Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, allow roughly 1.5–2.5 hours door-to-door once you include immigration, luggage, and the transfer to your hotel. The Airport Rail Link is usually the most predictable option: take it to Phaya Thai, then continue by taxi or BTS depending on your accommodation. If you are staying around the Old City, a metered taxi or Grab is simpler, though traffic can be slow. After checking in, leave your larger bags behind and carry water, a little cash, and something covering your shoulders and knees for the temples.
Head first to Wat Pho in Rattanakosin, ideally after the midday heat has eased. Allow about 1.5 hours for the reclining Buddha, tiled courtyards, and quieter temple corners. Entry is typically around ฿300; dress modestly and remove shoes where required. From there, walk or take a short tuk-tuk or taxi to the Tha Tien pier, then cross the Chao Phraya River by local ferry to Wat Arun—the crossing takes only a few minutes and costs just a few baht. Spend about an hour around the riverside temple; the late-afternoon light is particularly good, although the best sunset view is often from the opposite bank rather than from inside the grounds. Check the current closing time on the day, as temple hours and access can change.
Continue by taxi or Grab to Thipsamai in Phra Nakhon for Bangkok-style pad thai. Expect roughly ฿150–300 per person, with queues possible at the popular original branch, so avoid arriving at the busiest dinner period if you want a quicker meal. Finish at Khao San Road and the surrounding lanes of Banglamphu, where the atmosphere is livelier than the food is exceptional: browse the street stalls, grab a cold drink, and people-watch for an hour or so. Keep phones and wallets secure in the crowds, agree tuk-tuk fares before leaving, and use a metered taxi or Grab back to your hotel rather than accepting unsolicited transport offers.
After your early arrival in Chiang Mai, leave your bags at the hotel and head into the Old City by songthaew or Grab. Start at Wat Phra Singh, one of the finest examples of Lanna architecture; allow about an hour to see the main viharn and quieter corners of the grounds. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, and bring small cash for modest temple donations.
From there, it’s roughly a 10-minute walk through the Old City to Wat Chedi Luang. The enormous brick chedi is the highlight, but take time to walk around the surrounding temple buildings too. Both temples generally welcome visitors during daylight hours, though exact opening arrangements can vary. A Grab between the two is inexpensive if the heat is intense.
Walk or take a short Grab ride to Khao Soi Khun Yai, where a bowl of northern-style khao soi usually costs around ฿60–150. It is a small, popular local stop rather than a leisurely restaurant, so arriving before the main lunch rush is wise; opening hours and sold-out dishes can change. After lunch, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by Grab to reach Wat Umong in the foothills of Doi Suthep. Its forest setting, old brick tunnels, ponds, and shaded paths make it a welcome contrast to the busier Old City. Give yourself about 1½ hours here, and wear shoes suitable for uneven ground.
Return towards the northern side of town for Jing Jai Market, a relaxed place to browse handmade goods, clothing, ceramics, coffee, and northern snacks. It is strongly day-dependent—many stalls operate mainly on weekends or selected mornings—so check with your accommodation or the market’s current social pages before making the detour. If it is not operating, keep the afternoon unhurried around the nearby cafés rather than trying to force in another major sight. From central Chiang Mai, allow 15–25 minutes by Grab depending on traffic; a songthaew can be cheaper if you are comfortable negotiating the fare. Keep tonight easy, since Chiang Mai traffic and the early flight arrival can make this feel like a full day.
Allow 6–9 hours door-to-door from Chiang Mai to your accommodation in Hanoi, including the flight connection, airport procedures and the transfer from Nội Bài International Airport. Once you arrive, use a pre-booked hotel car or an official airport taxi; the Old Quarter is typically another 45–75 minutes, depending on traffic. After checking in, keep the first walk deliberately easy: spend about an hour getting oriented around the Hanoi Old Quarter, following its narrow lanes around Hàng Bạc and Hàng Gai. Expect busy pavements, scooters coming from every direction and plenty of small shops, so leave your larger luggage at the hotel rather than trying to explore with it.
