Ayutthaya

Nature & Adventure

Visit sites that date back to 1350 at the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Learn about Buddhist history, architecture, and religion as you explore countless temples with your experienced tour guide. In the 18th century, much of Ayutthaya was destroyed by Burmese invaders; witness the structures in their various states of disrepair. Tree roots growing around scattered Buddha heads only adds to the historical charm of this unique destination. After departing from Bangkok bright and early, see Bang Pa-In Royal Palace en route to Ayutthaya. Used as a summer residence for ancient Thai kings, the golden pagodas and serene pools make for a great introduction to the region’s glorious past. After arriving in Ayutthaya, take several hours to explore fascinating ancient religious sites including Wat Mahathat, where a decapitated Buddha head sits nestled between ancient tree roots. Continue to Wat Mongkol Borpit, known for its enormous seated Buddha statue. Discover Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the most holy and important complex of the ancient Thai capital. Finally, explore Wat Chaiwatthanaram, known for its towering stone chedis. This site is one of the main reasons Ayutthaya was awarded UNESCO status in 1991.

Explore the former capital of Siam on a full-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, Wat Mahathat, and the Viharn Pra Mongkolborpit on this day trip. At 07:00 AM you’ll be met by a private driver and head off to Ayutthaya province. Stop at Bang Pa-in Palace, a complex of royal residences first built in around the 17th century. Continue to Wat Mahathat, thought to have been built before the Ayutthaya Period, in the 14th century. See the face of Buddha on a tree, and visit Wat Phrasrisanphet, the former royal monastery. The last stop is Viharn Pra Mongkolborpit, where a stunning bronze Buddha image is located. Entrance fees for attractions on this trip are at your own expense. Around 4:00 PM you’ll make the return trip to Bangkok.

Meet your guide your hotel lobby at 9 AM. Depart for Ayuthaya, which is about 1 hour from Bangkok. Witness the glory of the ancient capital of Siam, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site as you explore the temple and palace ruins. First, visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the Monastery of the Golden Mount, which is located just outside Ayuthaya. Then, proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Make a stop at Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive another hour to the province of Lopburi, one of the oldest cities in the country. Discover how this city was historically within the large Khmer empire and was briefly the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The biggest tourist draw in Lopburi is Phra Prang Sam Yod - also known as the Monkey Temple. Many mischievous macaques live in the temple grounds and surrounding streets, happy to relieve people strolling by of snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and other items. After saying goodbye to the monkeys, get a 2-hour transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok.

Discover some of the notable historical sites of Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok. Visit ancient temples and palaces as well as the Ayothaya Floating Market with an expert guide. After meeting in Bangkok in the morning, start the 2-hour drive to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayutthaya was founded around 1350, and became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. On this full-day trip, you will explore the ruins of the old city, in the UNESCO listed Ayutthaya Historical Park. The park is an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues. Visit the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, originally built in 1632 by King Prasat Thong. At this spot, you can find a number of impressive buildings built in different architectural styles from Thai, Chinese and European design. Continue your tour with a visit to the Ayothaya Floating Market and enjoy some free time for lunch at your own expense. After lunch, you will visit 2 more historical sites, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, to discover the ruins of the great temple sites. You will return to Bangkok in the early evening, where you will be dropped off at a location close to the original meeting point.

Enjoy a full-day trip out of Bangkok, explore the impressive monuments and temple ruins built during the Ayutthaya era. Make your first stop at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon to see the 42-meter-long reclining white Buddha. Then, head to Wat Phra Mahathat to spot the famous tree that has grown around a Buddha's head. Take a selfie with the Buddha's head, but make sure you sit on your knees to show respect, as it is considered holy by Thais. Continue to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest temple in Ayutthaya, known for its distinctive row of restored chedis. Housed within the grounds of the former royal palace, the temple was used only for royal religious ceremonies. The three Chedis are very elegant, and the whole place gives a good impression of what it may have looked like before the city was destroyed. You then make another stop in Ayutthaya at Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. This is one of the biggest Buddha images in Thailand, with a lap measurement at 9.55 meters and a height of 12.45 meters. It is a good model of the Buddha image during the end of Ayutthaya reign. From there, continue to a local restaurant, where you will be served authentic Thai dishes. Move on to Khao Yai National Park and stop at Haew Narok Waterfall to see a beautiful view of the waterfall by walking just 1 kilometer from the main road. Taking a safe trail down the cliff, continue to the Visitor Center to hear about the park’s history and attractions. The final stop is KM 30 Viewpoint on Thanarat Road, and after the wonderful journey, you will return to your hotel in Bangkok, arriving at around 6:30 PM.

On this tuk tuk tour, experience the city at night to see the lit up temples of Ayutthaya. The first stop is just in time for dinner as you will get to experience the local night market and explore different Thai dishes! Afterwards, start your journey to the 3 significant temples of Ayutthaya. The first temple on the itinerary is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace in Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya until the city was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. It was the grandest and most beautiful temple in the capital and it served as a model for Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. Then, visit Wat Ratchaburana, which was founded in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and built on the cremation site of his two elder brothers. The two brothers had fought to their deaths in a duel for the royal succession to their father Intha Racha. In 1957, the temple's crypt was looted of a large number of Buddha images and gold artifacts. The thieves were later caught, but few of the treasures were recovered. Enjoy the last stop at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya Historical Park located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya island. It is one of Ayutthaya's best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. The tour will end with a transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok with a unique memory from your time in Thailand. 

