Discover Thailand's Nature & Beaches: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khao Sok, Krabi & Phuket - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Private Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand's lively capital, famous for its ornate temples, street food scene, and network of canals. Meet your driver at the airport for a one-hour transfer to your hotel, where you can check in and relax until this evening's 3.5-hour street food tour. Around 6:30 pm, meet your guide and hop in a tuk-tuk to visit some of Bangkok's most beloved eateries and taste authentic Thai cuisine.

Try northeastern Thai food, the best pad thai in the city, mango sticky rice, and some popular homestyle Thai snacks. As you savor each bite, learn about the history and traditions behind individual dishes. Finally, follow your guide to a rooftop bar for cocktails and panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River. At the end of the tour, take a tuk-tuk back to your hotel with a satisfied stomach and a deeper appreciation for the city's culture and cuisine.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Bangkok's Temples, Grand Palace & Canals

Join your guide on a full-day city tour, starting at Pak Khlong Talat, a 24-hour flower and produce market. Peruse the selection of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables and watch the locals go about their day-to-day lives. Then, continue to the Grand Palace, which served as the official residence of the kings of Siam (later Thailand) from 1782 CE. Wander through the opulent courtyards and buildings for a close-up look at Thai architecture and craftsmanship. Visit the on-site Wat Phra Kaew to admire the statue of Buddha carved from a single block of jade and draped in elaborate robes that the king changes seasonally.

After lunch, switch to a long-tail boat to discover the city's canals. Glide along the waterways, passing stilted wooden houses, bustling floating markets, and lush riverside vegetation, all in stark contrast to the city's modern skyline. Keep an eye out for landmarks like the Taling Chan Floating Market and Wat Arun, known as the "Temple of Dawn." To wrap up the boat tour, your last stop is the 16th-century Wat Pho, better known as the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha," where you'll marvel at the 150-foot-long (46 m) statue gilded in gold leaf. 

Day 3: Visit a Railway Market & Floating Market

Leave the bustling capital behind this morning as you transfer one hour to one of the most unusual markets in the world, the Mae Klong Railway Market. Vendors set up their stalls on an active railway track, and each time a train approaches, they swiftly retract their awnings and merchandise to make way for the passing locomotive. Witnessing this incredible feat of coordination and precision allows you to understand the ingenuity of the local vendors. Once you've seen this spectacle, stroll through the bustling aisles of the markets to savor delicious street food or shop for souvenirs.

Head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market next, where you can observe vendors peddling their goods from small wooden boats adorned with colorful fruits, snacks, and souvenirs. Wind your way along the narrow canal banks and capture candid snapshots of authentic Thai life, or hop in a boat to explore the wares up close. Many merchants also cook and sell food from their boats, such as tom yum noodles (a spicy seafood soup with noodles and shrimp). Take your time exploring the market and discovering the local culture before returning to your hotel in Bangkok.

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai, Half-Day Tour of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Trade Bangkok's bustling streets for Chiang Mai's serene mountain landscapes this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight north. When you land, meet your local guide, who'll accompany you to your hotel in a private vehicle. After checking in and freshening up, head to the city's outskirts on a guided three-hour tour to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand's most revered and iconic temples, perched high on a mountain.

Enjoy a scenic drive up the winding mountain road, then on arrival, climb the 306-step staircase surrounded by ornate Naga serpent statues to reach the summit. At the top, you'll be greeted by a colossal golden chedi (stupa), which gleams in the sunlight and houses relics of the Buddha. Walk around the chedi, immersing yourself in the sound of chiming bells and the scent of incense. Lastly, admire the panoramic views of the valley and city below before returning to your hotel.

Day 5: Spend a Day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Today's adventure takes you 1.5 hours out of the city to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, where you'll spend a day with rescued elephants in a densely forested mountainous region. The ethical and sustainable sanctuary rescues elephants from exploitative industries such as tourism and logging so these gentle giants can live out their days in a peaceful and spacious setting. Meet your guide and change into traditional mahout (elephant keeper) clothing, then attend an introductory lesson to learn about the elephants' history, behavior, and the sanctuary's efforts to protect them.