Continue on foot to Hoàn Kiếm Lake, where a relaxed loop along the waterfront is a good way to get your bearings. It takes roughly 30–45 minutes, and the area becomes especially atmospheric in the late afternoon when locals gather to exercise and socialise. From the lake, take a taxi or Grab to Bún Chả Hương Liên in Hai Bà Trưng—allow around 15–25 minutes in traffic. Order the restaurant’s namesake bún chả with grilled pork, noodles, herbs and dipping sauce; budget approximately ₫100,000–200,000 per person. It is a popular stop, so expect a straightforward, busy dining room rather than a leisurely restaurant experience.
Return by Grab to the Old Quarter for a Hanoi water-puppet performance, allowing 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Reserve tickets ahead if you care about a particular showtime, as the most convenient evening performances can sell out; confirm the venue and session when booking rather than relying on same-day availability. The performance itself lasts about an hour, leaving you free afterwards for a quiet drink or an early night. Hanoi’s streets are lively late, but after a long travel day it is better to keep tonight light and save the deeper Old Quarter wandering for tomorrow.
Allow 6–8 hours door-to-door from Hanoi to Hà Giang, including hotel pickup, traffic and rest stops. An early departure is essential: aim for roughly 06:00–07:00 so you arrive with enough daylight for your briefing. Limousine vans usually drop passengers near their accommodation or the town centre; confirm the exact point with your operator, and keep valuables and warm layers with you rather than in the luggage hold. Once checked in, spend about 90 minutes around the Lô River waterfront collecting protective gear and meeting the loop team. If you are riding yourself, check that the bike, helmet, brakes and lights are in good condition before accepting it.
Your operator’s Hà Giang Loop safety briefing should cover the route, road conditions, fuel stops, weather, accommodation, insurance and what happens if you need an easy rider. Be candid about your riding experience—several mountain sections are demanding, and choosing an easy rider is sensible if you are not fully confident on a manual bike. Ask whether the quoted price includes fuel, permits, meals, rain gear and a passenger helmet; these vary between operators. The loop is weather-dependent, so confirm the morning departure time and whether heavy rain or fog will change the plan.
For dinner, go to Bánh cuốn Bà Làn for steamed rice rolls, usually around ₫80,000–150,000 per person. The soft rolls with pork, mushrooms, herbs and dipping broth make an easy first meal after the long transfer. Opening hours can vary, and portions may sell out in the evening, so ask your hotel to check locally if you arrive late. From the riverside area, it is generally a short walk or a quick Grab/taxi ride, although availability is more limited than in Hanoi.
Finish with an unhurried walk through the Hà Giang market area, picking up water, snacks, sunscreen, tissues, a small power bank and any medication you need for the road. Bring cash: card acceptance and ATMs become less reliable once the loop leaves town. Keep your day pack light, with a waterproof layer and one warm layer accessible; mountain temperatures can drop sharply even when Hà Giang feels mild. Be back at the hotel at a reasonable hour for the early start, and check the forecast with the operator before sleeping—the final route and departure time may be adjusted for rain, fog or road conditions.
The Hà Giang–Luang Prabang transfer cannot realistically be completed as a sightseeing day. Even with well-timed transport, returning by road to Hanoi takes around 6–8 hours, followed by an overnight stay and a flight connection to Luang Prabang; door-to-door, allow at least 12–18 hours and preferably an additional full day. Do not book this as a same-day connection unless the road transfer, flight schedule and a substantial buffer are all confirmed. The sensible plan is to use this day for the return to Hanoi, sleep near the airport or in the Old Quarter, and fly onward the following morning.
Once you reach Luang Prabang, allow roughly 45–90 minutes from the airport to your guesthouse, including baggage, currency exchange and the drive into the historic center. Use a pre-arranged hotel transfer or the official airport taxi; agree on the fare before leaving. The planned sequence works best as an arrival-afternoon and evening plan rather than something to attempt after a long international connection.
After checking in, wander through the Luang Prabang Night Market along Sisavangvong Road for about an hour. It is a good first introduction to the town, with woven textiles, paper goods and small handicrafts, though quality varies—look carefully at stitching and ask whether an item is locally made. Then climb Mount Phousi before sunset, allowing around 1.5 hours including the steps, queues and descent. Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before sunset because the summit becomes crowded, and carry water; the entrance fee is usually modest, but exact hours and fees can change.
After descending, walk along the quiet peninsula to Wat Xieng Thong, allowing about an hour if it is still open. This is one of the town’s most beautiful temples, especially for its mosaic-covered rear wall and layered rooflines; dress with shoulders and knees covered and remove shoes before entering the worship spaces. If you arrive after closing, view the exterior respectfully and return the next morning rather than forcing the timing.
