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It’s late summer and we’ve just decided we should take a week long trip over the approaching Thanksgiving holiday. We’ll sneakily only have to use 3 days of PTO for a week’s worth of travel. The only question now is, where?
Khao Sok National Park
Given our propensity toward outdoor adventure it has to be somewhere with beaches, mountains or national parks to explore. Plus, somewhere that’s warm in the month of November. After much research, we decide on Thailand. Home to some of the most renowned rock climbing, delicious street food, and beautiful national parks in Asia. A country that seemingly, has it all.
The flight to Bangkok was a long 22 hours, broken up by a layover in Shanghai, China. We arrived at 1 a.m. local time, in what I can only describe as a semi delirious state. Although I’m initially skeptical about the arrival time, finding a taxi to our hotel at 1:00 a.m. wasn’t a problem.
Tuk Tuk Ride in Bangkok
We started off our day in Bangkok by visiting Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the marble temple. For the first hour we were the only visitors there, allowing us to effortlessly photograph the temple’s intricacy.
Wat Benchamabophit
Outside the marble temple
An itinerary for Thailand wouldn’t be complete without including a floating market! However, not one that felt like a huge tourist trap.
After much research, we decided on Khlong Lat Mayom Floating market, a smaller and more authentic experience than others in the region.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Colorful longtail boats and lively street food vendors made for a chaotically beautiful experience.
Food vendor at Khlong lat Mayom Floating Market
To end our day in Bangkok we roamed around the Chinatown district, (the largest chinatown in the world)! With neon lit alleyways and unique food stalls on every corner, we were delightfully overwhelmed with delicious aromas every step we took.
Street food vendors in Chinatown
For more information on things to do in Bangkok, check out my 5 of the best things to do in Bangkok post.
Former Michelin Star food trucks
Although the culture in Bangkok is a beautiful thing to witness, the grandiosity, noise and sheer population quickly gets overwhelming. That’s why, when creating our itinerary for Thailand, we knew it would be imperative for us to spend majority of our time in other regions of the country.
After a day and a half in Bangkok, we took a flight from Bangkok International Airport (BKK) to Chiang Mai (CNX). The flight was a short hour and $100 USD away.
Note: domestic flights in Thailand have a checked baggage weight limit of 20 kg which is about 44 pounds.
The old city is a great place to stay especially if it’s your first time in Chiang Mai. There’s a large range of affordable restaurants and accommodations as well as direct access to the night bazaar, one of Chiang Mai’s must see attractions.
Chiang mai night bazaar
Chiang Mai’s night bazaar is one of the biggest open air markets in all of Thailand. It’s open every day of the year from about 6 p.m. until midnight. Demanding a few hours, this market will have you meandering through endless vendors selling clothes, food, toys… and really any other souvenir you can think of.
Crowded market streets
Just be sure to bargain, as most items are marked up at least 20%!
Pad thai street vendor
There are a plethora of different elephant experiences in Thailand, not all of which are ethically and sustainably run. If you do choose to partake in any experience involving elephants, I implore you to extensively research your facility. Make sure that these animals are not poached, ridden, overworked, or abused in any way.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
We chose to visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, an eco-tourism project founded in 2014. This sanctuary was started as a joint initiative between members of the Karen hill tribe and local Chiang Mai residents who were concerned about the welfare of elephants around them.
Elephants feeding
You have the option to visit the sanctuary for a full or half day and will spend your time feeding and walking the rescued elephants. We found that half a day was more than enough time.
Retrospectively, we loved the experience. Especially, the education we received about the elephants we interacted with that were rescued from the trekking industry.
Price – Half Day is 1700 TBH per person
Pick up – at your hotel between 6:30 a.m.-7 a.m.
Drop off – around 1:30 p.m.
(Rides only available within 5 mile radius of the old city).
The majority of our itinerary for Thailand takes place in Krabi, the region of the country known for its beaches and rock climbing.
We were able to buy domestic flights from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Krabi (KBV) for $150 one way. The flight took about 2 hours, and we were again easily able to catch a taxi once landed from the airport to Ao Nang, where our hotel was located.
Andariki Pool villa
Walked into our room to see this
If you plan to splurge on any hotels during your week long trip to Thailand, this is the place to do it. many hotels here have private infinity pools/spas looking out over the ocean.
