Thailand Beaches & City Highlights: Phuket, Krabi & Bangkok - 10 Days

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Phuket

Day 3: Full-Day Phi Phi Islands Tour by Boat

Get ready for an adventure in paradise as you embark on a full-day boat tour to the Phi Phi Islands, world-renowned for their clear, jewel-toned waters and jungle-topped limestone cliffs. Meet your crew, pick up snorkeling equipment at the Phuket pier, and then board your speedboat for the hour-long, 29-mile (46 km) crossing to the Phi Phi Islands. On the smaller island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, visit impossibly stunning Maya Bay, made famous by the 2000 movie The Beach, as well as other picturesque inlets, Loh Samah Bay and Pi Leh Cove.

Break for lunch at a restaurant on the main island of Koh Phi Phi Don, then get back on the boat and head to Monkey Beach, a beautiful, jungle-backed stretch of sand where playful long-tailed macaques hang out (and often pilfer tourists' snacks). On your cruise back to Phuket, stop at the relaxed islet of Koh Khai, where you'll have a chance to swim and snorkel among colorful fish and coral reefs in shallow, crystalline waters. Your evening plans after this sun-filled day are up to you—whether it's a low-key dinner and early bedtime or a power nap and venturing out to a nightclub.

Day 4: Free Day in Phuket

Today you'll enjoy a full day at leisure to spend however you see fit. Exploring the beaches is at the top of most people's list while in Phuket, and with dozens of world-class, white-sand options around the island, there is a beach for everyone and all moods here. For the most buzzing beach scene with water sports, restaurants, and bars galore, check out Patong and its festive main drag, Bangla Road. To the south, the beaches of Karon and Kata are slightly more chill while still offering all the amenities you need. Or, for a different vibe, hop on a long-tail boat to the secluded Freedom Beach.

Day 5: Transfer to Krabi & Free Day

This morning, transfer to the stunning seaside resort of Krabi, about a 2.5-hour drive away on mainland Thailand's west coast. Once you check in at your hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. If you do nothing else on Krabi, see Railay Beach, with its tooth-like limestone rocks jutting up at the end of a golden crescent of sand. Railay is only accessible by boat, but it's easy to grab an informal water shuttle from Krabi. In the heart of Krabi town, Ao Nang Beach is another excellent sandy stretch with plenty of services—plus more dramatic cliffs, making a perfect backdrop for your vacation photos.

Not surprisingly, with limestone cliffs in every direction, Krabi is also a hotspot for rock climbing, and local outfitters can organize climbs for all skill and experience levels. After your day's adventures, catch the sunset from one of Krabi's many waterfront restaurants and bars. Later in the evening, you can stroll around the energetic Ao Nang Landmark Night Market, which has street food vendors, clothing and souvenir shops, and live entertainment.

Day 6: Four Islands Tour by Boat

Spend the day on a speedboat tour exploring some picturesque Andaman Sea islands just west of Krabi. Start by visiting the iconic Railay peninsula and Phra Nang Beach, which has fine white sand and clear, shallow water perfect for swimming. It's also home to Princess Cave, a fertility shrine with eyebrow-raising, anatomically shaped offerings. Then, proceed to the tiny island of Koh Tub and view its famous Talay Waek ("separated sea") phenomenon, where sandbars connect three neighboring islets at low tide.

Next, boat over to Koh Kai, nicknamed "Chicken Island" for its striking karst outcrop that resembles a bird's neck and head. Enjoy lunch at Koh Kai's beach, then head to your last stop of the day, Koh Poda, where you'll swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters and lounge on a white sand beach. After your boat tour concludes in the late afternoon, the rest of the evening—your last in Krabi before heading to Bangkok—is at leisure.

Day 7: Fly to Bangkok & Free Afternoon

Check out of your Krabi hotel this morning and take a short, 90-minute flight to Bangkok. After getting settled in at your new accommodation, you're free to explore Bangkok on your own for the rest of the day. A classic way to get your first taste of Bangkok is to go around in a tuk-tuk, the motorized rickshaws that are everywhere and easy to hail. Ask the driver to take you to Wat Pho and Wat Arun, must-see temples that aren't part of your tour on day 9. (Tuk-tuk pro tip: agree on the fare ahead of time, and be clear that you don't want to make extra stops to browse jewelry, suits, or anything else along the way.)

For shopping, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the city's most famous bazaar for everything from fashion to street eats. Or, hit the trendy Srinakarin Train Night Market, known for its food stalls, bar, and vintage wares. Bangkok also boasts several glossy (and air-conditioned!) mega-malls—which are destinations unto themselves with dining, entertainment, and eye-popping design. If you only have time to visit one, Icon Siam is a fabulous choice right on the Chao Phraya River.

Day 8: Full-Day Safari World & Marine Park Tour

Today, you'll head out of the city for a day trip to Safari World and Marine Park, about 25 miles (40 km) away. While in the park, you'll ride a safari bus through an open, African-style range with animals such as tigers, lions, zebras, rhinos, and more. Keep an eye out for the exciting lion and tiger feeding times, where the big cats climb all over a caged vehicle while park staff inside hand them morsels of meat.

Day 9: Full-Day Floating Market & Grand Palace Tour

Wake up early for a full-day guided tour of some of Bangkok's most fascinating cultural attractions. First, you'll head to the canals of Ratchaburi Province, just west of the city, where you'll board a small, traditional boat to explore the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here, in a colorful network of narrow waterways, local vendors on simple wooden boats or waterside stands sell a wide range of handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs, plus a kaleidoscopic array of tropical fruit that begs to be photographed.

After the floating market, return to the city and spend the afternoon discovering the Grand Palace, Bangkok's largest and best-known landmark. Built in the late 1700s as the residence of the kings of Siam, the monumental royal complex is an impressive site with ornate, colorful rooflines and shiny spires at every turn. As you explore the vast grounds with your guide, you'll enter the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Palace itself, and opulent pavilions. After finishing the Grand Palace tour, you'll have one final free evening in Bangkok before wrapping up your Thailand adventure.

Day 10: Depart Bangkok

Time to say goodbye to Thailand. Savor a bit more of that tropical fruit and Thai coffee at breakfast—and maybe treat yourself to one last scenic tuk-tuk ride—before heading to the airport for the flight home.

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