A Gastronomic Journey Through Thailand: From Bangkok to Phuket - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Explore the Capital at Leisure

Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand's lively capital! Meet your driver in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel to check in. For the rest of the day, you're free to relax at the hotel or explore the city on your own. If you land on Saturday or Sunday, a good place to start is the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Spanning over 35 acres (14 ha), this sprawling market features over 15,000 stalls, making it one of the largest markets in the world. As you navigate the maze of vendors, you'll discover a treasure trove of items ranging from Thai handicrafts and vintage clothing to delicious street food and home decor.

Adjacent to the market, you'll find Chatuchak Park, where you can take a leisurely stroll past lush greenery and tranquil lakes. When darkness falls, make your way to Khao San Road, a bustling street lined with vibrant shops, bars, and street food stalls. Continue shopping for souvenirs or indulge in local delights like som tum (papaya salad), grilled meat skewers, or roti (Thai-style crepe typically filled with banana and drizzled with condensed milk). End your first night in Thailand with a cold beer or cocktail before returning to your hotel.

Day 2: Half-Day City Tour, Food Tour in Chinatown

Start your day with a five-hour guided tour of the city, starting at Wat Arun, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is renowned for its Khmer-style tower, which is adorned with colorful porcelain tiles that shimmer in the sunlight. Next, take a local ferry to the opposite pier to visit the Grand Palace, built in 1782 CE as the official residence of the Kings of Siam. Explore the opulent halls, serene gardens, and the revered Wat Phra Kaew, then step inside the temple to see the iconic Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade and one of Thailand's most sacred relics.

Walk to the nearby temple, Wat Pho, home to the impressive 150-foot-long (46 m) reclining Buddha statue covered in gold leaf. As you wander the grounds, you'll also see intricate murals, towering stupas, and a Thai massage school. In the evening, head to Chinatown to experience the city's vibrant food culture on a two-hour food tour. If you're feeling adventurous, try fried scorpions or bamboo worms; otherwise, take your pick of Thai and Chinese cuisines. Wash everything down with Thai iced tea or freshly squeezed fruit juice, leaving room for dessert, like sticky mango, before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Bicycle Tour Across Bang Krachao

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours as you set off on a half-day bicycle tour across Bang Krachao, the "green lung of Bangkok," which covers 6.18 square miles (16 km2). Meet your driver at your hotel and transfer to the tour office, where you'll complete a short briefing, pick up your bicycle, and hop on a ferry to reach the tour's starting point. When you arrive, follow your guide along the park's winding paths under the shade of coconut palms and banana trees surrounded by mangroves and lush vegetation.

Cycle along a maze of elevated concrete pathways and wooden bridges through quaint villages, where you'll stop at a temple, school, park, and a Muay Thai gym. For lunch, hop off the bike at a local restaurant to savor typical Thai dishes, like pad thai (stir-fried noodles) or khao pad (fried rice) with shrimp, crab, pork, chicken, or vegetables. After refueling, pedal to the pier and take the ferry back to the city to enjoy a free afternoon and evening.

Day 4: Chao Phraya Princess Cruise with Dinner

Enjoy a free morning to relax at the hotel or explore the capital at your own pace. If you want to return to nature, head to Lumpini Park for a stroll around the tranquil lake and well-maintained gardens. Rent a paddleboat for a leisurely ride on the lake or simply sit back on a bench to watch the locals go about their day-to-day lives. For a more educational morning, visit the Bangkok National Museum, the largest museum in Southeast Asia. Peruse the extensive collection of artifacts, art, and exhibits spanning centuries, from ancient to modern times.

In the early evening, transfer to the pier for your dinner cruise aboard the Chao Phraya Princess. Enjoy a welcome drink and snacks while you take in the views of the city's illuminated landmarks. Choose from an array of international and Thai dishes from the buffet. Then, sit back and relax as you cruise along the river, accompanied by live musicians performing smooth jazz. After dinner, hit the dance floor or visit the observation deck for another look at the sparkling city skyline. Once you disembark, your driver will be waiting at the pier to transfer you back to your hotel.

Day 5: Fly to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, Explore at Leisure

Say goodbye to Bangkok this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Chiang Mai, nestled in the mountainous region of northern Thailand. After checking in at your hotel, you're free to explore on your own. Consider a stroll along Nimmanhaemin Road to discover the mix of stylish cafés, art galleries, and boutiques. Stop for a freshly brewed coffee or a baked good before continuing to the nearby Wat Suan Dok. Wander through the 14th-century temple grounds and admire the impressive golden stupa surrounded by white chedis (shrines) that house the ashes of members of the royal family. 

