Spend three unforgettable days on a round-trip adventure that starts and finishes in Bangkok. Discover the region’s ancient monuments, dazzling temples, bustling markets, and even the inspiration for a Hollywood blockbuster, which all help make Thailand the most intriguing country in Southeast Asia. Visit ruins such as those of Ayutthaya, which offer an insight into the grandeur of past glories, and mix and mingle with the locals in some of Thailand’s authentic villages, where the past is very much alive.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Bangkok: Enjoy the sweet smells of fresh flowers at Bangkok’s largest flower market, Pak Khlong Talat.
Kanchanaburi: This small city is located at the confluence of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers and is world-famous for the iron bridge which served as the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film “The Bridge on the River Kwai”.
Ayutthaya: The second capital of the kingdom of Siam is, to this day, an exemplar of Thailand’s traditional lifestyle.
Day 1: ARRIVAL BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI (190 kms - 4hrs)
Pick-up from your hotel in Bangkok around 09:00 am. Visit the Golden Mount (Wat Saket), which was built outside of the former city walls in the late 18th century. Continue for a walk through the lively neighbourhood of Chinatown, one of Bangkok’s multicultural districts and home of the city’s sizable Chinese community, followed by a visit to Pak Khlong Talat, the largest fresh flower market in Bangkok. This market has all kinds of popular flowers on offer, such as roses, orchids, lilies and much more. After lunch, board a traditional long-tail boat and take a tour through the canals. In the past, Bangkok was comprised of hundreds of small canals, or klong as they are known in Thai, where locals mainly travelled by water. Arrive by boat to Baan Silapin, the Artist's House, which dates back more than 200 years, for a spectacular traditional performing art puppeteer show. Nowadays, this area of canal homes has become a popular attraction and the boardwalk leading to the house now hosts several shops and tiny restaurants. After the show, continue to Kanchanaburi via Nakhon Pathom to visit the Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world at 127 metres high. Enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi
Day 2: KANCHANABURI – AYUTTHAYA (180km – 4 hrs)
Hit the road after breakfast at the hotel to visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, and the famous iron bridge over the River Kwai. After lunch, continue onwards to Ayutthaya, which became the second capital of Siam around 1530 after Sukhothai. Enjoy a visit to the Ayutthaya Floating Market. This floating market, located in a large pond with an island in the middle, helps conserve the traditional Thai lifestyle of the Ayutthaya era. With 50 paddleboats and over 200 shops offering local goods and food products, the market offers a memorable shopping and sightseeing experience.
Overnight in Ayutthaya
Day 3: AYUTTHAYA – NAKHON NAYOK - DEPART BANGKOK (195 km – 3.5 hrs)
After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, depart by tuk-tuk to visit some of the most important temples and ruins in the historical city of Ayutthaya, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit, and the famous tree-entwined Buddha head at Wat Phra Mahathat. After snapping some great photos, continue to the province of Nakhon Nayok and take a tour on a water buffalo cart, which was a traditional way of transport in past times. Before sitting down for lunch, you will have the opportunity to assist the local chefs in preparing a delicious meal, or just to listen to an introduction to authentic Thai cooking class (in English). Enjoy your freshly prepared lunch in a local, simple garden house. After savouring this tasty meal, continue to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, the longest dam construction in the kingdom. Afterwards, visit a site of the Royal Project for sustainable farming under the patronage of King Bhumibol, and see rice planting in action. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, and fresh fruit before returning to Bangkok with drop off at your selected hotel.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Thailand. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
