Last Updated on April 11, 2022
Traveling to Thailand is an absolute must while on any assignment in the Pacific territory. From roughing-it with elephants to splurging in a private villa, this is the perfect 9-day Thailand itinerary for military spouses.
*Note that Day 1 and Day 9 are solely travel days in this itinerary. If you have more or less time available, this itinerary is very simple to squeeze or expand.
P.S. Click on each “Day” for my personal journal entry of the experience!
Day 1: Travel to Chiang Mai
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Travel to Chiang Mai
– Arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport
– Check-in at The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel
Flight
For most military spouses traveling to Thailand, the likelihood of coming from a Pacific military base is fairly high. In this case, the travel day shouldn’t be too horribly long, but travel, in general, can be exhausting.
Take today to focus on getting to Chiang Mai. Make sure you read the “5 Things You Need to Know When Arriving in Thailand” to help with a smooth transition for your arrival.
Arrival To-Dos & Check-In
After taking care of business at the airport (SIM Card, ATM, etc.), take a cab to your hotel. Old Town Chiang Mai is about 10-minutes from the airport and very centrally-located to all attractions. Check out The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel for your first night’s stay.
If arriving in the evening, check out the hotel’s Dining & Drinking Options so you can take it easy before a busy week of exploring.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
Day 2: Explore Chiang Mai and Head to Chai Lai Orchid
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Breakfast at The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel
– Explore Old Town Chiang Mai
– Visit temples and markets
– Thai lunch at Baan Buri
– Pick-up to head to Chai Lai Orchid
– Check-in at Chai Lai Orchid
– Explore grounds and feed elephants
-Dinner at Riverside Café
Courtyard Breakfast
Start your first morning off with a fresh and tropical breakfast at The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel’s courtyard. With a large variety of set menu options to choose from, you are sure to be energized for a long day ahead of exploring.
Coffee & Sightseeing
After breakfast, check out of your room and ask the concierge to hold your bags until you return in the afternoon. Take a few hours to head on out into the Old Town to just walk around and explore. There are tons of cute little Old Town cafés you’ll discover along the way in case you’re in need of a mid-morning coffee pick-me-up. My favorite coffee shop in Old Town was called, My Secret Café in Town. It’s so eclectic and peaceful. They also offer a variety of food. This is right near the Gold Temple.
Speaking of, make sure to visit some of the temples in town. They are stunning! We especially loved the Gold Temple. We had to pay a small fee to enter the grounds, but the experience, along with getting up close to the temple, was definitely worth it.
Drift Tip:
Remember to have knees and shoulders covered while visiting the temples. Also, consider wearing sandals or slip-on shoes for easy removal prior to entering temples and shops throughout the day.
Lunch
After a few hours of wandering, head to an amazing lunch spot called, Baan Buri, for some delicious Thai food. I’ll admit, we came here twice on our visit to Chiang Mai. Order the Massaman Curry and the Mango or Coconut Ice-Cream. I truly believe I could live off of the food here.
Once lunch is over, head back to The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel for your pre-arranged hotel pick-up through Chai Lai Orchid. This can be arranged via email a few days prior to your stay. Expect to ride in style in a Songthaew, otherwise known as a pick-up truck with bench seats in the back. It’s the furthest thing from luxury, but such a fun and authentic way to travel around Thailand.
Check-In
You’ll be dropped off on the side of the road and will have to walk across a wobbly suspension bridge to get to Chai Lai Orchid. Therefore, pack light and leave the heels at home. Read more about the Chai Lai Orchid experience here.
Dinner
Once checked-in and settled into your bungalow, take some time to explore the grounds, feed the elephants, and confirm your excursion for the following day. Finish your evening off with a Thai or Western dinner at the riverside café. Watch out for beggars… those elephants are worse than pups.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
Day 3: Elephant Jungle Expedition
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Breakfast at Chai Lai Orchid Riverside Café
– Meet your tour guide and greet the elephants
– Songthaew to start of hike
– Lunch at waterfalls
– Play with elephants in river
– Bamboo rafting
– Songthaew back to Chai Lai Orchid
– Dinner at Riverside Café
Wake up to the sounds of roosters and the trumpeting of elephants. Seriously, it is the coolest thing ever to wake up to the sound of elephants! Take a look out your bungalow’s window. If you’re lucky, you might get to watch an elephant doing a morning Zumba class! (Elephants like to dance and sway from side to side when they are happy – it’s the cutest thing).
