Two and a half hours of leisurely cruising northwards brings you to Samkhok; stepping ashore at this ancient Mon town is like passing through a portal into the past.  Settled by Mon refugees fleeing the Burmese in the late Ayutthaya period, Samkhok was formerly the provincial centre before it was moved to Pathum Thani.  The town is not on the tourist maps, but is a living museum of Thai culture; the narrow lanes and alleyways are lined with shop-houses selling everything from gold jewellery to spices and clay charcoal burners.

After a further short cruise, you arrive at Piyavan Resort, a small Thai-styled resort featuring architectural styles from four regions of Thailand.  Situated on the eastern bank of the river, you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks whilst watching the sun set over the water.  The barge will then cruise to the highly awarded ‘Krua Rim Nam Tai Koh’ restaurant, where dinner is served either at the restaurant, or on board, in accordance with your selected menu.  The barge will return to Piyavan Resort, where after dinner drinks are served whilst you catch up with the latest international news, enjoy music, a movie, or simply relax in the balmy tropical night.

A further hour’s cruising sees our arrival at the new and very charming boutique resort Ayutthaya Garden River Home where we will stop for lunch.  The resort grows its own organic vegetables and herbs; you will be presented with the menu in advance to ensure that your selections are available.  If desired, the itinerary can be adjusted to include a traditional Thai massage at the resort’s spa; they are renowned for their special hot salt pot massage.  www.ayutthayagardenriverhome.com

A short cruise brings us to Bang Pa-In and the unique gothic style Buddhist temple of Wat Nivet.  A cable-car will carry you across the canal to the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.  The palace grounds contain a variety of beautiful buildings in European, Chinese and traditional Thai styles, including some of the best known structures in the Kingdom.

Another hour and the appearance of the fortress ‘Pom Phet’ ushers our arrival at the ancient capital of Siam, ‘Ayutthaya’.  As we approach the city, we pass the sites of the Japanese, British, Portuguese and Dutch settlements. It is here where the Dutch East India Company’s ships lay at anchor 400 years ago.

The cruise continues up the Chao Phraya River, passing the principal riverside attractions of Wat Phutthaisawan, Saint Joseph’s Church, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Kassithirat and Queen Suriothai’s Chedi, before returning to Ayutthaya.  Disembarkation is at your riverside accommodation, the Railway Station Jetty, or at the revered temple of Wat Phananchoeng which predates the ancient capital.

Alternatively you may like to remain on ‘Montha’ and continue with a cruise to the ‘Elephant Kraal’ on the Lop Buri River to see the working elephants taking their evening bathe in the river.  You can hand feed the elephants from the front deck, but be wary, if teased, these playful animals are not beyond occasionally squirting water at the unsuspecting guests.

A private dinner cruise past the illuminated riverside attractions of Ayutthaya can also be a perfect way to finish the day.

Tours of Ayutthaya by land and/or river, overnight hotel accommodation and transport back to Bangkok can be arranged to suit your requirements.  Additional charges apply for these added activities.  Rail connections to destinations throughout Thailand are available from Ayutthaya.

Summary:

Day 1

10:00    (Optional embarkation at your riverside hotel in central Bangkok.)

12:00    Arrive at Suan Thip Restaurant, Pak Kret for a complementary Thai lunch.

13:15    Board ‘Montha’ and depart Suan Thip for the island of Koh Kret.

13:30    Arrive Koh Kret for a tour of the island.  (Weekdays: Cycling tour on request).

14:30    Depart Koh Kret for Samkhok.

17:00    Arrive Samkhok (Mon Settlement).

17:20    Depart for Bang Sai.

17:40    Arrive at Piyavan Resort.

18:00    Sunset cocktails; either on deck or in the air-conditioned lounge.

18:30    Depart for ‘Krua Rim Nam Tai Koh’ Restaurant.

19:00    Thai dinner selected from the menu of the ‘Krua Rim Nam Tai Koh’ Restaurant.

20:30    Return to Piyavan Resort. (Overnight)

Day 2:

08:00    Full western breakfast of your choice.

09:00    Depart Piyavan Resort for the Royal Thai Folk Arts & Crafts Centre at Bang Sai.

09:30    Arrive at Bang Sai (Visit the Traditional Village and Folk Art Centre).

10:45    Depart Bang Sai for Bang Pa-in.

12:00    Arrive at Ayutthaya Garden River Home Resort & Spa for a pre-selected lunch.
            (The itinerary can be adjusted to include an optional Traditional Thai Massage.)

13:00    Depart for Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.

13:20    Arrive at Wat Nivet and the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.

15:00    Depart Bang Pa-in for Ayutthaya.

16:15    Arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya.  (Commence a cruise past the principal riverside attractions).

17:00    Arrive at Wat Phananchoeng or your riverside accommodation.

End of Itinerary 1.

Additional activities can include a cruise to the ‘Elephant Kraal’ and a private dinner cruise.  Additional charges apply to these activities.

17:30    Travel to the ‘Elephant Kraal’ on the Lop Buri River.

19:00    Depart on an evening dinner cruise featuring selections from the menu of the Ayotthaya Riverside Hotel.

20:30    Return to Ayutthaya.

Custom itineraries can be tailored to suit individual requirements; please feel free to request a personal itinerary and individual quotation.