Bangkok & Chiang Mai Highlights
Six days across Thailand's capital and its northern cultural heart — the temples and royal grandeur of Bangkok, the markets and river life of the Chao Phraya, and the Lanna-era old city and mountain temple of Chiang Mai — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing arranged from arrival to departure.
Thailand's two essential cities, done properly
If you only have one trip to Thailand, this is the itinerary most travellers wish they'd booked. It pairs Bangkok — the capital's golden temples, royal history and river life — with Chiang Mai, the walled former Lanna capital in the north, known for its old-city temples, mountain shrine and slower pace. Together they cover the two sides of Thailand most people come to see, without the guesswork of stringing it together yourself.
In Bangkok you'll take in the Grand Palace, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the riverside spire of Wat Arun, then browse the stalls of Chatuchak, one of the world's largest weekend markets. In Chiang Mai, the pace drops: wander the moated old city and its Lanna-style temples, climb to the golden chedi of Doi Suthep for views across the valley, and spend a morning at an ethical, no-riding elephant sanctuary observing rescued elephants at a respectful distance.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing in both cities are arranged for you. Prefer more time in one city, a beach extension tacked on the end, or the whole thing run privately? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
The Grand Palace & Wat Pho
The official royal residence from 1782 to the mid-20th century, its golden spires and intricate murals housed within the Wat Phra Kaew complex. A short walk away, Wat Pho holds the 46-metre gilded reclining Buddha and is recognised as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Wat Arun by river
A short public-boat crossing of the Chao Phraya River takes you to the porcelain-clad prang of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn — one of Bangkok's most photographed landmarks and a striking contrast to the gold of the Grand Palace.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The largest market in Thailand, with more than 15,000 stalls across 27 sections selling everything from antiques and homeware to street food and fashion. A morning here is as much a Bangkok experience as any temple.
Chiang Mai's old city & Doi Suthep
A moated, walled old town packed with Lanna-era temples, and — 15 km outside the city — Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most sacred site, reached by a 306-step naga staircase with a panoramic view over the whole valley.
Your 6-day itinerary
Three days in Bangkok, three in Chiang Mai — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — a Chao Phraya river walk or a rooftop bar at sunset is a good way to shake off the flight before Bangkok's temples in earnest tomorrow.
A guided morning through the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, followed by Wat Pho and its 46-metre gilded reclining Buddha. In the afternoon, a public boat crosses the Chao Phraya to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, for a closer look at its porcelain-covered spire and river views back across the city.
A morning at Chatuchak Weekend Market — thousands of stalls across handicrafts, homeware, fashion and street food, best explored slowly with no fixed plan. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight north to Chiang Mai, where you're met and transferred to your old-city hotel.
A guided walk through Chiang Mai's moated old city, taking in Wat Phra Singh — one of the most revered Lanna-style temples in the north — and the ruined, towering chedi of Wat Chedi Luang. In the afternoon, drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, climb (or funicular up) the naga-flanked staircase to the golden chedi, and take in the view across the whole Chiang Mai valley.
A half-day visit to an ethical, no-riding elephant sanctuary in the hills outside Chiang Mai, where rescued elephants roam freely. You'll help prepare food and observe their natural behaviour from a respectful distance — no rides, no bathing shows, no forced interaction. The rest of the day is free; browse the old-city night market or simply slow down before departure.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, a little free time for last-minute shopping in the old city. You're then transferred to Chiang Mai International Airport for your onward or connecting flight — or, if you'd like to extend, we can add a beach stretch in the south or more time in either city.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, market days, weather and local conditions. Chatuchak Market operates Saturdays and Sundays only — Day 3 assumes a weekend visit; an alternative Bangkok morning is arranged if your dates fall midweek.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Domestic flight, Bangkok–Chiang Mai (Day 3)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
Both cities are warm and tropical year-round, with a hotter, drier season roughly November to February being the most comfortable for sightseeing. The wetter months bring afternoon showers rather than washed-out days — we'll advise on timing for your dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Thai Baht (THB). Cards are widely accepted in Bangkok and Chiang Mai hotels and malls; carry cash for markets, temples, tuk-tuks and smaller vendors.
Temple etiquette
Shoulders and knees covered, shoes removed before entering shrine halls, and modest, respectful behaviour throughout — the Grand Palace enforces this strictly and can turn away travellers dressed inappropriately, so pack accordingly.
The elephant sanctuary is ethical by design
No riding, no bathing shows, no forced contact — the Day 5 visit is observation-based, with rescued elephants free to roam. It's a slower, quieter experience than the elephant camps advertised around Chiang Mai, and deliberately so.
What to pack
Light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a rain layer, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. A light cardigan or shawl is handy for air-conditioned malls and flights, and modest cover-ups for temple visits.
Visas & documents
Entry requirements depend on your passport. Many nationalities enter Thailand visa-free for short stays, but please check based on your nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Bangkok's temples to Chiang Mai's hills
Good to have answered
Is the US$799 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 6-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether the Bangkok–Chiang Mai flight is bundled in, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is the flight between Bangkok and Chiang Mai included?
It's not automatically bundled into the starting price above — it's a short, roughly one-hour domestic flight, and we quote it separately or fold it in depending on the fare at the time of booking. We'll confirm the exact arrangement, and the routing, when you enquire.
Is the elephant sanctuary visit actually ethical?
Yes — we only work with observation-based sanctuaries that don't offer riding, bathing shows or forced interaction. You'll help prepare food and watch the elephants roam and behave naturally from a respectful distance. If ethical animal tourism matters to you, tell us and we'll make sure your partner sanctuary matches that standard.
What if my trip doesn't fall on a weekend — will I still see Chatuchak?
Chatuchak only operates Saturdays and Sundays, so if Day 3 of your itinerary lands midweek, we'll swap it for an equally strong Bangkok morning — commonly the Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating markets — and confirm the change with you before booking.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Bangkok is well connected globally; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add extra nights in either city, upgrade the hotels, or extend south into a beach stay to close out the trip. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
It depends on your nationality. Many travellers enter Thailand visa-free for short stays, but requirements change, so please verify based on your own passport before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Thailand trip
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.