We did Phuket → Chiang Mai → Bangkok, with a mix of beaches, adventure, animals, hotels, markets, and plenty of relaxing in between.
Here’s our full itinerary, plus the places we stayed, things we did, and a few things I’d definitely pack if I were doing this trip again.
What I’d Pack for Thailand
These are the things I’d make sure I had with me based on the trip we actually did.
-Waterproof Phone Case: For snorkeling, islands, rafting, waterfalls and basically every Thailand water day.
-Water Shoes: Great for waterfalls, rocky beaches, snorkeling and rafting.
-Bug Spray: Definitely useful for Chiang Mai, national parks and outdoor excursions.
-Packable Sun Hat: You’re outside constantly between beaches, islands, elephants and day trips.
-Emergency Ponchos: Thailand weather can change FAST. Keep one folded in your day bag.
-Lightweight Raincoat: For days when it looks like the rain may actually stick around.
-Selfie Stick + Tripod: Perfect for beaches, viewpoints, hotels and getting full-group photos.
-Small Dry Bag: Great for boats, rafting and any excursion where everything is getting wet.
-Portable Charger: Between Google Maps, pictures, videos and long excursion days, your phone battery disappears.
-Travel Adapter: One of those boring things you really don’t want to realize you forgot after landing.
-Small Portable Fan: Thailand is HOT. A mini rechargeable fan can be very worth having.
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Overall
Phuket was beaches, islands, water activities and resort time.
Chiang Mai was much more adventure-heavy — elephants, waterfalls, tigers, mountains and day trips.
Bangkok was completely different again: city, malls, riverboats and exploring.
It ended up being such a good mix because no part of the trip felt exactly like the one before it.
Here’s our full itinerary, plus the places we stayed, things we did, and a few things I’d definitely pack if I were doing this trip again.
What I’d Pack for Thailand
These are the things I’d make sure I had with me based on the trip we actually did.
-Waterproof Phone Case: For snorkeling, islands, rafting, waterfalls and basically every Thailand water day.
-Water Shoes: Great for waterfalls, rocky beaches, snorkeling and rafting.
-Bug Spray: Definitely useful for Chiang Mai, national parks and outdoor excursions.
-Packable Sun Hat: You’re outside constantly between beaches, islands, elephants and day trips.
-Emergency Ponchos: Thailand weather can change FAST. Keep one folded in your day bag.
-Lightweight Raincoat: For days when it looks like the rain may actually stick around.
-Selfie Stick + Tripod: Perfect for beaches, viewpoints, hotels and getting full-group photos.
-Small Dry Bag: Great for boats, rafting and any excursion where everything is getting wet.
-Portable Charger: Between Google Maps, pictures, videos and long excursion days, your phone battery disappears.
-Travel Adapter: One of those boring things you really don’t want to realize you forgot after landing.
-Small Portable Fan: Thailand is HOT. A mini rechargeable fan can be very worth having.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall
Phuket was beaches, islands, water activities and resort time.
Chiang Mai was much more adventure-heavy — elephants, waterfalls, tigers, mountains and day trips.
Bangkok was completely different again: city, malls, riverboats and exploring.
It ended up being such a good mix because no part of the trip felt exactly like the one before it.
Day 1 - Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Travel
Fly to Phuket - Flew to Phuket with a stopover in the UAE - Arrived at night - Took a taxi from Phuket Airport to Deevana Patong Resort & Spa
Accommodation
Deevana Patong Resort and Spa - 43, 2 Raj-U-Thid, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand 🔗
We stayed at Deevana Patong Resort & Spa in Patong. It’s right in the Patong area and was a convenient first base for the trip.
Day 2 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Activity
ATV + Ropes Course
Adventure day around Patong Mountain:
- ATV riding
- Ropes course
- Mountain adventure tour
- Transfers in one of those open tuk-tuk/truck-style vehicles
This was a really fun active day and a good contrast to all the beach days.
Useful for this day:
Bug Spray, Sun Hats, Lightweight Rain Ponchos
- ATV riding
- Ropes course
- Mountain adventure tour
- Transfers in one of those open tuk-tuk/truck-style vehicles
This was a really fun active day and a good contrast to all the beach days.
