SUGGESTED ITINERARY (2)
Ayutthaya to Pak Kret (Bangkok): 09:00 Day 1 – 15:30 Day 2
Ayutthaya – Bang Pa-in Summer Palace – Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Village – Piyawan Garden House (Overnight on board) – Koh Kret – Pak Kret (Bangkok)
DURATION : 2 Days, includes meals: L/D/B/L
Description :
DAY 1
Ayutthaya – Bang Pa-in – Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Village – Piyawan Garden House
Board ‘Montar’ mid-morning at the temple of Wat Pichai Songkram, your riverside accommodation or the Ayutthaya Railway Station jetty; then passing beneath the silent gun portals of the fortress ‘Pom Phet’, we initially head northwards upriver to see the famous riverside attractions of the ancient capital of Siam.
This ‘Golden Mile’ of the river boasts the temples of Wat Phutthaisawan, the famous Wat Chaiwatthanaram and the beautiful Wat Kassitthirat; not to mention the old French Roman Catholic St Joseph’s Cathedral, Queen Sirikit’s Palace and the chedi in memory of Queen Suriothai.
An hour’s cruising brings us to Bang Pa-In Palace and the unique Buddhist temple of Wat Nivet. Built by King Rama V in 1878, the temple buildings resemble a European village; the ‘Ubosot’ (Congregation Hall) resembles a gothic church, complete with spire, clock and incorporates a striking French stained-glass window depicting King Rama V.
A cable-car will carry you across the canal to the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. The palace grounds now contain a variety of beautiful buildings in European, Chinese and traditional Thai styles, including some of the best-known structures in the Kingdom.
A short cruise sees our arrival at the very charming boutique resort, Ayutthaya Garden River Home where we will stop for lunch. The food is authentic, traditional Thai style and features organic herbs and vegetables grown in the resort’s garden.
Travelling further downriver brings us to the Royal Thai Folk Arts and Craft Centre at Bang Sai. This large modern gallery hosts a wide variety of modern and traditional Thai works of art. Being under Royal patronage, no commissions are paid to tour guides, making the many beautiful craft items, for sale at the lowest prices in the Kingdom. The adjacent Traditional Thai Village displays many Thai crafts, which are undertaken in houses styled from various parts of the country. The Centre also includes the largest freshwater aquarium in Thailand and a bird enclosure displaying many stunning tropical birds, particularly various coloured peacocks and hornbills.
Note: only the Gallery is open on Mondays.
After a further short cruise, you arrive at Piyawan Garden House, 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. Dinner is served either at the restaurant or onboard in accordance with your selected menu.
The barge will return to tie up at Piyawan Garden House, 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 before retiring to your luxury stateroom.
DAY 2
Piyawan Garden House – Koh Kret – Pak Kret (Bangkok)
The following morning, a full western breakfast is served at your convenience. You have a selection of chilled fruit juices, tropical fruits, yoghurts and cereals. Eggs (any style), bacon, ham, sausages and tomatoes are freshly cooked to your order. This is followed by hot croissants, toast, selection of teas and freshly brewed espresso coffee.
We depart Piyawan Garden House for Pak Kret and the aptly named ‘Suan Thip’ riverside restaurant; which provides a serene setting in which the buildings, gardens and food can only be described as works of art in their respective fields. Almost invisible from the river the restaurant has private ‘salas’ (pavilions) set amongst luxuriant tropical foliage; water features, where the reclusive monitor lizards laze, abound; all overhung by giant trees, makes this, as its name infers, a ‘Garden of Heaven’. The very charming and artistic owner has created the perfect setting for the delicious, artistic Thai dishes on her extensive menu. Complementary lunch is selected from the full, a-la-carte Suan Thip Menu.
Following lunch, a 10-minute cruise brings you to the man-made island of Koh Kret. Isolated from the eastern bank of the river by the Pak Kret Canal, the island has no roads or cars, only a narrow encircling laneway with paths leading to houses and the famous Mon potteries; the island is also famed for its unique foods and deserts.
On weekends, the island hosts a very upmarket weekend market and is bustling with local tourists savouring the island’s delicacies; the many small restaurants and bars lining the narrow thoroughfare do a brisk trade. Items on sale include jewellery, unusual artworks, pottery and ceramics.
On weekdays, the pace is much more relaxed and Classic Barges can carry bicycles on request, so that you can more intimately experience the island’s unique culture and atmosphere.
The Barge then proceeds to Wat Choeng Lom, Pak Kret, for disembarkation. Optional transfers to and from the barge can be arranged to suit your travel plans.
SUMMARY
DAY 1: Ayutthaya – Bang Pa-in – Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Village – Piyawan Garden House
09:00 Board “Montar” at Wat Pichai Songkram, your riverside accommodation or the Ayutthaya Railway Station jetty; commence a cruise through Ayutthaya.
10:00 Depart Ayutthaya for Bang Pa-in. Morning Tea served whilst cruising to Wat Nivet.
11:15 Arrive at Wat Nivet to tour the temple.
11:35 Visit the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.
12:35 Depart Bang Pa-in for Ayutthaya Garden River Home.
12:50 Arrive at Ayutthaya Garden River Home for lunch.
13:50 Depart for Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre.
15:00 Arrive at Bang Sai.
17:00 Depart Bang Sai for Piyawan Garden House.
17:30 Arrive at Piyawan Garden House.
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 Piyawan Garden House. (Overnight on board)
DAY 2: Piyawan Garden House – Koh Kret – Pak Kret (Bangkok)
Saturday or Sunday:
08:00 Depart Piyawan Garden House for Koh Kret; a full western breakfast of your choice is served whilst under way.
11:00 Arrive at Koh Kret for a visit to a pottery and the weekend market.
12:30 Depart Koh Kret for Suan Thip Restaurant.
12:45 Arrive at Suan Thip Restaurant, Pak Kret for a complementary Thai lunch.
14:00 Depart Suan Thip for Pak Kret.
14:30 Disembarkation at Wat Choeng Lom, Pak Kret.
Monday to Friday:
08:00 Full western breakfast of your choice.
09:00 Depart Piyawan Garden House for Pak Kret.
12:00 Arrive at Suan Thip Restaurant, Pak Kret for a complementary Thai lunch.
13:15 Depart Suan Thip for Koh Kret
13:30 Arrive at Koh Kret for a tour of the island. (Cycling tour on request except on public holidays).
14:30 Depart Koh Kret for Pak Kret.
15:00 Arrive Wat Choeng Lom, Pak Kret for disembarkation.
End of Itinerary 2.
Custom itineraries can be tailored to suit individual requirements; please feel free to request a personal itinerary and individual quotation.