Discover Old Siam

📍 Bangkok – Wat SothornWararamWoraviharn (88.8 km): 1.03 hr Wat SothornWararamWoraviharn – Talad Baan Mai (4.2 km): 5 min Talad Baan Mai – TaladKlongSuan (21.6 km): 22 min TaladKlongSuan - Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital (92.8 km): 1.18 hr Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital – Khao Yai (147 km): 2.23 hr

Escape from the chaotic capital city and take a journey back intoa more traditional Thai era. Start with a short train ride to Chachoengsao, a lesser known historical town east of Bangkok (Note: We sometimes experience delays with trains in Thailand. Should this occur, it may require changes to the program).

Upon arrival at the train station in Chachoengsao, hop on a tuk tuk ride to Wat Sothorn Wararam Woraviharn, the famous temple with its remarkable hall made from Italian marble. After that, continue to Talad Klong Suan, a 100-year old canal-side market which impresses visitors with its simple daily lifestyle, and be dazzled with its old shop houses and stalls selling a variety of items including food, quaint old utensils and ancient tin toys. If a visit falls on the weekends, alternative visit is also Talad Baan Mai, another 100-year old market.

Lunch at the market.

After lunch, depart for Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachinburi. Within this charming yellow colonial building lies a center of traditional herbal pharmacy study and training. Experience the varieties and healing properties of Thai herbs. Continue to Khao Yai via a scenic road that runs alongside Khao Yai National Park. Start a 1km walk through the forest to Nong Phug She Tower, which is located near Nong Phug Shee pond - the main water source for many species of animal.

Continue to the hotel.

Overnight at Khao Yai.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning at leisure.

Drive through scenic countryside to the nearby GranMonte Vineyard in the Asoke Valley for lunch at Vincotto, a charming restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. After that, explore the vineyard and experience wine and grape tasting. Return to the resort.

In the late afternoon, drive to the open rice fields surrounded by lush mountain, where you will experience an amazing phenomenon of zillions of bats flying out of the cave over the paddy fields.   

Overnight at Khao Yai.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Khao Yai – Bang Pa-In Summer Palace (133 km): 2.02 hr Bang Pa-In Summer Palace - Ayutthaya (20.5 km): 27 min Ayutthaya – Ang Thong (34 km): 34 min Ang Thong – Uthai Thani (121 km): 1.30 hr

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Ayutthaya, the capital of Thailand for more than 417 years from 1350 to 1776. The first stop is at Bang Pa-In to see the Summer Palace built by King Rama IV at a time of growing European influence in Thailand. See the Italian-inspired palace building and surrounding temples. Also visit Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, a gothic-inspired temple beside the river. Continue to the most important of the ruined temples in Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wat Mahathat and Wat Pra Sri Sanphet by local “Kermit” tuk tuk. Take lunch at a pleasant riverside restaurant before continuing north to Ang Thong province to see the Sukhothai period reclining Buddha at Wat Pa Mok Woraviharn, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, before continuing to Ban Phae village, where various sizes of drum are made. Next, proceed to Uthai Thani.

Overnight in Uthai Thani.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Uthai Thani – Wat Tha Sung (9.4 km): 13 min Uthai Thani – Kanchanaburi (228 km): 2.57 hr

After breakfast, visit Wat Chantharam (Wat Thasung) with its magnificent crystal hall, before continuing to the local market place for a stroll through the village to experience natural rural life. There is also an opportunity for a bike ride around a small island to meet up with local people.

This afternoon, enjoy a lunch cruise on Sakaekrang River. There are very few tourists passing through this part of Thailand and guests will get a strong feeling for the natural rhythm of Thailand. Following a drive to Kanchanaburi, guests can visit the “Bridge on the River Kwai” and the Railway Museum before transferring to their hotel. After freshening up, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kanchanaburi town – Erawan National Park (87.8 km): 1.07 hr

After breakfast, depart for Erawan Waterfall - a beautiful seven-tiered waterfall. Located in Erawan National Park, the best time to visit is during rainy season from May until September. Walking up to see each of the picturesque falls, it is best to bring good walking shoes. Also, guests should remember to bring their swimming suit if they wish to swim in the fall’s natural pools.

Note:

• Depending on the circumstances the guide will decide whether it is safe enough or not for swimming in the waterfalls. Guests should always respect and follow his decision.
• Erawan waterfall is a famed attraction for locals as well as tourists, hence expect it to be busy during weekends and Thai public holidays

After lunch at a local restaurant, take a short train ride along the infamous ‘Death Railway’ through Kwai Noi gorge.

Return to the hotel and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kanchanaburi – Mae Klong Samut Songkram (109 km): 1.28 hr Mae Klong – Amphawa (16.8 km): 19 min

After breakfast, visit Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park - a Khmer temple complex dating back to the Angkorian period. Walk around the peaceful historical ruins and explore the history and culture of the area, then drive to the garden province of Samut Songkhram in the Mae Klong river delta area. First, *visit a unique country market along the railway tracks. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue the afternoon by strolling around the fruit orchards and visiting some interesting temples in the area. Check in at the resort in the afternoon and enjoy an evening dinner in Amphawa.  

If the visit falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the upcountry trip will be spiced up with a visit to the weekend evening floating market, which is full of vendors selling local delights. (Note: An optional boat ride along the river to see the glittering fireflies at night.)  

Overnight in Amphawa.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Amphawa – Bangkok (90 km): 1.17 hr

In the early morning, freshen up and ‘make merit’ by giving alms to the local Buddhist monks (by the river or in front of the resort, depending on where guests stay).

Then, visit Tha Kha**, one of the many floating markets in the area where guests can observe authentic local trading. Take a fascinating paddle boat journeying through the maze of klongs (canals), cruising by plantations before stopping to enjoy a glass of palm sugar syrup and a chat with a friendly local family. Following lunch at a local restaurant, proceed to King Rama II Memorial Park which houses a Thai-style pavilion museum displaying artifacts from the early Rattanakosin era and a landscaped garden filled with native flowers. Visit artisans who produce exquisite hand-painted Benjarong porcelain and pottery before returning to Bangkok in the late afternoon.

(Note: The Tha Kha market is held every Saturday and Sunday. Weekday availability is 5-6 times a month depending on the lunar cycle calendar. On the days when Tha Kha is not open, we will head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although quite touristy today, the market remains the best example to showcase how a floating market originally was like decades ago.)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch