“Three drafts of the itinerary before we paid anything, and every change was answered the same day. The guide in Chiang Mai was worth the whole trip.”

Thailand Highlights
Bangkok's old city, the ruins of Ayutthaya, three nights in the northern hills and a beach finish on the Andaman. The route most first-time visitors should take.
Bangkok's old city, the ruins of Ayutthaya, three nights in the northern hills and a beach finish on the Andaman. The route most first-time visitors should take.
Best for: First-time visitors who want culture and beach in one trip. The route runs Bangkok · Ayutthaya · Chiang Mai · Phuket. Everything below is a starting point: hotels can be upgraded or simplified, days can be added, and any element can be removed.
Day by day
Arrive Bangkok
Airport meet, private transfer and an evening on the river with dinner at a Tha Tien shophouse.
The old city
Grand Palace and Wat Pho at opening, then a longtail through the canals in the afternoon.
Ayutthaya
Third-class train north, bicycles through the ruins, sunset at Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Fly north
Morning flight to Chiang Mai, afternoon at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as the light drops.
Elephants and hills
A full day at an ethical sanctuary, back for the Sunday Walking Street if the dates line up.
Cooking and crafts
Market tour and cooking class in the morning, free afternoon and a khantoke dinner.
Fly south
Morning flight to Phuket, transfer to the west coast and a first swim before sunset.
Phang Nga Bay
Private longtail into the hongs at high tide, lunch on a stilted restaurant at Panyee.
Free beach day
Nothing scheduled. Optional massage, dive or a second boat day.
Depart
Late checkout and private transfer to the airport.
What’s included
Included
- 9 nights in hand-picked hotels, breakfast included
- Private guide and driver on all touring days
- All internal flights (Bangkok–Chiang Mai–Phuket)
- Entrance fees and longtail boats as listed
- 24/7 in-country support
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Tips
Good to know
From $1,485 per person, based on private · 2–8 travellers, 10 days and 9 nights. The quote includes the hotels, guiding and transport listed under “What’s included”; international flights and travel insurance are not included.
Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, hotels upgraded or simplified, and the route reordered around your dates — we re-cost it as many times as you need before you commit.
Not included: international flights, travel insurance. Everything else listed under “What’s included” is in the quote, and we do not add local payments on arrival.
Three to six months ahead for the best hotels, and by September for travel over Christmas and New Year. Green-season trips can usually be arranged with six weeks’ notice.
What you will see
Palace & temple
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The royal palace compound and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, all gold spires and mirrored mosaics behind a wh…
Temple
Wat Pho & the Reclining Buddha
A working temple with a 46-metre gold-leaf reclining Buddha, a courtyard of 91 stupas and Thailand's original sc…
UNESCO site
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The ruins of the Siamese capital: brick stupas, headless Buddhas and the famous head in the tree roots at Wat Ma…
Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The golden chedi on the mountain above Chiang Mai, reached by 306 steps or a very short funicular.…
Bay & islands
Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island
Forty limestone islands rising out of green water, with hidden lagoons (hongs), mangrove channels and the famous…
Neighbourhood
Phuket Old Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés, galleries and the Sunday Lard Yai market on Thalang Road.…
Experiences on this trip
Reviews for this trip
“Travelled with a 7 and a 10 year old. Boat timings changed twice and they still met us at the pier with cold water and a smile.”
“One person in Bangkok from the first email to the last transfer. She had actually stayed in the hotel she recommended.”