LUXTRAVEL THAILAND
13 NIGHTS: CENTRAL THAILAND ADVENTURE
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Amphawa, Pran Buri and Bangkok
CENTRAL THAILAND ADVENTURE
13 nights
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Amphawa, Pran Buri and Bangkok
DAY 1 BANGKOK
Welcome to Bangkok
Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok from your international flight, you will be greeted by a member of our company. Then take a private transfer to the hotel located in the Chinatown district of Bangkok. Sit back, relax, spend the rest of the day at your leisure and prepare for the journey ahead.
DAY 2 BANGKOK
All Out Bangkok
Meet with your local guide at the hotel at 08h30 then set out to experience the best of Bangkok in a day, exploring impressive cultural sites and some hidden gems using a variety of transport options including tuk-tuks, canal boat and on foot. Our first stop is the Grand Palace which served as the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Learn about the history and significance of this complex and visit the revered Emerald Buddha. Next, we hop on a tuk-tuk for a short ride to Wat Pho, one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. The temple is known for its reclining Buddha, impressive architecture and as the home of traditional massage. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine, recommended by your local guide. Next, we take a longtail boat ride through the narrow canals (known locally as klongs) of Klong Mon and Bangkok Noi. The boat ride is a great way to experience the local way of life and see traditional wooden houses and local temples. Arriving back on the Chao Phraya River we stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, and explore its beautifully designed porcelain exterior. The steep steps up the central prang may be climbed to reach the upper levels. We then hop on an express riverboat to Yodpiman pier and visit Pak Klong Talad, a vibrant wholesale flower market with lotus, orchids, jasmine, roses, lilies and more. Admire the flower arrangements which are used in Thai traditions, religious ceremonies and daily life. Learn about the art of traditional flower garland and lotus folding. Our final stop is Wat Traimit, the Golden Budda, an imposing stone temple known for its 3-metre tall, solid gold Buddha. You may also like to visit the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center on the 3rd floor of the temple, an engaging museum about history of Bangkok's Chinatown and its residents. Return to the hotel or continue the night at your leisure.
DAY 3 AYUTTHAYA
Ancient Ayutthaya
Meet with your local guide and private driver at the hotel at 08h30, then drive north to the city of Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. The travel time is around 1-hour. On arrival in the city, we hop aboard a traditional Kermit style tuk-tuk and explore some of the main ancient ruins within the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Alternatively, we can tour the sites on bicycle. Begin at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest and most revered temple. Continue to Wat Mahathat, known for the Buddha encircled by the roots of a Banyan Tree. Then Wat Na Phra Man, an active temple and Wat Ratchaburana with an exquisite restored prang. We have lunch at a local restaurant then explore the Muslim Quarter and try some of Ayutthaya’s famous Thai dessert, Roti Saimai. Hop on a longtail boat for a ride on the river to Bang Pa-In Palace, a European influenced Royal Summer Palace and gardens. A monk-operated cable car then takes us across the river to Wat Niwet Thamaprawat, a unique temple designed to resemble a European Gothic cathedral. Check into the hotel in Ayutthaya.
DAY 4 KANCHANABURI
Mahasawat Canal, Wat Phra Pathom and Wat Tham Sua
After breakfast, meet with your local guide and private driver and set out for Nakhom Pathom Province, a 1-hour journey. Here we will explore the man-made Mahaswat Canal communiity based around agro-tourism. From the pier beside the Suwannaram Temple, we hop on a boat and travel the klong to visit an orchid farm then an organic orchard. Then hop on a trailer with Thai-style tractor for a ride through the orchard and organic rice fields. Back on the boat, the next stop is the Khao-Tung Hna-Tung or Crusty Rice with Shrimp Dip factory. The last visit is a farm producing Lotus flowers, which are an important part of Buddhist worship. Travel by van into Nakhon Pathom city and stop to admire the gleaming Phra Pathom Chedi, one of the largest in Thailand, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Depart for the tranquil town of Kanchanaburi, a travel time of 2 hours. Before reaching the town, we stop to visit Wat Tham Sua, the Tiger Cave Temple, climbing the stairs to the impressive seated Buddha on the hilltop and views over the surrounding countryside. Arriving in the town, take the opportunity to walk over the historic iron 'Bridge over the River Kwai' before checking into the riverside resort.
DAY 5 KANCHANABURI
The Thai-Burma Railway and an ethical elephant sanctuary
With your local guide and private driver, venture into town and take the opportunity to visit the excellent Thai-Burma Railway Museum which gives an overview of the railway’s history and the brutal conditions suffered by the POWs and forced laborers during its construction. Then take a short stroll through the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Board the train at Kanchanaburi Railway Station at 10h30 for a 2-hour journey on the Thai-Burma Railway to Nam Tok Station. Cross over the iron bridge and follow the rive passing by several cuttings. The train slowly crosses the impressive Tham Krasae wooden viaduct, which runs alongside a cliff above the Khwae Noi River before continuing on to Nam Tak Station. At Nam Tok, travel by van to an ethical elephant sanctuary and have a local lunch. Watch the animals playing in a mud pit, walk them to the river and bathe with them. Walk the elephant back through the forest to feed them fruit and snacks. Return to the resort in Kanchanaburi.
DAY 6 KANCHANABURI
Erawan National Park and Hellfire Pass
Set out after breakfast with your local guide and private driver to spend the morning swimming and relaxing at Erawan National Park. The park features a multi-tier waterfall and many hiking trails.
We then visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial, a railway cutting on the former Burma Railway which was constructed with forced labour during the Second World War. Walk through the 600m long Konyu Cutting and see the small gallery which lays out the history of the site and memorializes the victims. Return to the resort in Kanchanaburi.
DAY 7 AMPHAWA
Shadow puppets and local ceramics
Depart Kanchanaburi and head to Ratchaburi Province and the Nang Yai Museum Wat Khanon. The traditional wooden Thai house exhibits the history and process of making the leather Nang Yai shadow puppets and background sets. Then we visit the Tao Hong Tai ceramics factory, which has for more than 60 years produced a wide variety of high-quality ceramics including Chinese ceramics, and traditional Thai ceramics. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Amphawa and take part in local workshop making Pla Ta Pien, meaning 'best wishes'. Pla Ta Pien are a woven fish mobile made with of bai lan, or fan palm fronds. Check-in to the hotel in Amphawa.
DAY 8 AMPHAWA
Highlights of Amphawa
With your local guide and private driver, visit Wat Bang Khae Noi, a Buddhist monastery located on the banks of the Mae Klong River. Inside the ordination hall, the walls have intricate teak woodcarvings depicting the life of Buddha. Continue to the Khai Bang Kung fort and banyan tree temple, which has an ordination hall encased by the roots and branches of banyan trees. The temple grounds were the site of a fierce 18th century battle between Siam and invaders from Burma. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the King Rama II Garden and museum. A traditional Thai house exhibits artifacts from the early Rattanakosin era, King Rama II’s household furniture, and showcases the lives of Thais during this era. Later in the afternoon we take a longtail boat ride from the Amphawa Floating Market, travelling along the klong and stopping for dinner on the journey. Return to the hotel in Amphawa.
DAY 9 AMPHAWA
Local floating market, train market and mangrove reserve
After breakfast, meet at the hotel with your local guide and private driver at 08h30. Take a longtail boat ride on the canal to a local enterprise in a Thai house and learn how coconut palm sugar is produced. We hop back on the longtail boat and stop at the small but charming Tha Ka Floating Market to see the local products on offer and try some local specialties. Then travel by van to the Mae Klong Train Market and see the slow train pass through the market as vendors remove their goods from the track. We then head for the coast of Samut Songkhram province and the local fishing community at Klong Kone. Take a boat tour through the mangroves to see the swimming macaque monkeys followed by a local seafood lunch by the shore. Plant mangroves to help local reforestation, collect cockles, learn about aquaculture and try local fisherman-style wakeboarding. Return to the hotel in Amphawa.
DAY 10 PRAN BURI
Khao Wang Palace and Khao Luang Cave
Depart Amphawa after breakfast and travel south to Petchaburi Province, stopping to visit Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park. On the hilltop is the royal palace Khao Wang, a collection of buildings built by King Rama IV in 1859. The palace is a mix of European, Thai and Chinese styles and includes a museum furnished with royal belongings. We continue to Khao Luang Cave, a stalactite-filled series of caverns that is one of Thailand’s most impressive cave shrines and a favourite of King Rama IV when he was a monk. Sunlight enters the cave through a large hole in the cave’s limestone roof. Lunch is at a local restaurant then we travel south and check-in to the resort in Pran Buri.
DAY 11 PRAN BURI
Sam Roi Yot National Park and Phraya Nakhon Cave
Meet with your local guide and private driver at the hotel. Today we embark on an adventure to Sam Roi Yot National Park. On arrival at the park, we take a one-hour scenic cruise along Khlong Khao Daeng, with great mountain views, birds, macaques and water monitors. We then take a short boat ride from Bang Pu, on the sea around the mountain to where we begin the short hike which leads to Phraya Nakhon Cave. The 500-metre uphill trail is a rocky path winding through the forest. At the top is the entrance to the large cave which shelters a small Royal Pavilion called Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion, built for Rama V in 1890. Continue exploring the park, then after lunch we return to the hotel in Pran Buri.
DAY 12 PRAN BURI
Elephant spotting at Kui Buri National Park
Spend the morning at your leisure. Depart with your local guide and private driver at 12h00, having lunch at a local restaurant then travel to Kui Buri National Park for an afternoon elephant safari. The park is one of the best in Thailand to spot wild Asian elephants. With a local park ranger, we drive by 4x4 over the open grasslands, stopping at various locations where we can spot elephants and other wildlife such as Gaur, Oriental Pied Hornbills and others. Leave the park in the late afternoon and travel back to the hotel in Pran Buri.
DAY 13 BANGKOK
Jim Thomspons House
After breakfast we depart Pran Buri and travel back to Bangkok, a travel time of around 3hrs and 30min, stopping for lunch on the way. In Bangkok, we visit the Jim Thompson House Museum. The teak residence houses furnishings and Asian art collection of the late "Thai Silk King”, who helped revitalize the Thai silk industry before his mysterious disappearance in 1967. Continue to the Baan Krua Thai Silk Weaving Community and see how silk is loomed the traditional way it has been for centuries. Check-in to the hotel in the city and farewell your local guide.
DAY 14 BANGKOK
Departure
Private transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport for your international flight.