Thailand has officially removed all of its restrictions for vaccinated tourists, so If you have been itching for a big trip this year, you’re in luck! The great thing about Thailand is that it suits every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking to go with your partner, with a group of friends, with your family or on your own, Thailand has something for everyone. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s my guide on where to consider going on your trip depending on your interests.

Bangkok

This will no doubt be in your itinerary for the simple fact that it’s the easiest and cheapest airport in Thailand to fly into. People have mixed opinions about Bangkok, and personally I wouldn’t recommend spending more than 2-3 days there, but there are a lot of things to do in the area. Temperatures in Bangkok can soar, so I recommend starting your day early and then relaxing by the pool in the afternoon. If you plan on temple hopping, my top recommendations are The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Muang and Wat Arun. 

We also took part in a thai cooking class, where we got the chance to make pad thai, sticky mango rice, tom yum soup and a thai green curry. Had we done this at the beginning of our trip, I'm certain I wouldn't have added 3 chillies inside my curry. In the evening, head to Cielo rooftop bar for great food, cocktails and amazing views of the Bangkok skyline. To end the night, walk through Khaosan road which is very popular with backpackers. Just expect it to be loud and very crowded!

Ko Samui

Ko Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, and is a popular choice for families as there are a lot of resorts in the area. Personally I don’t think it’s the nicest island, but we did have the best excursions from Ko Samui and we loved the night market in Chaweng. Who wouldn’t love a pad thai and dumplings for £3? During your time there I recommend a day trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong Park, where you’ll get the chance to snorkel, kayak and visit the blue lagoon. Other sites of interest are the Wat Plai Laem Temple, and the Overlap Stone. Just make sure your Grab driver fills up the tank before heading up there!

Koh Phangan

There is one primary reason why people go to Koh Phangan, and that’s for the monthly Full Moon Party. To get here you can get a 30 minute speedboat from Ko Samui, which I recommend buying in advance from 12go asia because the boats do fill up. My advice for the full moon party is not to go with the expectation that it is going to be great music and a sophisticated atmosphere. Buy yourself a famous bucket drink and try to make the most of the experience! In terms of dining, our hotel restaurant Sand & Tan is situated right on Haad Rin beach and has the best Pad Thai I have ever tasted.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the best spot for adventurous travellers who want to have a go at scuba diving.There are plenty of diving schools scattered around the island, but if you would rather just snorkel at your own leisure then I recommend heading to Shark Bay, Freedom Beach or Sairee Beach. You will also find some great viewpoints in Koh Tao, my favourite being the John Suwan Viewpoint.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and arguably the most famous. It is also the gateway to the Phi Phi islands, which was the filming location for The Beach, which Leonardo Dicaprio starred in. When in Phuket, explore the Sunday Walking Street Market for some cheap food and to purchase some buddhas and bracelets to bring back for your friends and family. When you’ve had enough of tanning on Pa Tong beach, you can climb a hill for 5 minutes to see the 45 metre tall White Buddha.

Chiang Mai

Once you are done exploring the south, fly north to experience a different side of Thailand. Chiang Mai is a great place for street food, and one of the typical dishes in northern Thailand to try here is khao soi. It consists of either chicken or beef, in a coconut curry broth with boiled and fried noodles. Here is where you will also get the chance to visit an Elephant Sanctuary. We gave the elephants a mud bath, fed them tons of bananas and made medicine balls for them.The company we went with were called Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, who have a no riding policy. You could genuinely tell the elephants were happy here. From Chiang Mai you can also take a

day trip to the nearby city of Chiang Rai, where you can visit the famous White Temple.

Pai

From Chiang Mai, you can take a 3 hour minivan ride to the town of Pai for a real authentic Thai experience. Word of warning, I suggest taking an anti sickness tablet because there are more than 750 twists and turns to get there. You won’t need more than two nights in Pai but we loved the fact that you could walk everywhere, and it is also a great place to meet other travellers.

Here you can visit the Pai canyon, try ‘tipsy tubing’ down the river, visit the hot springs and swim in the Pam Bok waterfall. Note trying to drink a beer whilst also avoiding scraping your bum on a rock or crashing against a bush was hard work, but fun. Another traditional Thai dish you can try here is the Kaeng Hang Lei, which is a slightly spicy pork curry.

Thailand is known as ‘The Land of Smiles’ for a reason, and you will find the locals to be so friendly and helpful. It’s definitely a place that I will visit again in the future, and if you have the time and annual leave, you can definitely see all these places in the space of a month! 

