Photo: Wendy Harman, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Thailand: Chiang Mai, then climbing at Railay
Eleven days for a couple in January: temples, markets and a farm cooking class in the cool north, a first day on rock outside Chiang Mai, then a climbing course on the limestone of Railay.
Arrive in Chiang Mai
Getting there
Fly into Chiang Mai, usually via Bangkok; the old city is 15 minutes away by Grab.
Where you're staying
BED Chiangmai Gate, a small adults-only hotel by the south gate of the old city: clean modern rooms, a pool in the garden and bicycles to borrow.
- Five nights, inside the moat, so the temples and markets are on foot
- Rated 9.5 on Booking.com from about 600 reviews
- About CHF 90 a night with breakfast and free cancellation (checked for 9 to 14 Jan 2027, 7 Oct 2026)
Photos: booking.com (property photos)
Evening
A first bowl of khao soi, the north's curry noodle soup, at a street stall near the gate.
Temples and the Sunday market
The morning
Two temples, chosen on purpose: Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, the city's most revered temple and the great ruined chedi a few streets away. Early, before the heat and the groups.
- Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off inside the halls
- Two well chosen temples beat ten: the rest blur together
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0; Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0; Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0; Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Evening
The Sunday Walking Street, when Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate closes to traffic and fills with crafts and food stalls.
- From late afternoon to about 22:00
- Eat as you go: sai ua sausage, grilled skewers, mango sticky rice
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (Takeaway, CC BY-SA 4.0; LannaPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0; Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0)
A farm cooking class
The day
A full day at a cooking school on an organic farm outside the city: the market in the morning, then a row of dishes of your own.
First day on rock
The day
An introduction to outdoor climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress with Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures, climbing since 2002.
Doi Suthep
The day
Early up the mountain to Doi Suthep for the view, then a slow afternoon in the cafés of Nimman.
South to Railay
Getting there
Fly to Krabi, a car to Ao Nang, then a longtail boat to Railay: there is no road.
Where you're staying
Avatar Railay, adults only, five nights.
Phra Nang
The day
Phra Nang beach and the cave, a swim, and an early night before the course.
Flagship day
On the limestone
Day 8 · Sat 16 Jan
The day
The first day of a three-day course with King Climbers on the crags around Railay: the walls rise straight out of the sand, the stalactites hang over the routes, and the boats come and go below.
- Three days with a rest day in between: rope work, abseiling, then lead climbing and a multi-pitch
- No more than four students per instructor; equipment, lunch and water included
- About 260 US dollars each for the three days (2026 resellers, estimate)
- Start at first light and stop by eleven: the rock heats up fast
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0; Sergio Tittarini from Shanghai, China, CC BY 2.0; Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0)
An island that isn't
Railay is on the mainland, but limestone cliffs cut it off from the roads, so everything and everyone arrives by boat.
Rest day
The day
Kayaks around the karsts at high tide, or nothing at all.
Lead and multi-pitch
The day
The last day of the course: your first leads, then a multi-pitch with the sea below.
Home
Getting home
Longtail to Ao Nang and fly from Krabi, via Bangkok.
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