You'll have the rest of the day to feed the elephants and interact with them in their natural environment. After enjoying traditional Thai food and fresh fruit for lunch, learn how to make herbal medicine balls for the elephants and walk alongside them to a nearby river, where you can bathe, brush, and join them in a therapeutic mud spa. Afterward, change into clean clothes, say goodbye to your new friends, and head back to Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Guided Tour of Doi Inthanon National Park

Get ready for an early wake-up call as you set off at 7:30 am for a full-day guided tour of Doi Inthanon National Park, home of Thailand's highest peak with an altitude of 9,107 feet (2,776 m). Start your tour of the park at Wachirathan Waterfall and watch the cascade plunge over 262 feet (80 m) down a rocky cliff. Then, visit the Royal Project of North Thailand, started by King Bhumibol Adulyadej to improve the livelihoods of hill tribe communities by encouraging the cultivation of cash crops like coffee, fruits, and vegetables instead of opium.

Your next stop is the Royal Twin Pagodas, built to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit and celebrate their 60th birthdays. A 30-minute hike will then take you to the top of Doi Inthanon, where you can enjoy far-reaching views of the misty mountains, dense forests, and fertile valleys of northern Thailand. End your tour with a leisurely walk along the Ang Ka Nature Trail. Follow the short, wooden boardwalk as it meanders through moss-covered trees, ferns, and orchids, offering glimpses of colorful birds. After the tour, have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Visit a Local Village, Enjoy a Free Afternoon

Dive into northern Thailand's rich culture this morning as you head to a small village surrounded by rice paddies and lush greenery. Learn about the process of rice farming from sowing to harvest, the different kinds of rice grown here, and how rice is a staple food in Thai culinary traditions. Then, visit a villager's house and watch the locals make khao kreab (steamed rice pancakes), nam tung (a bamboo basket), and traditional cloth. Immerse yourself in the experience with a hands-on cooking or weaving lesson before saying goodbye to the friendly locals and returning to Chiang Mai.

The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you wish, relaxing at the hotel or sightseeing on your own. Depending on the time, you can visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to peruse the array of stalls of handmade crafts, intricate textiles, and delicious street food. Shop for souvenirs and indulge in local delicacies like khao soi (curry noodle soup) or sai oua (spicy pork sausage). Wash everything down with a Thai iced tea (black tea sweetened with condensed milk), then enjoy a delicious mango sticky rice to end the night.

Day 8: Fly to Surat Thani, Transfer to Khao Sok National Park

Say goodbye to Chiang Mai and northern Thailand this morning as you transfer to the airport for a two-hour flight to Surat Thani. From there, you'll meet your driver and transfer 2.5 hours to Khao Sok National Park, known for its lush rainforests, towering limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife. On the way to your raft house, stop at a local open-air market or a Thai temple for a glimpse of the locals' way of life. When you reach the shores of Cheow Lan Lake, board a traditional long-tail boat and glide through the emerald waters past limestone karsts and dense rainforest.

Cool off with a refreshing dip in the lake before settling into your accommodation and enjoying lunch. Afterward, join your local guide on a hike through the dense tropical forest of the national park in search of wildlife like long-tailed macaques, gibbons, and lizards. Then, switch to a long-tail boat for an evening safari when the animals are the most active. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants grazing at the water's edge or birds like herons and kingfishers flying overhead. Return to your raft house in time for a traditional southern Thai-style dinner featuring fresh local ingredients. 

Day 9: Enjoy a Leisurely Morning, Hike Through Khao Sok's Rainforest

Enjoy a free morning to yourself in the park, where you can choose between a number of activities, such as relaxing by the tranquil waters of the lake or going for a leisurely swim. If you're after a more adventurous experience, join a kayaking or tubing tour to see more of Khao Sok's waters, dotted with limestone karsts and surrounded by verdant forests. Whatever you do, try to fit in some relaxation time and a nourishing lunch before you head out on a hike this afternoon.

After a leisurely morning, meet your guide for a hike through the tropical rainforest, one of the most biodiverse on Earth. Walk down one of the well-maintained trails, watching for some of the 48 mammal species or 311 bird species that call this park home. Each turn of the trail reveals another facet of the forest's enchanting beauty, including flora such as pitcher plants, figs, dipterocarps, bamboo, and coconut. Following the hike, return to your raft house to rest your feet and relax. 

Day 10: Morning Boat Safari & Free Time in Khao Sok, Transfer to Krabi

Wake up bright and early for a boat safari to watch the mist drift over the lake and listen as nature awakens around you. After gliding past limestone cliffs and rainforest bathed in the soft morning light, return to the raft house for a Thai breakfast of khao tom (a savory rice porridge) or western-style pancakes. Then, return to your room for a nap or enjoy your last few moments in the park with a kayak, stroll, or swim.