G

TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

Sikkim is a state that personifies the beauty of nature. It is surrounded by beautiful and majestic mountains, misty hills, lush greenery, and semi-frozen lakes that make the state a frequent spot of recreation for tourists both in India and internationally.

Besides getting lost in the dreamy landscape, you can also indulge in a lot of activities around the state that should make up for your time there. People who visit Sikkim have time and time clarified that they never want to return. Not only is it a nature lover’s paradise, but Sikkim is also equally exciting for adventure enthusiasts. So, if you are planning to Sikkim, do it in a planned manner with eSikkimTourism for the best travel experience. This article will explore the top 7 things that you can do in Sikkim in the year 2022 with a cost breakdown so you can plan ahead of time.

1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Before we describe it further, be assured that this isn’t for the faint of heart. You do need proper medical documents and verification before you are allowed to even start this trek. Although it is just until the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, the paths leading up to the final destination aren’t the simplest.

It is a 90 km long trek and takes around 10 days to finish. Now, you must be wondering why does it take so long for a meager 90km trek? Well, the distance isn’t the factor; the trekking trail is very jagged and needs to be treated with utmost caution. A single wrong move can be very dangerous.

The trail initiates from Yuksom and ends at the Bakkhim point, where the trekkers finally get to take in the beautiful and mesmerizing view of the surroundings.

Cost per person – Rs. 14,700.

2. Camping

Sounds boring, doesn’t it? But, that’s the beauty of Sikkim. Even in the snow-capped mountains, the tourists have the option to wrap their things up and go out for a camping adventure. Camping is a massive revenue source for the locals during the winter months. Yes, you heard it right – During the WINTER MONTHS.

The experience is one of a kind, something that you will never want to indulge in quite frequently and without any questions asked. The backdrop of the wildflowers with the blazing heat from the fit pit in the middle is bound to take you to a whole different dimension.

The cost per person – varies and depends on the camping site.

3. Take Nature Tours

We aren’t saying that Sikkim doesn’t have its staple sightseeing spots, including temples, monasteries, and the local markets. But, if you want to do something off-beat, we’d recommend signing up for the Nature Tours instead. They are fun, enthralling, and are the perfect thing that your inner child needs to explore.

The nature tours are also perfect for the tourists who enjoy a quick trek but don’t want the steep and high-altitude treks. Some of the most popular nature tour trails include Varsey Trail, Kasturi Orar Trail, etc. 

Cost per person – Depends on the trail.

4. Bungee Jumping

Now, we had to include a good adventure sport to the list of things to do in Sikkim, right? So, why not start with the most heart-pounding one? Can you even imagine taking a free-fall plunge from a 200m height into the abyss, letting go of all your inhibitions, and taking in the thrill and adrenaline rush?

The experience is one of a kind, something that you are going to want to experience at least once in your life. Freefalling like a bird with the backdrop of the scenic view and the lush greenery is something you need to tick off your bucket list.

The cost per person – Starts from INR 500.

5. Visit the Caves

If you are an explorer, you are going to love exploring the hidden mysteries inside the various caves that are popular in Sikkim. While you are looking for a popular spot, go for North Lha-Ri-Nying Phu. It has a range of history and local traditions associated with it. It is believed to be home to a holy aura, which is one of the reasons why tourists frequent this spot.

Although it might look easy to explore, the caves contain a lot of steep terrains, which are quite difficult to walk through. So, planning your trip ahead of time is crucial for a safe travel experience.

Cost per person – INR 4500.

6. Visit the Local Monasteries

No Sikkim trip is complete without a quick visit to the local monasteries. There are quite a few that you can look around. However, we’d highly recommend that you explore the underrated spots. Visiting a monastery and taking in the peace and calm in the surroundings is something you can only experience once you are there.

Some of the best monasteries to explore in Sikkim are Pemayangtse Gompa, Rumtek, and Enchey. They are a little farther out from the main city but worth the travel.

Cost per person – Entry is free of cost.

7. Explore the National Parks

Lastly, you can’t forget to explore the natural wildlife of Sikkim, now, can you? Kewzing and Khangchendzonga are the two most popular national parks in the state that you can visit and explore. The biodiversity in these parks is stunning and you might cross paths with certain wildlife that you didn’t expect to.

It houses a lot of unique wildlife like red pandas, musk deer, snow leopards, and even the Himalayan tahr. Also, the flora in the area is unique and one of a kind as well. So, don’t forget to add it to your itinerary.

The cost per person – Starts from INR 350.

Conclusion

Sikkim is a blast of nature, one that has to offer a bit of everything for its visitors to explore. If you are sitting here confused as to what you can do and explore around the state, we hope this article gives you all the details that you are on the lookout for.