Private infinity pool
We chose to stay in Ao Nang up on the hillside overlooking the beach at a resort called the Andariki Pool Villas. The prices of villas here were fairly reasonable and the location was central which we enjoyed.
Swimming in West Railay
From Ao Nang, you will need to take a longtail boat to Railay Beach. Once arrived, you can rent kayaks/stand up paddle boards or swim around at your leisure.
If you’re up for it, you can book a boat tour to go island hopping once you get to Railay beach.
Tuk Tuk from Ao Nang to hotel
The streets around Ao Nang beach are filled with shops and hidden restaurants with amazing authentic Thai food. I’d recommend opening the trip advisor app and trying the top rated restaurants in the area.
Khao Soi (like curry with noodles instead of rice)
Note: In America, we rely more heavily on Yelp reviews to find resturants to eat at, but when traveling abroad I’ve found Trip Advisor to be more popular with more reliable reviews.
Khao Sok National Park was a destination lingering on my bucket list. When planning my itinerary for Thailand, it didn’t seem logistically feasible. It was simply too hard to get to and plan for.
Khao Sok National Park
However, once we were in Ao Nang, we saw a poster for Khao Sok National Park on our hote’s concierge’s desk. After a quick discussion, she was able to set up a private driver to pick us up at our hotel, make the 2 hour drive to Khao Sok National Park, wait for us while we explored, and then take us the 2 hours back to the hotel. A full day excursion for about $100 total. Sign me up!
Cheow Lan Lake
Once at Khao Sok National Park you can choose between hiking through the forest or exploring Cheow Lan Lake by boat, the park’s glistening treasure.
Private Longtail boat
Although man made, the aquamarine waters of Cheow Chen Lake set against rugged juts of limestone, will take anyone’s breath away. Also known as Ratchaprapha Dam Reservoir, it was created to generate power and control flooding.
If you chose to explore Cheow Chen lake, head to the pier, Ratchaprapha Marina. There, you will have the option to pay for a ticket and join a group tour or hire your own boat captain.
For a little extra money, we decided to go with our own boat and captain.
Overwater bungalows at Khao Sok
Note: If you’d like to stay the night, or join a 2-3 day tour, there are overwater bungalows available at Khao Sok National park many of which include kayak/paddle board rentals.
Deep water soloing in Tonsai
Our favorite experience on this itinerary for Thailand was rock climbing in Tonsai. If you are up for a once in a lifetime experience, try deep water soloing (climbing without rope over the ocean). If this sounds too scary, try top roping in Railay, with an instructor and ropes to guide you!
Routes for all skill levels
We chose to go deep water soloing with a company called Basecamp Tonsai and had a great experience. The trip will take 6-7 hours and cost 1,500 THB per person.
Note: You do not need to be an advance climber, but you should be comfortable with swimming and with heights if you plan to partake in this activity.
Check out my deep water soloing in Thailand guide for more information.
The next day, we flew back through Bangkok on our way out of Thailand simply amazed with our experience. In just 1 short week, we were able to visit 3 unique, yet equally beautiful regions of Thailand.
I’m curious to know what experiences you would include in a 1 week itinerary for Thailand. Let me know in the comments below!
November and December marks the beginning of Bangkok’s cooler season. These months are also usually less crowded if you can go before the major holiday season.
Ideally, 10 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Thailand. However, with 1 week you will be able to experience many of the best Thailand attractions! You’ll just need to move at a faster pace.
No. As of 10/01/22, there are no COVID entry requirements to enter Thailand.
It is highly recommended to get Hepatitis A vaccine as you can get this through contaminated food or water in Thailand.
The Typhoid vaccine is also recommended as it can be contracted through contaminated food or water.
Malaria medications may also be needed depending on where you are traveling within Thailand.
I would budget approximately 50-100 USD per day per person for the average traveler.
Do not drink the tap water.
Avoid fruits and vegetables that have been washed in tap water. This is how most tourists get sick.
Outlets accept type A, B, C plugs, so you will likely need a universal adapter.
Be sure to have cash on you as many places will not accept card.
Photos were taken in Collaboration with Matt Tonokawa
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