Riverside Breakfast
Grab some breakfast at the Riverside Café. You’ll need your energy for a long day of fun and play ahead. Your tour guide will meet you at breakfast or shortly after to give you some details about the day. Find all of the details about your elephant excursion here!
Ready to play with elephants?!
Here is everything you need to know!
Start your elephant excursion off by greeting Chai Lai Orchid’s elephants and feeding them some bananas. A songthaew will pick you up and drop you off down the road where the hike will begin.
Hike
The hike is very “MacGyver-like”. The guide will make stops along the hike to describe how to use different plants or things in nature to do daily tasks. It’s quite incredible! Read more about what I learned on my jungle hike here.
Lunch at Waterfall
A few hours into the hike, you will stop at a waterfall for lunch. Your guide will ask you of any dietary restrictions prior to leaving to make sure everyone has something to eat. We had fried rice with chicken (one of our best meals on the trip!). Our guide also cut up some passion fruit for us and we learned how to make fire-roasted sticky rice for dessert in bamboo (OMG so delicious!).
Play with Elephants
After lunch and hiking a little further, you will take another songthaew to a nearby elephant sanctuary. You’ll meet and greet the elephants, and then get to play with them in the river for awhile.
Drift Tip:
Purchase or bring a pair of water shoes for swimming with the elephants.
After bidding farewell to the gentle giants, your songthaew will take you to another stop at the river for bamboo rafting. This will be the final activity of the excursion before being dropped off at Chai Lai Orchid.
Remember to tip your guide before leaving and consider purchasing some souvenirs throughout the day to support the locals.
Dinner
End the day with a happy hour drink and dinner at Chai Lai Orchid’s Riverside Café.
Tip: Bring a book or a few games along to play in your bungalow at night. Mosquitos start to come out after dusk, which is when many people head in for the evening.
Day 4: Back to Downtown Chiang Mai
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Breakfast at Chai Lai Orchid riverside café
– Songthaew to Phra Singh Village in Old Town Chiang Mai
– Coffee shop-hop around Nimmanhaemin Road
– Thai lunch
– Thai cooking class
– Chiang Mai Night Market
Although, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to your new banana-loving best friends, rest assured that the fun has just begun. Grab some breakfast from the Riverside Café before checking out and taking a songthaew back into downtown Chiang Mai.
Check-In
The next stop on the agenda is checking into the Phra Singh Village hotel. The hotel is tucked away on a quiet and serene side street near the Gold Temple. Although, check-in isn’t until the afternoon, if you arrive early, they will do their best to get you checked-in as soon as possible, or at least hold your luggage until your room is ready. While waiting, you will be laid with the most incredible-smelling flowers, and receive a nice cool towel with a cup of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea.
This is the time to decide how you’re feeling to determine what activities you’re wanting to do for the day. Phra Singh Village has a spa detached from the hotel called Makkha, that offers a large variety of spa packages, if you’re in need of a little R & R after all that elephant play. Otherwise, I highly suggest a Chiang Mai Coffee Shop hop.
Coffee Shop Hop
Head to Nimmanhaemin Road for all the hipster coffee shops. There are so many to choose from, it’s overwhelming. Take a look at my Chiang Mai Coffee Shop guide to help you determine where to start.
Lunch
Although, there are a ton of places on Nimmanhaemin Road to eat, we were craving the Thai curry from Baan Buri again. It was the best curry we had on our trip!
Relax / Pool Time
After indulging in all the good food, catch up on some sightseeing or spend the next few hours relaxing by the pool at Phra Singh Village before heading out for your Thai Cooking Class.
Cooking Class
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School is on the other side of Old Town. Either take a tuk-tuk there, or leave a little early so you can walk. The walk is about twenty-minutes and very easy to navigate. We left early so we could pop in and out of shops along the way.
Make sure you come hungry because this is probably the best food I’ve ever made with my own two hands! After a visit to the garden and market, you’ll get to make four different dishes of your choice (meaning, if you go with a friend, have them make something else so you can share and try more food!).
