Laos, Myanmar, Thailand · Culture

12-Day North and Central Thailand Tour with Pai and Bangkok

12 Days Round trip from Chiang Mai Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Chiang Mai's night bazaars and Bangkok's famous nightlife districts
02 Bathe in Pai's Sai Ngam hot spring and watch sunset from Pai Canyon
03 Ride bamboo rafts at Nam Lod Cave and on the Maetaeng excursion
04 Discover Chiang Rai's White Temple, Blue Temple, Baan Dam, and the Golden Triangle boat ride
05 Cycle through Sukhothai Historical Park among ancient Buddha figures, palace remains, and ruined wats
06 Visit Ayutthaya's UNESCO-listed ruins, including Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram
07 Cruise through Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating markets and see Maeklong Railway Market in action
08 Spend a full day in Doi Inthanon National Park with waterfalls and rich birdlife

See North and Central Thailand over 12 days, from Chiang Mai's night markets and Pai's hot springs to the ancient ruins of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Along the way, enjoy ziplining, bamboo rafting, cave exploration, temple visits, floating markets explored by boat, and time in Doi Inthanon National Park. The journey also includes Chiang Rai's striking temples and a lively finale in Bangkok with markets, nightlife, and the Grand Palace. This tour brings together culture, archaeology, nature, and adventure in one wide-ranging itinerary.

See North and Central Thailand over 12 days, from Chiang Mai's night markets and Pai's hot springs to the ancient ruins of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Cities Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Doi Inthanon National Park, Sukhothai

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

A Vibrant Night Bazaar

Our tour starts in Chiang Mai, specifically at 5:00pm. Our tour guide takes us to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
There we are provided with a guided tour. This market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai.
It consists of countless stalls packed along the sidewalks and spilling out into the
street. The night ends with a visit to a nightclub complex called Zoe in Yellow.

Day 02

Flying Like a Bird And Food Vendors Taking Over the Streets

Today we go on a daytrip from Chiang Mai to an adventure park. There we go ziplining.
We then return to Chiang Mai and head to Wua Lai Walking Street. This is an outdoor bazaar with vendors selling traditional street snacks, handmade crafts & souvenirs.
Note that Wua Lai Walking Street is open only on Saturdays. If you are in town on a Sunday, we take you to Sunday Walking Street. This street becomes a gallery for local arts & crafts.

Day 03

The Hangout Hotspot of Thailand

We relocate by land from Chiang Mai to the mountain village of Pai. Food stalls and handicraft shops line Pai Walking Street.
There is a very atmospheric vibe on the streets, with tourists wanting to be nowhere else.
Today we visit a hot spring called Sai Ngam. There we go bathing in the naturally warm water.
We then walk on the Bamboo Bridge and end the day at the Pai Canyon. From this canyon we watch the sunset.

Day 04

Outdoor Adventure, Viewpoints And Caves

Before returning by land to Chiang Mai, we visit Yun Lai Viewpoint and then Nam Lod Cave.
Yun Lai is a hilltop village complex which sells tea service and offers panoramic valley views.
Nam Lod Cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. It is also home to large numbers of bats and swifts. At this cave, we go on a quick bamboo rafting ride.

Day 05

An Animal Kingdom, Climbing a ‘Sticky’ Cascade, Cruising the River And Temples

We go on a daytrip today. The first attraction to see this morning is in town, a nearby temple called Wat Chedi Luang.
Next, we are taken to the Maetaeng Elephant Camp. There we watch an elephant performance.
Next, we ride on an ox cart. In the same area, we then go bamboo rafting. Afterwards, we can eat. Lunch is included on today’s tour at the elephant camp.
After our meal, we are taken to Namtok Bua Thong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park.
There we climb up gluey-like rocks resting beneath a small waterfall, hence the nickname ‘Sticky Waterfall’.
A calcium-rich spring leaves mineral deposits on the rocks, preventing slippery things like algae from growing.
Next, we are taken to Tiger Kingdom. Lastly, we are taken to a temple called Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Day 06

The Traditions, Culture And People of the North

We go on another daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken to the White Temple (a.k.a. Wat Rong Khun), located in the city of Chiang Rai.
This is arguably the prettiest temple in all of Thailand and is undoubtedly one of the country’s most striking architectural landmarks.
Adjacent to this temple is a cave museum, which we check out. Next, we have lunch, which is included on today’s tour.
After our meal, we are taken to the Blue Temple (a.k.a. Wat Rong Suea Ten) followed by to an outdoor museum called Baan Dam.
There we see traditional homes and kitchenware and other centuries-old objects. Next, we are taken to a village where mostly Burmese reside.
There we see people with long necks and large ears. As a custom initiated by the parents, rings are placed on these Burmese people at a very young age. These rings usually are never removed.
Lastly, we are taken to a dock. There we go on a boat ride and see the countries of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar all at the same time.

Day 07

Waterfalls, Birds And Nature at its Purest

We are going on another day trip today. We are taken to Doi Inthanon National Park. There we are provided with a full-day guided tour.
Doi Inthanon ranks second among Thailand’s national parks in number of bird species.
What’s more, within the park’s borders are several waterfalls. Lunch is included on today’s tour. We should be back in Chiang Mai in the early-evening.

