Grand tour: Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast · 15 days

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.
• Chao Phraya river dinner cruise · 2.5 h. Most depart from ICONSIAM or Asiatique piers around 7–8pm; vegetarian menus on request when booking.

Local tip: Ferry from Tha Tien pier costs a few baht; late-afternoon light is best and the steps are steep.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

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.
• Yaowarat (Chinatown) street-food night · 2.5 h. Stalls open after 6pm; many close on Mondays. Guided food walks cost roughly double.

Local tip: Opens 8:30am; shoulders and knees covered, no ripped jeans. Ignore touts who say it is closed today.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Ayutthaya temples day trip

Bangkok

• Ayutthaya temples day trip · 9 h. Trains from Bangkok take ~1.5–2h; a van tour or private car is easier in the heat. Temple entry ~50 THB each.

Local tip: Trains from Bangkok take ~1.5–2h; a van tour or private car is easier in the heat. Temple entry ~50 THB each.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

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.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Ethical elephant sanctuary visit (no riding)

Chiang Mai

• Ethical elephant sanctuary visit (no riding) · 7 h. Pick a sanctuary with no riding and no shows; book ahead for Dec–Jan.

Local tip: Pick a sanctuary with no riding and no shows; book ahead for Dec–Jan.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: 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.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai · Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Bus ~3–3.5h (White Temple stop possible by car)

• Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) · 1.5 h. Opens 8am; arrive early. Shoulders and knees covered.
• Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) · 1 h
• Baan Dam (Black House) museum · 1.5 h. Animal skins and bones throughout — preview before taking young kids.

Local tip: Opens 8am; arrive early. Shoulders and knees covered.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Chiang Rai → Krabi

Krabi · Chiang Rai to Krabi, Flight, usually via Bangkok

• Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) climb · 3 h. 1,260 steep steps; start by 7am, carry water, cover shoulders and knees, and watch for monkeys.

Local tip: 1,260 steep steps; start by 7am, carry water, cover shoulders and knees, and watch for monkeys.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: 4-island tour (Poda, Chicken, Tup & Phra Nang Cave)

Krabi

• 4-island tour (Poda, Chicken, Tup & Phra Nang Cave) · 6 h. Speedboats are faster, longtails cheaper; park fee ~400 THB in cash on some tours.

Local tip: Speedboats are faster, longtails cheaper; park fee ~400 THB in cash on some tours.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Krabi

Krabi

• Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave by longtail · 5 h. Longtails from Ao Nang leave when about 8 seats fill; last boats back around sunset.
• Ao Nang beach sunset · 2 h

Local tip: Longtails from Ao Nang leave when about 8 seats fill; last boats back around sunset.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Krabi → Phi Phi

Phi Phi · Krabi to Phi Phi, Ferry ~1.5–2h from Klong Jilad or Ao Nang

• Maya Bay & Pileh Lagoon early longtail tour · 4 h. Leave around 7am before day-trippers arrive; no swimming at Maya Bay and it usually closes Aug–Sep. Park fee ~400 THB.

Local tip: Leave around 7am before day-trippers arrive; no swimming at Maya Bay and it usually closes Aug–Sep. Park fee ~400 THB.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Explore Phi Phi

Phi Phi

• Phi Phi Viewpoint hike · 1.5 h. About 20–30 minutes of steps from Tonsai; go for sunset and carry water.
• Long Beach (Hat Yao) swim afternoon · 3 h. Walk 20 minutes along the coast path or take a longtail taxi from Tonsai.
• Monkey Beach by kayak · 2 h. Don't feed the monkeys; keep bags zipped.

Local tip: About 20–30 minutes of steps from Tonsai; go for sunset and carry water.

Open day 12 route in Google Maps

Day 13: Phi Phi → Phuket

Phuket · Phi Phi to Phuket, Ferry ~2h to Rassada pier

• Big Buddha Phuket · 1.5 h. Free with a donation; sarongs are lent at the entrance to cover knees.
• Promthep Cape sunset · 1.5 h. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset for parking.
• Wat Chalong · 1 h

Local tip: Free with a donation; sarongs are lent at the entrance to cover knees.

Open day 13 route in Google Maps

Day 14: Phi Phi & Maya Bay speedboat day trip

Phuket

• Phi Phi & Maya Bay speedboat day trip · 8 h. National park fee (~400 THB) is often collected in cash on the day. Maya Bay usually closes Aug–Sep.

Local tip: National park fee (~400 THB) is often collected in cash on the day. Maya Bay usually closes Aug–Sep.

Open day 14 route in Google Maps

Day 15: Depart from Phuket

Phuket

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.