Southeast Asia · Culture & Beach
Bangkok, Chiang Mai & the Andaman
Bangkok · Chiang Mai · Phuket · 9 nights
Nine nights from Bangkok to Phuket, paced around the days that matter.
The Journey
Nine nights across three stops: Bangkok for three nights, Chiang Mai for three and Phuket for three. Every transfer between them is private and timed around the day's plan.
The days are built around Grand Palace and the River Temples; Old City Temples and Doi Suthep; Phang Nga Bay by Boat; and Canals, Markets and Street Food. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.
The defining moment of this route: ethical elephant sanctuary morning in the north. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.
Signature Highlights
- Ethical elephant sanctuary morning in the north
- Grand Palace and the River Temples, Bangkok
- Canals, Markets and Street Food, Bangkok
- Old City Temples and Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
- Ethical Elephant Sanctuary, Chiang Mai
- Phang Nga Bay by Boat, Phuket
Your Experiences
Moments shaped just for you
Grand Palace and the River Temples, Bangkok
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew early, when it is coolest, then Wat Pho's reclining Buddha and the river crossing to Wat Arun. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Canals, Markets and Street Food, Bangkok
A longtail boat through the Thonburi khlongs, the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat, and a guided street food walk through Chinatown after dark.
Old City Temples and Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh inside the walls, a monk chat, and the mountain temple of Doi Suthep above the city.
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary, Chiang Mai
A half or full day at a genuine no-riding, no-performance sanctuary, feeding and observing rescued elephants with the care programme explained.
Day by day
Your Itinerary
- 01Day 1 · Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok
Arrive at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, 45-90 minutes by road depending on traffic and transfer privately to your base. Time today to take a river boat at dusk and eat at a street stall or a riverside table.
- Private transfer via Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang
- Take a river boat at dusk and eat at a street stall or a riverside table
- Time to settle in before dinner
Meals:D - 02Day 2 · Bangkok
Grand Palace and the River Temples
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew early, when it is coolest, then Wat Pho's reclining Buddha and the river crossing to Wat Arun. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha
- Wat Pho reclining Buddha
- Wat Arun across the river
Meals:BL - 03Day 3 · Bangkok
Canals, Markets and Street Food
A longtail boat through the Thonburi khlongs, the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat, and a guided street food walk through Chinatown after dark.
- Thonburi canal longtail boat
- Pak Khlong flower market
- Chinatown street food walk
Meals:BD - 04Day 4 · Chiang Mai
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Fly north or take the overnight sleeper train up from Bangkok. On arrival, walk the moat and the old city temples as the heat drops.
- Fly north or take the overnight sleeper train up from Bangkok
- Walk the moat and the old city temples as the heat drops
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:B - 05Day 5 · Chiang Mai
Old City Temples and Doi Suthep
Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh inside the walls, a monk chat, and the mountain temple of Doi Suthep above the city.
- Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh
- Monk chat conversation
- Doi Suthep mountain temple
Meals:BL - 06Day 6 · Chiang Mai
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
A half or full day at a genuine no-riding, no-performance sanctuary, feeding and observing rescued elephants with the care programme explained.
- No-riding elephant sanctuary visit
- Feeding and observation with keepers
- Mahout and welfare briefing
Meals:BL - 07Day 7 · Phuket
Chiang Mai to Phuket
Fly direct from Chiang Mai to Phuket, about two hours. On arrival, settle on your beach and take the first swim before sunset.
- Fly direct from Chiang Mai to Phuket, about two hours
- Settle on your beach and take the first swim before sunset
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:B - 08Day 8 · Phuket
Phang Nga Bay by Boat
A long-tail or speedboat into the limestone bay for James Bond Island, the sea caves and hongs at Hong Island, with kayaking inside the collapsed karsts.
- Phang Nga Bay karst cruise
- Sea cave kayaking
- Koh Panyee floating village
Meals:BL - 09Day 9 · Phuket
Old Town and the West Coast
Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses and food, the Big Buddha viewpoint, and the beaches from Kata to Nai Harn.
- Phuket Old Town shophouses
- Big Buddha viewpoint
- Promthep Cape at sunset
Meals:B - 10Day 10 · Phuket
Departure from Phuket
A last beach morning before the transfer to the airport. Private transfer to Phuket International in good time for your onward flight.
- A last beach morning before the transfer to the airport
- Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
- Private departure transfer
Meals:B
Inclusions
- Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
- Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
- Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
- Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
- 24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk
Not included
- International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
- Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)
Transfers
- Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
- Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
- Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer
Visa & Documentation
- Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
- Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
- Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible
Common Questions
Is Chiang Mai worth the extra flight?+
Yes, for a first trip of nine nights or more. It shows a quieter, greener Thailand: temples, the old city, cooking classes, night markets and an elephant sanctuary.
How do we choose an ethical elephant experience?+
Avoid anywhere that offers riding, shows or painting. We only book sanctuaries where you feed, walk beside and watch the elephants.
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand?+
Not for tourist stays of up to 30 days under the current exemption. You need a passport valid for six months, a return ticket and the online arrival card.
Is Bangkok good with children?+
Yes. Boat rides, SEA LIFE Bangkok, Safari World and the parks keep children busy, and riverside hotels have good pools. Plan temple visits for the cooler mornings.
What should we wear?+
Light cotton clothes, sandals that slip off easily for temples, and something that covers shoulders and knees for the Grand Palace. Pack a light rain jacket from June to October.
How far in advance should we book?+
Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.
Speak to a Curator
Let's shape this journey around you.
Share a few details and one of our curators will get in touch, usually within a working day, with a bespoke proposal and pricing.
Prefer to talk?
+91 98117 66362
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