Highlights
- Bike through urban and rural areas of Bangkok
- Hike to seven different waterfalls in Erawan National Park
- Reach the summit of Thailand's tallest mountain, Don Inthanon
- Go whitewater rafting, ATV biking, and ziplining in laidback Phuket
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok, Traditional Thai Massage | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Cycle & Boat Around Bangkok | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Bangkok City Tour | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Kanchanaburi via Surprising Markets | Kanchanaburi |
| Day 5 | Hike in Erawan National Park | Kanchanaburi |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Chiang Mai, Explore | Chiang Mai |
| Day 7 | Guided Tour of Doi Inthanon National Park | Chiang Mai |
| Day 8 | Elephant Encounter at Sanctuary | Chiang Mai |
| Day 9 | Fly to Krabi, Relax on Ao Nang Beach | Ao Nang |
| Day 10 | Temples & Hot Springs Tour | Ao Nang |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Phuket, Explore | Phuket |
| Day 12 | Rafting, Off-Roading & Ziplining in Phuket | Phuket |
| Day 13 | Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Traditional Thai Massage
Welcome to Bangkok! Upon arrival at the airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Thailand's megacity capital is known for its ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The busy Chao Phraya River feeds a network of canals and flows past the Rattanakosin Royal District. Depending on your arrival time, you might want to start exploring on your own. If you're hungry after your journey, head to famous Khao San Road, where you can find all sorts of tasty street food. Grab a cold beer and people-watch in this lively neighborhood.
Later in the day, rejuvenate after your flight with a traditional Thai massage. Shewa Spa offers professionally certified massages and spa services. Their specialty is traditional massages, which you can enjoy for two hours. Feel the tension melt away from your shoulders, neck, and back. Thai massage utilizes circulation and the body's pressure points, and you'll feel ready for your adventure after this treatment (and perhaps a good sleep at the hotel!).
Day 2: Cycle & Boat Around Bangkok
Get to know Bangkok better today on a five-hour tour by bicycle and boat. The different faces of Bangkok will be revealed to you as you traverse diverse neighborhoods. Start in frenetic Chinatown, with its colorful markets and shops. Navigate down narrow alleyways and small side streets. Then, jump on board a classic long-tail boat to travel farther into rural Bangkok.
You'll learn why this city is often called the "Venice of the East" as you witness daily life along the small canals branching from the Chao Phraya: classical wooden-framed homes on stilts, mothers doing their daily washing, kids splashing away the tropical heat. Get back on the seat of your bike, continuing through the luscious green belt on the edge of the city. Expect to ride around 9 miles (15 km) today.
Day 3: Bangkok City Tour
If the previous day was about getting a scenic overview of Bangkok, today is focused on learning more about Thai culture. After breakfast, start your tour at the Wat Arun Temple. It was built during the Ayutthaya period (14th-18th centuries) and is named after Aruna, the Hindu god of the dawn, hence its common name, Temple of Dawn. Unlike many Bangkok attractions, Wat Arun is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. You can climb the steps of the temple for sweeping views over the river and city.
Ferry back to the east bank of the river and visit Wat Pho Temple, home to a golden reclining Buddha statue. Then take a short walk to the dazzling Grand Palace complex, where you'll learn more about the Thai royal family and the spectacular golden and mosaic structures within the grounds.
If you're traveling over a weekend, hire a tuk-tuk to go to the huge Chatuchak Market, the most famous weekend market in Bangkok and located on the northern edge of the city. You can buy almost anything you want here, including tasty Thai food, so consider a break for lunch before spending some time shopping. Continue to another market, Pak Khlong Talat, the flower market. This is the largest flower market in Bangkok and is open around the clock. Admire the sights and smells of many different flower varieties. Next up is Chinatown, which comes to life in the late afternoons and early evenings. Walk along the street and have a glass of beer or fresh fruit juice while enjoying the atmosphere.Day 4: Transfer to Kanchanaburi via Surprising Markets
Say goodbye to Bangkok today as you'll transfer northwest to Kanchanaburi. En route, stop at a couple of famous and very memorable markets. First up is the Mae Klong Railway Market, about a 90 minute drive from Bangkok. You can find a lot of fresh produce sold here, but the draw to this market is the stalls are set up along a railway line. When a signal warns that a train is approaching, the vendors pack up their wares in a flash to get out of the way.
Continue to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can grab some lunch. Both locals and tourists come here to shop, eat, and absorb the atmosphere of this water market, where all commerce takes place from boats. Your final stop, Kanchanaburi, is about another two hours drive from here.
Day 5: Hike in Erawan National Park
Today you'll visit one of the most beautiful parks in the country, Erawan National Park. As you follow a marked trail for about 1.2 miles (2 km), seven stunning waterfalls follow one after another. The path typically takes around 1.5 hours up and 30 minutes down on foot; though renting a bicycle is possible, you can only access the lower falls this way. The path becomes more challenging as you reach the sixth and seventh waterfalls. Each waterfall pours into natural turquoise pools, where you can bathe. If you want to sit and relax, the second waterfall, Wang Mat Cha, is a great spot, as there's plenty of seating.
Day 6: Transfer to Chiang Mai, Explore
Say goodbye to Southern Thailand today as you head north. You'll transfer overland to Bangkok and then catch a flight to Chiang Mai. This old city is known as a hub of Thai religion and culture. Surrounded by the mountains of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai's Old City area retains vestiges of the walls and moats from its rich history. It also has hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, diverse hill tribes, tea plantations, and elephant sanctuaries.