Night Market
Following the cooking class, head outside of Old Town and over to Changklan Road, where you will find a ton of night markets to wander around and explore. From here, take a tuk-tuk back to Phra Singh Village and call it a night.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
Day 5: Away to your Private Phuket Villa
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Breakfast at Phra Singh Village courtyard
– Check out one last Chiang Mai coffee shop
– Take Phra Singh Village car service to airport
– Fly to Phuket
– Pick-up to head to Amatara Wellness Resort
– Check in and explore Amatara Wellness Resort
Rise and shine, your courtyard breakfast buffet awaits you. Indulge in some yummy food, pack everything up, and spend any spare time checking out one last Chiang Mai coffee shop before saying goodbye.
Flight
Phra Sing Village will provide a car service to the airport and will suggest what time to leave based on your flight time. Make sure to prearrange the car at least an hour prior to leaving.
Take your flight to Phuket International Airport and look for your prearranged driver to take you to Amatara Wellness Resort. Your driver will provide you with fresh-pressed juice, water, and a cold towel.
Check-In
After an hour drive or so, you’ll arrive at the stunning grounds of Amatara Wellness Resort. A concierge will check you in, provide you with a iced spiced tea, and then go over your itinerary for your stay. Afterwards, your concierge will drive you via golf cart to your villa and show you around.
Room Service Dinner
Spend the rest of the day in awe (at least I did). As much as we wanted to wander the grounds, we also wanted to enjoy our private villa. Order room service for dinner and then take a dip in your private infinity pool while you wait. Eat, watch the sunset, and then if feeling adventurous, head to the rooftop bar called, Sun & Moon, for a nightcap.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
Day 6: Phi Phi Island Snorkeling Tour
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Bagged breakfast provided by Amatara Wellness Resort
– Pick-up to marina
– Phi Phi Island Snorkeling Excursion
– Massage at Amatara Wellness Resort
– Happy Hour at Sun & Moon
– Thai dinner at The Restaurant
A day full of island hopping and snorkeling should easily get you out of bed at 5:00 AM. Head to the lobby for your 5:30 AM pick-up to take you to the Royal Marina for your Phi Phi Island Tour. Amatara Wellness Resort will provide you with a bagged breakfast and snacks for the day.
Snorkeling, Sights and Island Life
Once you’ve arrived at the marina, you’ll be split into groups based on what tour you signed up for, and then will board your boat. It will be about a 45-minute boat ride before the first stop. Read up on everything you need to know before your Phi Phi Island Tour, which has some useful tips on what to bring and prepare for.
The day will consist of various stops to snorkel, see the local sights, stopping to hike or relax on the beach, lunch, swimming, and more. Check out my travel journal to read more about my day-trip around Phi Phi Islands.
Spa Treatment
After a full day of fun in the sun, head back to Amatara Wellness Resort for a relaxing massage at the spa. With plenty of spa treatments available, along with holistic healing treatments, you’ll never want to leave.
Dinner
End the day with a Thai set dinner for two at The Restaurant at Amatara Wellness Resort before calling it a night with a nightcap at Sun & Moon rooftop bar.
Day 7: Reap the Benefits of your Wellness Resort
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Floating breakfast delivered to private villa’s pool
– Check out Amatara’s private beach
– Lounge by Amatara’s infinity pool
– Lunch at The Retreat
– Lounge by The Retreat’s infinity pool
– Afternoon tea in The Library
– Ocean view yoga class
– Happy hour at Sun & Moon
– Dinner at The Restaurant or The Grill
Waking up is dream-like when the sun starts peeking through the windows and glistening against your private pool. Don’t worry about going to breakfast, because breakfast is coming to you!
Floating Breakfast
A member of the Amatara staff will stop by your room to clean your pool, followed by a team to come set up your floating breakfast.
Beach & Infinity Pools
After indulging in your magical meal, take the day to make the most out of your stay at Amatara Wellness Resort. Start by exploring the private beach, lounging at the resort’s guest infinity pool, and sip on a poolside cocktail or coconut water.
