A Multi-City & Island Adventure Through Thailand from Journy

Destinations Explored

Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Ko Samui

Optional Add-ons

Ayutthaya

Chiang Rai

Phuket

With forested mountains in the north and tropical islands to the south, Thailand is a country with diverse geographic offerings. You’ll experience a little bit of both on this nine day Thai adventure. Begin in the frenetic mega-city of Bangkok, then get active in Chiang Mai, an easy-to-love northern city known for its temples, night markets, elephant sanctuaries, and outdoors access. You’ll end on a relaxing, luxurious note on Ko Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand where lush rainforests are ringed by pristine sandy beaches.

Key Highlights

Chef-led tour in Bangkok's Chinatown, the largest street food district in the world

Observe early morning Buddhist rituals at Doi Suthep with a former monk as your guide

Charter a private yacht to the islands of Ang Thong National Park

Interact with elephants at a sanctuary in rural northern Thailand

Best Times to Visit

Northern Thailand: October - April

Southern Thailand: Late December - April

Sample Trip Itinerary

Day 1-3

Bangkok

Arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Accommodation in Bangkok

Suggested options (actual bookings will vary based on pricing and availability)

Meet your personal greeter, who will fast track you through immigration & customs

We know how disorienting it can be to step off the plane into an unfamiliar airport, only to be faced with confusing immigration procedures and long lines. We'll arrange for a personal greeter to meet you in the airport and fast track you through immigration and customs procedures. Once you're through, a private driver will whisk you to your Bangkok hotel.

Beautiful architecture and Thai silk products at the Jim Thompson House

Jim Thompson was an American OSS officer turned silk entrepreneur and art collector. In the years after World War II, he exported beautiful handmade silk to some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. Now, his former home is open as a museum and showcases Buddhist and traditional Thai art. The building is made up of traditional structures from Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, and is an architectural monument in and of itself.

Get acquainted with Bangkok alongside a local historian

Get your bearings in Bangkok on an introductory tour of the city with a local historian. You'll learn important background around how the city became the massive metropolis it is today, while also covering practical matters like how to catch the ferry on the Chao Phraya River (easily the most scenic way to see the city).

Eat your way through Bangkok's Chinatown on a chef-designed food tour

Yaowarat Road, the main artery through Bangkok's Chinatown, is an unrelenting assault on the senses—in the best way. Colorful neon signs hang off every building, tuk tuks and motorbikes honk constantly, and mouth-watering aromas rise from street-side woks and grills. As one of the largest street food districts in the world, it's an amazing introduction to the cuisine and culture of Thailand. You'll beeline for the best food here with a local chef as your guide, while also learning about the people and history behind it all.

Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and MaeKlong Railway Market

Explore the narrow waterways of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with a private guide on a half-day trip from Bangkok. While it's only about an hour outside the city center, the pole-driven longtail boats, piled high with fresh produce and seafood, feel a world away from the shiny skyscrapers and shopping malls. It's also the perfect opportunity to sample prepared foods and drinks.

Day 4-6

Chiang Mai

Overnight sleeper train or 1 hour and 20 minute flight.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai

Suggested options (actual bookings will vary based on pricing and availability)

Get your bearings in Chiang Mai with a local guide

While Chiang Mai certainly feels small in comparison to Bangkok, the city packs a punch. Vibrant street art and centuries-old temples coexist on the same street. The same goes for third-wave coffee shops and local markets. Beginning at one of the main gates to Chiang Mai's old city, let a local guide introduce you to the can't-miss highlights, as well as the less-frequented locales.

Tour Chiang Mai's famous night markets with a local food expert

Chiang Mai's night markets are iconic. Alongside temples and elephant sanctuaries, these markets are one of the first things that come to mind when travelers envision the city. With the help of a local guide, you'll hop from market to market in a songthaw van sampling the best the city has to offer. Don't expect Pad Thai, though—northern Thai cuisine is a category all its own.

Bond with elephants (ethically!) at Elephant Nature Park

Experience an ethical elephant sanctuary on a full-day trip to the rural countryside outside Chiang Mai. These gentle giants have all been rescued from logging and entertainment operations and now live a life of leisure—in elephant terms, that means mud baths, ample bananas, and freedom to roam. You'll interact with and observe the elephants, while also learning about the organization's rescue work.

Witness Buddhist rituals at Doi Suthep with a former monk

Come midday, Doi Suthep Temple is crawling with visitors to see its glittering gold exterior and expansive views of the city. By getting an early start, you'll not only beat the crowds but also witness the traditional Buddhist morning rituals, including the alms collection. With a former monk as your guide, you'll learn the context behind these practices while taking in the stunning surroundings.

Learn how to prepare traditional dishes at the Thai Cookery School

Learn from the best at one of Thailand's first cooking schools. With the help of professional chefs, you'll whip up aromatic curries, fried noodles, and dessert favorites like mango sticky rice—all of which are easy to replicate back home for a taste of Thailand wherever you are.

Day 7-9

Ko Samui

1 hour and 45 minute flight to Ko Samui.

Accommodation in Ko Samui

Suggested options (actual bookings will vary based on pricing and availability)

Relax on Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is a wide, sandy strip of coastline on Ko Samui with white sand and shallow turquoise water. It's lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels—and the party's never far!

Explore the uninhabited islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park

With bright turquoise water, hidden lagoons, and private stretches of sand, Ang Thong National Marine Park is the textbook definition of a tropical paradise. With a private charter, you'll take advantage of all the hidden coves here on a full-day trip from Koh Samui.

See Ko Samui's highlights on a round-the-island tour

From the Big Buddha to fishing villages and jungle hikes, explore all the island has to offer on a half-day tour with a private driver and guide.

Ready to plan?

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Thailand

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui

Prices start from $2120 per person.

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How Journy Works

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Travel planning for current times

Itching to hop on a plane and get back to exploring? We've got you covered.

Comprehensive vetting of restaurant/hotel sanitary measures

Including employee mask mandates and no-contact check-in.

Flexible, refundable rates

We’ll only book select hotels and rental properties with flexible cancellation policies and refundable rates.

Up-to-date guidance on COVID-related travel policies

From health certificate requirements to airport testing, we’ll stay on top of changes that may impact your travel plans so you don’t have to.

Detailed daily travel plans

With lodging, restaurants, activities, tours, and transfers all logistically optimized to help you efficiently get from point A to point B.

100% customized to you

With recommendations sourced from our network of local experts.

View a sample itinerary

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Testimonials

Journy helps thousands of travelers a year plan their dream trips to 75+ destinations around the world.

“The experience was out of this world! Anything that we requested or that we were interested in, Sarah was able to accommodate it for us.”

See Her Top 3 Japan Moments

“We really enjoyed the mix of cultural, food and shopping experiences. Most of all, it was great to hit the ground with a plan for each day, but also improvise depending on how our kids were feeling.”

“Couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I had some specific ideas about what to see—what art, what part of the countryside, etc. Elena (our trip designer) was very patient with me as we worked out just the right itinerary.”

“The experience was out of this world! Anything that we requested or that we were interested in, Sarah was able to accommodate it for us.”

See Her Top 3 Japan Moments

“The experience was out of this world! Anything that we requested or that we were interested in, Sarah was able to accommodate it for us.”

See Her Top 3 Japan Moments