11-Day Northern Thailand Itinerary
Days 1–3: Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai’s city centre isn’t the most striking in Thailand, but it completely makes up for it with some of the most creative and unforgettable temples you’ll ever see.
Highlights:
* Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
* Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
* Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House (an absolute gem)
* Lalitta Cafe
* Wat Huay Pla Kang
* White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) — a must-see
Days 4–8: Chiang Mai
Next on this Northern Thailand itinerary is Chiang Mai, where you’ll spend five nights. I suggest basing yourself in the Old City. It’s packed with history, great food and plenty of temples you can walk to.
Chiang Mai is large and spread out, but the Old City is particularly perfect for first-time visitors.
Highlights:
* ChangChill (ethical elephant experience)
* Wat Phra Singh
* Wat Chedi Luang
* Hmong Market
* Wat Lok Moli
* Fern Forest Cafe and Calm Massage
* Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
* Fahtara Coffee
* Lanna Square (great for local and international dishes)
Days 9–11: Pai
End your Northern Thailand itinerary in Pai, a peaceful, laid-back town in the mountains. It’s the perfect place to unwind, especially after busier cities.
Highlights:
* White Buddha viewpoint
* Pai Canyon at sunset
* Om Garden Cafe (particularly if you’re Vegan)
* Pai Walking Street Night Market — great for food and shopping
Why This Order?
When planning our route, I looked at a map and realised this order made the most sense with the least amount of backtracking. We started in Phuket and chose to fly directly to Chiang Rai, even though flights to Chiang Mai were cheaper.
If we’d flown into Chiang Mai first, we’d have needed to backtrack north to Chiang Rai, then back down again. This route keeps things flowing smoothly. After Pai, you’ll return to Chiang Mai for one final night before heading south or flying home. But you could get back into Chiang Mai early enough to get an evening flight or overnight train back to Bangkok.
Here’s how our full trip looked:
* 4 nights Phuket
* 3 nights Chiang Rai
* 5 nights Chiang Mai
* 3 nights Pai
* 1 night Chiang Mai
* 2 nights Bangkok
Chiang Mai acts as the heart of this Northern Thailand itinerary. It’s a big city, but it still manages to feel relaxed and welcoming. It’s also well-connected for transport, and one of Thailand’s top cities for digital nomads. So, yes, the coffee and Wi-Fi are excellent.
For your last night up north, why not treat yourself? I recommend staying at the newly built Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort. It’s peaceful, stylish and perfect for winding down after your adventures. And, although it’s a Vegan retreat, you certainly don’t need to be vegan to stay here.