Day 08

The Country’s Antiquities Dotted in And Around a Scenic Park

We relocate by land from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai, home to one of Thailand’s greatest archaeological parks. There we are provided with a guided tour, best explored on a bicycle.
The park is maintained by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand with the help of UNESCO, which has declared it a World Heritage Site.
Each year, the park welcomes thousands of visitors who marvel at the ancient Buddha figures, palace buildings and ruined temples (a.k.a. wats).
Inside this park, there are 193 ruins, the remains of the royal palace and 26 temples.
We visit Wat Chetuphon, Wat Chedi Si Hong, Wat Chang Lom, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Traphang Ngoen, Wat Sra Sri, King Ramkhamhaeng Monument and Wat Mahathat. We watch the sunset at Wat Mahathat.

Day 09

Bangkok's Grand Palace And Grander Markets And Lebua Hotel’s World Renowned Sky Bar

We relocate from Sukhothai to Bangkok via a quick and direct flight. The capital of Thailand is popular specifically for its nightlife scene, food market scene and the Grand Palace area.
Today in Bangkok we are first provided with a guided tour of the Grand Palace. Next, we are taken to a large, open-air mall called Asiatique The Riverfront. There we have some time to shop around.
Afterwards, we head to the Chinatown Market (a.k.a. Yaowarat). There we are provided with a guided tour.
In the later evening, we are taken to Patpong. It features a busy night market as well as is home to one of the city’s biggest red-light districts. There we are provided with a guided tour.
Next, we are taken to Lebua hotel’s Sky Bar, which is located on the nearby Silom Road. This is one of the highest rooftop bars in the world.
Also worth mentioning, Sky Bar had a starring role in an internationally acclaimed movie called Hangover 2.
The night ends on Khao San Road. This is arguably Bangkok’s best spot for nightlife. Parallel to Khao San Road is Soi Rambuttri, another vibrant street we check out in the nighttime before heading back to our hotel.

Day 10

2 Floating Markets Explored by Boat, a Train Market And Much More

We are going on a daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken to Damnoen Saduak specifically to see its floating market.
There we are provided with a guided boat tour followed by a walking tour. Next, we are taken to the Maeklong Railway Market. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shopfronts are moved back from the rails.
They are put back in place once the train has passed. After that, we are taken to the nearby Amphawa Floating Market.
There we are provided with a guided boat tour.In the early afternoon, we are taken to the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
There we are provided with a guided tour. We hope you will be hungry, as there are a lot of food vendors at this market.
Walking distance from the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the Jatujak Green (a.k.a. JJ Green) Market.
There we are provided with another guided tour.
Note that today’s excursion may need to be switched with another day because these markets are open usually on the weekends only.

Day 11

An Ancient City And Roads Filled with Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs And Bars

We go on another daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken to Ayutthaya Historical/Archaeological Park.
There we are provided with a guided tour, visiting specifically the temples of Ratchaburana, Maha That and Chaiwatthanaram.
These are arguably the three best of the many temples dotted throughout the area.
The city of Ayutthaya was founded in 1351. It was captured by the Burmese in 1569.
Though not pillaged, Ayutthaya lost many valuable and artistic objects. Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand until its destruction by the Burmese Army in 1767.
In 1969, the Fine Arts Department began renovations of the ruins. These renovations became more of a priority after Ayutthaya was declared a historical park in 1976.
A part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
After Ayutthaya, we are taken back to Bangkok, specifically to a thoroughfare called Sukhumvit Road.
It features clubs, bars and famous red-light districts on virtually every side street. We are provided with a guided walking tour of this area, including to a famous red-light district called Soi Cowboy.
After checking out Sukhumvit Road, we take the Bangkok Mass Transit System (a.k.a. BTS Skytrain) to reach another buzzing area called Thong Lor (a.k.a. Soi Sukhumvit 55).
After exploring it, we use the Bangkok Mass Transit System to reach Ekkamai (a.k.a. Soi Sukhumvit 63). Ekkamai is a road filled with restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars.
Lastly, we head to Ratchadaphisek Road. The whole road is lined with nightclubs and is centered around Royal City Avenue (a.k.a. RCA). It is one of Bangkok’s largest entertainment and clubbing areas.

Day 12

Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach either airport in Bangkok.

Where this trip takes you

Pai Canyon, Doi Inthanon National Park waterfalls, Grand Palace

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Chiang Mai 6 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Lodging
Male or female tour guides
Tours in English
All ground and water transportation
All activities in the itinerary below
All entry fees
Your own on-call concierge
Breakfasts
Lunches x 3

What's Not Included

Any airfare
Alcohol
Travel insurance
Any government-imposed visa fees
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

What to bring

Strap for your sunglasses (to wrap around your head while zip-lining)
Lockable waterproof backpack (for while bamboo rafting and while swimming in hot springs)
Waterproof case for your identification card and credit cards (when swimming)
Water shoes
Adapters for your electronic devices

Know before you go

Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the flights you need. Just ask.
All participants must book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance.
1-2 persons for one room: $1,540
3-4 persons for two rooms: $3,080
5-6 persons for three rooms: $4,620
7-8 persons for four rooms: $6,160
9-10 persons for five rooms: $7,700
International airfare is available for VIP members only - ask for details.

Logistics