Two Week Thailand Itinerary for Backpacker – Island Hopping Guide

The Itinerary is for everyone, not just for the Indians audience. Make sure you know how to do backpacking.

Thailand is known for its beautiful Islands & Rich flora n fauna but for the most of the Indian people, Thailand is just Bangkok, Phuket & Pattaya. Indian people who want to go for the trip, they always choose the tour package which often takes this route.

How to Get Thailand VISA

As an Indian, I decided to break this stereotype so I completely made my own Itinerary based on the backpacker’s experience which I always do before my any trip.

The Thailand Kingdom can be divided into two parts North & South. North is known for the original Thai culture, mountains, and waterfalls while South part known for its world famous Islands.

I decided to skip the North part as I already seen all these in India but beaches like Thailand is hard to find in India. You’ll find only in Andaman Nicobar Islands.

I got 15 days to do Island Hopping, it’s a lot less than the average Backpackers but a lot more than the average Indian tourist.

Day 1: Kolkata to Bangkok to Krabi

My flight to Bangkok depart at around 1 AM and I reached the Bangkok around 6:30 AM (Thailand Time). I completely skipped the Bangkok reached directly to Krabi. From the same airport, my flight to Krabi depart after 3 hours of my land time.

I reached Krabi in afternoon and decided to take rest in my Hotel room. At sunset time, I went to Ao Nang Beach to watch the beautiful sunset and then spent time in Night market of Ao Nang.

Day 2: Railay Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi

From Ao Nang beach, I took Long Tail boat to Railay Beach. Railay Beach is one of the most famous Beach in Ao Nang, Krabi. The Railay Beach is famous for its clear water, tall cliff, Limestone caves, and Lagoon. Also from the Railay beach, you can also visit the Phra Nang Cave Beach.

If you’ve good fitness then I highly recommend you to go for the Hidden Lagoon near the PhraNang Cave beach. You’ll get little adventure time while climbing & descending.

Day 3: Crystal Pool, Hot Spring Waterfall, Krabi

I & my backpacker friend Stefan hired a bike and go for the long ride to Crystal Pool. It was 140 KM up and down journey and the entire route is beautiful. I recommend you to start early around 8 AM if you’re good the with the bike or at 7:30 if you’re riding for the first time.

Reason to start early: You’ve to ride for almost 70KM and also it’s a great idea to reach the crystal pool at 10 AM so that you can beat the tourist crowd which generally arrives in between 11-12:00. By reaching early, you can view the Crystal clear water, once the tourist waves arrive, the water starts getting little dirty.

Don’t forget to go for the Blue Pool, which is 700m away from Crystal pool you can’t swim there but very good location for the picture.

Next, you can go to Hot Spring Waterfall, which is few KMs away from there. This is the place where you can relax at the Hot spring water and remove all the pain of long journey.

Return back to the Ao Nang or Krabi and enjoy the sunset and share your story with the fellow traveler at the dining table.

Day 4: Railway Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi

I wanted to Visit the Hong Island but that day was Sunday and the Island is already occupied by too many tourists. And because of that, all the boats to Hong Island was stopped, so we decided to visit the Railay Beach again and spent some quality time.

I miss my boat but here you can opt for 4 Island Tour.

Day 5: Kayaking, Ao Thalane

I never did the Kayaking before so I decided to spent my final day by doing Kayaking at Ao Thalane. You can go for half day Kayaking tour at Ao Thalane where you can do the Kayaking in small mangrove river covered with the cliff on both the side.

Day 6: Krabi to Koh Lanta, Long Beach

Around 9 AM in the morning, you’ll leave for the Koh Lanta, I’ll recommend you to opt for the MiniVAN which picks you from your hotel. You’ll reach Koh Lanta at around 1:10 AM.

Enjoy your evening at Long Beach.

Day 7: Bamboo Bay, Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a small Island and you need Bike to roam around it. I hired a bike and went to the Bamboo Beach to spend my day. The road to Bamboo Beach is beautiful and you’ll enjoy the ride.

Day 8: Old Lanta Town, Waterfall & Lighthouse, Koh Lanta

Next day, I went the Old Lanta Town, the vibe is completely different.

Khlong Chak Waterfall

My next destination was Khlong Chak Waterfall, the fall is buried deep in the jungle and you’ve to hike for 20-30 mins to reach there. Because it was the dry season, the flow of waterfall is very less but still, it was a good hike.

My day was ended by watching the Sunset at the Lighthouse.