Finish with dinner at Manda de Laos near the historic center, where a Lao meal generally costs around LAK 100,000–250,000 per person. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly in the busy season, and expect a relaxed meal rather than fast service. Keep the evening light if you have arrived after a long multi-leg journey; Luang Prabang is easiest to enjoy slowly, and the temple interiors are better saved for the following morning if today’s connection runs late.
If the flight from Luang Prabang operates on your dates, allow about 5–7 hours door-to-door: hotel checkout and airport transfer, arriving at the airport around two hours before departure, the flight itself, and the transfer into Vientiane. Verify the timetable before booking—services can be limited and schedules change. Once you have dropped your bags, use a taxi or pre-arranged hotel car rather than relying on a long walk with luggage; the airport is close to the centre, but midday heat makes even short journeys uncomfortable.
Begin at Patuxai, where you can climb through the monument’s interior for broad views over the city. Allow roughly an hour, including the stairs and the small craft stalls inside. From there, it is an easy walk or short tuk-tuk ride to That Dam, a quiet 20-minute stop on a traffic island near the centre. For lunch, try Kualao Restaurant on Rue Samsenthai for a comfortable introduction to Lao dishes such as laap and mok pa; expect around LAK 150,000–300,000 per person depending on what you order.
Take a tuk-tuk or taxi south to the COPE Visitor Centre in Sisattanak, allowing around 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. The centre is usually open during daytime hours, but check its current schedule before setting out; entry is generally free, with donations welcome. Give it at least 1.5 hours—the exhibits explain the continuing impact of unexploded ordnance in Laos in a clear, personal way, and this is one of the most worthwhile stops in the city.
Continue north by taxi to Pha That Luang, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes. Visit the gilded stupa and surrounding temple grounds for about an hour, preferably before the strongest late-afternoon heat. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, and carry water; opening times can vary, so treat the visit as subject to the site’s current gate hours rather than assuming late access.
Return towards the centre and finish at the Mekong Riverside Night Market. Arrive around sunset if possible: the riverfront is at its most pleasant then, before the stalls become busy. Browse the clothing and souvenir sections, then graze from the food vendors—budget approximately LAK 50,000–150,000 per person. The market’s exact operating days and stall mix can vary, so keep dinner flexible. Afterward, arrange a tuk-tuk or taxi through your accommodation; central Vientiane is compact, but the riverside is much quieter once the market starts winding down.
Allow 7–10 hours door-to-door from Vientiane to your accommodation in Siem Reap, including airport time, the connection, immigration and the transfer into town. This is a travel-heavy day, so confirm that the flight schedule operates on your dates and check Cambodia’s current entry requirements before booking. After checking in, keep the afternoon focused rather than trying to cover the whole archaeological park.
Head to Angkor Wat for roughly three hours, ideally with a pre-arranged tuk-tuk or car and driver from your hotel. The temple complex is about 20–30 minutes from central Siem Reap, depending on traffic. You’ll need an Angkor Enterprise pass—a one-day pass is currently around US$37, but check the official site for current prices and ticket rules. Allow extra time at the entrance and remember that shoulders and knees should be covered. In the late afternoon, visit the Angkor National Museum in town for about 1.5 hours; it is air-conditioned and makes a useful introduction to Khmer history, though closing hours can vary, so verify them locally.
For dinner, settle in at Sister Srey Café beside the river, where a relaxed meal usually costs around US$8–15 per person. From there, it is an easy walk through Pub Street and the Old Market for about 1.5 hours. Expect bright lights, souvenir stalls and a lively tourist atmosphere rather than an especially local one; keep your phone and wallet secure in the crowds, and use a hotel tuk-tuk or a reputable ride-hailing app for the return.
Take the earliest Giant Ibis or Larryta Express bus from Siem Reap; allow 6–9 hours door-to-door once you include hotel pickup, getting to the station, check-in, traffic and the arrival transfer. The bus is usually simpler than flying for this route, but it leaves little room for a full sightseeing morning. Book ahead through the operator or 12Go, and keep valuables and your passport in your day bag. On arrival in Phnom Penh, use a PassApp or Grab tuk-tuk to your hotel, leave your luggage, and head straight to the riverside.
