We start the tour in Bangkok with a morning tour to the spectacular Grand Palace complex, before enjoying a Thai lunch by the river. Our afternoon consists of a long-tail boat trip through the canals in Western Bangkok where we see how people live and work by the water in these surprisingly rural suburbs. Stops will include an orchid farm, temple, and possibly a local school.

 

Next comes the highlight of this tour, and a unique opportunity to explore Thailand's rural heartland, as we board the 'Thanathree' or 'Treasure on the Water', and sail up the Chao Phraya River. With bicycles on board, frequent stops are made along the way to explore the countryside and observe the different ways of life and cultures of the rural Thai people. There will be opportunities to see the traditional handicrafts still produced in these areas, and meet with the local people, in a world far removed from the usual tourist haunts. The boat carries up to 12 people with plenty of room to relax and watch the world drift by on the upper & sun decks, with a simple but comfortable air-conditioned multishare cabin and on-board shower and toilets.

 

After returning to Bangkok by boat, we head to Kanchanaburi where we see the famous POW built bridge on the River Kwai and visit the Allied War Cemetery and warm museum. From here we enter the jungles of Erawan National Park, and see a beautiful 7-tiered waterfall, with refreshing pools to dip in, the the rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the riverside town of Kanchanaburi.

 

After a drive through more of rural Thailand, we come to Ayutthaya, a former capital city of Thailand and a World Heritage Site which is home to numerous ruined temples. We return by road to Bangkok from Ayutthaya and our last full day gives us a final taste of Thailand, with a morning boat trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market, one of the most colourful in the kingdom, and an optional afternoon introduction to Thai cookery.

 

Note: This tour is an extended version of our Temples & Palaces tour. Extensions to the tour are available to visit Ankhor Wat in Cambodia, or to head to the beach.

Travelling with your children? Check our family information page.

We also have a range of diving holidays that take place in Thailand.