-
Hobart, Australia
-
Melbourne, Australia
-
Singapore, Singapore
Singapore
Nov 18 – Nov 22 (4 nights)
Highlights:
Universal Studios Singapore
Marina Bay Sands / Merlion / Gardens by the Bay
Joji concert (Nov 21)
Haji Lane + food exploring
Changi Airport visit
Nov 18- arrival from plane, walk round airport, check in
Nov 19- Universal Studios
Nov 20- see everything, see trees show starts at 7
Nov 21- Joji at 8pm
Nove 22- flight to chiangmai?
-
Bangkok, Thailand
-
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai
Nov 22 – Nov 26 (4 nights)
Key highlight:
Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Nov 24–25)
Other experiences:
Tha Phae Gate / Old City festivities
Ping River lantern viewing
Temples (Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat)
Mountain village / nature day
# 🏮 Chiang Mai — IN DEPTH PLAN
## 📅 Dates
**Nov 22 – Nov 26 (4 nights)**
This stop is built around:
* 🏮 **Yi Peng Lantern Festival**
* 🎑 **Loy Krathong**
* Northern Thailand culture
* Temples + relaxed exploration
👉 This is likely going to be one of the **core highlights of the entire trip**.
---
# ✈️ ARRIVAL PLAN — NOV 22
## ✈️ Singapore → Chiang Mai
* Best option: direct or 1-stop flight
* Aim to arrive:
* Afternoon / early evening if possible
---
🏨 Best area to stay
🥇 Recommended area:
Chiang Mai Old City
Why:
* Best access to festival activities
* Walkable
* Near temples + markets
* Best atmosphere during Yi Peng
---
🟡 Alternative:
Nimmanhaemin
More modern:
* Cafés
* Trendy restaurants
* Younger vibe
👉 Old City is better for your first Chiang Mai trip.
---
🏮 MAIN EVENT — YI PENG + LOY KRATHONG
📅 Festival dates
Nov 24–25
This is when:
* Lantern releases happen
* Streets fill with celebrations
* Temples + rivers light up
---
🌟 BEST FREE FESTIVAL SPOTS
🥇 Ping River
Best overall festival atmosphere
What happens:
* Sky lanterns overhead
* Candlelit krathongs floating on the river
* Bridges packed with people
Best viewing points:
* Nawarat Bridge
* Iron Bridge
👉 THIS is your main lantern night area.
---
🥈 Tha Phae Gate
Main public celebration hub
What’s here:
* Performances
* Food stalls
* Lantern decorations
* Parades
* Huge atmosphere
👉 Best for:
* Exploring
* Photos
* Energy
---
🥉 Three Kings Monument
More cultural/traditional feel
What’s here:
* Traditional music
* Religious ceremonies
* Lanna cultural events
👉 More relaxed than Tha Phae Gate.
---
# ⚠️ IMPORTANT FESTIVAL TIPS
## 🚫 Do NOT rely on private “mass lantern release” tickets
Those expensive tourist events:
* Aren’t necessary
* Can feel artificial
* Sell the “Instagram version”
👉 The city-wide celebration is already incredible.
---
## 🎒 What to bring festival nights
* Portable charger
* Cash
* Light clothes (humid)
* Small bag only
* Comfortable shoes
---
## 🧠 Festival strategy (VERY important)
### Nov 24:
* Explore Tha Phae Gate + Old City
* Walk to river later
---
### Nov 25:
* Prioritise Ping River + bridges
* Less rushing, soak it in
👉 Don’t over-plan these nights.
---
# 🏯 TEMPLE DAY PLAN
## 🌿 Temple route (best combination)
### 1. Wat Pha Lat
* Jungle temple
* Peaceful
* Feels hidden
👉 One of the best vibes in Chiang Mai.
---
### 2. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
* Most famous temple
* Mountain views
* Gold structures
👉 Go after Wat Pha Lat (same mountain area).
