Bangkok temples, northern hill country and Andaman islands
Take in Bangkok's glittering palaces and street food, slow down among the temples and hills of Chiang Mai, then island-hop the limestone bays of the Andaman coast.
Most travellers begin in Bangkok. Our specialists typically suggest 7–12 nights to see the highlights without rushing — longer if you’d like to combine regions or add beach time.
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A group of six limestone islands roughly midway between Phuket and Krabi, protected within Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Ko Phi Phi Don holds the villages and hotels, while uninhabited Ko Phi Phi Le surrounds Maya Bay and a string of sheltered lagoons.
A walled complex of throne halls, royal residences and temples on the east bank of the Chao Phraya, built from 1782 when Bangkok became the capital. Its royal temple, Wat Phra Kaew, enshrines the Emerald Buddha and is the spiritual heart of the Thai monarchy.
Chiang Mai, the old capital of the Lanna kingdom, has dozens of temples inside and around its moated old city. The essential trio is the massive ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang, the elegant Lanna halls of Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, whose golden chedi looks down on the city from the mountain to the west.
The ruins of Ayutthaya, the Siamese capital from the mid-14th century until a Burmese army sacked it in 1767. Tall reliquary towers, monastery halls and weathered Buddha images stand among lawns and canals on the old island city, and the core of the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by Thailand's Fine Arts Department.
Landmarks, sacred sites, islands, parks and food streets — each with its story, the best time to go and what’s nearby.
24 places in Thailand
Thailand · 10 nights4★ ResortThailand · 7 nights4★ Resort11 days · 4★ resort · indicative from $2,138 pp. Every day can be adjusted.
View full packageYou’re met at Suvarnabhumi Airport and taken to your hotel by the Chao Phraya river.
A guided morning at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, then Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha, returning by river boat.
A day trip north to the ruined temples of Ayutthaya, the old Siamese capital.
A short flight north to Chiang Mai, with an evening walk through the old city and its night market.
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on its mountain above the city, then Wat Chedi Luang and the temples inside the old walls.
A day at an ethical elephant sanctuary in the hills, where you feed and walk with rescued elephants, with no riding.
Pad thai, green curry, tom yum, khao soi in the north and mango sticky rice
Theravada Buddhist temples, royal heritage, Thai boxing and lively night markets
Night markets, Thai silk, celadon ceramics and handicrafts from Chiang Mai
Island hopping, snorkelling, cooking classes, Thai massage and temple visits
AsiaTemples, neon cities and mountain onsen
AsiaAncient rock fortresses, tea hills and wild coasts
AsiaRice terraces, temples and island reefs
AsiaDynasties, rice terraces and riverside karsts
