THAILAND: Mountains and Islands - a two week sampler

Introduction

Most first-time travellers to Thailand opt for a trip like this -- we certainly did. Striking north into the hills and then relaxing on the beach is, for many, the ultimate first-time Thai experience.

In a trip like this you're travelling from the far north of Thailand well into the south -- if you have only limited time try to minimise your time in transit.

Two good ways to minimise your time in transit include:
a) Make good use of Thailand's network of domestic budget airlines.
b) Pick one island and stick to it -- move only if you realy don't like where you are -- nowadays there is little to differentiate the various popular islands. While travelling for example from Ko Pha Ngan to Ko Lanta will not really add that much to the experience, it will use up a day or two of your precious holiday time.

Pay attention to the weather! The islands on Thailand's east and west coasts are afected by different monsoons -- rainy on one side, sunny on the other -- do your research and you'll be able to leave your raincoat at home. More climate information can be found here: Travelfish interactive weather map.

Suggest trip length

The suggested minimum time for a trip like this is two weeks, though three weeks is far more comfortable. If you have less than two weeks consider doing just the northern or southern leg.

Sample plan

1) Bangkok -> Chiang Mai (northern capital, temples, food, scenic)
2) Chiang Mai -> Pai (trekking, scenic, traveller scene)
3) Pai -> Mae Hong Son (trekking, scenic, traveller scene)
4) Mae Hong Son -> Chiang Mai (northern capital, temples, food, scenic)

Seasonal switch -- depending on the season, head to the south east (Surat Thani) or the south west (Krabi)

5a) Chiang Mai -> Bangkok -> Surat Thani -> Ko Samui/Ko Pha Ngan/Ko Tao (beaches, scenery, diving)
6a) Ko Samui / Ko Pha Ngan / Ko Tao -> Chumphon (caves, beaches, local flavour)
7a) Chumphon -> Bangkok

or

5b) Chiang Mai -> Bangkok -> Krabi (temples, national parks)
6b) Krabi -> Raileh Bay / Ko Lanta / Ko Phi Phi (beaches, scenery, diving)
7b) Raileh Bay / Ko Lanta / Ko Phi Phi -> Krabi (temples, national parks)
8b) Krabi -> Bangkok

Save some time

One day: fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
One day: Fly from Krabi back to Bangkok
Two days: Go trekking from Chiang Mai rather than Pai or Mae Hong Son (though the trekking from Chiang Mai is inferior)

Take a side trip

Two days: Near Pai, Soppong is well worth a loop, as is Mae Sariang, to the south of Mae Hong Son.
Two days: From Krabi, head north to the very popular Khao Sok National Park or head further south to the lovely islands off Trang.
Three days: Break up the trip from Chumphon to Bangkok by stopping at Phetburi for Kaeng Krachan National Park, or at Hua Hin, for a bit more beach.

Map

View Mountains and Islands - a two week sampler in a larger map

Sample Trip Times (in hours)

To help you work out how you'll get around, we've listed the trip durations for the various forms of transport available. Note that with the exception of flight times, these are average trip times, so no hate mail if you take the slow train.

THAILAND: Mountains and Islands - a two week sampler
From	To	Air	Bus	Train	Boat
Bangkok	Chiang Mai	1:10	10:00	12:00	-
Chiang Mai	Pai	-	4:00	-	-
Pai	Mae Hong Son	-	4:00	-	-
Mae Hong Son	Chiang Mai	0:35	8:00	-	-
Bangkok	Surat Thani	1:15	11:00	12:00	-
Surat Thani	Ko Samui	-	-	-	1:20
Surat Thani	Ko Pha Ngan	-	-	-	5:00
Surat Thani	Ko Tao	-	-	-	6:30
Ko Tao	Chumphon	-	-	-	3:00
Chumphon	Bangkok	-	7:00	8:00	-
Bangkok	Krabi	1:20	12:00	-	-
Krabi	Raileh Bay	-	1:00	-	-
Krabi	Ko Lanta	-	-	-	1:30
Krabi	Ko Phi Phi	-	-	-	2:00