Day 9: Koh Lanta to Koh Tao

I leave the Koh Lanta early in the morning around 8 AM. Koh Lanta to Koh Tao is 12-hour journey. So You’re not doing anything on that day. The journey from Koh Lanta to Koh Tao is beautiful especially the Catamaran ride from Surat Thani to Koh Tao.

TIP: Get Upper deck in Catamaran, you’ll feel hot in start but keep there because from the top, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Day 10: Kon Nang Yuan Island, Koh Tao

Kon Nang Yuan is the beautiful Little Private Island just near the main Koh Tao Island. Kon Nang Yuan is one of the beautiful Island in Koh Samui region and it has crystal clear water with white sand all over it.

This is privately owned Island so there are some restrictions. The Island open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Water bottle & Plastic items are not allowed and you’ve to Pay the 100 Baht Entry fees.

Choose this only if you just want to relax because Snorkelling Tour also cover this Island where you can spend 2 hours on this Island.

Day 11: Snorkeling Tour

Koh Tao is famous for its Diving Sites and people come here from all over the world to get their Scuba Diving certificates but unfortunately, we can’t do this just 2 weeks time. As only for the Diving you may have to spend 4-6 days here in Koh Tao.

But you can still enjoy the Snorkeling here, I highly recommend this tour as you can dive in the beautiful water around the Island filled with beautiful corals, Sharks & Turtles. With this trip, you can cover the Entire Island which also includes Kon Nang Yuan Island.

Day 12: Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, Charm Beach

Koh Tao to Koh Phangan distance can be covered in 2 hours and all the boats leave in the morning. Around 12 PM, you’ll reach the Koh Phangan, take a rest at Hostel or Hotels and go for the beautiful sunset at Cliffside restaurants near Secret Beach.

Dinner at Night Market: There is Night market setup every night where you can buy stuff and enjoy the street food at a very affordable price.

Day 13: Explore Phangan on Bike

Koh Phangan is bigger Island than the Koh Tao and you must hire a bike to roam around it. You can cover the following destinations in one day:

Wang Sai Waterfall

It’s a beautiful little waterfall near the Salad Beach, there is also an adventure park near the fall. From the adventure park, you’ve to hike for 10 minutes to reach the fall. I went in February which is a dry season so water flow is not strong but still worth visiting. There is small pool just at the bottom of the fall where you can take a dip and relax.

Salad Beach

Very small beach with beachside restaurants, the water is very swallowed here. I recommend you take lunch here, do not swim. After that head to Ko Ma Beach.

Ko Ma Beach / Mae Haad Beach

Ko Ma is small Island connected with to Hae Mae Had beach by a sandbar. Here Two Island meat by Hidden sand trail where you’ve to walk to reach the other side. This is a great place for swimming & Snorkeling. It’s perfectly safe to walk on Sandbank.

Phaeng Waterfall & Viewpoint

The Phaeng Noi Waterfall is located at the center of Koh Phangan and it’s also the grandest waterfall on the Phangan Island. The Waterfall is part of Thansadej National Park and here you enjoy the view of Waterfall and also can go on the Dom Sila Viewpoint to enjoy the magnificent view of Koh Phangan Island.

Day 14: Koh Phangan to Bangkok

I woke up early in the morning and went to Haad Rid Beach for the beautiful Sunrise, through the day is cloudy and the storm is ready to strike.

I left the Koh Phangan at around 9:30 AM and soon after that Storm Strike. I went to Surat Thani Airport and from there I took the flight to Bangkok.

Day 15: Explore Bangkok & Leave

My flight was a late night so I have got a full day to explore the Bangkok. Also, I had BTS day pass which allows me the use the BTS train unlimited times for the entire day.

Cycling at Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park

My first stop is the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park located near the Chao Phraya River. You’ve to take the boat ride at Chao Phraya River to get here which cost THB 5. From drop location, you can hire the Bicycle for a day at a price of THB 50. You can submit any id proof to them. Here I cycled for the 10.6 KM, so make sure you get the Water bottle.

Don’t forget to get some photos at beautiful wooden bridge here.

Temple Hopping near the Bank of Bangkok Rivers

Most of the templates and the Grand Palace is located near the main Bangkok River, regular boats are available from many piers across the river.

Make sure get into Yellow boat which only cost THB 10, the tourist boat cost THB 40.

Evening at Khao San Road

Bangkok visit is not complete without coming to Khao San Road. Here you can enjoy your dinner along with Beer Bucket.

Khao San Road is the attract the backpackers from all around the world and even I forget that I’ve to take the late night flight.

I was little late but managed to reach the airport on time.

If you’ve only 15 days or 2 weeks to spend in Thailand and want to do Island Hopping then you can follow my Itinerary and if you’ve better suggestions, do comments it below.