Useful for this day:
Bug Spray, Sun Hats, Lightweight Rain Ponchos
Day 3 - Thursday, August 14, 2025
Activity
Coral Island + Banana Beach
We took a long-tail boat out for an island day.
Stops included:
- Coral Island
- Banana Beach
- Kahung Beach
- Banana boating
- Sea walking
- Snorkeling
Definitely bring for this day:
A waterproof phone pouch is probably one of the most useful things you can bring for Thailand if you’re doing boat trips, snorkeling, rafting or beach activities.
Also: water shoes. I’d absolutely bring them for rocky beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling and rafting.
And a selfie stick/tripod is great when you’re traveling and don’t want to keep handing your phone to strangers.
Stops included:
- Coral Island
- Banana Beach
- Kahung Beach
- Banana boating
- Sea walking
- Snorkeling
Definitely bring for this day:
A waterproof phone pouch is probably one of the most useful things you can bring for Thailand if you’re doing boat trips, snorkeling, rafting or beach activities.
Also: water shoes. I’d absolutely bring them for rocky beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling and rafting.
And a selfie stick/tripod is great when you’re traveling and don’t want to keep handing your phone to strangers.
Day 4 - Friday, August 15, 2025
Activity
Spa + Patong Beach
We got massages at Pure Serenity Luxury Spa — Signature Patong.
This was a beautiful, more upscale spa experience. Their Signature Patong location is on Rat Uthit Song Roi Pi Road.
Then we spent time at Patong Beach.
This was a beautiful, more upscale spa experience. Their Signature Patong location is on Rat Uthit Song Roi Pi Road.
Then we spent time at Patong Beach.
Day 5 - Saturday, August 16, 2025
Activity
Shabbos — Phuket
We spent Shabbos at Chabad Phuket.
If you keep kosher or are traveling for Shabbos, Phuket is very convenient because there’s a whole Jewish/kosher area around Chabad.
If you keep kosher or are traveling for Shabbos, Phuket is very convenient because there’s a whole Jewish/kosher area around Chabad.
Day 6 - Sunday, August 17, 2025
Activity
Parasailing, Lions + New Resort
This was another packed Phuket day:
- Fish-tank foot spa on the street
- Beach
- Parasailing
- Lion Land Phuket
- Fish-tank foot spa on the street
- Beach
- Parasailing
- Lion Land Phuket
Restaurant
Beit Shel Pistik
We ate at Beit Shel Pistik, a kosher meat restaurant right near Chabad. Tip: Make a reservation. It gets very busy. After dinner, we checked into Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay.
Accommodation
Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay - 8, 18-19 Moo 6 Tambon Thep Krasatti, Kamala, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand 🔗
Day 7 - Monday, August 18, 2025
Activity
Horseback Riding in Kamala
We went horseback riding on the beach in Kamala.
Then it started raining, so we ended up spending a lot of the day relaxing at the resort.
Thailand can have sudden rain showers, so I would keep a tiny emergency poncho in your bag even on days when it looks completely sunny.
Then it started raining, so we ended up spending a lot of the day relaxing at the resort.
Thailand can have sudden rain showers, so I would keep a tiny emergency poncho in your bag even on days when it looks completely sunny.
Restaurant
Shipudei Babi
We ate at Shipudei Babi, another kosher meat restaurant in Phuket. Tip: Make a reservation here too. It can get very busy.
Day 8 - Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Travel
- Flew from Phuket to Chiang Mai - Checked into Shangri-La Chiang Mai - Went to the night market One of the best things we did in Chiang Mai was arrange everything through Yehoshua, who was located next to the Chabad House. He booked our activities for us and arranged a driver, so instead of figuring out transportation and tickets for every attraction ourselves, we had someone coordinating everything. If you’re going to Chiang Mai and can arrange your excursions this way, it made the whole experience much easier.
Accommodation
Shangri-La Chiang Mai Hotel - 89/8 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand 🔗
Activity
Night Bazaar Chiang Mai - Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand 🔗
Day 9 - Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Activity
Tigers, Elephants + Sticky Waterfall
This was one of our biggest activity days.
Tiger Kingdom
We visited Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai.
