Bangkok-Amphawa

Wong Wian Yai Railway Station - Early morning we will pick you up at your hotel in Bangkok and drive to the Wong Wian Yai train station where we will board a train to Mahachai (train ride takes approx. 55 minutes).

The train moves slowly out of busy Bangkok and you will see the scenery change from a densely populated city area to green rice paddies and simple houses. The train (with fan and wooden benches) is mainly used by locals and you will encounter very few tourists.

Mahachai Fresh Market - The train terminus is in the middle of Mahachai market, one of the largest traditional fresh seafood markets in Thailand. All your senses will wake up while walking around the market!
After a short walk on Mahachai market we continue by minivan to the Mae Klong Railway Market. Imagine a train going straight through a public market!

Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub) - The Mae Klong Railway Market has been around since 1905. Fishing was (and still is) one of the main livelihoods of the people who lived here, and the market was another way in which to sell their goods. Officials decided to build a railway in order to better deliver these goods to other provinces. The market remained, however, despite the railroad that cuts through it. Just before the train arrives, the vendors take their goods off the tracks and retract the canopies of the market stalls, only to unfold them again and put everything back on the tracks as soon as the train passed. Bizarre, but true; only in Thailand!

Wat Bang Kung - We will make a short stop at Wat Bang Kung, famous for its small chapel completely enclosed in the roots of a banyan tree, and a small local business where you can see how locals make coconut sugar, one of the province’s famous products. The freshly made coconut sugar candies taste somewhat like caramel with a pleasant sweet aroma. Coconut sugar gives a creamy taste and good fragrance to most types of Thai sweets and enhances the taste of curries. It is perhaps the most suitable type of sugar for Thai recipes.

Amphawa Floating Market - In the evening, the guide will take you to “Amphawa Floating Market,” which is held only on weekends. Although the market is mainly on the mainland, along the canal, it is a very nice experience and you will enjoy the friendly atmosphere. The market is very popular with Thai people because of the many restaurants and the delicious food available here. Along the canal we will have our dinner tonight.

Besides the market, Amphawa has another ‘attraction’: fireflies. You will make a boat ride on the river and hopefully you can see the fireflies dancing around their favorite lamphu trees as a natural form of ornamental lighting.

Amphawa-Ayutthaya-Bangkok

Amphawa - Get up early today to witness something special: you can see the monks going on their daily alms round receiving food from the local people. This Buddhist tradition, known as almsgiving or “tak bat”, has been practiced for centuries and is an integral part of Thai people’s lives.
In Buddhism, offering or giving food to the monks is a sign of respect for the Buddhist monks. The monks do not beg for food, nor is it an act of charity on the part of the people to offer food to them. Rather, it is an opportunity for ordinary people to accumulate ‘merits’. Merits influence our karma, which in turn directly affects our present and future lives according to Buddhist teachings.
Feel free to join the almsgiving ceremony as well, local people appreciate it! The ritual of almsgiving will be explained by the guide.

Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon - Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is a beautiful temple outside the historic island.
The temple was founded in the second half of the 14th century during the reign of King U Thong, first ruler of Ayutthaya.
The monastery got its present name after construction of the Chedi Chai Mongkhon in the late 16th century.

During the Burmese invasion of 1767 the temple was largely destroyed.
Highlights include the 60-meter high bell-shaped chedi and a reclining Buddha.

Wat Mahathat - Wat Mahathat was one of Ayutthaya’s most important temples. It enshrined Buddha relics and was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism and thus the center of Buddhism in the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Wat Mahathat was a Royal monastery located close to the palace. The king performed important ceremonies here, such as the Royal Kathin ceremony.
The temple’s most photographed object is the head of a stone Buddha image entwined in the roots of an ancient Banyan tree.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet - Wat Phra Si Sanphet (The Temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet) was the most important temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Being part of the Royal Palace complex, the very large monastery with dozens of structures was used by Ayutthaya kings only; it was a Royal temple without resident monks.
The temple was largely destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767, leaving only its three massive stupas standing.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram - Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of Ayutthaya’s most impressive temples built according to the concepts of the Khmer temples of Angkor to symbolize the universe in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram was constructed in 1630 by King Prasat Thong. It was one of the grandest monuments of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
The king built the temple as a means to gain Buddhist merit and as a memorial to his mother. Her ashes are enshrined in two square chedis flanking the ubosot on the East side of the temple.

St. Joseph’s Church - Founded in 1666, St. Joseph’s church served as the center of the French Catholic mission for about a century until the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767. The bright yellow structure has been rebuilt and renovated several times and is still an active church where mass is held every weekend.

After our visit to the St. Joseph’s Church we can drop you off at your hotel or the train station in Ayutthaya; or we drive back to Bangkok where we can drop you off at your hotel, train station or airport.

• Overnight at a 3-star hotel
• Snacks & drinking water
• Train ticket Bangkok to Mahachai (2nd class seat - fan)
• English speaking guide
• All entrance fees
• Private evening boat ride in Amphawa (fireflies)
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Transportation by SUV/minivan

• Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities for driver and guide (not mandatory)

Experience multiple highlights in just 2 days! Hop on a local train, explore one of Thailand’s largest traditional fresh seafood markets, stop by the renowned Maeklong Railway Market, visit the Amphawa weekend market, participate in giving alms to monks with the locals, and discover ancient Buddhas and stunning temple ruins in Ayutthaya, the former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• The travel agency reserves the right to change the itinerary due to unexpected circumstances, but the intention of the tour will be maintained at all times.
• During Songkran (Thai New Year; 12-16 April) there will be a surcharge for the hotel of THB 800 per room. This surcharge must be paid cash on day of the tour.
• During the NY holiday (25 December-2 January) there will be a surcharge for the hotel of THB 1300 per room. This surcharge must be paid cash on day of the tour.
• If traveling with 3 people: 1x triple room / if traveling with 5 people: 1x double & 1x triple room / if traveling with 7 people: 2x double & 1x triple room

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.