Day 1: Bangkok Arrival & Khao San Immersion

Land in Bangkok and dive straight into the sensory overload of Banglamphu. Check into your guesthouse behind Khao San Road and let the chaos wash over you. Evening: wander Khao San Road at its peak — the music, the smells, the hawkers, the travellers from everywhere in the world. Grab a Chang beer, some pad Thai from a street cart, and a mango sticky rice for dessert. You’re in Thailand now.

Accommodation: Banglamphu guesthouse (€12–25/night).

Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho & River Life

Cover the big three: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun. Take it slow — there’s no rush. Between temples, ride the river ferry and explore the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya. Visit the artisans at the Bangkokian Museum. Eat at a riverside restaurant in the afternoon. This is the Bangkok you came for — ancient, sacred, and deeply alive.

Entry: Grand Palace (€10), Wat Pho (€5), Wat Arun (€3).

Food: Riverside restaurant dinner (€8–12).

Day 3: Ayutthaya Day Trip by Train

Early train from Hua Lamphong to Ayutthaya. Rent a bicycle at the station and cycle through the Ayutthaya Historical Park — Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in roots), Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana. The scale of the ruins will humble you. Return to Bangkok by late afternoon. Evening: eat at the famous Jay Fai if you can get a reservation (Michelin-starred street food), or at any of the excellent stalls on Thanon Samran Rat.

Transport: Train return (€2–4).

Bike rental: (€2/day).

Day 4: Bangkok Canals & Night Train North

Morning longtail tour through Bangkok’s canals — the klongs of Thonburi reveal a hidden Bangkok of stilted wooden houses, floating markets, and temple spires. Pack your main bag and head to Hua Lamphong for the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. The train leaves at 6:30pm — settle into your berth, eat dinner in the dining car, and let the rhythm of the rails carry you north.

Canal tour: Longtail boat (€10–15/person).

Night train: 2nd class sleeper (€22–28).

Day 5: Chiang Mai Arrival & Old City Temples

Arrive in Chiang Mai at dawn. Drop your bags, grab a coffee at a local café, and begin exploring the Old City at your own pace. Visit Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chiang Man — each one different, each one special. Explore the quiet sois of the Old City, lined with wooden guesthouses, art studios, and family-run restaurants. Evening: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for dinner.

Accommodation: Old City guesthouse (€10–20/night).

Food: Khao soi at a local stall (€2).

Day 6: Doi Suthep & Thai Cooking School

Rise early for Doi Suthep. The mountain temple at sunrise is one of Thailand’s great experiences — the mist below, the golden chedi above, the chanting of monks drifting through the cool air. Return to the Old City and join a half-day cooking class. You’ll visit a local market first, learning about Thai ingredients, then cook several dishes that you’ll actually be able to replicate at home.

Transport: Songthaew to Doi Suthep (€4 return).

Cooking class: Half-day with market tour (€20–30).

Day 7: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary & Karen Hill Tribe

A full-day trip to an ethical elephant sanctuary in Mae Wang district. This is not a circus — you’ll feed elephants, walk beside them through the jungle, and learn about their individual rescue stories. You’ll also visit a Karen hill tribe village and share a simple, home-cooked lunch. The day ends with a short bamboo raft ride down the Mae Wang river. It’s exhausting and beautiful and important.

Tour: Full-day ethical sanctuary, lunch and transport (€40–60).

Day 8: Chiang Rai Day Trip — White Temple & Golden Triangle

A long but rewarding day. Hire a private car or join a small-group tour for the 3-hour drive to Chiang Rai. Visit Wat Rong Khun — the White Temple — a stunning, unconventional modern temple that looks like it belongs in a fantasy film. Continue to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers. Take a longtail boat to the Laos shore for a quick stamp in your passport. Return to Chiang Mai in the evening.

Tour/car: Chiang Rai full-day trip (€30–50).

Entry: White Temple (€3).

Day 9: Chiang Mai Morning Market & Fly to Krabi

Your last Northern morning. Visit Warorot Market (Kad Luang) — a chaotic, authentic local market where you can buy dried fruits, Thai spices, and handmade crafts. Have a final bowl of khao soi. Take an afternoon flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi. Transfer to Ao Nang and have dinner by the sea — the change from mountain air to tropical humidity is immediate and welcome.