If you're visiting on a Sunday, end your day at the Sunday Night Market on Ratchadamnoen Road. Explore the bustling hub filled with artisans, food vendors, and performers. Shop for souvenirs amid the handmade crafts, jewelry, and clothing, or indulge in local delicacies like khao soi (creamy coconut curry noodle soup) or nam prik long (chili dip made from ground pork and tomatoes, typically served with fresh vegetables for dipping). Then, visit one of the city's rooftop bars for a drink or return to your hotel for the night. 

Day 6: Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Evening Vespa Tour

Join your guide today on a tour of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred 14th-century temple perched atop Thailand's highest peak. After the two-hour transfer, ascend 306 steps to the temple gateway, guarded by two mythological half-human, half-serpent beings called nagas. At the top, marvel at the sparkling gold pagoda surrounded by ornate decorations and intricate murals. Walk through the temple grounds, admiring the parasols, bells, gongs, and pillars all covered in gold. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside before heading down the mountain to visit a White Hmong Hill-Tribe village.

Learn about the villagers, originally from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, before returning to the city for a four-hour Vespa tour. Zip through the winding back streets, stopping at an evening market to browse the colorful stalls and pick up typical northern Thai snacks. Ride farther to a venue where you'll learn how to make som tum (papaya salad). Back on the Vespa, travel over an old iron bridge and through the bustling avenues to a local restaurant for dinner. Then, head to your last stop and wrap up the evening with a refreshing beer or cocktail and live music.

Day 7: Day Trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary 

After an early breakfast, meet your driver for a 1.5-hour transfer through the northern Thai countryside to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Upon arrival at a Karen (Indigenous hill tribe) village, you'll set off on a 15-minute walk to the sanctuary with a local guide. Change into traditional hill-tribe clothing and enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior, as well as the sanctuary's efforts to rescue and rehabilitate elephants that have been mistreated or used for labor.

Then, feed, interact, and play with the gentle giants before lunch. Around noon, sit down for a traditional Thai meal before walking alongside the elephants to the river. When you arrive, take part in the bathing and brushing process and join the elephants in a therapeutic mud spa. Swim with the elephants to wash off the mud, then dry off and change back into regular clothes before saying goodbye to the elephants and returning to your Chiang Mai hotel.

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

Bid farewell to Chiang Mai this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Surat Thani, the gateway to the Khao Sok National Park. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer two hours to your cozy cabin within the park, thought to be the oldest rainforest in the world and known for its towering limestone cliffs. Spend your first afternoon hiking through lush jungle to hidden waterfalls, kayaking across the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake, or bird watching to spot some of the 300 species that live here. After a day of exploring the park, return to the hotel for a delicious dinner. 

Day 9: Cook With Bamboo at a Jungle Camp, Night Safari

Your first morning in the national park is free to spend as you wish. You could relax at your cabin, swim in the tranquil lake, or go for a leisurely walk. Around 4:30 pm, meet your guide in the reception area and head to the jungle camp to learn the local craft of bamboo cooking. Discover how all the cooking utensils, dishes, and containers are crafted from bamboo, then start your own fire. While it heats up, you'll prepare various Thai dishes, like green curry, barbecue chicken, and rice (all wrapped and cooked in bamboo tubes), and bamboo fiber pancakes.

When your meal is ready, savor it by the riverside on the camp's cozy platform near the fireplace, and for dessert, roast marshmallows over the open fire. If you're not too tired, join your guide on a night safari to search for nocturnal creatures. You may spot civets, Malayan sun bears, and wild boars searching for food or various species of bats flying overhead. Listen for the distinctive calls of owls or try to spot their illuminated eyes in the trees before returning to your cabin.

Day 10: Boat Tour of Cheow Lan Lake

Spend a full day on and around the emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake, created in 1982 CE when the Rajjaprabha Dam was constructed on the Surat Thani River, flooding the area. Board a boat and glide past towering limestone karsts, tropical vegetation, and hidden caves before stopping at one of the park's famous raft houses—a floating bungalow. Enjoy some free time here swimming and relaxing, or rent a kayak for a closer look at the lake's beautiful surroundings.

As you paddle, keep an eye out for wildlife like hornbills soaring overhead or monkeys frolicking in the trees. You can also trek along trails around the water's edge to discover hidden waterfalls and caves. Savor this chance to admire the park's diverse array of flora, including rattan palms, orchids, and different species of bamboo. Around sunset, transfer by boat back to your cabin. 

Day 11: Transfer to Phuket, Discover Thailand's Largest Island at Leisure

Trade the national park's lush jungles and emerald waters for Phuket's pristine beaches today as you hop on a shuttlebus for a three-hour transfer. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore the country's largest island at your own pace. If you want to relax, head to one of the popular beaches, like Patong or Kata. For a more secluded experience, you can visit Nai Harn Beach instead, as it's nestled in the quieter southern end of the island. 

