Thailand Revealed: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park & Khao Lak - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Chiang Mai

Welcome to Chiang Mai! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. After check-in, take some time to discover this city in mountainous northern Thailand at your own pace. Its Old City area retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. You'll also find hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, diverse hill tribes, tea plantations, and elephant sanctuaries in the surrounding area.

You could start with a visit to Worarot Market to browse its tropical fruits, local delicacies, and fragrant flowers. If you love temples, visit Wat Chedi Luang, home to Chiang Mai's most prominent Buddhist chedi and a prime example of Lanna architecture. Continue to Wat Chiang Man, the city's oldest temple, and be sure to catch a spectacular sunset at Wat Phra Singh. As darkness falls, stroll the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, famous for its handicrafts and portrait paintings. Rub shoulders with the locals as you find jewelry, clothing, and food vendors for an authentic dinner.

Day 2: Discover the Chiang Mai Countryside by Motorcycle, Khantoke Dinner

Today you'll join a local guide to explore quiet villages, taste incredible local food, and experience the traditions of rural Thailand on the back of a motorcycle. Start at the iconic Tha Phae Gate, leaving the city behind as you take in amazing views of vast rural landscapes and mountain vistas. Next, visit a traditional Thai farmhouse to discover age-old farming techniques. Stop in at an elephant sanctuary before having lunch, set in lush tropical flower gardens run by The Royal Project supporting Thai ethnic minorities. Lastly, head to a hilltop temple with a Buddha statue for incredible panoramic views. 

Tonight, you'll relax in an informal setting while dining on delicious northern Thai cuisine known as Khantoke, named for a rattan tray used for serving food by the Lanna Thai people. Enjoy various Thai dishes and authentic northern music during the meal. Dancers will entertain you with traditional performances, including a selection of hill tribe dances performed by the Akha, Yao, Lisu, and Karen tribes to round up this entertaining evening. 

Day 3: Fly to Bangkok, Explore the Capital

Get ready for a change of scenery as you head for Bangkok today. After a short flight, a driver will meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Settle in, then spend the rest of the day getting your bearings in Thailand's capital. Wander this dynamic city, and see the boat-filled Chao Phraya River that feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin Royal District.

Visit Wat Saket, once the highest point in Bangkok, and climb the 320 steps to the top to enjoy the extraordinary views. Later stop by the famous street food restaurant Jay Fai, Bangkok's first street food stall to be awarded a Michelin star. Finish sightseeing by heading to Khao San Road for a beer and people-watching.

Day 4: Bicycle Adventure, Bangkok Half-Day City Tour

Experience Bangkok by bike this morning, as your driver picks you up and takes you to the tour's starting point. After a short briefing, you'll hop on a ferry boat to the other side of the city, called Bang Kachao or "The Green Lung of Bangkok."  Here you'll cycle on elevated pathways through lush vegetation in the shade of coconut palms and banana trees. During the ride, stop at a local restaurant for a typical Thai meal like pad thai or kao pad (fried noodles or fried rice). After lunch, return to the pier, where you'll take a ferry back to Bangkok.

In the afternoon, visit the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. Admire the beautiful architecture and learn how the royals use different halls for different purposes. Next, visit Wat Pho, where you'll find the sacred 151-foot (46 m) Reclining Buddha, whose feet are beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl, carved with holy signs. Later head to Chinatown for a lively atmosphere where you can see street stalls, restaurants, and diverse menus. This bustling area will give you the true vibe of Bangkok's street food and nightlife. Choose a restaurant and enjoy the diverse cuisine in this part of town.

Day 5: Transfer to Khao Sok National Park, River Rafting & Organic Cooking

Say your goodbyes to Bangkok as you fly to Surat Thani, the gateway to Thailand's southern islands, hidden parks, and idyllic beaches. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to take you on the two-hour drive to Khao Sok National Park. Once settled in at your hotel, cast off on the Khao Sok River to explore its pristine waters aboard Thailand's oldest form of transport, the bamboo raft. Ancient trading routes once stretched from the Andaman Sea on the west coast to the Gulf of Thailand on the east, relying solely on the Khao Sok River.

Led by a guide, float along a slow-meandering river with the lush jungle towering above. Relax, take in the surroundings, and perhaps spot some exotic wildlife. Along the river, there is the opportunity to hike through the jungle and a rubber tree plantation to a cave. Here, learn to boil water in a bamboo stem over an open fire, and brew a unique-tasting tea or coffee just as those on this ancient trade route once did. 

 

Later, you'll have the option to join an organic farm cooking experience. Go back in time to discover how to select produce before learning to cook a selection of traditional Thai dishes with organic seasonal ingredients at nearby Rungfah Organic Farm. After learning these dishes and other cooking techniques, sit down in the sumptuous surroundings of Khao Sok National Park to savor the fruits of your labor.

Day 6: Boat Trip on Cheow Lan Lake

Discover Khao Sok National Park's hidden gem, Cheow Lan Lake, a stunning body of water where natural beauty abounds. Also known as Ratchaprabha Dam, it spans an incredible 102 miles (165 km) and is the heart and soul of the jungle. The lake is a popular tourist attraction and offers several options for travelers who want to explore its inviting waters.

Today's day trip allows ample time to explore the water's wonders; visit a raft house, one of Khao Sok National Park's famous floating bungalows, where you will have time to swim and relax, or rent a kayak and explore the lake's beautiful surroundings. In addition, you can trek around the lake's shore along local trails to discover hidden waterfalls and caves. Around sunset, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 7: Transfer to Khao Lak, Explore Takua Pa

It's time to head to the beach today, as your driver picks you up at your hotel for the one-hour drive south to the resort of Khao Lak, where you'll spend the rest of your trip. Translating to "white sand beach," Khao Lak is known for its soft white sands along the Andaman Sea, and it's considered by many to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your hotel and will have some free time to relax, do some sunbathing, and go for a swim. 

In the afternoon, you could head to the quiet town of Takua Pa to explore its charming little Old Town, full of well-preserved colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture. For something more active, a drive north takes you to an area known as the Little Amazon, where you can explore its network of rivers by kayak. Paddle through lush mangrove forests and spot monkeys, snakes, and birds like kingfishers along the way. Head back to Khao Lok in time for a glorious sunset and a beachside dinner.

Day 8: Snorkel the Similan Islands

Grab your swimsuits and your sunscreen as you board a speedboat and set off to discover the Similan Islands today. This archipelago of nine isles is located off the coast of Khao Lak—and four of the pristine islands are open to the public. The entire archipelago is a national park that protects its unspoiled coastlines and offshore coral reefs. You'll take advantage of these great marine conditions on a full-day tour of the islands.

During the morning portion of the trip, a speedboat will take you to a couple of great snorkeling spots where you'll have a total of two hours in the water with an experienced guide. Around noon, you'll stop at an island and enjoy lunch on the beach. Following this, you can embark on a short hike up to a lookout point offering great views over the bay. Enjoy more snorkeling in the afternoon during which you can spot tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, moray eels, seahorses, and possibly even reef sharks. Afterward, you'll return to Khao Lak.

Day 9: Transfer to Phuket & Depart 

It is time to say goodbye to your beach paradise as your Thailand adventure draws to a close. After a free morning, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to Phuket International Airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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