Backpacker loop: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai & Koh Tao · 13 days
13 days, 12 nights: Bangkok (3N), Chiang Mai (3N), Pai (3N), Koh Tao (3N). Best time to go: Best Jan–Feb (north dry, Koh Tao past the rains).
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Bangkok
- Wat Arun by Chao Phraya cross-river ferry · 1.5 h. Ferry from Tha Tien pier costs a few baht; late-afternoon light is best and the steps are steep.
- Yaowarat (Chinatown) street-food night · 2.5 h. Stalls open after 6pm; many close on Mondays. Guided food walks cost roughly double.
Local tip: Ferry from Tha Tien pier costs a few baht; late-afternoon light is best and the steps are steep.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok
Bangkok
- Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) · 2.5 h. Opens 8:30am; shoulders and knees covered, no ripped jeans. Ignore touts who say it is closed today.
- Wat Pho & the Reclining Buddha · 1.5 h. A 5-minute walk from the Grand Palace; the massage school inside takes walk-ins.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market · 3 h. Saturdays and Sundays only, roughly 9am–6pm; go early before the heat. MRT Chatuchak Park / BTS Mo Chit.
Local tip: Opens 8:30am; shoulders and knees covered, no ripped jeans. Ignore touts who say it is closed today.
Day 3: Explore Bangkok
Bangkok
- King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk · 1.5 h. Go for sunset; online tickets are cheaper than at the counter.
- ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon & Pratunam shopping · 3 h. Pratunam and Platinum Fashion Mall for wholesale prices; carry your passport for VAT refunds.
Local tip: Go for sunset; online tickets are cheaper than at the counter.
Day 4: Bangkok → Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai · Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Flight ~1h10m (or overnight sleeper train ~11–13h)
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · 3 h. 306 steps or a small lift; go before 9am for clearer views. Price includes a shared songthaew.
Local tip: 306 steps or a small lift; go before 9am for clearer views. Price includes a shared songthaew.
Day 5: Explore Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
- Old City temples: Wat Chedi Luang & Wat Phra Singh · 3 h. Wat Chedi Luang runs free monk-chat sessions most afternoons.
- Sunday Walking Street & Night Bazaar · 2.5 h. Sunday market on Ratchadamnoen Road from ~5pm, Saturday's on Wualai Road; the Night Bazaar runs nightly.
- Khao soi lunch crawl · 1.5 h
Local tip: Wat Chedi Luang runs free monk-chat sessions most afternoons.
Day 6: Explore Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
- Thai cooking class on a farm · 5 h. Most include hotel pickup and a market visit; vegetarian menus are standard.
- Yi Peng & Loy Krathong lantern festival (November) · 3 h. Only around the November full moon; the paid lantern-release events sell out months ahead.
Local tip: Most include hotel pickup and a market visit; vegetarian menus are standard.
Day 7: Chiang Mai → Pai
Pai · Chiang Mai to Pai, Minivan ~3h on a winding mountain road
- Pai Canyon sunset · 1.5 h. Narrow ridges with steep drops and no railings; wear grippy shoes and leave before dark.
- Tha Pai or Sai Ngam hot springs · 2 h
Local tip: Narrow ridges with steep drops and no railings; wear grippy shoes and leave before dark.
Day 8: Explore Pai
Pai
- Pai Walking Street night market · 2 h
- Tham Lod cave bamboo-raft tour · 4 h. ~1h from Pai; a local lantern guide is compulsory. Swifts fly in around dusk.
- Yun Lai viewpoint sunrise · 1.5 h
Local tip: ~1h from Pai; a local lantern guide is compulsory. Swifts fly in around dusk.
Day 9: Explore Pai
Pai
- Mo Paeng waterfall & Land Split by scooter · 3 h. Ride only with a licence valid for motorbikes and a helmet; many insurers refuse claims otherwise.
- White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) viewpoint · 1 h. About 350 steps; dress modestly.
- Boon Ko Ku So bamboo bridge · 1.5 h
Local tip: Ride only with a licence valid for motorbikes and a helmet; many insurers refuse claims otherwise.
Day 10: Pai → Koh Tao
Koh Tao · Pai to Koh Tao, Minivan to Chiang Mai, flight to Samui, catamaran ~1 long day
- John-Suwan viewpoint · 1.5 h. Short but steep rocky scramble near Chalok; wear proper shoes.
Local tip: Short but steep rocky scramble near Chalok; wear proper shoes.
Day 11: Explore Koh Tao
Koh Tao
- Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint & snorkel · 4 h. Taxi boats leave from Sairee and Mae Haad; island entry fee payable on arrival and no plastic bottles allowed.
- Sairee Beach sunset & fire shows · 2.5 h
Local tip: Taxi boats leave from Sairee and Mae Haad; island entry fee payable on arrival and no plastic bottles allowed.
Day 12: PADI/SSI Open Water course (3–4 days)
Koh Tao
- PADI/SSI Open Water course (3–4 days) · 8 h. Among the most affordable places to certify; plan at least 3–4 nights and avoid flying for 18–24h after the last dive.
Local tip: Among the most affordable places to certify; plan at least 3–4 nights and avoid flying for 18–24h after the last dive.
Day 13: Depart from Koh Tao
Koh Tao
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Bangkok (3 nights): Pratunam / Siam. Malls, wholesale shopping and food courts close by; Airport Rail Link nearby.
- Chiang Mai (3 nights): Ping River / Night Bazaar side. Walk to the Night Bazaar; riverside dining.
- Pai (3 nights): Riverside and rice-field bungalows. Quiet valley views, a short scooter ride from town.
- Koh Tao (3 nights): Mae Haad / Chalok Baan Kao. Near the ferry pier or a calm southern bay.