If you're keen on sightseeing, visit the Big Buddha, an iconic 147-foot-tall (45 m) statue sitting atop Nakkerd Hill. Climb to the base of the statue and marvel at its sheer scale, then take in panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding islands. End your day with a stroll through Old Phuket Town, known for its colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture. The intricate facades house a variety of cafés, boutiques, and art galleries waiting to be discovered. When you get hungry, visit one of the nearby eateries or head to a beachfront restaurant for a scenic dinner.

Day 12: Speedboat Tour of Phang Nga Bay's Islands

Discover the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay today as you transfer to the pier for a speedboat tour. Cruise to Ko Panak and stop at Hoy Tib, better known as Bat Cave, as it's home to thousands of bats. Enter the cave by boat and look up at the stalactites and bats hanging from the ceiling. Then, disembark for a walk around I-Tim Cave, known for its towering stalagmites, and Diamond Cave, named for its crystal-like structures that shimmer in the light. Continue to Ko Hong, where you can switch to a canoe and paddle around Hong Lagoon.

As soon as you enter the lagoon, you'll be surrounded by limestone cliffs that rise dramatically on all sides, creating an enclosed environment that feels like a secret paradise. The water is clear enough to see the colorful fish darting beneath the surface. Stop at Ko Panyi, a picturesque fishing village built on stilts, for lunch. After refueling, head to Ko Tapu, famously known as James Bond Island, as it was featured in the movie, "The Man with the Golden Gun." Enjoy some free time to swim and relax on the beach, then return to the pier and transfer back to your hotel before sunset.

Day 13: Go on a Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour

This morning, you'll have some free time to relax on the beach or do a bit of sightseeing on your own. Around 3:00 pm, meet your guide at Jui Tui Shrine for a late afternoon food tour of Phuket Old Town to discover the local gems of this historic trading post. Along the way, you'll enjoy over 14 tastings that reflect the island's complex blend of Thai, Chinese, and Malay culinary influences. Try an array of noodle dishes, like Hokkien noodles (stir-fried egg noodles typically served with shrimp, pork, and vegetables) and wok-fried mee hoon (rice vermicelli paired with vegetables and meat).

You'll also sample appetizers like spring rolls filled with fresh vegetables and rice vermicelli and miang kham (leaf-wrapped bites typically filled with dried shrimp). After four hours of eating your way through the historic streets of the Old Town, return to your hotel with a pleasantly full stomach. 

Day 14: Sunset Dinner Cruise to Promthep Cape

Soak up the sun on one of Phuket's pristine beaches this morning, or relax at your hotel as you're free until 3:00 pm. When it's time, meet your driver in the lobby and transfer to the pier for a sunset catamaran dinner cruise. As you set sail for Promthep Cape, feel the warm breeze and gentle waves, creating a serene atmosphere. Watch the sun slowly dip below the horizon, casting vibrant hues of orange and pink across the sky. Then, enjoy a delicious Thai dinner on board. After three hours on the water, return to the pier and transfer back to your hotel.

Day 15: Traditional Thai Cooking Class With Market Tour

Learn more about Thailand's rich culinary traditions today as you take a half-day Kata Thai Cooking Class. Transfer to Kata, a scenic area of Phuket known for its soft sandy beach and crystal-clear waters, and meet the passionate chef who'll guide you through the lesson. Start with a visit to a local market, where you'll explore the vibrant stalls filled with fresh ingredients, exotic herbs, and spices. Learn how to select the best produce and taste some of the tropical fruits grown in Thailand, like durian or rambutan. 

Ingredients in hand, head to the kitchen and learn how to make a variety of authentic Thai dishes, such as gaeng phed (red curry made with coconut milk, chicken, beef, or tofu, and vegetables), pad thai with shrimp, chicken, or tofu, tom yum (spicy and sour soup with shrimp or seafood), and mango sticky rice (glutinous rice cooked in sweetened coconut milk and topped with mango slices). When everything is ready, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch. After the class, you'll receive the recipes for all the dishes you cooked so you can make them at home.

Day 16: Depart Phuket

Although you're flying home today, you can take advantage of your final few hours in Thailand by soaking up the sun on the beach. If you have some last-minute shopping to do and happen to be leaving on a Saturday or Sunday, visit the Naka Weekend Market. Wander past the myriad stalls, offering everything from clothing and accessories to fresh produce and handmade crafts. Pick up some souvenirs and indulge in local delights like grilled meats, spicy salads, or sweet desserts. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!