Honeymoon… This is indeed a very special trip of every couple’s life. No matter how much you have traveled before or how much world have you seen before… This trip together is special and helps to explore each other and create that long lasting bond.
After our engagement… Me and my fiancé discussed a lot about destination for our honeymoon. Keeping in mind the duration and budget constraints we at last finalized on “Phuket and Krabi island’s” in Thailand. Here I am sharing our day to day itinerary.

Day 1 : Mumbai – Bangkok – Phuket

we booked a flight to Bangkok from Mumbai and a connecting flight to phuket.
We booked a round trip from yatra.com
Mumbai – Bangkok – Phuket and Krabi – Bangkok – Mumbai
Round trips are cost saver. Also we have booked a night flight of Thai Airways (comparatively cheaper).

We reached Bangkok by 8:30 in the morning. The “Suvarnbhumi Airport” is twice as big as Mumbai International Airport. We went straight to immigration department and applied for “On Arrival Visa”(Visa charges 1000 baht per person) . As we had a connecting flight and less time in hand, we paid extra 300 baht per person for urgent Visa.

We arrived at Phuket by 12 : 30 pm.  Resort and transfers were booked beforehand. After arriving on phuket airport we purchased a local Sim card with 15 days talktime.

After a long drive of around 40 kms we reached our resort “Banthai beach resort and Spa” opposite to Patong beach.

The drive to our resort gave us an amazing insight of Thailand… Beautiful roads and stretch of greenery, eye catchy mountains and specifically road discipline and people.

After a warm welcome at the resort with refreshing raspberry juice, we got to our Room (with attached pool)  (what a start to our honeymoon *blink*).

As we were a little exhausted by night flight, we decided to take rest whole afternoon and then explore Patong beach area in the evening.

While Roaming on the streets of phuket, we were enlightened by the life of Thailand. The delicious smell of “Nutella Pancakes”, loud speaker announcements regarding recent boxing fights, the massage centers along the street, family marts and 7/11 shops, and above that, night life in phuket.

After exploring the streets and having dinner at a fine Indian restaurant, we moved down to the beach. The “Patong”  beach was as amazing as the rest of the area. Clean and silent beach. Perfect for couples seeking peace and lone time during their honeymoon.

Day 2 : Phi Phi Island Tour

Next day we left our resort by 7:30 am for four islands tour.

The four islands tour is a must do tour on a honeymoon in phuket. It has all the elements, cruise, beach, isolated island and a market having local handicrafts.

One should try local food and coconut desert over here. But if you’re a vegetarian, carrying your own food is advisable, as restaurants here don’t serve as good Indian veg food.

Market is good, having local handicrafts. But it’s an expensive market as compared to Bangkok and Krabi. If either destination are on your itinerary, then avoid shopping in phuket.

After a full day Phi Phi island tour, we arrived at our resort and explored the patong beach area in the rest of the evening.

Day 3: Phuket, Thailand

Half day City Tour, Phuket

After an amazing breakfast in the morning, we left for our half day City Tour. We first visited Kata – Karon view point. It has amazing view of beach.

Karon Viewpoint is one of the most frequented viewpoints in Phuket. From here, it is possible to take in views of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon beaches. Located between Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches, Called locally ‘Khao Saam Haad’ (Three Beaches Hill), It’s located just to the south of Kata Noi Beach and looks out directly out to the Andaman Sea.

We visited Wat Chalong Temple, most important of the 29 Buddhist temples of phuket, in our half day City Tour. Located in the Chalong subdistrict, Mueang phuket District . It is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who led the citizens of Chalong Subdistrict fighting against the Chinese rebellion in 1876 and with their knowledge of herbal medicine helped the injured.

Wats – or Buddhist temples – are among the most important symbols of Thailand, partly because the majority of Thais are Buddhist and partly because they are so beautiful. In Phuket alone, there are 29 Buddhist temples spread around the island. Wat Chalong has been extending a warm welcome to visitors for over a century. Locals come to pray and Westerners come to learn something about Buddhism.

Some points to remember while visiting wat Chalong :

– The temple is open from seven in the morning to five in the afternoon.

– Wats in general are sacred places for local people, so it is wise for the visitor to watch and emulate the way Thais behave inside temples.

– Even though Thailand can sometimes be very warm, it is inappropriate to go into a wat, a place of worship, wearing clothes that reveal one’s shoulders, chest, belly or legs.

Pearl showroom and cashew factory was also on our tour list.

After half day city tour, we had evening at leisure. So we decided to do something exciting to make our honeymoon memorable. We decided upon couple spa. We booked our appointment for couple spa (aromatherapy) within our resort for 1500 baht per person and believe me, it’s an pleasant experience.

– There are many spa options available at patong beach area, which are comparatively cheap, but it’s advisable to do it in a reputed resort as we have assurance of oil used and therapists are well trained.

– It’s better to advise therapist about your health conditions and if you’re taking massage for specific healing etc.

Day 4: Phuket to Krabi Transfer

We enjoyed our morning time in the pool at resort and thereafter left for Krabi in the afternoon.

It was around 3 hrs drive (by road) to Krabi. The route was pleasant with green lush and mountains were spread all over. One can also book a cruise from phuket to Krabi. It will take around 2 hrs to reach Krabi by sea.

We reached and checked in to Aonang Beach Resort in Krabi and explored the aonang area and unlike our predictions there were plenty of Indian/veg food restaurants in the area.

One of the restaurant I specially want to mention is “Govinda’s”. Paradise for veggies in Thailand. The restaurant owner is a “Iskon” follower, that’s the reason we get such an delicious “Iskon”  type khichdi over here. Vegetarians traveling there must try this once.

Day 5: Poda Island, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand

Poda island (four islands) tour by Speed Boat

It’s a Four islands ride by Speed Boat. We get to see the formations of stalagmites and stalactites caves. There are many elements such as speed boat, caves, adventure activities, swimming in the sea, and more over peaceful beaches…. This is the reason that “four islands” tour become a must do while traveling in Krabi.

There are many activities to do in Krabi. There is no need of booking activities beforehand. There are plenty of tour service centers available roadside, which provides good service. We can select and book the activities available during the season according to our interest.

Day 6: Tiger Cave Temple

We purposely kept this day at leisure,as we wanted to explore Krabi by our own.

One can rent a scooter for 200 baht per day or a private or group transfer starting from 450 baht per person, as per one’s convenience.

We have heard about Tiger cave temple from locals and tourists traveling with us. We have developed urge to visit the temple. So we booked a pickup and drop service from local tour service center, which was located in the vicinity of our resort, for 450  baht per person.

The surroundings of Wat Tham Suea aka Tiger Cave Temple consists of tropical rain forest including many old trees in the Kiriwong Valley.

The temple has one stairway with 1,237 steps leading to the summit. Some of the stair risers are more than a foot (30 cm) high. The top of the stairs is 278 meters elevation.  Monkeys roam the lower stairs and temple grounds. Do not tease the monkeys or get between the adults and young.

After climbing 1237 steps, we reached at the top of the hill. At the top of the mountain there is a large golden Buddha statue. This statue, other temple buildings, and much of Krabi town can be seen from shrine at the top of the stairs.

The hike at the top is although difficult one but the end results are mesmerizing, as we get to see the beautiful view of Andaman sea and Krabi town from the top. Thus this temple is a must visit during your stay in Krabi.

Rest of the evening we enjoyed sunset at aonang beach.

Day 7: Krabi Airport Nuea Khlong Krabi Thailand

Krabi to Mumbai :

We had a evening flight to Bangkok with connecting flight to Mumbai.

We enjoyed our morning exploring and shopping at Aonang area Krabi. Krabi is good for shopping, reasonable and good variety. We purchased some souvenirs for our family and friends.

We headed towards Krabi domestic airport. It was a 30 min (25 kms) ride from Aonang. The Krabi airport is small and peaceful but have a good connectivity.

After 1 and half hour we reached Bangkok and thereafter had a connecting flight to Mumbai.

After lovely vacation in Thailand, their comes a time to bid a good bye to the place. With many loving memories and a good start to our married life, we came to India.

Some important Points to Note :

– Kindly use and reset your forex card pin (if using for first time) before heading to your tour. We have faced some issues because we have not changed our pin of new forex card, but the issue got sorted soon as we had one of our relative in the same bank and he guided us to the procedure of changing the pin.

– It is advisable to withdraw a big amount from ATM at a time rather than withdrawing small amounts regularly, as the exchange commission remains same i.e for 1000 baht it’s 330 baht and for 5000 baht also it’s 330 baht.

–While planning a honeymoon, don’t rush to explore the area and keep more of leisure time for each other, you can plan many activities in your leisure time on the spot so don’t exhaust yourself by exploring too many places. Beaches, islands are the best options for honeymoon.

Hope the article is enjoyable and informative !