Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Enjoy a small-group tour of the magnificent temple ruins of Ayutthaya, the capital during the golden age of Siam. All entrance fees, an expert guide, and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Travel from Bangkok in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle or choose to join the tour at your first stop in Ayutthaya, Wat Lokayasutha. This temple is known for its giant reclining Buddha image, one of the few structures remaining intact here. Your next stop is Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, being part of the royal palace complex this is where royalty performed rituals. It is considered the most important temple of Ayutthaya. Then, visit Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya. One of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya, it once housed the Buddha's holy relic. Admire the famous Buddha head entwined within the roots of a Bodhi tree. After, tuck into a hearty lunch at a local Thai restaurant, where your guide will be available to advise on local culinary specialties. Last but not least, finish your trip at the grand, riverside Wat Chaiwattanaram. Marvel at its compelling architectural style, influenced by the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia, as you wander around the monumental grounds.

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.

Head north from Bangkok on this private full-day trip to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Wat Phrasrisanphet and the former palace, the prototype for the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Take a walk to Wihan Mongkon Borpit to see the seated Buddha statue. Continue on to Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana and hear the story of the battle fought from the backs of elephants. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. The visit ends at the Choasampraya Museum. Admire the collection of ancient ornaments. Spend some time at Wat Chaiwattanaram, the stunning temple on the river, before returning to Bangkok.

Choose to meet your guide at the meeting point or take advantage of hotel transfer services from your accommodation in Bangkok. Drive towards the Ancient city of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. Make your first stop at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet which was for a long time considered to be the spiritual center of Thailand. Situated within the royal palace grounds, the temple is the royal monastery and is a model of the royal temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Then, head to Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya which is one of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya as it housed the Buddha's holy relic. The temple is most famous for the Buddha head situated in a Bodhi tree root. Next, stop at Wat Ratchaburana which houses a large number of Buddha images and gold artifacts. Enjoy lunch that will be served at Krungsri River Hotel. In the afternoon, continue on to the Chao Samphraya National Museum. Admire the most important objects here including the Buddha relics found inside the crypt of Wat Mahathat and other golden treasures like the golden sword, the golden headgear (hat), the miniature royal regalia, golden sculptures, and more. Then, visit Wat Lokaya Sutharam to see the 42-meter-long reclining white Buddha. Last but not least, finish the trip at Wat Chaiwattanaram which rests on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Learn about how the temple was ordered to built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother featuring the architectural style influenced by the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia. Arrive back in Bangkok at around 5 PM.

The day begins at the meeting point for those on the small group tour, or with hotel pickup for guests who opt for the private option. Depart Bangkok between 6:15 AM and 6:45 AM and head out on the 1.5 hour journey to Maeklong Railway Market. Upon arrival, wander around with your Spanish-speaking guide, mingle with the locals going about their day, and wait for the iconic moment when the local train passes through. Board a longtail boat next and sail to the fascinating Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Spend an hour exploring this unique location and marvel at the locals selling their produce from paddleboats. Shop for snacks, souvenirs, and more, and don’t forget to sample some authentic regional food while you’re there. Continue the tour to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO listed location, and enjoy a stop for a delicious Thai lunch. After lunch, visit a selection of iconic temples including Wat Mahathat, enshrined with Buddha relics. Explore Wat Yai Chaimongkol next, followed by Wat Chai Wattanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s most impressive temples. At the end of an unforgettable day, begin the return journey to Bangkok at 5:00 PM, arriving at around 7:00 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. 

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.

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.

During this Ayutthaya Sunset Ride, explore the former capital of Thailand and UNESCO World Heritage Site by night. After sunset, the ruins and temples in the ancient capital are beautifully illuminated by spotlights from the ground contrasting with the pitch black sky. With explanations from your guide, imagine how beautiful Ayutthaya’s temples were and how powerful the Thai kings of Ayutthaya were before its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767. As soon as you have selected a bicycle, ride to the pier where you will board a ferry to cross the Pa Sak River. Once you arrived on the other side, cycle through Chao Phrom Market, the most famous local market in Ayutthaya. Then cycle along Chankasem Palace, nowadays a national museum, the old prison and Hua Ro Market before you arrive at Bang Ian Night Market. Park your bicycles and walk through this busy night market with many vendors selling clothes and, of course, food. Have appetizers here and get a glimpse of the local nightlife. Once the sun has set, cross the road to Wat Mahathat, one of the most famous temple complexes in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Wat Mahathat, a royal monastery, once served as the seat of the Sangaraja, the head of the Buddhist monks. Continue your spectacular evening bike ride and pass the illuminated Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Ram. Of course, you can stop to make some pictures. The next impressive temple will be Wat Phra Si Sanphet built in several phases during the 15th and 16th-centuries. It was located inside the compound of the Grand Palace and served as a royal chapel. After the Burmese conquered Ayutthaya, the temple was sacked and mostly destroyed; all that remained were the three chedis which contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. For dinner, you will stop at a local restaurant where your guide will order some delicious Thai dishes. After dinner, continue exploring Ayutthaya and cycle over the bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River where you will be able to see the illuminated ruins of the magnificent Wat Chaiwattanaram in the distance. A couple of minutes later, you will be standing in front of this stunning temple complex, wonderfully lit up at night. Wat Chaiwattanaram was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, featuring the architectural style influenced by the Angkor temple in Cambodia. The moon, shining brightly high up in the dark sky, makes this amazing temple look even more magical. Before returning to the office, make a last stop at Wat Lokayasutharam to take a picture of the huge reclining Buddha, the largest in Ayutthaya. While cycling back, you pass the enlightened Ayutthaya City Pillar or Lak Muang. People visit the city pillar to make offerings and pray for good fortune, pregnancy and other favors. Arrive at the office again where this amazing Ayutthaya sunset bicycle adventure ends.

Meet your guide in your hotel lobby at 9:00 AM. Head to the old capital of Thailand and ancient home of the Siamese kings, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which takes about an hour to reach. Visit the main temples there including Wat Yai Chai Mongkon, Wat Mahata, and Wat Chai Wattanaram. Try the famous local delicacy of roti sai mai (sweet pancakes). After a tasty lunch, make your way to an eco-farm nearby. Try some Thai yoga on a hard wooden bench. It might seem a bit strange but after 20 minutes you will feel a lot more relaxed. Cook a Thai dessert with the locals and enjoy the local tastes. After the cooking class, board a small fishing boat and fish for shrimp. Just relax, lean back, enjoy the views of the river. Try your luck at catching a few shrimps. Transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok and arrive home by about 5:00 PM.