Bangkok, Beach & Buddhas

Day 1 - Bangkok

Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport transfer to your hotel in Bangkok including baggage handling and English-Speaking Travel Director. Hotel check-in will be guaranteed from 14:00 hrs onwards. 

Meal included - None

Day 2 - Bangkok

Full Day Thonburi Canals & Grand Palace and Wat Pho

08:00hrs On the west bank of the Chao Praya River lays a part of town called Thonburi. Situated on the right side of the river, progress has arrived here with little impact. Get a little feeling for life in Bangkok at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was also called "Venice of the East". Wooden houses, built on stilts to stand through the high tides of the late rainy season; places, only accessible by boat; children using the river as a large playground - life in Thonburi has not changed much since its beginnings. Passing by boat along the canals gives you a first-hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok's waterways. En route we stop at Bangkok's best known landmark, the enchanting Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

After lunch, visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho The Grand Palace was the seat not only of the king and his court, but contained within its crenelated walls the entire government administration. The architecture is vibrantly Thai though there are some European designs as well. Brilliantly coloured and gilded, and decorated with intricate detail, the overall effect is dazzling. The palace served as the official residence of the kings of Thailand from the 18th to the mid-20th century. The most famous building on the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. Construction of the temple began when King Rama I moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other Thai temples, it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the richly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. The main temple building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. Though green in colour, the Buddha is actually carved from a single piece of jade, and though only 17 inches tall, is the most revered object in Thailand.

Note: The entire Grand Palace is closed during special royal ceremonies and during visiting heads of state, while other buildings (such as the Throne Hall and Coronation Hall) are always closed on during special ceremonies and on Buddhist Holidays. A calendar for visiting the Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha can be viewed on the web-site of the Bureau of the Royal Household at: https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/schedules

Afterwards visit Wat Pho, which features the largest reclining Buddha image in Thailand, and the Chedi of the kings, is Bangkok's oldest and largest temple. Optionally enjoy a 30 minute Thai massage (pay locally) as Wat Pho is renowned as the origin of the Thai massage.

Meal included - Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Bangkok - Ayutthtaya

07:00 hours Meet your guide and transfer to River City Pier to check-in at the White Orchid River Cruise Counter. The cruise departs from the pier with tea and coffee served when guests come on board. Cruise up-stream on the Chao Phraya River and pass by (but do not visit): - Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, one of the city’s most important religious sites. The five-towered structure is covered in colourful porcelain and designed as a representation of the Khmer home of the gods. Before being moved to Wat Phra Kaew, the Emerald Buddha was temporarily housed here. - Royal Grand Palace; famous the world over for its fine art and traditional architecture. Admire the gold and red colours of the buildings. Then, cruise out of urban Bangkok and into a more rural setting. Along the way, take in the fascinating views of local life on the banks of the river. Savour a delicious early lunch, served on board the boat. Choose from a full menu of Thai and European dishes, desserts, seasonal fruits, coffee and tea. After lunch, arrive at Wat Chong Lom in Nonthaburi Province. Then, continue by air-conditioned van to Ayutthaya. Visit Ayutthaya’s Information Centre and learn about Ayutthaya's history from ancient times to the present-day. Begin at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet - the prototype of the famous Grand Palace in Bangkok, followed by Wat Mahathat - to have a look at the famous Buddha Head inside the banyan tree. Move on to discover the Royal Elephant’s Field which used to be where the King’s elephant performed for ceremonies and is now where elephant’s rest. The next stop, is the Local Boxing Gym. Observe the athletes practice and see Thai boxing being taught. The gym teaches children authentic Thai boxing to help preserve this iconic national sport. Overnight in Ayutthaya

Meal included - Brekafast & Lunch

Day 4 - Ayutthaya - Amphawa

08:00 hours After breakfast, drive to Ayutthaya’s Wood Carving Village and see local artisans working on handmade furniture. Observe the mastery and intricate carving involved. The craft workshop is used by nearby temples to provide them with carvings (e.g for detailed carvings above doorways). Some people buy carvings, in the form of a donation, for a specific nearby temple to use. Next up, is a rare opportunity to stop at someone’s home to watch the process of making Homemade Rice Noodles. Observe the whole process of boiling and dry noodles from start to finish. After the noodle making, discover a local Wooden Drum Making enterprise. Witness the process of selecting the wood and stretching over the leather before finally, adding the decoration. Afterwards, journey to Nakhon Pathom and explore the impressive Phra Phathom Chedi, the biggest chedi in Thailand. The current one, built in 1853, replaced the original which was believed to date back to the 4th century. Lunch is at a local restaurant nearby. This afternoon, continue to Samut Songkram and go directly to the hotel in Amphawa. After check-in, transfer to Baan Bang Noi homestay for dinner. Explore the surrounding orchards on foot or by side-car and enjoy some fresh fruits (depending on season) straight from the tree. At dinner, your guide introduces some of the essential herbs, spices and vegetable used in Thai cooking. Roll up your sleeves and help to prepare and cook the different dishes. Then, sit back, chat and take in the relaxing surroundings as you enjoy the meal you have prepared. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel.

Meal included - Brekafast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Amphawa - Bangkok

08:00 hours After breakfast, visit a local enterprise that produces palm sugar made from the sweet, watery sap that drips from cut flower buds. Learn how the sap is collected each morning before being boiled in huge woks until a sticky sugar remains. Then, embark on a longtail boat and ride from the small side canals into the Mae Klong River, passing traditional style houses on both banks as well as plenty of palm trees. Next, your taste buds discover Khao Lam, sticky rice in bamboo tube. This speciality, not easily found at the local markets in Bangkok, is very popular in the rural provinces. Learn from a local open-air Khao Lam producer how to make this famous Thai sweet dish. Then, satisfy your curiosity and savour some of the freshly made Khao Lam. Journey a little further to the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market – this is the floating market seen on most Bangkok postcards. Discover the parts of the market that retain an authentic charm. Observe the colourfully clad merchants paddling along the congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks. Experience the chatter and lively activity of the shopping. Bargain away, as part of the fun, but don't expect to get the price down more than a few baht. Then, board the non-air-conditioned 3rd class train carriage to the iconic Mae Klong Railway Market. See the market stalls laid out on both sides of the railway tracks and watch as the tents and goods are moved from the rails in lightning speed as the train comes through. After the train has sped by, observe as everything returns to its original place within a few seconds and the railway tracks are masked again. Finally, drive to the Klong Khone Conservation Centre to learn about the biodiversity and the importance of mangroves. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and take a longtail boat to explore the beautiful nature in the mangrove forest. Look out for the sea monkeys who live along the coastline and watch in awe as they swim to the boat looking for food. Feed the monkeys with fruit the boat driver provides. After the encounter with the monkeys, return to your hotel in Bangkok in the late afternoon.

Meal included - Brekafast & Lunch

Day 6 - Bangkok - Phuket

Day at leisure before you transfer to airport for departure to Phuket. Upon arrival at Phuket International Airport transfer to your hotel in Phuket including baggage handling. Hotel check-in will be guaranteed from 14:00 hrs onwards.

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 7 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 8 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 9 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 10 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 11 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 12 - Phuket

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying your hotel facilities or the beach

Meal included - Brekafast 

Day 13 - Phuket

Today your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for your homeward flight

Meals Included - Breakfast