Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Our first stop of the day will be the famous floating market Damnoen Saduak. You will board a long-tail boat for a ride through the canals. The Damnoen Saduak canal was ordered to be built in 1866 by King Rama IV to facilitate waterborne travels between Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. It was finished and opened to the public in 1868. Photos of this vibrant market featuring boats laden with colorful fruits and vegetables, agricultural produce as well as authentic, local sweets, delicacies and souvenirs, are among the most often published in travel magazines and brochures of Thailand. NOTE: Damnoen Saduak is very touristy nowadays, but it still guarantees the floating market experience, even though it doesn't always feel totally authentic.

Wat Tham Sua

We make a stop at Wat Tham Suea, one of the most impressive temples in the countryside of Kanchanaburi Province. Perched on top of a hill, the temple offers sweeping views over the surrounding landscape of lush rice fields, small villages, and limestone mountains. The centerpiece of the temple complex is a striking 18-meter-high seated Buddha statue, beautifully covered in golden mosaic tiles that shimmer brightly in the sunlight. Next to the Buddha stands a tall chedi and several smaller shrines where local devotees come to pray and make merit. After exploring the temple grounds, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from the hilltop. On clear days, the endless green rice fields stretching across the valley create one of the most picturesque scenes in the region.

Erawan National Park

Founded in 1975 as Thailand’s 12th national park, Erawan National Park is one of the country’s most beautiful natural areas. The park is best known for the spectacular Erawan Falls. The waterfall cascades down limestone cliffs in seven tiers, each forming clear emerald-green pools surrounded by lush tropical forest. The falls are named after the mythical three-headed elephant Erawan, as the shape of the top tier is said to resemble its head. A scenic jungle trail follows the waterfalls, passing beautiful pools and smaller cascades along the way. At several levels you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water. More adventurous visitors can hike to the seventh and highest level, where peaceful surroundings and views over the forest await (weather and trail conditions permitting). During your visit you will have time to relax, swim, explore the different levels, or simply enjoy the tranquil jungle atmosphere. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, and a towel.

River Khwae Bridge

Early in the morning we leave the hotel and begin our journey towards the former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. Along the way we first make a short stop at the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, which formed part of the notorious Burma Railway, also known as the “Death Railway”. During the Second World War, Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers were forced by the Japanese army to construct this railway between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). The railway ran through dense jungle and rugged mountains and was built under extremely harsh conditions. The circumstances were terrible. Workers suffered from exhaustion, tropical diseases, malnutrition and brutal treatment. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people lost their lives during the construction of the railway, including thousands of Dutch, British and American prisoners of war. Today the bridge stands as a powerful reminder of this tragic chapter in history.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat is believed to have been built in the 14th century during the early years of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was one of the most important temples in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and is thought to have served as the residence of the Supreme Patriarch, the highest-ranking leader of the Thai Buddhist monastic order. In its heyday, Wat Mahathat stood at the religious heart of the city, located close to the royal palace and surrounded by impressive chedis, prangs and monastery buildings. Although much of the temple was destroyed when the Burmese army invaded Ayutthaya, the atmospheric ruins still provide a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of the former capital. Today the temple is best known for one of the most photographed sights in Thailand: a serene Buddha head entwined within the roots of a banyan tree. Over the centuries the tree’s roots have gently grown around the stone head, creating a remarkable image that has become an iconic symbol of Ayutthaya.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important temple of the ancient capital Ayutthaya. Located within the Royal Palace grounds, it served as the official royal temple where ceremonies were held to affirm the king’s spiritual authority. Unlike most Thai temples, no monks lived here and access was largely limited to the royal court. The temple once housed the magnificent Phra Buddha Chai Sri Sanphet, a large Buddha statue covered with about 160 kilos of gold. When the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya in 1767, destroying the Royal Palace and temple was a priority. They melted down the gold from the statue and set fire to many buildings. Today the three elegant chedis at the center of the temple are among the most iconic sights of Ayutthaya. These pagodas once enshrined the ashes of Ayutthaya kings and remain a powerful reminder of the city’s former royal grandeur.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Lokayasutharam)

Wat Lokayasutharam is one of the most impressive temple ruins in the historic city of Ayutthaya. The temple is best known for its enormous Reclining Buddha statue, which measures about 42 meters long and 8 meters high. Draped in a bright saffron robe, the serene image represents the Buddha entering nirvana and is one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Thailand. Although most of the original temple buildings have disappeared over the centuries, the peaceful setting and open temple grounds create a calm and reflective atmosphere. Today, Wat Lokayasutharam remains a popular stop for visitors exploring the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong during the later period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The temple was constructed to commemorate his mother and to celebrate his coronation as king. The architectural design was inspired by the great Khmer temples of Angkor and symbolizes the universe according to Buddhist and Hindu cosmology. At the center of the complex stands a large prang representing Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe. This central tower is surrounded by smaller prangs and chedis arranged symmetrically in eight directions, creating a striking and harmonious layout. Wat Chaiwatthanaram served as an important royal monastery where the king and members of the royal family performed religious ceremonies. It was also used as a cremation site for members of the royal court. With its impressive Khmer-style architecture and beautifully preserved ruins, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is today considered one of the most magnificent ancient temples in Ayutthaya.