Thailand
9 Nights · 10 Days

Land at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — Bangkok's main international airport. Airport Rail Link to city: THB 45 (30 min to central Bangkok). Buy an AIS or TrueMove SIM at the airport arrivals hall (THB 299–399 for tourist data SIM, 30 days). Complete TDAC before landing — have QR code ready at immigration. Evening: Khao San Road or Silom night market for first Thai street food. Jay food stalls open late — look for the yellow flags.

EARLY START (07:00) to beat crowds and heat. Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) — Thailand's most sacred site. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered (long trousers/sarongs available to borrow at gate). Next: Wat Pho — the reclining Buddha (46m long, entirely gold-leafed). Excellent traditional massage school on-site (~THB 420/hr). Afternoon: cross the Chao Phraya by ferry (THB 3) to Wat Arun — the Temple of Dawn, stunning intricate ceramic-mosaic towers. Sunset from the terrace. Return by Chao Phraya Express Boat: buy an orange flag day pass (THB 40, unlimited).

DAWN: Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa Floating Market (1.5 hr from Bangkok — arrange through hotel or Grab Car). Vendors sell fresh tropical fruit and vegetarian Pad Thai from wooden boats on the canals. Return Bangkok mid-morning. Afternoon: Chatuchak Weekend Market (only Saturdays and Sundays — world's largest market, 15,000 stalls, entirely walkable in a BTS hop from Mo Chit station). Or: Asiatique The Riverfront (evening, riverside, markets + restaurants, many vegetarian options). Sunset: rooftop bar with Bangkok skyline — Vertigo at Banyan Tree or Octave at Marriott (entry free, pay for one drink).

Morning flight Chiang Mai. Arrive CNX — take red songthaew (shared truck) to Old City (THB 30–50) or Grab (~THB 120). Check in. Afternoon: explore the Old City on foot or bicycle. Start at the moat — the square ancient walls and moat are intact and walkable. Wat Chedi Luang — a partially ruined Lanna-era chedi (spire) 60m tall, begun in 1391. Wat Phra Singh — classic Lanna-style temple, most important in Chiang Mai. Both free or THB 40. Evening: Sunday Walking Street (if Sunday) or Night Bazaar. Street food dinner: Khao Soi — Chiang Mai's signature coconut curry noodle soup — ask for vegetarian version (Jay Khao Soi available at dedicated stalls).

THE signature Chiang Mai experience — and the most ethically important wildlife encounter in this collection. Elephant Nature Park (ENP) rescues elephants from logging and tourism abuse. Half-day (~USD 75) or full day (~USD 115): walk with elephants, observe natural behaviour, help prepare their food. NO riding, NO bullhook, NO performance. Run by Lek Chailert, ENP is internationally recognised as the gold standard of elephant tourism. Book at elephantnaturepark.org at least 2–3 weeks in advance — it sells out. Vegetarian lunch provided. Return Chiang Mai evening.

Morning: Doi Suthep — the sacred mountain temple overlooking Chiang Mai at 1,080m altitude. Red songthaew from the university gate (THB 40 shared, 30 min). 306 steps up the naga staircase to the gold-spired temple. Panoramic view of Chiang Mai valley below. Afternoon: Thai cooking class — one of the most popular activities in Thailand. Half-day class (~USD 35–40 pp): visit a local market for ingredients, then cook 4–5 dishes including vegetarian Pad Thai, green curry, spring rolls, mango sticky rice. You eat everything you cook. Highly recommended: Grandma's Home Cooking or Thai Farm Cooking School (both do full vegetarian classes).

Morning flight to Krabi (usually via Bangkok — book as one itinerary). Arrive Krabi Airport. Minivan taxi to Ao Nang (THB 150 pp, 45 min) or private taxi (THB 800). Check in. Late afternoon: take a longtail boat from Ao Nang pier to Railay Beach (THB 100 pp, 15 min — only accessible by boat). Railay West has the best calm swimming. Walk to Railay East for the mangroves. Sunset views of the limestone karst silhouettes from the beach. Return by longtail for dinner.

Full-day speedboat tour from Ao Nang pier. Stops: Phi Phi Don (largest island, dramatic double beach), Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh (The Beach filming location — reopened with timed access since 2022, crystal clear water in a natural amphitheatre), snorkelling at Loh Samah Bay and Viking Cave. Vegetarian boxed lunch on the boat — confirm at booking. Return Ao Nang late afternoon. Evening: rock climbing at Railay (beginners' classes on the limestone walls — one of the best beginner climbing destinations in the world) or sunset cocktails from Ao Nang clifftop.

DAWN (06:00): Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) — 1,237 steps up a forest-covered limestone mountain. Hard climb, takes 45–60 min. At the summit: a seated Buddha, a tiger footprint (legend), and arguably the best 360° panoramic view in Thailand — sea, forest, rice paddies, karst cliffs in every direction. Entirely free. Descend by 08:30 before heat. Late morning: sea kayaking through mangroves and limestone caves (book a half-day tour, USD 25–35 pp). Afternoon: final afternoon at Railay — swim at Phra Nang Beach (with its sacred cave shrine), last longtail back to Ao Nang. Pack for departure tomorrow.

Krabi Airport is 45 min from Ao Nang by minivan (THB 150) or taxi (THB 800). Krabi Airport is small and pleasant — allow 2 hours before flight. Most international guests fly via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi for onward connections. Buy fresh coconuts and dried mango in the airport. Take home a bottle of Nam Prik (chilli paste), fresh jasmine garland, or a silk scarf from the market.