Flight: Chiang Mai to Krabi (€25–40).

Accommodation: Ao Nang guesthouse (€12–25/night).

Day 10: Railay Beach & Rock Climbing

Take a longtail to Railay Beach and spend the day on the peninsula. Try rock climbing on the beginner-friendly routes with a licensed guide — the adrenaline of climbing a vertical karst above turquoise water is unmatched. Hike to the hidden lagoon behind Phra Nang Cave Beach. Stay on Railay for the sunset and take the last longtail back to Ao Nang. Or better yet, book a bungalow on Railay and stay the night.

Climbing: Half-day intro with gear (€25–35).

Accommodation: Railay bungalow (€15–30/night).

Day 11: Hong Islands & Phuket Transfer

Morning tour to Hong Islands — a stunning cluster of islets in Krabi’s emerald waters. Kayak through the hong (Thai for “room”), a hidden lagoon surrounded by sheer karst walls. Afternoon: transfer by road and ferry to Phuket. Check into a beachfront guesthouse on the west coast — Kata or Karon beaches offer a good balance of development and natural beauty.

Transport: Ao Nang to Phuket (€20–30 by bus + ferry).

Accommodation: Phuket west coast guesthouse (€15–30/night).

Day 12: Phuket Beaches & Big Buddha

Explore Phuket’s west coast beaches. Start at Kata Viewpoint for the iconic three-beach panorama. Visit the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Phutthaminimak) — a 45-metre marble statue on Nakkerd Hill with panoramic views of the entire island. Spend the afternoon at Kata Noi or Freedom Beach for swimming. Evening: Phuket Old Town for a heritage dinner and the weekend Lard Plai Roi Walking Street Market.

Big Buddha: Free (donation suggested).

Food: Phuket Old Town dinner (€10–15).

Day 13: Phi Phi Islands Day Trip

Take a speedboat or ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi Don. The 2-hour journey crosses beautiful blue water. Spend the day snorkelling at Maya Bay (if open), Loh Samah, and Bamboo Island. Hike to the Phi Phi viewpoint for the iconic twin-bay photo. Eat lunch on the beach. Return to Phuket in the late afternoon. The Phi Phi islands pack a ridiculous amount of beauty into a small area.

Tour: Phi Phi full-day trip from Phuket (€35–50).

Park fee: Maya Bay (€5, if open).

Day 14: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island

A full-day tour of Phang Nga Bay — the most spectacular seascape in Thailand. Hundreds of limestone karst islands rising from emerald-green water. Visit Koh Tapu (James Bond Island, from “The Man with the Golden Gun”), canoe through sea caves and mangroves, kayak under a natural limestone arch, and explore the Muslim fishing village on Koh Panyee, built on stilts over the water. This is the day that will fill your camera roll.

Tour: Phang Nga Bay sea canoe tour, lunch included (€40–55).

Day 15: Phuket Relaxation & Final Andaman Sunset

A well-earned rest day. Choose your beach — Kata for a good balance of amenities, Karon for a long wide stretch of sand, or Nai Harn for a quieter local vibe. Spend the day reading, swimming, and getting a beachfront massage. In the evening, drive or taxi to Promthep Cape for sunset — Phuket’s most famous sunset viewpoint, with the Andaman Sea stretching endlessly to the horizon.

Activities: Beach massage (€8–12), sunset at Promthep Cape (free).

Day 16: Fly to Bangkok & Last Night in the City

Fly from Phuket back to Bangkok (about 1.5 hours). Check into a hotel near the river. Spend your last full evening visiting anything you missed — the Jim Thompson House, the Pak Khlong Talat flower market at night, or simply riding the river ferry up and down the Chao Phraya one last time. Have a final feast at a riverside restaurant. Sip a Singha and watch the lights of the city reflected in the dark water.

Flight: Phuket to Bangkok (€20–35).

Dinner: Riverside farewell meal (€12–18).

Day 17: Departure from Bangkok

Your final morning in Thailand. A last bowl of khao tom, a final Thai iced coffee. Depending on your flight, you might squeeze in a last visit to Wat Saket (Golden Mount) for one more panorama. Head to Suvarnabhumi Airport, board your flight, and start planning when you’ll come back. Because you will.