Healthy Lunch
Next, head to The Retreat for a healthy lunch and hang around there for a post-lunch dip in their infinity pool.
Afternoon Tea
Once you’re water-logged from swimming all day, take a stroll over to Amatara’s library, which offers afternoon tea every day. Choose from a huge selection of teas and snacks before going to your wellness activity.
Wellness Consultation
Before your wellness activity, every guest gets a free wellness consultation from Amatara’s on-site wellness advisor. Feel free to bring up any health issues or concerns and the advisor will provide personalized holistic advice to help you feel better.
Wellness Activity
Upon booking your stay at Amatara Wellness Resort, you will receive a schedule of all the wellness activities offered that month. Many of the villa packages include one free wellness activity to choose from the schedule. I chose to do a vinyasa flow yoga, which is at an ocean-view pavilion near the spa.
Dinner
After your wellness activity, choose from one of the restaurants on property to have dinner. Per usual, head on up to Sun & Moon for a nightcap before calling it a day.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
Day 8: Explore Bangkok
Check out today’s journal entry right here!
Daily Overview:
– Breakfast at The Retreat
– Check out of Amatara Wellness Resort
– Take Amatara private car service to airport
– Fly to Bangkok
– Take a Grab or cab to Amari Watergate Hotel
– Check into Amari Watergate Hotel
– Explore Bangkok
– Visit a Night or Weekend Market
Morning Yoga & Check-Out
Today is a sad, sad day, indeed. Leaving Amatara Wellness Resort may be one of the biggest challenges you face on this trip (besides leaving Thailand altogether). If leaving on a Saturday or a Monday, make the most out of your last little bit of time at Amatara by waking up early and going to Sunrise Yoga at 6:30 AM at Sun & Moon. The views are breathtaking and totally worth the early morning. Follow your yoga session by going to The Retreat for a relaxing and delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast by the pool.
On the bright side, your trip is not yet over. Upon arrival to Amatara, your concierge will set up a driver to take you to the airport on your departure date. Similar to arrival, the private van is stocked with a fresh-pressed juice, water, and a cool towel.
Flight
The next order of business? Bangkok. Bangkok may be a bit of a let down after the first two legs of the trip. Coming from such relaxation to a bustling city with tons of traffic and chaos takes a little bit of time to transition into. If taking a car service or taxi from the airport to the hotel, make sure to bring some Thai Baht to pay the toll to take the highway (otherwise you may get stuck in major traffic).
Hotel Check-In
Check in to the Amari Watergate Hotel. We opted to stay here because it is in a centralized location to most everything and accessible to public transportation.
Market
Take this day in Bangkok to do what’s important to you. There are a ton of beautiful temples to visit, good food, shopping, markets, wandering around and more. The opportunities are endless and overwhelming. Most likely, with only a day to explore, you’ll really only be able to hit one or two things on your list.
We opted to explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is the world’s largest weekend market. There is a ton of food, art, antiques, clothing shops, leather goods, trinkets, and more. We spent at least three or four hours there and still didn’t see it all. Make sure you get there early, though, as most of the shops close at 6:00 PM.
Dinner
If you’re not in the mood for Thai food, head over to Daniel Thaiger Burger in Sukhumvit (somewhat close to Amari Watergate Hotel). Their burgers are known as some of the best in Bangkok! And I must agree, they were pretty darn good.
Spend the rest of your evening wandering the busy streets of Bangkok and maybe even run into a few ladyboys along the way. With so much to do and see, you’ll surely find a way to make the most of your last evening in Thailand.
***Or contact us at Drift Destinations to book your stay!***
Note that booking with a travel agent can oftentimes get you awesome perks, local recommendations, as well as a stress-free travel planning experience!
DAY 9: Travel Day
Daily Overview:
– Check out of Amari Watergate Hotel
– Take Grab or cab to airport
– Leave with TONS of unforgettable memories
This is always the dreaded day of the trip… leaving. Use a ride-sharing app, such as Grab, or have the concierge get you a taxi to take you to the airport.
DRIFT TIP: If you happen to make it to the airport late and happen to miss your flight, you can always just stay, right? 😉
I hope you had an INCREDIBLE trip! Please leave a comment or click on the link below to share your Thailand story with me.