Book yourself or your group on this personalized 8-hour tour around Bangkok, or venture out to nearby provinces to get a unique insight in to Thai culture with a local. The private tour can be tailored to your interests, whether you want to visit the historic sights or neighborhood lifestyles. Visit the ornate murals of the Grand Palace or take in the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace at Ayutthaya. The Summer Palace is set on lovely grounds on the banks of the Chao Praya River and is one of the best-maintained attractions in Thailand. One of the most popular attractions close to Bangkok, you will feel like a king as you wander through the vast complex. While in Ayutthaya, take in the Historical Park. The Siamese moved their capital to Ayutthaya around 1350 AD and created a royal palace and many impressive monasteries and Wats in the area. In the mid 1800's the Burmese sacked it and the city was abandoned. Now a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, you can explore the historic temples scattered around the encircling river. If you prefer, head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and see Thais going about their everyday life in a truly unique setting. Stay in downtown Bangkok to visit sites such as the Khao San Road, Chatuchak Market and reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Transportation is via the Bangkok skytrain, or by taxi where needed. If you want to venture further afield, you will be taken by comfortable minivan and have the services of a professional driver. Everything can be arranged through your friendly guide, who will take you to the areas most of interest to you and share their expert local knowledge in a fun and fascinating way to make the city your Bangkok.

Meet your guide at the meeting point, a short walk from Ayutthaya train station. Then enjoy a bike fitting before the start of your tour. Tours run daily from 10:00 and follow the road in a northern direction. Ride through idyllic villages and alongside rice paddies. Visit a local elementary school (if open) to interact with the children. Continue the ride and pass Phaniat Royal Elephant Kraal. During Ayutthaya’s heyday this structure was used to entrap wild elephants herded down from the north. The elephant round-ups in the Elephant Kraal were traditionally presided over by Ayutthaya kings who would choose the best and strongest elephants that would be trained for war and labor. The closer you get to the old capital the more temple ruins you will see. At around 12:30, stop for a Thai lunch at a riverside restaurant. Then enter the old capital to visit Wat Mahathat and Wat Pra Sri Sanphet. Learn the history of Ayutthaya and its temples and kings. Next take a short ride to a local market to see typical local baked and fried delicacies. Continue to the huge reclining Buddha statue at Luang Phor Lokayasuttha. Marvel at the largest Buddha statue in Ayutthaya. Then pedal on to the beautiful temple of Wat Chai Wattanaram on the west banks of the Chao Phraya River. This remarkable temple was constructed in 1630 by King Prasat Thong as a memorial of his mother's residence in the area. Continue along the west bank of the Chao Phraya River until your reach the pier. Cross the river to return to the city and reach the end of the tour.

Your tour will begin when you meet your guide at 12 PM at one of the pickup points. You’ll start by visiting Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya, one of Thailand’s most visited temples. Along the way to Ayutthaya, you’ll first stop off to dress up in Thai period costumes, which you’ll wear throughout your Thai adventure. The first temple you’ll visit has one of Ayutthaya’s most mysterious backstories, which you’ll hear all about from your guide as you witness a Buddha head engulfed by the roots of a Bodhi tree. Next, you’ll explore Wat Ratchaburana, one of the country’s best-preserved temples built in the 15th century, where you’ll discover the main prang, royal viharn, and the temple crypt. After this, you’ll delve into the country’s history with a visit to Chao Sam Phraya Museum, where you’ll have the chance to explore a wide variety of golden artifacts, Buddha images, wooden door panels, and other treasures. Your day will end watching a spectacular sunset back at Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple before riding a long-tail boat to see the sights of the island city and to witness the locals’ lifestyles in action. If you’re lucky, you may even see an elephant or two along the way. Finally, your last stop on this eventful tour will be at a local night market, where you’ll have ample time to explore and soak up the atmosphere. You’ll finish by returning to Bangkok at around 8:30 PM.

Explore the Ayutthaya Historical Park on a full-day tour from Bangkok with an official guide. Choose to take a shared group tour from one of two meeting points in central Bangkok, or upgrade your experience to a private tour with included hotel pickup and drop-off. After pickup, drive to Ayutthaya for about 1.5 hours to visit the famous temples in the old city, such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple, which was largely destroyed by the Burmese armies in 1767. Make a stop at the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, then visit Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, a western-style Thai temple, considered a strange beauty in Thailand. Move on to Wat Mahathat, the so-called temple of the Great Relic, the seat of the supreme patriarch and the center of Buddhism in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This temple features enshrined Buddha relics. Next, explore Wat Yai Chaimongkol, the Monastery of Auspicious Victory, and Wat Chai Wattanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s most impressive temples. In between your trip, stop for lunch at a Thai restaurant for a taste of local flavors. Round of your tour with a visit to the Khmer style and royal temple of Wat Chaiwatthanaram.