Thailand City, Mountain & Beach Escape - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Welcome to Thailand! As you touch down in the bustling capital of Bangkok, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After you've checked in and freshened up, get ready to explore this city filled with chaotic energy, street food, buzzing nightlife, and sacred Buddhist sights. You could start in Chinatown with its fragrant street food or go to Siam Paragon, one of Thailand's largest shopping malls. Or, if you happen to be in Bangkok during the weekend, browse the famous Chatuchak Market—it's got more than 15,000 stalls selling clothes, flowers, food, and handicrafts. 

After shopping or browsing, catch a kickboxing match—Thailand's signature sport—at Channel 7 Boxing Stadium or Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. Watch a traditional puppet show at the Joe Louis Theatre, or head for Warehouse 30 to experience Bangkok's contemporary art scene. In the evening, you'll be spoilt for choice at dinner, so take your pick of hip restaurants for modern Thai cuisine or tuck into some delicious street food. 

Day 2: Explore Bangkok's Waterways & Ancient Temples

Today is the day for ancient temples and meandering canals, as, after breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a full-day tour of Bangkok. Head to a nearby pier and board a long-tail boat for a scenic ride down the Chao Phraya River. After cruising the main waterway and enjoying views of Bangkok's skyline, you'll turn off into the maze of klongs—narrow canals running through residential neighborhoods. Witness candid scenes of local life as you pass wooden stilt houses and wave to friendly locals relaxing on their porches as traditional music emanates from indoors. Keep an eye out for waterbirds like herons, pelicans, and egrets.

The first stop on this boat tour will be the waterfront temple of Wat Khun Chan. You can't miss the giant, colorful statues of Buddha, deities, and animals. Then, it's on to Wat Paknam, a royal temple dating to the 17th century. You can step back in time at the temple's museum, which showcases artifacts of Bangkok and Thailand's history. This temple complex is also famous for its 226-foot (69 m) statue of a seated golden Buddha—the largest in the city. From here, you'll travel back to the Chao Phraya River and return to the pier, where you'll disembark and have lunch nearby.

In the afternoon, you'll visit two of Bangkok's most famous landmarks: The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The former has been the royal residence since the days of the Siam Kingdom in 1782, and it's still used for official ceremonies. The latter is perhaps the most iconic Buddhist temple in the country, but the real treasure is inside: a 26-inch (66 cm) jade statue of a meditating Buddha. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel and spend the evening at your leisure. 

Day 3: Fly To Chiang Mai, Take a Jungle Hike & Browse Artisanal Wares

Enjoy a breakfast spread at your hotel in Bangkok before your driver transfers you to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Once you touch down and check in at your hotel, the day is yours to explore. Laid-back Chiang Mai is the perfect place to discover at your leisure. As the former capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom (1296-1558), history lingers in its moated Old City and abundant wats (Buddhist temples). However, its student population has also helped birth a creative and cosmopolitan side, as seen in its modern art galleries and trendy cafés.

Spend some time at the Old City's famous landmarks, such as Wat Phra Singh, an opulent 14th-century temple complex. For shopping, don't miss the San Kamphaeng Road. Also known as Handicraft Highway, it stretches for 11 miles (18 km) and is the perfect place to buy artisanal crafts like pottery and silverwork. Just outside the Old Quarter is 19th-century Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a gleaming golden temple that's spectacular at sunset. After dark, Chang Klan Road is the place to be, as it comes alive with street-food vendors and stalls.

If time permits, you can visit San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, a 90-minute drive from the city. This open-air spa features hot-water geysers shooting 65 feet (20 m) into the air. The springs are a great place to soak in mineral baths while enjoying the landscaped gardens. For a more active excursion, travel from Chiang Mai to Bua Tong National Park for a jungle hike and climb the famous Sticky Waterfall. The white stones that comprise this cascade have a sponge-like surface, giving them grip underfoot.

Day 4: Spend the Day Playing with Elephants

A highlight of the trip awaits today, as your driver collects you for the hour-long journey to the Happy Elephant Home, a sanctuary for elephants rescued from the tourist trade. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, then change into mahout (elephant caretaker) clothes and let the fun begin. You'll get to spend the morning feeding, washing, and making friends with the elephants.

After a delicious Thai lunch, cool off in the on-site swimming pool and enjoy the mountain views. Later, you can join the elephants in a mud bath. Then walk with them to the Mae Taeng River, where you can wash, swim, and play with these gentle giants for a while longer. Afterward, return to camp and enjoy an afternoon snack as the elephants roam free around you. At the end of the day, you'll say goodbye to your new friends and transfer back to Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Fly to Phuket & Kick Back on its Beaches

Say goodbye to Chiang Mai and transfer to the airport this morning for a two-hour flight south to Phuket. Set on the Andaman Coast, Phuket is known for its beaches, nightlife, and luxury resorts. Its diverse landscapes range from tropical rainforests to palm-fringed beaches and craggy limestone cliffs. Today is free to explore the island at your own pace, either with a day of relaxation or adventure. 

If it's de-stressing you're after, head for the beach to sunbathe and sit back with a cold drink, go for a swim, or try snorkeling. Or, to see more of Phuket from its underwater angle, visit an aquarium in Cape Panwa. If you're feeling adventurous, make a beeline for Hanuman World Phuket to soar through the jungle on its ziplines. In the evening, eat seafood for dinner, browse a night market, or sip a cocktail on lively Bangla Road.

Day 6: Swim, Snorkel & Sail Your Way Around the Phi Phi Islands

Today you'll need to ready your sea legs, as after breakfast you'll head out to explore the famous Phi Phi Islands. This archipelago lies 25 miles (40 km) east of Phuket, and is known for its movie-worthy beaches and top snorkeling spots. The trip starts with an early-morning speed boat trip to Phi Phi Ley, where you'll see Maya Bay, the setting for the Leonardo Di Caprio movie, "The Beach." Ogle its beauty before heading off to moor at Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave for swimming and snorkeling.

Sail on to Phi Phi Don, stopping at Monkey Beach along the way, known for its cheeky macaques. You'll have time to snorkel in the clear waters, spotting colorful marine life, before stopping to tuck into lunch. Appetites sated, you'll spend the afternoon on the idyllic Bamboo Island, where you can lay back on white sands or enjoy more swimming and snorkeling. You'll then transfer back to Phuket to spend the evening relaxing. 

Day 7: Free Day on Phuket's Tropical Beaches

Today is free for you to soak up the sun at one of Phuket's picturesque beaches. At Kata, you'll find soft white sand, shady palm trees, food vendors, and a laid-back atmosphere. Nai Harn, located at the end of Phuket, offers more of a buzz, with plenty of shops and restaurants to browse when you need a break from the beach. 

Freedom Beach is trickier to access (reached by hiking a steep path or catching a long-tail boat), but once you're there, you'll be away from the crowds and enjoy some of the best off-the-beaten-track white sands in Phuket. 

Day 8: Depart Phuket

Today, it's time for your final breakfast in Thailand and the end of your epic eight-day adventure. Spend a final few hours on the beach soaking up the sun or souvenir shopping before your transfer to Phuket International Airport to begin your journey home. Safe travels!