Exploring Bangkok and its surroundings - Nomadays

Thailand

Exploring Bangkok and its surroundings

Discover Thailand in less than 2 weeks. Together, we will explore the country’s must-see attractions: markets, etc. Both young and old will find something to enjoy.

Highlights:

  • Floating markets of Amphawa
  • Kanchanaburi and the famous "Death Railway"
  • Walk with elephants
  • Explore the mangroves…

Day 1Welcome and free day in Bangkok

Day 1Welcome and free day in Bangkok

  • Welcome by our team, then transfer to your hotel where you can rest.

    The rest of the day is free.

  • In the evening, dinner on a cruise boat on the .

  • Overnight at the Baan Vajra hotel in a Deluxe room.

1h-65km
Bang Pa-In
1h-25km

Day 2Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the kingdom

Day 2Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the kingdom

  • In the morning, we will set off to explore the Bang Pa-in Palace, built in the 17th century and left abandoned after the destruction of Ayutthaya. The palace was restored and expanded in the mid-19th century by the King, who made it his summer residence.

  • From the palace, we will travel to Ayutthaya by traditional boat on the river. Along the way, we will discover the Thai way of life along the water, the wooden stilt houses, the rice barge convoys towed to Bangkok warehouses, and the temple spires pointing towards the sky.

    We will arrive in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

  • After lunch, we'll explore the historic center of the city, including Wat Mahathat , dating back to the late 14th century. We'll then continue to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, which once served as the royal temple and is the largest in the city. Finally, we'll visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, famous for its reclining Buddha.

    The afternoon in Ayutthaya will be guided by an English-speaking guide.
    
  • Night at the Baan Tye Wang hotel.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Baan Vajra

Accommodation: Baan Tye Wang

Accommodation: Baan Vajra

1h 15m-80km
1h-55km
1h 15m-70km

Day 3Maha Sawat and its lotus farm

Day 3Maha Sawat and its lotus farm

  • This morning, we start the day with a visit to the Baan Saladin Floating Market, where you will discover the process of making the famous Puffed Rice Cakes before tasting them.

    Next, we will explore the grand canal of Mahasawatk, which used to supply the markets of Bangkok. By boat, we will take a ride on its waters to enjoy the local wildlife and feed the fish.

    Back on land, you will visit the Baby Jackfruit Garden where you will appreciate the plantations of the famous Fruit (the largest fruit on a tree in the world) and the making of several products based on this fruit.

    Finally, we will visit a lake where red lotuses bloom all year round, a unique landscape to contemplate.

  • We then head to Nakhon Pathom, home to the Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in Thailand.

  • After lunch, we hit the road for Kanchanaburi, where we will take the time to visit the grand temple of Wat Tham Sua, accessible by a short cable car ride (local standards!!).

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
  • Settle in at the Royal Riverkwai Resort Spa, in a Deluxe room.

    Hotel by the river with a pool - Located about ten kilometers after the town and the train bridge.

Day 4Exploring Kanchanaburi and its surroundings

Day 4Exploring Kanchanaburi and its surroundings

  • Departure for the station and boarding around 10:40 am on the famous "Death Railway". made famous by the story of the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai," for about 1 hour by train to the west and the Sai Yok region, located 70 km west at the end of the train line.

  • Transfer to Elephant Haven where we have lunch.

    Meet your guide and the Mahouts. Together, you will prepare food for the elephants before getting to know them while feeding them. We then go for a walk in the surrounding forest with the pachyderms, our guide taking this opportunity to teach us more about the animal.

    Then, we will have the chance to observe them during mud games before accompanying them to the river to give them a bath.

    In the end, we return to the camp where we can capture one last time our meeting with the pachyderms.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    
1h 15m-70km
1h 15m-70km

Day 5Erawan National Park

Day 5Erawan National Park

  • Departure in the morning for the Erawan National Park and Waterfalls (60 km drive). This national park is home to a superb waterfall spanning 7 levels, forming natural pools with emerald blue water inhabited by Mahseer barbs. While you can choose to stay around the first 3 levels, which are the easiest to access and where you can swim, an ascent to the 7th level, although not difficult, is rewarding: La Phu Pha Erawan, the final cascade, is the most majestic of all.

  • Free afternoon. Possibility of kayaking (optional).

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
1h 30m-90km
40m-30km

Day 6Cultural day in Amphawa

Day 6Cultural day in Amphawa

  • In the morning, we head to the city of Ratchaburi where we visit the shadow puppet museum at Wat Khanon.