Begin at the Royal Palace, allowing about 1½ hours for the courtyards and ceremonial buildings. Dress conservatively with shoulders and knees covered; opening arrangements can change for royal events, so verify access on the day and avoid assuming every section will be open. Continue directly to the Silver Pagoda within the palace grounds for around 45 minutes. Entry is commonly around US$10 for the palace complex, though fees and visiting conditions can change. The riverside location makes these easy to visit together, but arrive with enough time before closing rather than trying to squeeze them in after a late bus.
Take a short tuk-tuk ride to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in BKK1. Set aside roughly two hours: it is an essential, deeply upsetting visit, so give yourself a quiet pause afterward rather than rushing immediately into dinner. Audio guides are useful for understanding the site, and respectful clothing and behaviour matter. A 10–15-minute ride, depending on traffic, brings you to Malis Phnom Penh, where dinner is a polished introduction to Cambodian cuisine; budget approximately US$15–30 per person and allow 1½ hours. Finish with a gentle 45-minute walk along Sisowath Quay, ideally around the stretch near the Royal Palace and riverfront parks. The promenade is liveliest after sunset, with food stalls and small bars nearby, but keep phones and bags secure in crowded areas.
Allow approximately 8–11 hours door-to-door from Phnom Penh to your accommodation in Ubud, including the flight connection, airport procedures, Indonesian entry formalities and the drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Confirm Indonesia’s visa and passport-validity requirements before departure, and pre-arrange an airport car if possible; the drive to Ubud commonly takes 1.5–2.5 hours, with traffic particularly slow around Kuta, Sanur and Gianyar. After checking in, keep the afternoon gentle—Ubud is much more enjoyable once you have escaped the airport corridor.
Walk through Ubud Palace, the former royal compound in the centre of town, allowing around 45 minutes for its carved gateways, courtyards and ornate stonework. From there it is only a few minutes on foot along Jalan Kajeng and Jalan Raya Ubud to Saraswati Temple. The temple itself is compact, but the lotus pond makes it one of the prettiest stops in central Ubud; access to the inner courtyard is restricted for worshippers, so dress with shoulders and knees covered and use a provided sarong if requested. Both visits are best treated as conditional on the day’s arrival time and current access arrangements rather than fixed timed entries.
Continue to the Ubud Art Market for about an hour. Browse the covered stalls for woven bags, batik, carved ornaments and lightweight textiles, but compare several stalls before buying and bargain politely—start below the first quoted price without treating the exchange as a confrontation. If you arrive after the market’s busier daytime period, some stalls may already be closing, so do not sacrifice your dinner reservation to fit it in.
Have dinner at Locavore NXT, a short taxi or pre-booked car ride from central Ubud. This is a destination meal rather than a casual walk-in: reserve ahead, check the current seating time and allow roughly 2.5 hours for the creative tasting menu, priced approximately IDR 1,000,000–2,000,000 per person before any drinks or supplements. Arrange a return car through the restaurant or your accommodation, since ride availability can thin out later in the evening; expect roughly IDR 50,000–150,000 for a short central-Ubud transfer, depending on traffic and demand.
Leave Ubud early by private car or Grab/Gojek, ideally around 07:00–07:30. The drive to Tegallalang Rice Terrace is usually 30–45 minutes, but traffic builds quickly on the narrow roads north of town. Allow about 1½ hours for the terraces, including the walking paths, viewpoints and small local stalls. Entry and viewpoint fees vary by section, commonly around IDR 25,000–50,000, while swings and photo platforms cost extra. Wear shoes with decent grip—the paths can be slippery after rain—and carry water, as the exposed terraces become hot later in the morning.
Continue roughly 20–30 minutes north to Tirta Empul Temple in Manukaya, allowing about 1½ hours. This is a living Hindu temple rather than simply a sightseeing stop, so bring or hire a sarong and cover your shoulders and knees; temple staff may direct visitors away from the bathing area unless they are participating in the purification ritual. The complex is generally open during daylight hours, but exact access to ceremonial areas can vary with religious observances. Afterward, collect your bags and begin the transfer to Canggu—allow a realistic 2–3 hours including traffic, the winding roads out of the highlands and hotel check-in.