---
### Optional:
### Wat Phra That Doi Kham
* Less crowded
* Huge seated Buddha
---
# 🌿 NATURE / DAY TRIP OPTIONS
## 🥇 Mae Kampong
### BEST nature option for your itinerary
What it is:
* Mountain village
* Waterfalls
* Cafés
* Cooler weather
👉 Fits your trip better than overly touristy activities.
---
## 🟡 Elephant sanctuary option
Worth doing ONLY if:
* Ethical sanctuary
* No riding
👉 Good experience, but more tourist-heavy.
---
# ⚠️ ABOUT PAI / DRUNK TUBING
## 📍 Pai
### Reality:
Pai is cool BUT:
* Far (3+ hrs each way mountain roads)
* Better for a dedicated multi-night stop
* Tubing is more backpacker-party focused
---
## 👍 Recommendation for YOUR trip
❌ Skip Pai this time
Why:
* Chiang Mai already has enough
* Adds unnecessary travel fatigue
* Doesn’t fit smoothly into your route
---
# ☕ CAFÉS / SHOPPING / CHILL DAY
## 📍 Baan Kang Wat
Great relaxed day:
* Handmade crafts
* Small cafés
* Local art vibe
---
## 📍 Nimman area
Good for:
* Modern cafés
* Shopping
* Rest day energy
---
# 🍜 FOOD TO PRIORITISE IN CHIANG MAI
## Must-try:
* Khao Soi (Northern Thai curry noodle soup)
* Sai Ua (Northern sausage)
* Mango sticky rice
* Thai milk tea
---
# 🌙 NIGHT MARKETS
## 🥇 Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
* Big market
* Souvenirs
* Food
---
## 🟢 Sunday Walking Street
If timing works:
* One of Thailand’s best street markets
---
# 🧠 OPTIMISED DAY FLOW
## Nov 22
Arrival + night market
---
## Nov 23
Temple day (Doi Suthep + Wat Pha Lat)
---
## Nov 24
Relaxed day + Yi Peng night
---
## Nov 25
Nature/café day + main lantern night at Ping River
---
## Nov 26
Breakfast + airport → Krabi
---
# 🏆 FINAL TAKE ON CHIANG MAI
This stop is:
* Your cultural core
* Your slowest-paced destination
* Your “experience Thailand properly” section
👉 Don’t overload activities here.
The best memories will probably come from:
* Wandering during festival nights
* Temple views
* The atmosphere of the city itself
---
# 👍 MOST IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
### DEFINITELY DO:
* Ping River lantern viewing
* Tha Phae Gate at night
* Wat Pha Lat
* Doi Suthep
* Mae Kampong
---
### SKIP:
* Pai tubing detour
* Overpriced lantern packages
* Overbooking activities during festival days
Lantern Festival 24th, 25th
Tubing in pai?(hard and unlikely)
-
Krabi, Thailand
Krabi
Nov 26 – Nov 30 (4 nights)
Key highlight:
🏝 Phi Phi Islands day tour (must-do)
Other:
Railay Beach
Island hopping (secondary)
Chill beach days
-
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket
Nov 30 – Dec 3 (3 nights)
Focus:
Beach clubs
Nightlife
Viewpoints
Optional: Carnival Magic
👉 Social + entertainment stop (not island tours again)
-
Khao Lak, Thailand
-
Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Khao Sok National Park
Dec 3 – Dec 6 (3 nights)
Key experience:
Floating bungalow stay
Lake boat tour
Jungle trekking + caves
👉 Most unique nature stop in the trip
Can be 1 day less
-
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok
Dec 6 – Dec 12 (6 nights max, flexible core stay)
Breakdown:
Terminal 21 mall
🛍 ICONSIAM + riverside chill
ICONSIAM shopping + food
Chao Phraya river views
🍜 Local Bangkok:
Chinatown (Yaowarat Road)
Talad Rot Fai night market
Canal (khlong) exploration
🏯 Culture:
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
Hidden temples
🌇 Nightlife:
Rooftop bar night
Sukhumvit Soi 11 (main party street)
Optional quick stop at Soi Cowboy
-
Melbourne Airport, Australia
-
Hobart, Australia
home by the 14th of december