Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket & Phi Phi in 17 days
This route threads the whole country top to bottom: three temple-packed days in Bangkok, a UNESCO day trip to Ayutthaya, the northern culture triangle of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, then a long southern finish across Phuket and the Phi Phi islands — timed to catch Loy Krathong, the festival of floating lights.
Based at Alley & Pier, we packed in the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Pho and a river crossing to Wat Arun, then flipped the city at night with a temples, markets & food tuk-tuk tour down Krung Thonburi. A second day covered Wat Traimit, Jim Thompson’s House and Wat Saket.
A full-day tour from Bangkok took in Bang Pa-In Palace and the ruins of the former Thai capital — crumbling prangs, Buddha heads wrapped in tree roots, and 17th-century waterways. An easy, high-reward day trip.
From the Moondragon Hotel we climbed to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and worked through the old-city temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Umong — capped by the Night Bazaar. A dedicated day ran up Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, for waterfalls and the twin royal pagodas.
A morning bus north brought us to the Nak Nakara Hotel and the surreal, mirror-studded Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) — Chalermchai Kositpipat’s life’s work and one of the most photographed buildings in Thailand.
South to Burasari Phuket: Old Phuket Town’s Sino-Portuguese streets, and a Starlight Sea Cave kayaking trip through the limestone hongs of Phang Nga Bay that ran straight into floating our krathongs for Loy Krathong — the highlight of the trip.
A ferry to the ChaoKoh Phi Phi resort set up the 7 Islands longtail tour — snorkelling, viewpoints, and a beach day before ferrying back to Phuket and flying home via Bangkok.
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