Once settled in Canggu, head to The Lawn Canggu at Berawa Beach for an easy coastal afternoon. A two-hour visit works well for a swim, sunset drink or a spot by the pool, but seating minimums and prices vary considerably, particularly for daybeds and busy sunset periods. Check the current policy before going, and keep valuables close on the beach. Later, take a short ride or walk toward Batu Bolong for dinner at Warung Bu Mi, a straightforward local buffet where you choose rice, vegetables, tofu, tempeh and meat from the counter. Expect roughly IDR 50,000–120,000 per person; bring cash and go earlier if you want the fullest selection.
This is a very travel-heavy day, so treat the beaches as a flexible afternoon rather than trying to force every stop. The fast-boat option via Bangsal can take around 7–10 hours door-to-door from Canggu, including the transfer to the port, check-in, sea conditions and the private drive south. Confirm the boat’s actual arrival pier and arrange a car to Kuta in advance; Lombok’s southern roads are manageable, but app-based rides can be unreliable around the beaches. If you fly via Denpasar, you’ll usually reach Kuta earlier, though the flight, airport transfer and check-in still consume much of the day.
After checking in and having a quick lunch in central Kuta, start at Kuta Beach for an easy swim and a first look at Lombok’s broad, quieter coastline. Allow about 1½ hours, but check the water and currents before entering—the beach is attractive and convenient, though not always the best swimming spot at low tide. A pre-arranged driver is the most practical way to continue; Tanjung Aan Beach is roughly 25–30 minutes away, depending on traffic and road conditions. Spend around two hours there, walking along the unusually wide sand and swimming in the clearer water. Bring cash for parking and refreshments, and carry water because shade is limited.
Continue for roughly 30–40 minutes to Mawun Beach, a more enclosed cove that works well as the final swim of the day. Allow about two hours, but shorten this stop if the boat arrival was late or the light is fading—the approach roads can be poorly lit after dark. Beach access and parking fees are generally only a few thousand rupiah, while loungers and drinks vary by stall; modest clothing is appreciated when walking past local beach vendors.
Return to Kuta and head up to Ashtari Lounge & Kitchen before sunset. The hillside setting gives you a wide view over the southern coast, and it is best to arrive with some daylight because the access road is narrow and darkens quickly. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly for sunset, and budget approximately IDR 150,000–300,000 per person for dinner and drinks. After the long transfer, this is a good place to stop rather than adding another outing; arrange your return car with the restaurant or your accommodation, as finding a ride late in the evening can be difficult.
Treat the return to Bangkok as the main event today. From Kuta, Lombok, leave for Lombok International Airport around three hours before your confirmed departure—roughly 30–45 minutes by private car, with extra time for check-in and possible traffic. The routing via Bali or Jakarta can take around 8–12 hours door-to-door once connections, immigration and arrival are included, so confirm the full itinerary before committing to the Bangkok activities. If you land after mid-afternoon, skip the museum and go straight to dinner; both the museum and the restaurant are far better enjoyed without watching the clock.
If you arrive in time, take a taxi or Grab from Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport to Jim Thompson House Museum in Pathum Wan; allow about 45–90 minutes from Suvarnabhumi, and potentially longer in rush-hour traffic. The traditional teak houses, shaded garden and collection of Thai textiles make this a calm reset after the flight. Allow around 1½ hours. Check the current final-entry time before leaving the airport, as timed tours and daily operating hours can vary; admission is typically around ฿200–300. Leave luggage at the hotel or use airport luggage storage rather than arriving with large bags.
From Jim Thompson House, it is about 10–15 minutes by foot or a short taxi ride to Siam Paragon. Use the mall for practical final shopping, snacks and air-conditioned downtime—especially useful if your onward flight is early. The food court and supermarket are convenient for travel supplies, while the upper-floor restaurants offer a more relaxed meal if you would rather not make another stop. Allow about two hours, but avoid carrying purchases through Bangkok’s evening crowds.
Finish at Baan Langsuan in Chidlom, reached in roughly 10 minutes by taxi or Grab, depending on traffic. Budget around ฿400–800 per person for a well-rounded Thai dinner; reserve if possible, particularly at the weekend or during peak dinner hours. For tomorrow’s departure, arrange the airport transfer tonight: allow at least 60–90 minutes to Suvarnabhumi in ordinary conditions and considerably more during the morning rush.
No packing list attached yet.