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Khao Yai National Park and Elephant Ride Day Trip from Bangkok

Khao Yai National Park and Elephant Ride Tour from Bangkok

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 10 hours

Explore the protected green landscapes of Khao Yai National Park on a full-day guided excursion from Bangkok. The ideal city escape for those looking to get back to nature during their stay in Bangkok. You'll have the opportunity to sample indigenous fruit and search local wildlife including tigers, black bears and leopards.A highlight is a 45-minute elephant ride through the lush forest at Pakchong Creek.

Khao Yai National Park lies about 108 miles (175 kilometers) northeast of Bangkok and is Thailand's most visited reserve for good reason. Covering 1,347 square miles (2,172 square kilometers) of forests, jungles and grassland the park covers five vegetation zones and is one of the few remaining intact monsoon forests in Asia. The reserve is home to over 153 different species of animals, including 200-300 wild elephants, as well as other rarely seen mammals such as Asiatic black bear, tiger, leopards, barking deer to name a few. Exotic birds such as the great hornbill and the Himalayan ribbed bats also live inside the park and are protected by law. Sightings can never be guaranteed but it is great to wander the park knowing wildlife is out there!
En-route to the park your tour will stop at a local fruit market in the province of Nakhon Nayok so you can enjoy exotic fruits such as mango and rambutans - other wise known as the 'hairy fruit' which is similar to a lychee. Once at Khao Yai National Park you can take a walk along one of the well marked trails that wind their way through the mountains, forests, streams and waterfalls.

On your way back to Bangkok from Khao Yai you will stop at Pakchong Creek to experience a 45-minute elephant ride with a trusted mahout (elephant caretaker) through the lush forest.

Thailand's Ayutthaya Temples and River Cruise from Bangkok

Thailand's Ayutthaya Temples and River Cruise from Bangkok

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 9 hours

Visit the Ayutthaya temples on a cultural day trip from Bangkok it's a highlight of any Thailand visit. The tour to the ancient capital of Siam includes a trip by riverboat, a must-do activity when you're in Bangkok, with close-up views of the temples and historic sites that line the Chao Phraya River.

The Unesco World Heritage site of Ayutthaya is 53 miles (85 kilometers) north of Bangkok. Ayutthaya was a thriving Siamese kingdom from 1350 until 1767, when it was captured by the Burmese. Today, Ayutthaya is know for its spectacular ruins and temples. Many of its temples are still intact, such as Wat Phra Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Panangcherng and Wat Chai Mongkol, known for its large bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha.

You will also see the summer palace of King Rama IV with its mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture. The palace is a well-preserved 'museum', providing a glimpse into a time when Thailand was known as Siam.

On your full-day guided excursion from Bangkok you have a choice of visiting Thailand's former ancient capital by boat and returning to Bangkok by van, or vice-versa. During the boat cruise to or from Ayutthaya you will see temples such as Wat Arun lining the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Wat Arun at sunset can be seen on a Bangkok dinner cruise

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

Treat yourself and your loved ones with a 2.5 hour evening cruise along Bangkok's Chao Phraya river. Watch river life go by and feast on a Thai dinner feast as the band on board entertains you.

This will be a memorable night on board one of Bangkok's most luxurious restaurant boats relaxing in modern comfort and dining like King Rama V on a variety of Thai dishes. As you cruise slowly along the Chao Phraya River you will pass The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and the Grand Palace complex which both provide sensational twilight photo opportunities. It is also a great vantage point to watch the life along the river as people slowly start to unwind or head home after a busy day.

Throughout the cruise the on board band will also keep you entertained.

Thai Burma Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai

Bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 9 hours

Kanchanaburi's famous Bridge on the River Kwai and the beginning of the Death Railway is a poignant reminder of the thousands of POW's and forced laborers who lost their lives in the Second World War. This full day guided tour from Bangkok also includes a visit to the war museum and the opportunity to ride a local train.

Fascinating, nostalgic and memorable sums up this full day tour to Kanchanaburi, 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Bangkok. The province itself is an agricultural area with sugar cane, rice paddies and pineapple plantations all forming significant portions of the stunning Thai rural landscape. Whether a war buff or rail enthusiast, everyone has a different reason to see this symbolic bridge.

