Leah Jack SE Asia Trip

19 Apr 2026 – 19 Oct 2026 · by jg2k

Destinations

Manchester, United Kingdom
Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates
Bangkok, Thailand

Sunday 20 April – Arrival + First Sights 10:00–11:30 • Land in Bangkok • Immigration + ATM • Airport Rail Link / BTS to accommodation 11:30–12:30 • Check in (or drop bags) • Freshen up 12:30–13:30 • Lunch near accommodation (street food) 14:00–15:30 • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) 15:45–16:30 • Ferry across river + Wat Arun 17:00–18:30 • Rest / shower / downtime 19:00–21:00 • Dinner at Khao San Road or Chinatown (Yaowarat) ⸻ Monday 21 April – Grand Palace & River 08:00–08:30 • Travel to Grand Palace area 08:30–10:00 • Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew 10:15–11:30 • Wat Pho (optional second visit skipped if tired) 11:45–12:45 • Lunch – Tha Tien / Wang Lang Market 13:00–14:30 • Chao Phraya River Boat (public boat) 15:00–17:00 • Rest / heat break 18:30–20:30 • Dinner – ICONSIAM Food Court or local night market ⸻ Tuesday 22 April – Markets & Local Life 09:00–11:30 • Chatuchak Market 11:30–12:30 • Lunch at Chatuchak 13:30–15:00 (choose one) • Jim Thompson House OR • MBK / Siam Square 16:00–17:30 • Rest / travel back 18:30–21:00 • Chinatown street food crawl ⸻ Wednesday 23 April – Easy Morning + Travel 08:30–09:30 • Breakfast 09:45–11:00 (choose one) • Wat Saket (Golden Mount) OR • Lumphini Park 11:30–13:00 • Final lunch / pack Afternoon / Evening • Travel to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand

📅 24 April – Arrival + Old City (Recovery Day) 08:00 – Arrive in Chiang Mai Taxi/Grab to accommodation Drop bags 09:00 – Breakfast + Coffee Slow morning after coach 10:30 – Explore Old City (Walking Loop) Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Singh Wat Chiang Man Walk the moat 13:30 – Check In + Power Nap 16:30 – Nimman Area Explore (Optional) Cafés + relaxed wander 18:30 – Night Bazaar Dinner Street food (100–150 baht each) Mango sticky rice 20:30 – Early Night OR North Gate Jazz ⸻ 📅 25 April – Doi Suthep + Sticky Waterfall 08:00 – Breakfast 09:00 – Doi Suthep Temple Songthaew or scooter 30 baht entry City views 12:00 – Lunch (Nimman / Old City) 14:00 – Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong) Climbable limestone waterfall Allow 2–3 hours 18:30 – Dinner at Local Market Try Khao Soi 20:30 – Thai Massage (Optional) ⸻ 📅 26 April – Ethical Elephants + Thai Cooking Class 07:30 – Leave for Ethical Elephant Sanctuary (Half-Day) No riding Feeding + observing only Return around 13:00–14:00 14:30 – Late Lunch / Rest 16:30 – Thai Cooking Class (Evening Session) Market visit Learn 4–6 dishes Eat everything you cook Usually finishes around 20:30–21:00 ⸻ 📅 27 April – Ziplining + Travel to Pai 07:30 – Breakfast + Check Out 08:30 – Ziplining Experience (Half-Day) Jungle canopy course 3–4 hours total Return around 12:30 13:30 – Minivan to Pai (3–4 hrs) Book in advance 762 curves — take motion sickness tablet 17:00–18:00 – Arrive in Pai
Pai, Thailand

DAY 1 – Arrival, Town & Sunset 08:00–12:00 – Travel from Chiang Mai to Pai • Minivan takes ~3–4 hrs (762 bends… bring motion sickness tablets if needed) 12:30 – Check into accommodation • Stay near town but not directly on Walking Street if you want sleep 13:30 – Lunch in town • Good backpacker spots: Om Garden / Earth Tone / Ganita Café 15:00 – Rent scooter • Essential for Pai exploration • Roads are quiet and beginner-friendly 16:00 – Visit Pai Canyon • Easy short hikes • Amazing sunset views • Go before 17:30 to explore properly 18:30 – Dinner + drinks 19:30–22:00 – Explore Pai Walking Street • Street food heaven • Live music bars • Smoothie bowls / pancakes / grilled skewers ⸻ DAY 2 – Nature Loop Day (Best Day in Pai) (This is the classic Pai scooter loop) 08:30 – Breakfast in town 09:30 – Head to Pam Bok Waterfall • Quiet early morning • Nice short jungle walk • Bring swimwear 11:00 – Visit Pai Land Split • Free snacks from local farmer • Fun quick stop 12:30 – Lunch stop at Two Huts / I Love U Pai Café viewpoint 14:00 – Relax at Sai Ngam Hot Springs • Cleaner & more natural than the main hot springs • Chill forest setting 16:30 – Head to Yun Lai Viewpoint • Go late afternoon if you don’t want sunrise crowds • Tea + panoramic valley views 19:00 – Dinner back in town 21:00 – Drinks or live music • Jazz House / Don’t Cry Bar / Sunset Bar ⸻ DAY 3 – Slow Morning & Chill Spots 08:30 – Coffee & breakfast 09:30 – Visit Wat Phra That Mae Yen • Big white Buddha on hill • Great town views • Go early before heat 11:30 – Relaxing late brunch • Earth Tone (great if you missed it Day 1) 13:00 – Free time options: • Chill at pool • Massage • Café hop • Short bamboo bridge walk at Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge 15:30–16:00 – Depart Pai OR chill until evening bus
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Pak Beng, Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos
Vang Vieng, Laos
Vientiane, Laos
Ninh Bình, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Hội An, Vietnam
Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam
Thành phố Đà Lạt, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phuket, Thailand
Ko Yao Yai, Thailand
Krabi, Thailand
Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Surat Thani, Thailand
Koh Samui, Thailand
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), Malaysia
Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
Bali, Indonesia
Ubud, Indonesia
Gili Islands, Indonesia
Lombok, Indonesia
Manila, Philippines
Siargao Island, Philippines
Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Palawan, Philippines
El Nido, Philippines
Coron, Philippines
Manila, Philippines
Osaka, Japan
Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Beijing, China
Manchester, United Kingdom