The Classic Thailand Journey
Bangkok's river, the old capital, the northern hills and a slow finish on the Andaman coast — with the same guide from arrival to departure. This is the route we have run longest, and the one we would send a first-time visitor on.
The Classic Thailand Journey is a 10-day private tour from $2,480 per person, covering Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket. It includes hotels, one domestic flight, a private guide throughout and all entrance fees, based on two people sharing.
- Price$2,480 per person
- Length10 days, 9 nights
- RouteBangkok · Ayutthaya · Chiang Mai · Phuket
- IncludedHotels, flight, guide, fees
Bangkok · Ayutthaya · Chiang Mai · Phuket
Ten days is the shortest itinerary that lets you see all three of Thailand's characters without spending half of it in transit. Two internal flights do the long distances; everything else is a private car.
We keep day one deliberately light. Almost every long-haul flight lands in Bangkok in the morning or late evening, and a temple marathon on arrival day is the most common complaint we hear about other operators' itineraries.
Day 1 — Arrive Bangkok
Private transfer from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, whatever time you land. Riverside hotel, rest of the day free. Your guide meets you in the lobby at 18:00 for a short orientation walk if you have the energy.
Day 2 — Bangkok by river
Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha early, before the heat and the tour buses. Wat Pho at mid-morning, then a longtail boat across to Wat Arun. Evening Chinatown food walk with a guide who eats there weekly — six stops, no restaurant with a tour menu.
Day 3 — Ayutthaya
Private car north to the old capital, 80 minutes. The UNESCO park by bicycle in the cool of the morning, the reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam, and lunch by the river. Back in Bangkok by late afternoon.
Day 4 — Fly north to Chiang Mai
Morning flight. Check in, then Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the late afternoon when the light is gold and the coaches have gone. Dinner in the old city.
Day 5 — Elephants, properly
A full day at an observation-only sanctuary in the Mae Wang valley — no riding, no hooks, capped visitor numbers. You feed, walk with and watch the animals; the mahouts explain the rescue histories. We have worked with this operator for nine years.
Day 6 — The mountain, or the kitchen
Your choice, and we ask at booking rather than on the day. Either a 04:30 start for the Doi Inthanon cloud sea, or a village cooking morning in Mae Kampong with a market run first. Afternoon free for the night bazaar.
Day 7 — Fly to Phuket
Midday flight south. The rest of the day is beach and nothing else. We put you on the quieter stretch of coast rather than Patong unless you ask otherwise.
Day 8 — Phi Phi by private boat
Your own longtail and crew, leaving before the speedboat fleets. Maya Bay early, then the lagoon at Pileh and a snorkel stop where the tour boats do not go. Back by late afternoon.
Day 9 — Free day on the Andaman
Nothing scheduled. If you want Phang Nga Bay or a second boat day we add it; if you want a spa and a long lunch, that is the better use of the day.
Day 10 — Depart
Private transfer to Phuket airport at the time that suits your flight. Late departures keep the room until 14:00.
Nine nights in 4★ hotels with breakfast · two domestic flights (Bangkok–Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai–Phuket) · private guide and vehicle throughout · all entrance fees and national park fees · private longtail boat on day 8 · airport transfers · drinking water in the car · 24/7 Bangkok support line.
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, meals not listed, personal shopping and tips. Single travellers pay a supplement because the vehicle and guide cost the same.
Price per person
- Based on 4★ hotels, mid-season dates
- Free changes up to 21 days before arrival
- No deposit to receive a full proposal
- Single rooms available on request
We reply within one working day with dates, hotels and the full day-by-day PDF.
Right trip, wrong trip
This is for you if
- It is your first or second time in Thailand
- You want cities, mountains and a beach in one trip
- You would rather move twice than five times
- You value a guide who stays with you
This is not for you if
- You want four islands in ten days
- You are travelling on a backpacker budget
- You would rather self-drive and book hotels yourself
- You are here mainly for diving — take the Andaman itinerary
Common changes
- Swap Phuket for Krabi (better scenery, quieter)
- Add two nights in Chiang Rai
- Drop Ayutthaya for a second Bangkok day
- Extend to 14 days with Koh Samui
About this itinerary
Can this run in reverse?
Yes — Phuket first, Bangkok last. It works slightly better in reverse if your flight home leaves from Bangkok in the evening, because the last day is then a short transfer rather than a domestic flight.
How much walking is involved?
Three to five kilometres on temple days, in heat. The Grand Palace and Ayutthaya are the longest. Everything is private, so the car is never more than a few minutes away and the pace is yours.
Is it suitable for children?
From about eight years old, yes — but the twelve-day family itinerary is better designed for younger children: shorter drives, connecting rooms, a beach finish with no early starts.
What are the flights like?
Both are on Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways, roughly 1h15 and 2h. We book hold luggage and seat selection, and we build in a two-hour buffer so a delay does not cascade into the itinerary.
When is the best time to take this route?
November to February for the north and the Andaman both. March to May is hot but the Andaman is at its clearest; the north is hazy. We adjust the order of days by season rather than selling the same schedule year-round.
Ask for the day-by-day PDF.
Including hotel names, flight times and the exact cost for your dates.
Written and checked by the Travel Thailand Tour team, Bangkok · Last updated · Prices are per person and were correct at the time of writing.