10-day plan · First trip in Southeast Asia · couples · budget-friendly · foodies

10-day Thailand itinerary

10-day Thailand: Bangkok → Chiang Mai → beach

Route

Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Krabi/Koh Lanta

Estimated cost

≈ $1,200–1,800 per person incl. flights, domestic hops, mid-range hotels

Pre-book note: Domestic flights are the play — AirAsia, Nok Air fly Bangkok → Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai → Krabi for $30–60. Grab is safer than metered taxis in Bangkok.

Day 1·Bangkok arrival + rooftop

Base: Bangkok

Morning: Airport transfer from BKK to Sukhumvit / Silom.
Afternoon: Recover; brief walk in Lumphini Park.
Evening: Rooftop drink at Vertigo or Sky Bar.

Day 2·Temples day: Grand Palace + Wat Pho + Wat Arun

Base: Bangkok

Morning: Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew (dress code, cover shoulders + knees).
Afternoon: Wat Pho reclining Buddha + Thai massage.
Evening: Cross river to Wat Arun for sunset; dinner in Yaowarat (Chinatown).

Day 3·Floating market + street food tour

Base: Bangkok

Morning: Half-day Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating market.
Afternoon: Chatuchak weekend market (if Sat/Sun) or MBK Center.
Evening: Klook street food tour in Chinatown — hits 6–8 stalls.

Day 4·Fly to Chiang Mai + Old City

Base: Chiang Mai

Morning: Morning flight BKK → CNX (1h15m).
Afternoon: Old City temple walk: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh.
Evening: Sunday Walking Street market (if Sunday) or Night Bazaar.

Day 5·Ethical elephant sanctuary + cooking class

Base: Chiang Mai

Morning: Ethical elephant sanctuary (Elephant Nature Park — no riding).
Afternoon: Return to Chiang Mai for a Thai cooking class.
Evening: Craft beer in Nimman.

Pre-book: Elephant sanctuary spots sell out — book via Klook 1+ week ahead.

Day 6·Doi Suthep + hill tribes

Base: Chiang Mai

Morning: Doi Suthep temple sunrise + city viewpoint.
Afternoon: Hmong hill tribe village + waterfalls.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Khao Soi Khun Yai.

Day 7·Fly to Krabi / Koh Lanta

Base: Koh Lanta

Morning: Chiang Mai → Krabi flight (2h15m).
Afternoon: Van + ferry to Koh Lanta; check into a beach bungalow.
Evening: Sunset at Long Beach + fresh seafood BBQ.

Day 8·4-island boat tour

Base: Koh Lanta

Morning: 4-island longtail boat: Emerald Cave, Koh Ngai, Koh Chuek, Koh Mook snorkel.
Afternoon: Continue island stops.
Evening: Beach bar hop.