you can also catch a boat over to Asiatique Riverfront Nightmarket for evening atmosphere and more street food options.
Optional Activities
- Dine at Nunu Pad Thai restaurant
- Boat trip on Chao Phraya River
- Visit Asiatique Riverfront Nightmarket
Landmarks/POIs Nunu Pad Thai Chao Phraya River Wat Arun Asiatique Riverfront Nightmarket - Day 6
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Spend this morning hitting any last Bangkok items on your list before leaving. In the late afternoon, head to Don Mueang train station and board an overnight train with an open sleeping compartment. You'll watch Thailand fade into darkness as you settle in for your journey to Chiang Mai, arriving in the morning.
Included Activities
- Overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Landmarks/POIs Don Mueang Train Station - Day 7
Chiang Mai
After getting to your hotel, walk around Chiang Mai's old town which sits inside a city wall and moat. The alleyways are filled with cafes, restaurants and bars to check out. You'll come across historic temples like Wat Chedi Luang, which is now a ruin, and Wat Phra Singh where the golden chedi shines and you can see it from quite far away.
Optional Activities
- Explore old town and city wall
- Visit Wat Chedi Luang
- Visit Wat Phra Singh
Landmarks/POIs Chiang Mai Old Town Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Singh - Day 8
Chiang Mai
Rent a scooter and head out into the area surrounding Chiang Mai for views as you climb higher up. Visit the famous Bua Thong waterfall and try the unique experience of climbing up the waterfall on the smooth limestone rock, which won't make you slip despite how it sounds. You'll gradually build courage as you walk higher, feeling the water rushing around you.
Optional Activities
- Rent a scooter
- Visit Bua Thong sticky waterfall
- Climb Bua Thong waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Bua Thong Waterfall - Day 9
Chiang Mai
Make your way to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most important temple, located high on Doi Suthep Mountain in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The 309 steps up are flanked by giant naga snake banisters, and once you reach the top you'll find the golden temple surrounded by Buddha statues and jungle. The effort pays off with sweeping views of Chiang Mai below.
Optional Activities
- Rent a scooter to reach temple
- Take a cab to reach temple
- Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Landmarks/POIs Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Doi Suthep-Pui National Park - Day 10
Chiang Mai
Check out Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, where you'll see golden stupas, elephant statues and magnificent murals surrounded by greenery. Later, explore Chiang Mai's cafe and coworking scene by walking through pretty alleyways around Ratvithi Road in the old town for that village feeling, or head to the trendy Nimman district if you prefer hipper spots.
Optional Activities
- Visit Wat Chiang Man
- Explore cafes around Ratvithi Road
- Explore cafes in Nimman district
Landmarks/POIs Wat Chiang Man Ratvithi Road Nimman District - Day 11
Chiang Mai
Experience local shopping at Chiang Mai's markets. On Sundays, there's Sunday Walking Street on Rachadamnoen Road where traders set up tents and sell everything imaginable, though keep in mind at 6 pm the Thai national anthem plays and everyone respectfully stands still. Other markets worth checking out include Jingjai Market, Night Bazaar, and Kham Thiang Flower Market.
Optional Activities
- Visit Sunday Walking Street market
- Visit Jingjai Market
- Visit Night Bazaar
- Visit Kham Thiang Flower Market
Landmarks/POIs Sunday Walking Street Rachadamnoen Road Jingjai Market Night Bazaar Kham Thiang Flower Market - Day 12
Chiang Mai to Khao Lak
Travel toward Khao Lak, Thailand's beach destination. You'll arrive in Phuket first, then continue to Khao Lak and check into your hotel. Settle into the slower, more relaxed beach lifestyle and watch the sun dip into the sea as you walk barefoot on the sand with nothing but good feelings and the sound of waves.
Included Activities
- Scheduled flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket
Landmarks/POIs Khao Lak Beach - Day 13
Khao Lak
Spend the full day exploring Khao Lak's 20 kilometers of coastline. Rent a scooter to move between different beaches throughout the day. Bang Sak Beach is peaceful and quiet with palm trees and empty sands, while Memories Beach has more action and surf vibes with a beach bar. Pak Weep Beach has turquoise waters and looks like a postcard.
Optional Activities
- Rent a scooter
- Visit Bang Sak Beach
- Visit Memories Beach
- Surf at Memories Beach
- Visit Pak Weep Beach
Landmarks/POIs Bang Sak Beach Memories Beach Pak Weep Beach - Day 14
Khao Lak
Head inland to Lam Ru National Park to find the Ton Chong Fa waterfall with five photogenic cascades dropping through rainforest. Walk the jungle trails winding through dense vegetation where colorful birds and exotic plants surround you. You can opt for a guided tour, swim in natural pools, or explore hidden bays along the coast.
Optional Activities
- Visit Lam Ru National Park
- Visit Ton Chong Fa waterfall
- Explore jungle trails
- Book a guided tour of the park
- Swim in natural pools
- Visit hidden bays
Landmarks/POIs Lam Ru National Park Ton Chong Fa Waterfall - Day 15
Khao Lak
Dive into Bang Niang Market where the energy is high between colorful stalls and loud music. Try everything once from spicy curries to sticky rice snacks and freshly squeezed juices. After filling your belly, head to a spa for a Thai massage to work out any tension. End the day on the beach with a cold drink, watching the sky turn gold as the sun sets.
Optional Activities
- Visit Bang Niang Market
- Thai massage at spa
- Beach time at sunset
Landmarks/POIs Bang Niang Market - Day 16
Khao Lak
Rent a bike and explore Khao Lak's less obvious spots like Khuk Khak Beach with its fine white sand and turquoise water. Sit under a shady palm tree, listen to the waves and let your mind wander. You can spend the day however you want - read on the beach, explore Lam Ru National Park, visit temples, or taste street food at local spots.
Optional Activities
- Rent a bike
- Visit Khuk Khak Beach
- Read on the beach
- Explore Lam Ru National Park
- Visit temples
- Taste street food
Landmarks/POIs Khuk Khak Beach - Day 17
Khao Lak
Take a traditional Thai cooking class where you prepare your favorite dishes hands-on. After you've cooked and eaten, take a digestive walk and visit the Big Buddha, which is a Khao Lak highlight worth seeing. Then head to Khao Lak Phu Viewpoint with a refreshing drink and take in the coastal view and sunset from way up high.
Optional Activities
- Traditional Thai cooking class
- Visit Big Buddha
- Visit Khao Lak Phu Viewpoint
- Refreshing drink at viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Big Buddha Khao Lak Phu Viewpoint - Day 18
Khao Lak
Another day in paradise is yours. Get into your swimsuit and head to the beach. Make yourself comfortable under palm trees with a fresh coconut while listening to the waves. Take a dip to refresh yourself, then you can hop on a bike or scooter to explore nearby villages, waterfalls and temples if the mood strikes. End the evening with your feet in the sand and a drink in hand.
Optional Activities
- Beach time with fresh coconut
- Rent a bike or scooter
- Explore villages
- Visit waterfalls
- Visit temples
- Evening beach time
- Day 19
Departure
Make your way home with memories of palm trees, temples and dream beaches. Your heart might feel heavy leaving Asia, but a smile will come knowing the adventures, vibes, and magic you've experienced can't be taken away. This marks the end of your tour.
