Explore Kanchanaburi & Ayutthaya

Welcome to choose our customizable Thailand tour from Bangkok! When your flight lands in Bangkok, our guide and the driver will meet you in the airport arrivals hall and escort you to the hotel. Then you can spend the rest of the day on your own, recovering from jet lag at the hotel or going for a walk nearby.

► Free Time Suggestion: Explore Thailand’s Fun-filled Riverside Night Market
Characterized by elegant European architectural designs, unlike traditional markets, the vibrant Asiatique the Riverfront night market won’t overwhelm you. Discover creative handicrafts, such as fragrant herbal soaps and chic bamboo handbags, at over 1,500 stalls and showcase your bargaining skills! You can also try popular local specialties like Cha Tra Mue’s signature Thai tea or the Mango Parfait of Mango Tango for about THB 100 (USD 3). Afterward, relax on a cozy sofa next to the iconic Ferris wheel while gazing at the stunning night views of the Chao Phraya River.
 How to get there: The night market is a 20-minute taxi ride from your hotel. You can hail a taxi on the Grab app and pay online. To clarify your location, snap a photo and share it with the driver.

Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok (4 stars)

After breakfast, we will head to the famous Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Thailand, where you will admire the giant reclining Buddha statue with exquisite pearls and shells embedded in the soles of the Buddha’s feet. Next, follow the guide on a short stroll to the neighboring Grand Palace, the best-preserved and largest royal complex in Thailand. When visiting magnificent temples and stupas in the palace, the guide will show you around Wat Phra Kaew housing the holy Emerald Buddha statue. 

► Recommended Photo Shooting Spots at Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew 
1. Golden Chedis: Take fun photos by imitating the lifting poses of the 20 monkey and yaksha statues at the pagoda’s base.
2. Phra Mondop Library: Capture panoramic photos in front of the vast lawn to highlight the library’s grandeur, or focus on the details of its golden exterior and green glazed decorations.
3. Corridors in Wat Phra Kaew: Snap vivid expressions of the characters and mosaic decorations of the murals adorning the corridors.
4. Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall: Record the changing of the royal guard ceremony at 11:50. 

In the afternoon, we will visit the prosperous Bangkok Chinatown, one of the busiest commercial areas in Bangkok, with many shops selling gold wares and various Chinese restaurants. 

★ Explore Bangkok’s Essence of Life with a Long-tail Boat
After stepping out of the old alleys, the guide will lead you to the pier for a 1-hour long-tail boat cruise down the Chao Phraya River. Grab a front-row seat for an unrivaled view of the majestic Buddha statue at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. When crossing the residential areas, you will witness simple daily life in Bangkok from stilt houses and a tangle of wires.

Then we will disembark at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) to admire its towering 79-meter (259-foot) high Angkorian-style pagoda. Afterward, you will be escorted back to the hotel. But if you wish to appreciate the night view of Wat Arun, take a public boat by yourself from the pier to the Public View Point across the river, where you can capture a panoramic view of the magnificent pagoda. Or head to Soi Tha Suphan, an alley perfect for shooting your silhouette against neon lights and illuminated pagodas in the distance.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): 
Don’t miss trying the Mango Sticky Rice in this tropical heaven! This refreshing dish features succulent sweet and sour mangoes with soft sticky rice and coconut milk. You can take the hotel’s free shuttle bus to Terminal 21 Mall, where the food court on the fifth floor provides authentic flavors from 10:00 to 22:00. There you can also savor local snacks like Stir-fried Rice Noodles or Coconut Ice Cream.
Average Cost per Person: THB 100 (USD 3)
Address: 88 Sukhumvit Road 5F, Terminal 21, Bangkok 10110

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok (4 stars)

★ A Thrilling Experience to Maeklong Railway Market
In the morning, we will head west to Samut Songkhram to visit Maeklong Railway Market, where the locals buy vegetables, fruits, cooked food, and other necessities. What makes it special is that the stalls stretch out next to the railway tracks. As you walk through the market, you will be amazed at how quickly the vendors pack up their goods and sunshades as the train approaches. Some experienced vendors even keep baskets beside the tracks since they’re confident that the train will pass safely. It’s also exciting to see passengers on the train cheerfully waving at you just inches away! As soon as the train passes, the market returns to normal in the blink of an eye. It is quite a sight! 
Tips: The train passes through the market at 8:30, 9:00, 11:00, and 11:30 every morning. It’s best to arrive 10 minutes early for a prime photography spot. Please maintain a safe distance and avoid attempting high-fives with passengers on the train.

