Highlights of Thailand
Small but perfectly formed, this pocket-sized trip to Thailand packs scenic and cultural highlights into a short space: perfect for those with limited time.
Encompassing big, buzzing cities and peaceful villages, lush mountains and sandy beaches, think of this itinerary as a tasting menu of what makes Thailand so enduringly popular. Don’t expect to stray far from the beaten track, but do expect to see classic destinations from a different angle: on a canal-boat tour of Bangkok’s khlongs, for instance, or on a day trip into the hilly outskirts of Chiang Mai.
Pricing
Key facts
Transport in detail
All transport will be by private car (maximum journey time two hours), with the exception of two domestic flights linking north, central and south Thailand.
What's great
A short-but-sweet trip that’ll give you a taste of Thailand’s cultural and scenic highlights in one neat package
Our included experiences give you a look at the hidden side of some of Thailand’s most popular destinations, leaving you plenty of free time to explore the classic sights under your own steam
If you have more time to spend, this itinerary makes a great addition to a longer journey through Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam
Things to consider
This trip focusses on classic destinations, so don’t expect to stray far from the tourist trail
Chiang Mai and Phuket are highly seasonal, so depending on when you travel we might suggest adjustments to your route
We’ve built in plenty of free time for you to do your own thing, but if you’d like more included guiding just let us know
The experience
Day 1-3
Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the world’s great cities. You don’t need us to tell you that its temples are gold-encrusted masterpieces, or that the Grand Palace is really pretty neat. What’s trickier to access is the hidden side of Bangkok: the side the locals see. Begin with Portuguese pastries in Kudi Chin, then watch life unfold among the stilt houses of Bangkok’s waterways on a boat tour. Eat lunch among the litchi trees and coconut palms of Poomjai Garden, then discover the city’s temples come alive after the camera-clicking tourist groups have gone home. You’ll still have plenty of time for the classic sights, but this is about getting a feel for the Bangkok that exists beyond the “must-sees”.
Highlights
Explore Kudi Chin, where Portuguese bakeries and the bells of Santa Cruz church hark back to Bangkok’s earliest days
Escape the city’s non-stop traffic on a solar-powered boat tour of Bangkok’s khlongs (canals)
Explore the capital’s temples by night, when they come alive as community meeting-places
Chiang Mai
Day 4-6
Like many tropical cities, Chiang Mai comes alive after the heat of the day has dissipated, when its temples glow like beacons in the dark and its markets fill with the smell of sizzling pork knuckle and neon-colored desserts. After an evening tuk-tuk tour of these delights (concluding with a rooftop cocktail overlooking the city), swap hustle and bustle for waterfalls and jungle in Sri Lanna National Park, where you’ll take a longtail boat past water buffalo and rice paddies to lunch at a floating restaurant. Having seen these two contrasting sides of Chiang Mai, your last day is free to spend as you choose — perhaps exploring the city’s thriving independent arts spaces.
Highlights
Immerse yourself in local life with a night-time tour of Chiang Mai’s temples and markets
Explore the farms and villages of the Chiang Mai countryside on foot and by boat
Spend a day getting to know the city’s vibrant independent craft scene
The finer detail
What's included
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Breakfast every day
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Three lunches: one during the Bangkok khlongs tour; one during the Chiang Mai countryside experience; one during the Phi-Phi Islands snorkeling trip
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Two dinners: one during the evening tour of Bangkok; one during the evening tour of Chiang Mai
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Three full-day experiences: Bangkok’s khlongs and Portuguese district by solar-powered boat; day trip to the Chiang Mai countryside; snorkeling trip in the Phi-Phi Islands
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Two evening experiences: evening tour of Bangkok’s illuminated temples; evening tour of Chiang Mai
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All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
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All internal transport & accommodation
Logistics and journey times
Day 1
Car transfer Bangkok Airport to hotel (1 hour)
Day 4
Car transfer from hotel to Bangkok Airport (1 hour)
Flight Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 hour 15 mins)
Car transfer from Chiang Mai Airport to hotel (20 minutes)
Day 7
Car transfer from hotel to Chiang Mai Airport (20 minutes)
Flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket (2 hours)
Car transfer from Phuket Airport to hotel (20 minutes up to 1 hour)
Day 12
Car transfer from hotel to Phuket Airport (20 minutes up to 1 hour)
What's not included
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International flights
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Meals not mentioned
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Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
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Tips for guides & porters