Depending on the season, have lunch by the lake or in Khao Pang village, then board your long-tail boat heading back to the pier. Once there, meet your driver for the scenic 2.5-hour drive to Krabi, a town within Krabi province—home to 80 islands in the Andaman Sea. Settle into your accommodation, then head to the beach to catch one of the region's famous sunsets before exploring this relaxed resort town's restaurants and bars.

Day 11: Cruise to Ko Phi Phi Ley & Ko Phi Phi Don

Pack your swimsuit and make your way to Nopparatthara Pier to hop on a full-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi Islands, an island group between Phuket and the Straits of Melaka. Cruise to Ko Phi Phi Ley to see Maya Bay, a beautiful cove you may recognize from the movie "The Beach." Admire the iconic bay from the boat before cruising to Pi Leh Bay on the other side of the island. Jump into the pristine waters for a refreshing swim, then cruise to Viking Cave to see the ancient paintings lining its interior and the edible bird's nests locals harvest for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Cruise to Ko Phi Phi Don to visit Monkey Beach, named after the resident monkey population frolicking along the shoreline or in the nearby jungle. Have lunch at a local restaurant on the island, then cruise to Bamboo Island to swim in the crystal clear water, snorkel to see the marine life of the Andaman Sea, or lie on the white sand beach. Finally, return to Krabi in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel to relax before dinner.

Day 12: Day Trip to Ko Hong With Kayaking

Spend another day on the water as you head to Ao Thalane Pier in the morning, where you'll board a long-tail boat to Ko Hong. This pristine island, only accessible by boat, is renowned for its turquoise lagoons, white sandy beaches, and colorful marine life. When you arrive, you'll be greeted with lush greenery and dramatic limestone cliffs. Disembark and switch to a kayak to discover the narrow passages between towering formations and hidden lagoons around the island. The water here is so clear that you'll see the vibrant marine life below as you paddle, including starfish, sea turtles, and clownfish.

If you'd rather stay on land, relax on Pilay Beach, featuring powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters. Go for a stroll under the palm trees, feed the fish, or bask in the sun before enjoying a picnic lunch on the beach. When you've had your fill of delicious treats, enjoy some more free time swimming or kayaking. Then, after the eight-hour tour, return by long-tail boat to the pier and transfer to your hotel.

Day 13: Transfer to Phuket, Explore Thailand's Largest Island

Bid farewell to Krabi and the mainland this morning as you set off on a three-hour transfer to Phuket, Thailand's largest island. After checking into your hotel, relax and enjoy the amenities or venture out to one of the island's many beaches, such as Patong Beach. By day, you can enjoy the sun on the expansive sandy shores or partake in water sports, such as parasailing, riding the banana boat, or jet skiing. In the evening, watch the beach transform into a hotspot of entertainment, with an array of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants coming alive as darkness falls.

Day 14: Boat Tour of Ao Phang Nga National Park

Day 15: Explore Old Phuket Town or Visit Phuket FantaSea

Your penultimate day in Thailand is free to spend as you wish. You could soak up the sun on the beach or head to Old Phuket Town, renowned for its well-preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture. Admire the colorful buildings with ornate facades and intricate tilework that house quaint cafés, stylish boutiques, and local art galleries showcasing paintings, photography, and mixed media. If you're visiting on a Sunday, wait until darkness falls to visit the weekly night market along Ratchadamnoen Road. Browse the stalls full of traditional textiles, handmade crafts, and delicious street food. 

For amusement park fun, opt for an evening at Phuket FantaSea instead. This cultural theme park has three sections: a small village that resembles a whimsical carnival, a theater that hosts a grand nightly performance, and a dining area with an extensive buffet serving international and Thai dishes. At show time, head to the theater to watch the performance, which features elaborate costumes, dramatic dance routines, special effects, and a captivating storyline showcasing Thailand's rich cultural heritage.

Day 16: Depart Phuket

Spend your final morning in Thailand soaking up the sun on one of Phuket's beaches, like Kata Beach, an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying gentle waves. The area is also dotted with cafés and restaurants, so you can enjoy local dishes like pla pao (grilled fish seasoned with Thai herbs) or moo pad krapow talay (stir-fried seafood cooked with Thai basil, chili, and garlic), overlooking the water. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags, meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!