After settling into your hotel room, head out to explore independently. You might want to visit the large central market, Worarot Market, to pick up snacks or souvenirs. If you love temples, visit Wat Chedi Luang, home to Chiang Mai's largest Buddhist chedi (stupa) and an example of local Lanna architecture. You could also visit Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Take in the sunset from Wat Phra Singh, sometimes said to be Thailand's most beautiful temple.
To experience Chiang Mai's atmosphere after dark, head to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, famous for its handicrafts and portrait paintings. You can also find jewelry, toys, and clothing. The market runs every evening from 5 pm and covers a whole neighborhood east of the Old City.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Guided Tour of Doi Inthanon National Park
Return to nature today in the stunning Doi Inthanon National Park, south of Chiang Mai. At its heart is the granite mass of Mount Doi Inthanon, 8,415 feet (2,565 m) above sea level and the highest summit in Thailand. Doi Inthanon is the southeastern tail of the Himalaya. Your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive to the top of the mountain. After a final steep climb on foot, the summit is surprisingly flat, although it's misty, cool, and breezy. Then explore the Ang-Kha Nature Trail and look for ferns, moss, and rhododendrons.
Before heading down, visit the Twin Pagodas built by the Thai Air Force in honor of the Thai king and queen. On your descent, stop at the Hmong Tribal Market to check out the local tribe's people trade fruit and vegetables, followed by lunch in a nearby restaurant. Drive through Baan Khun Klaang, the biggest Hmong community in the Doi Inthanon area. Farther down, at Baan Sop Had, you can see a Karen hill tribe village. Your last stop will be at the large Wachirathan Waterfalls.Day 8: Elephant Encounter at Sanctuary
Today is special for animal lovers, as you'll meet gentle elephants in a natural setting. Visit an elephant care project that aims to improve the well-being of elephants and increase awareness of elephant conservation. A local family who believed elephants were not for entertainment started the project in Meung Kud village. That's why they offer guests an opportunity for close interaction with the creatures in a mutually beneficial way.
The center is about a 90-minute drive north of Chiang Mai. After your arrival, change into traditional clothing, which will be provided. Your English-speaking guide will explain the habits and histories of the elephants and the way to communicate with them. Then, gather the elephants' food: sugar cane, grass, and banana plants, all grown on the farm. Feed them by hand and get to know them personally. After a simple traditional lunch, walk with the elephants and lead them to their bath. It'll be hard to say goodbye after spending the day caring for them, but after this, you'll head back to Chiang Mai.Day 9: Fly to Krabi, Relax on Ao Nang Beach
Day 10: Temples & Hot Springs Tour
Today you can enjoy a lovely blend of cultural sightseeing and relaxation. Your first destination will be Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), a Buddhist temple on a hill northeast of Krabi. You can climb the 1,200 strenuous stairs to reach the summit and enjoy sweeping views. The temple is named after the tiger paw prints that are supposedly on the temple's walls.
Continue to the Emerald Pool, about 20 minutes from Krabi. The Emerald Pool gets its bright green color from the copper content in the water. You can walk to the pool through the jungle, which takes about 20 minutes, or by a direct pathway, which takes 10 minutes. The jungle walk is easy and will give you a chance to hear the birdsong.
After checking out this lovely spot, you'll head to the nearby hot springs, a short drive away. The springs complex includes a well-maintained set of artificial pools with easy access, where you can just sit and enjoy the water. A little farther along a jungle path are the real natural springs: a waterfall of soothing hot water and a series of natural hollows in the rock where you can lie. Enjoy your quiet time bathing as you soothe any tired muscles from earlier in the day.Day 11: Transfer to Phuket, Free Time
Leave Ao Nang today and travel to another beach on the island of Phuket, about two hours away. After checking in at the hotel, explore Phuket on your own. Phuket is more than just a busy tourist destination, as you can find a lot of culture, history, and adventure here. Thalang Road in the Phuket Old Town area is lined with colorful 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Built in 1903 by a wealthy tin merchant, the Baan Chinpracha Mansion has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows, and antique furniture. Stroll along the street to take in these sights.
Day 12: Rafting, Off-Roading & Ziplining in Phuket
End your Thailand vacation on a high with several thrilling outdoor activities: whitewater rafting, ATV riding, and ziplining. Start with a morning transfer to a whitewater rafting camp, an activity everyone should try, and Phuket's warm waters make it an ideal place to do so. You'll receive training and instruction before starting the 3-mile (5 km) course.
Next is a 30-minute ride on an ATV quad bike through Phuket's mountains, rubber plantations, and lush forests. Make an optional stop at the must-see hilltop Big Buddha Temple. Then, drive to the Monkey Cave at Suwan Kuha Temple to admire the 49-foot (15 m) long reclining Buddha. Finally, head to the zipline site to follow a course through the treetops along 500-foot (150 m) long lines. Take a break for lunch at the camp and recover from all this excitement. Stop at a scenic waterfall before heading back to your resort.Day 13: Depart Phuket
It's time to say goodbye to this beautiful country. Depending on your departure time, you might have time to enjoy one last leisurely stroll on the beach or have a relaxed breakfast with sea views. Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Phuket International Airport in good time for your flight. Bon voyage!