  • After lunch, stop at a Thai family's house to learn how to make small objects out of palm leaves, including the small fish known as "pla tapian," which are a specialty of the Ayutthaya and Amphawa regions.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    
  • In the evening, let's treat ourselves to a Thai massage. (Optional activity to be arranged with the guide, on site).

  • Overnight at the Baan Amphawa Resort

Day 7Floating markets

Day 7Floating markets

  • This morning, we head to the small floating market of Tah Kah, rich in colors and smells. A real immersion into Thai local life.

  • Then, an excursion to a local palm sugar industry.

  • In the early afternoon, we visit the gardens of the residence of King Rama II, where we find superb teak wood buildings.

  • Visit to the temple Wat Bang Khae Noi, located not far from the city. One appreciates its architecture, for which the building was entirely constructed of teak wood. Its walls are entirely sculpted and represent episodes from the previous lives of the Buddha.

  • Continuing with a visit to Wat Bang Kung (Kai Bang Kung), commonly known as the Banyan Tree Temple, since its chapel was covered by the roots and branches of a banyan tree.

    In its gardens, we can notably observe life-size representations of fighters, commemorating the Battle of Ayutthaya between Thailand and Burma at the end of the 13th century.

  • Tonight, we head to the docks to taste the local flavors of the floating market, which takes place on weekend evenings. Along the canals, many locals come to dine. Like them, we order our dishes directly from each boat: stir-fried noodles, skewers of shrimp or squid, or why not some pre-cut mangoes.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
  • Nightfall, boat trip on the canal. Our boatman picks us up from the quayside, and we set off on a mini-excursion in search of fireflies that illuminate the waters.

2h 30m-170km

Day 8In the mangroves

Day 8In the mangroves

  • We cannot leave Amphawa without making a quick stop at the Maeklong Market, where four times a day, the fruit and vegetable stalls hastily fold up as the train passes through the market.

  • Then, a half-day of discovering life in the mangroves. By boat, we explore this fragile ecosystem. During our excursion, we discover the way of life of the fishermen (here clam fishing is done from a surfboard) and visit a shellfish farm.

    Lunch of specialties.

  • In the early afternoon, we head towards Hua Hin, a seaside town where we will stay for the next few days.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
Meal and accommodations

Lunch: Homestay

Accommodation: Baan Bayan

1h 10m-70km

Day 9Kui Buri National Park

Day 9Kui Buri National Park

  • We are enjoying this morning to relax and enjoy the beach.

  • Departure around 1:00 PM for the Kui Buri National Park.

    Accompanied by a ranger (and in his pickup truck), we will go to see the wildlife (elephants and gaurs being the largest animals) (but please note, this is totally unpredictable).

    Return in the late afternoon.

    Day accompanied by a english-speaking guide
    

Day 10The National Park of the "300 Peaks"

Day 10The National Park of the "300 Peaks"

  • In the morning, we will visit the Sam Roi Yot National Park (=300 peaks) and the Tham Phraya Nakhon Cave. To access it, we will take a small boat to Laem Sala Beach, followed by an ascent of about 500 meters to the cave.

  • Return to the hotel, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy some relaxation on the beach.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    

Day 11Back to the capital

Day 11Back to the capital

  • Return to the capital via the coastal road, which passes through the vast salt marshes of Ban Laem.

  • Continue to Bangkok, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

  • In the morning, detour to the Jim Thompson House to discover Thai interior architecture.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Baan Bayan

Accommodation: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

Day 12The "Venice of the East"

Day 12The "Venice of the East"

  • Departure in the morning to reach the pier and take the public boat-buses to the center, on the right bank and the Pak Klong Talad flower market district.

  • We start our day with a visit to the Grand Palace of Bangkok, built in 1782, which includes several magnificent buildings, including the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses a beautiful Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century.

  • Then, we walk to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, to see its reclining Buddha.

  • We then cross the river by a small boat to visit Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn," located on the right bank.

  • Private traditional long-tail boat taxi ride on the Chao Phraya River, one of the most important rivers in the country. Discover the Venice of the East and the traditional life of the city's inhabitants, half of whom still live by the water.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

Accommodation: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

Day 13The "Green Lung" of Bangkok

Day 13The "Green Lung" of Bangkok

  • This morning, we will go on a bike tour in the "Green Lung" of the capital. Accompanied by a local private guide for the island part, we will explore the extraordinary Bang Krachao district, a true jungle in the heart of the city.

    You will also be able to visit several small temples and see old houses in the neighborhood.

  • You also have the option to visit the "modern" city center and the shopping district of Siam Square.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

Accommodation: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

Departure

Day 14Looking forward to seeing you soon in Thailand!

Day 14Looking forward to seeing you soon in Thailand!

  • Your driver will take you to the airport for your international flight.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel