Highlights
- Take private tours of temples, palaces, and markets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
- Explore UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya and the ancient city of Lamphun
- Spend a day with elephants and visit hill tribe villages in northern Thailand
- Laze on Phuket's white-sand beaches and enjoy a sunset yacht cruise
- Stay in an ocean-view villa on Ko Yao Yai and kayak in Phang Nga Bay
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok, Traditional Thai Cooking Class | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Visit Bangkok's Markets, Palaces & Temples | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Explore Ancient Ayutthaya | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Fly to Chiang Mai, Explore | Chiang Mai |
| Day 5 | Visit Doi Suthep Temple & Hill Tribe Villages | Chiang Mai |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Lamphun | Chiang Mai |
| Day 7 | Jungle Elephant Sanctuary Visit | Chiang Mai |
| Day 8 | Fly to Phuket, Explore the Island | Phuket |
| Day 9 | Private Sunset Dinner Cruise | Phuket |
| Day 10 | Visit Phuket's Old Town & Markets | Phuket |
| Day 11 | Ferry to Ko Yao Yai, Explore the Island | Ko Yao Yai |
| Day 12 | Guided Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay | Ko Yao Yai |
| Day 13 | Explore Ko Yao Yai | Ko Yao Yai |
| Day 14 | Return to Phuket, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Traditional Thai Cooking Class
Welcome to Thailand! Touch down in the frenetic capital Bangkok, which is famed for its chaotic energy, tasty street food, nightlife, and Buddhist sights. Your driver will take you to the five-star Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, where you'll settle into your suite overlooking the Chao Phraya River. The resort is set among 11 acres (4.5 ha) of gardens and features a range of high-end restaurants, a pool, and the Spice Spoons Spa.
Later, get a taste of Thai cuisine with a private cooking class. An expert chef from Silom Thai Cooking School will take you to the market to shop for ingredients. Peruse colorful produce and herbs, watching locals barter for goods. Back at the cooking school, you'll learn to make and then feast on Thai dishes such as geang khew waan gai (green chicken curry) and mango sticky rice.
Return to your hotel afterward for a relaxing evening or explore Bangkok independently. Watch the sunset from Wat Saket, an ornate hilltop temple, and continue your food journey with a trip to the Michelin-starred street food stall, Jay Fai, where you can try their famous crab omelet.
Day 2: Visit Bangkok's Markets, Palaces & Temples
Start the day early with a privately-guided trip to Khlong Lat Mayom, an authentic floating market where vendors sell produce and cook delicious snacks from tiny wooden boats. Get a glimpse of local life while you wander the market, stopping to buy some exotic fruit or a classic hoi tod (oyster omelet). Next, you'll visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn (named after the Indian dawn god, Aruna), followed by a ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Pho. This temple was founded during the 16th century and houses a giant, 150-foot-long (46 m) reclining Buddha statue whose feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Take a break for lunch before touring the Grand Palace, a complex of temples and palaces built in 1782, which served as the royal family's home for 150 years. Today, the palace is used for royal ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and state banquets. Highlights include the Reception Hall, Coronation Hall, and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha statue.
Hop on a tuk-tuk next to Chatuchak Weekend Market. With more than 15,000 stalls, it's one of the world's biggest outdoor markets and sells everything from clothes and flowers to food and antiques. Pick up some souvenirs and sample some street food snacks before returning to your resort. Anantara's rooftop bar, SEEN, is a great place to sip cocktails with twinkling skyline views.
Day 3: Explore Ancient Ayutthaya
This morning starts early with a one-hour private transfer north from Bangkok to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Ayutthaya, passing through verdant countryside and paddy fields. This 14th-century archaeological site was once the capital of the Siam Kingdom, and today, you can stroll among the ruins of its palaces, temples, and monasteries.
With the help of a private guide, you'll explore highlights such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a 15th-century temple complex with three impressive bell-shaped pagodas, and Wat Mahathat, which is famed for its colossal banyan tree entwined with a statue of a Buddha. Ramble through tree-shaded Bueng Phra Ram Park, scattered with ruins and a serene pond, then learn about Ayutthaya's colonial history at the Portuguese Archeological Museum. After the tour, drive back to Bangkok for a final night in the vibrant capital.
Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai, Explore
Say goodbye to Bangkok this morning and fly north to Chiang Mai. Set in the mountainous north of Thailand, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and still retains its moat-encircled Old City. This cultural mecca is home to historical architecture and over 300 temples where orange-robed monks live and worship.
Your driver will take you to Na Nirand Resort, set on the banks of the Ping River just east of the Old City. The atmospheric property is designed in signature 19th-century half-wood Lanna colonial style and set among indigenous trees. Check into your lavish suite, complete with rattan furniture, wooden carvings, and Lanna textiles created by Thai artisans, and cool off in the pool.
After settling in, wander through the streets of the Old City. Chiang Mai's largest central market, Warorot, is a highlight, where locals sell fresh fruit, flowers, and vegetables. For an introduction to the city's temples, visit Chiang Mai's oldest, Wat Chiang Man, and Wat Chedi Luang, built in Lanna style with a towering stupa. Wat Phra Singh is the place to watch a fiery sunset, then make your way to the Night Bazaar to shop for everything from clothing to paintings and handicrafts.
Day 5: Visit Doi Suthep Temple & Hill Tribe Villages
After breakfast, your private driver will take you on a journey up a windy road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple atop the mountain. Climb the 309 steps of the naga staircase to the temple's pagodas and copper-plated chedi, which contain relics of Lord Buddha. To show respect, circle the pagoda three times in an anticlockwise direction. The views of Chiang Mai from the temple set at 3,500 feet (1,066 m) above sea level, are spectacular.
Next, drive along a mountain road to discover villages home to Thailand's highland communities, often referred to as hill tribes. These belong to groups such as the Hmong, Karen, and Shan, whose ancestors originate from Myanmar and China. Each community has its own unique dress, language, and history. You'll visit a White Hmong village to meet the residents and learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
Drive back to Chiang Mai in the mid-afternoon and rest before your private evening food tour of the city. Board a tuk-tuk and journey to Warorot, the city's century-old market. Browse the stalls, stopping to sample seasonal fruit and sai oua (northern Thai sausage), accompanied by iced tea. Next, continue to the Night Bazaar, where you'll try typical dishes such as khao kha moo (stewed pork leg) and bua loi (fresh coconut milk dessert).
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Day Trip to Lamphun
Venture well off the beaten tourist trail today with a trip to Lamphun, an ancient city 25 miles (40 km) south of Chiang Mai. Established in the ninth century, it's one of the oldest hubs in Thailand and once served as the capital of the powerful kingdom of Haripunchai. Like Chiang Mai, Lamphun is dotted with temples and encircled by ruinous walls and a moat but is barely visited by tourists, so it enjoys a traditional, undisturbed feel.
Start your private tour at Wat Phra That Haripunchai, built in the 12th century by King Haripunchai; the focal point is a striking 167-foot-tall (51 m) golden pagoda thought to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Continue to Wat Jammathevee, which features a unique chedi that was famously struck by lightning, then end with a walk through Pa Sang village, where you'll see locals weaving textiles on looms.
Return to Chiang Mai after the tour for some rest and relaxation at your hotel. Lounge by the pool or indulge in a Thai massage at the opulent Na Nirand Spa, then have dinner at the resort's TIME Riverfront Cuisine and Bar, set beside the Ping River.
Day 7: Jungle Elephant Sanctuary Visit
Rise early for today's private elephant jungle expedition, heading an hour out of the city to the Chai Lai Orchid Ecolodge, which lies along the Mae Wang River. The lodge is home to a herd of rescued elephants who live in this protected jungle sanctuary. Your visit helps support the elephants' care and contributes to Daughters Rising, a program that empowers marginalized women.
Meet the elephants and their dedicated carers, helping to feed and prepare medicine for these gentle giants. You'll learn how to communicate with the animals and walk with them through the jungle to bathe and play in the river together. At lunchtime, have a Thai-style picnic by a crashing waterfall followed by a hike through the forest and sun-dappled rice fields, your guide pointing out native plants along the way. End with a refreshing swim in the waterfall, surrounded by the jungle.
Day 8: Fly to Phuket, Explore the Island
Say goodbye to Bangkok this morning and fly an hour south to Phuket, Thailand's largest island. Set on the Andaman Coast, Phuket is known for its powdery beaches, neon nightlife, and world-class resorts. The island is also home to diverse landscapes ranging from dense rainforest to palm-fringed beaches and craggy limestone cliffs.
Your driver will be waiting to take you to The Shore at Katathani, a peaceful adult-only resort. Check into your luxury pool villa, set in a secluded cove overlooking the beach of Kata Noi and surrounded by gardens. Villa features include an infinity pool, sunken lounge, and sea views. The award-winning resort also offers various dining experiences, including six-course seafront feasts and candlelit cove meals.
Spend the rest of the day chilling in your villa, or explore Phuket independently. Start in the Old Town with its 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese architecture. Visit the Baan Chinpracha Mansion, a testament to the island's tin mining history, as well as Thai temples, markets, Chinese shrines, and museums.
Day 9: Private Sunset Dinner Cruise
Today is yours to enjoy Phuket at your own pace. Bask by your resort's beach-front infinity pools, or take advantage of the on-site yoga and cooking classes. For some real indulgence, book a session at The Shore's Serenity Spa, which offers a range of decadent massages, facials, and a herbal steam bath. For beach time, the soft sands of Kata Noi are right on your doorstep, or you can travel farther afield to Phuket's popular Freedom and Nai Harn Beaches.
In the late afternoon, board a private yacht for a sunset dinner cruise with views over the flawless Promthep Cape. Watch the sun paint the sky shades of yellow and pink as you sail past Nai Harn, Rawai, and Krating Cape, then anchor up for a sumptuous barbecue dinner. Afterward, head back to your villa for a restful evening.
Day 10: Visit Phuket's Old Town & Markets
Spend today exploring Phuket's lively markets and historic Old Town with a private driver and guide. Begin at the modern Banzaan Market, where you'll browse stalls heaving with fresh produce and a food court offering typical dishes, from pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles) to tom yum (hot and sour soup) and som tum (green papaya salad).
Continue to the popular Jungceylon Shopping Mall for retail therapy before heading to the Old Town, where you'll peruse handicraft and textile stores. End the day at one of Phuket's sprawling night markets. Chilya Market offers food and fashion in upcycled shipping containers, or if you're visiting on a Sunday, catch the Phuket Walking Street Market.
Day 11: Ferry to Ko Yao Yai, Explore the Island
Bid farewell to Phuket today and take a ferry 20 minutes east to Ko Yao Yai. This lesser-visited island is an ecotourism hotspot located between Phuket and Krabi in the Andaman Sea and boasts sandy shores, lush mangroves, rubber plantations, and quaint fishing villages. Visitors are drawn to the island for its marine-rich waters that are perfect for snorkeling, as well as diving at Shark Point and King Cruiser Wreck.
Your driver will greet you at the port for the trip to luxurious Seangsuree Villas, which lies a few steps from Laem Had Beach and its famous sandbank. Settle into your private villa, which has a terrace overlooking the islet-spotted Phang Nga Bay, complete with a Jacuzzi. Other villa highlights include a fully-equipped kitchen and access to the resort's beachfront infinity pool, set in landscaped gardens.
Day 12: Guided Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay
Slip into the slow pace of island life today. Sunbathe by the pool, walk along the beach, and snorkel in the azure water to spot biodiverse marine life. You'll also enjoy a guided kayaking adventure in Phang Nga Bay, home to a world of limestone karsts, caves, and hidden lagoons known as hongs.
Glide across the waters, slipping into the enchanting hidden lagoons as you please. As you paddle, look for marine life in the mirror-clear water below and take in views of the bay's staggering rock formations. Afterward, savor a well-earned soak in your Jacuzzi back at the villa before treating yourself to a seafood meal at one of the island's beachfront restaurants.
Day 13: Explore Ko Yao Yai
Relish a final day on Ko Yao Yai at your leisure. Rent a scooter to explore, witnessing rural island life along the way, stopping to wander through quiet fishing villages and sunbathe in talcum-sand coves lapped by the sea. Favorite local beaches include Loh Pared and Khlong Son.
Alternatively, take a nature walk along jungle trails, where you'll likely spot everything from monkeys to colorful birds and deer. Shop for souvenirs in one of the rustic market towns and meet artisans who create intricate batik paintings. End your day with a sunset stroll and dine on traditional Thai food beneath a star-filled sky.
Day 14: Return to Phuket, Depart
Today your Thailand beach break comes to an end. Take a boat back to Phuket, followed by a private transfer to the airport in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!
More Great Thailand Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Thailand in luxury, or learn about the best time to visit Thailand.
Map