Monkey Show
We also went to a monkey show.
Smart Elephants Family
We visited Smart Elephants Family, where we:
- Fed the elephants
- Bathed with the elephants
- Spent time interacting with them
Sticky Waterfall
Then we went to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall.
This is one of those places where water shoes are VERY useful.
Tiger Kingdom
We visited Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai.
Monkey Show
We also went to a monkey show.
Smart Elephants Family
We visited Smart Elephants Family, where we:
- Fed the elephants
- Bathed with the elephants
- Spent time interacting with them
Sticky Waterfall
Then we went to Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall.
This is one of those places where water shoes are VERY useful.
Day 10 - Thursday, August 21, 2025
Activity
Elephant Adventure Day
This was a separate excursion from Smart Elephants Family.
We did:
- Elephant show
- Elephant riding
- Bamboo rafting
- Oxcart riding
I don’t have the name of the exact place because it was arranged for us through Yehoshua.
Afterward we came back to the hotel, relaxed by the pool and went back to the night market.
Useful for rafting:
Small Dry Bags and Waterproof Phone Cases
We did:
- Elephant show
- Elephant riding
- Bamboo rafting
- Oxcart riding
I don’t have the name of the exact place because it was arranged for us through Yehoshua.
Afterward we came back to the hotel, relaxed by the pool and went back to the night market.
Useful for rafting:
Small Dry Bags and Waterproof Phone Cases
Day 11 - Friday, August 22, 2025
Activity
Chill Day
We relaxed in Chiang Mai and got ready for Shabbos.
Day 12 - Saturday, August 23, 2025
Activity
Chiang Mai
Shabbos in Chiang Mai.
We stayed at the Shangri-La and used the Chabad area for the Jewish/kosher side of the trip.
We stayed at the Shangri-La and used the Chabad area for the Jewish/kosher side of the trip.
Day 13 - Sunday, August 24, 2025
Activity
Doi Inthanon National Park
We did a full day around Doi Inthanon National Park.
We saw:
- The highest point in Thailand — honestly, not much to see there 😂
- Waterfalls
- Gardens
- Coffee village
- Local hill-tribe villages
It’s a beautiful day trip because you get a completely different side of Thailand than the beaches.
For this kind of day, I’d bring:
Packable Sun Hats, Bug Spray, and Lightweight Raincoats
We saw:
- The highest point in Thailand — honestly, not much to see there 😂
- Waterfalls
- Gardens
- Coffee village
- Local hill-tribe villages
It’s a beautiful day trip because you get a completely different side of Thailand than the beaches.
For this kind of day, I’d bring:
Packable Sun Hats, Bug Spray, and Lightweight Raincoats
Day 14 - Monday, August 25, 2025
Activity
Paramotoring + Bangkok
We went paramotoring in Chiang Mai, which was such a cool experience.
Then we flew to Bangkok and checked into Chillax Heritage Hotel.
Then we flew to Bangkok and checked into Chillax Heritage Hotel.
Accommodation
Chillax Heritage Hotel Khaosan - 10 Thanon Phra Sumen, Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand 🔗
Then we flew to Bangkok and checked into Chillax Heritage Hotel. The hotel is on Phra Athit Road in Bangkok Old Town, very close to the Chao Phraya River and Khao San Road.
Day 15 - Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Activity
Bangkok
We spent the day exploring Bangkok.
ICONSIAM
We went to ICONSIAM Mall.
This place is enormous and beautiful and is worth seeing even if you’re not a huge shopper.
ICONSIAM
We went to ICONSIAM Mall.
This place is enormous and beautiful and is worth seeing even if you’re not a huge shopper.
Activity
Chao Phraya River
We also took a boat on the Chao Phraya River.
And, very glamorous travel moment…
- Laundromat 😂
And, very glamorous travel moment…
- Laundromat 😂
Day 16 - Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Activity
Final Day in Thailand
Before flying home, we did a Sathorn riverboat tour.
I found this surprisingly interesting. Seeing Bangkok from the water gives you such a different perspective on the city.
Then we flew back to Israel. ✈️
I found this surprisingly interesting. Seeing Bangkok from the water gives you such a different perspective on the city.
Then we flew back to Israel. ✈️