Our second stop will be the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Sail along the narrow canal in a boat and see many local women sitting in their wooden boats selling vegetables and fruits. The colorful scene of floating trade combined with the backdrop of traditional water houses make for a perfect photo opportunity. To protect your hands from getting hurt by other crowded boats, keep them inside.

In the afternoon, we will drive about 2 hours to Kanchanaburi with a short stop at Hua Hong Coffee. Upon arrival, we will first visit the River Kwai Bridge, a railway bridge built along the notorious ‘Death Railway’, also known as the Thai-Burma Railway, whose construction once resulted in the deaths of thousands of forced laborers. You can take a stroll on the bridge while the guide shares its history. Our final stop will be the Death Railway Museum and Research Center, which features artifacts, models, and statues that illustrate the great sacrifices and suffering endured by prisoners of war during the railway’s construction. Then our guide and the driver will escort you to a local hotel for check-in.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
On’s Thai Issan, a vegetarian restaurant, offers you a homey ambiance. Its open kitchen allows you to watch the cooking process as the chef prepares classic Thai cuisines like Pineapple Fried Rice and Tom Yum Goong Soup or creative Banana Flower Salad. Feel free to request your preferred spiciness! The restaurant closes at 21:00 and is just a 10-minute taxi ride from your hotel.
Average Cost per Person: THB 100-200 (USD 3-6)
Address: 77/9 Mae Nam Kwai Road, Ampur Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71000

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: U Inchantree Kanchanaburi (4 stars)

Today we will continue our exploration of Kanchanaburi’s war history. First, the guide will lead you to Hellfire Pass, the most challenging section of the Death Railway’s construction, because the prisoners of war had to carve out a railway through dense jungle. To meet the tight deadline, they toiled nearly 18 hours a day, relying only on flickering torches and dim oil lamps to light the way. Follow our guide to go through the hiking trail, where many visitors leave flowers and flags in memory of the forced workers during World War II. Pack mosquito repellent and wear sturdy and comfy shoes since the trail is rugged and gravelly. We will also visit the nearby Interpretive Center, which displays records and stories told by the survivors.

After a profound historical experience, we will head to Erawan National Park for relaxation. This natural wonder is characterized by a seven-tiered waterfall cascading down a total of 1,550 meters (5,085 feet). The second and third tiers are particularly popular for photography due to their abundant water. You can explore every tier along scenic trails and may encounter giant lizards, naughty monkeys, and lovely butterflies. Craving for a more leisurely experience? Emerald green ponds at any tier beckon you for a refreshing swim! Some are home to tiny clean fish that will give you a natural foot massage. 

Afterward, we will continue our journey by private car for about 3.5 hours to another charming destination, Ayutthaya. Upon arrival, our guide will help you check into a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya (4 stars)

Ayutthaya is a World Heritage Site, home to many famous Buddhist temples and ruins. Today’s sightseeing will start with the famous Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a temple that was once comparable to Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Unfortunately, most buildings were destroyed during wars, and only three stupas holding the remains of a king and his two sons were preserved. Next, we will head to Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, which enshrines a 55-meter tall (180-foot) bronze sitting Buddha. 

Then we’ll move on to Wat Mahathat, a temple merging Khmer and Sukhothai styles. In addition to admiring distinctive corn-shaped prangs and lotus bud-like stupa tops, you can marvel at the wonder of a stone Buddha’s head entwined in the roots of an ancient tree. This iconic image, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of Thailand, symbolizes good luck in Buddhism. Since there are few shelters in the temple, given the scorching heat in summer, consider enjoying a coconut for THB 50 (USD 1.4) at the entrance with cash.

Our last stop is the Bang Pa-In Palace, which served as the summer retreat for the royal family during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767). Upon arrival, you will see sprawling lawns dotted with expertly trimmed elephant-shaped bushes. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere by strolling along the lake or feeding fish. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Bangkok for 1 hour and the guide will assist you to check into the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok (4 stars)

Your impressive Thailand tour will come to an end today. According to your flight, our guide and the driver will escort you to the airport and bid you farewell. Wish you a smooth journey home!

If you would like an extension trip to other parts of Thailand like Chiang Mai, Pai, and Phuket, or travel to other Southeast Asia countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, please feel free to contact us to customize your travel plan.

Meals: Breakfast