The famous bridge and the beginning of the 'Death Railway', which lies 1 mile outside the town of Kanchanaburi, is a poignant reminder of the thousands of POW's and forced laborers who lost their lives in the Second World War. The building of the bridge in 1943 was one part of a huge Japanese wartime project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a direct route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in an effort to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. Thousands of POW's and laborers died in the process. During your tour a visit will be made to one of the Allied War Grave cemeteries (often an emotional experience) before visiting the JEATH war museum, which houses pictures and paintings from this period.

An exhilarating long tailed speed boat ride will then take you down river to the famous bridge itself where you have ample time to explore at your own leisure. A ride on a local train is also included before returning to Bangkok city.

Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak Cruise Day Trip from Bangkok

The Damnoen Floating Markets outside of Bangkok is a very popular day-trip for tourists to Thailand

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 6 hours

Venture from the exotic and colorful Bangkok on a day trip to the countryside and visit Damnoen Saduak floating markets. You'll experience rural Thai culture at its best and cruise right up to vendors selling local produce for an up-close glimpse of everday life in Thailand.

On this guided day trip from Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak floating markets, situated 64 miles (104 kilometers) southwest of Bangkok, you will take an exhilarating ride through the marshes and stilt houses of Bangkok on a narrow, long-tailed speedboat towards the markets. Once you reach the markets your local Thai guide will ensure all your questions are answered and even assist those who may wish to take a ride on a local boat (optional extra, payable direct) through the maze of Thai style canoes laden with colorful fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats.

This is a very popular day-trip for many tourists to Thailand and subsequently many of the products for sale by the local vendors at the Damnoen Saduak floating markets today may not seem so authentically Thai.

Floating Markets and Bridge on River Kwai Tour from Bangkok

Visit the floating markets near Bangkok, Thailand

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 11 hours

Combine a cruise through the Floating Markets with a visit to Bridge on the River Kwai on this full-day guided tour from Bangkok. With the knowledge of your local guide, this is a wonderful way to maximize your time and delve deeper in the Thailand's Kanchanaburi region.

Your journey commences with a leisurely drive from Bangkok, passing through salt fields and rice paddies before embarking aboard your long tail speed-boat on your journey to the floating markets. The floating markets are a fascinating experience, a complete contrast to how we shop for food in the west, and are made up of Thai style canoes laden with colorful and succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats - gently plying their way through the canal, selling as they go. It is one of most popular Thai sightseeing experiences and not to be missed. If you want to take a closer look your local Thai guide will help you organize a local boat ride through the markets (optional extra).

You will then board your coach for the journey west to Kanchanaburi, home to the River Kwai and it's infamous bridge. The building of the bridge in 1943 was part of a wartime project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a direct route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in an effort to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. Over 100,000 conscripted laborers and 12,000 prisoners of war died during the whole project.

Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant before visiting the bridge after which a visit is made to the new Thailand - Burma War Museum which is adjacent to the War Grave Cemetery. Combining the two attractions unfortunately means there is not enough time to take a train ride, before your journey back to Bangkok and your hotel.

Bangkok's Grand Palace Complex and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace complex in Bangkok is not to be missed on your visit to Thailand

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

Ask anyone who has been to Bangkok what their 'must see' list of the city entails, and without fail they'll include The Grand Palace. This half-day sightseeing tour in Bangkok can be taken in the morning or afternoon and will allow you the opportunity to explore the complex, accompanied by a local guide. The Grand Palace Complex is home to a number of attractions including Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

Built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs, The Grand Palace complex, once the official home for the Kings of Siam, is unquestionably one of the Thailand's major tourist highlights. The King still uses the Grand Palace for certain ceremonial occasions and the regal flavor within its enormous royal grounds is still evident. During the tour you will visit the Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation Hall.

The main centerpiece of the complex however is the 45 centimeter Emerald Buddha. Carved from just one piece of Jade it is the holiest and most revered religious object in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha is housed within Wat Phra Keow, which is a very ornately decorated building whose roof tiles reach up into the sky.

Bangkok Canals Cruise including Grand Palace and Wat Arun

The canals (khlongs) of Bangkok serve as a natural highway for many Thai people

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 4 hours

On this sightseeing tour of Bangkok's canals (or khlongs, as they are known locally) you will travel by a motorized boat on the Chao Phraya River to see the serene family homes and temples dotted along the waterways which inspired Bangkok's reference as the "Venice of the East". The canals around Bangkok serve as a natural highway for many local Thai people going about their everyday business, such as transporting their merchandise, in particular rice, to and from the rice fields.

Your cruising tour will stop at the Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, which is one of the Bangkok's most iconic landmarks and the most famous of the more than 400 Buddhist temples and monasteries in the city.

It is then onto the Grand Palace complex. This Grand Palace complex includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keow) which is unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today. Within its enormous grounds is the most exotic Buddhist temple and at the heart of the temple itself is a fabulous Buddha image, carved from one piece of Jade, which is the holiest and most revered of religious objects in Thailand today.

Floating Markets and Rose Garden Cultural Center Day Tour from Bangkok

See traditional Thai arts on display at the Rose Garden Cultural Center

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 9 hours

This guided journey commences with a leisurely drive out of Bangkok, passing through salt fields and rice paddies, before embarking aboard your long tail speed-boat on your journey to the Damnoen Saduak floating markets. The trip to the floating markets are a very popular option for so many tourists to Thailand, as it is a showcase of Thai style canoes laden with colorful and succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats - all gently plying their way through the canal, selling as they go. If you want to take a closer look your local Thai guide will help you organize a local boat ride through the markets (optional extra).

It is then off to The Rose Garden Cultural Center by coach, where you will see local Thai villagers creating traditional village handicrafts. All sorts of skills are on display including; silk-weaving, pottery-making, umbrella-painting, Khon mask masking, mat weaving, doll making, fruit carving, garland-making, rice-pounding and even the delicate crafting of silver and laquerware.

There are also impressive displays of authentic Thai period costumes, a chance to see busy, typical Thai market, different styles of Thai Houses (from both the North to South regions of Thailand) and an intriguing display of Thai antiques from various parts of the country. The village offers a potpourri of different Thai cultural activities that also include Muay Thai boxing, sword fighting, Thai dances, elephants at work and much, much more.

Group of 2 travellers or more? Upgrade to a private tour for a small additional cost. Search for Product Code: 3685BKK30P

Thai Country Escape and Cooking Class Tour from Bangkok

Rice fields outside of Bangkok

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 8 hours

Escape the chaos of the city and take a guided, full day tour to the Thai countryside just outside of Bangkok. This 8 hour tour to the village of Baan Lumphaya will give you a wonderful insight into Thai village life and includes an opportunity to cook your own authentic Thai lunch with fresh ingredients.

You begin this tour with a scenic drive in an air-conditioned vehicle through the green belt outside of Bangkok. Watch a different world go by as you pass lush fields, lotus ponds and other typical rural landscapes that make this such an enjoyable excursion from Bangkok.

After a short stop at a coconut grove, where you will see the processing of palm sugar from coconut sap, you will hop into a boat to scull across the Nakorn Chaisri river. Enjoy your views from the river before heading back on land to walk though a 170-year-old Thai-Chinese settlement at Baan Lumphaya. Here you will learn more about the village and day-to-day life before cooking your own authentic Thai lunch made from ingredients selected from the fields you've just seen. A tour highlight for sure.

After lunch you will proceed to a wickerwork village before making your last stop on the journey back to Bangkok at an orchid farm to see Thailand's national flowers in full bloom.

Thai Dinner and Classical Thai Dance Tour

Traditional Thai dance

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

This wonderful evening dinner tour in Bangkok will surround you with a truly Thai ambiance. Sit back and enjoy Thai food and dance.

This wonderful evening dinner tour in Bangkok will surround you with a truly Thai ambiance. Sit back and enjoy Thai food and dance.

You will enjoy delicious Thai cuisine whilst your eyes feast on the grace and beauty of the traditional Thai dancers. The performances you will see are mystical dances based on stories from classical Thai literature and folklore. The dancers wear traditional, colorful costumes providing a perfect opportunity for photos.

Rice Barge Cruise through Bangkok

A rice barge cruise in Bangkok, Thailand

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 2.5 hours

The rivers and khlongs (canals) around Bangkok serve as a natural highway for many local Thai people going about their everyday business. The people of Bangkok still depend on the waterways to transport their merchandise, in particular rice, as the canals are linked to the rice fields.

This relaxed afternoon cruise will allow you to observe life happen in the 'The Venice of the East'. You will cruise the canals by long tailed boat, through exotic flora and picturesque canal houses, before joining a converted rice barge cruise on the Chao Phraya river. All you need to do on this tour is sit back, relax and take in the amazing Thai scenery. Soft drinks and local fruits will be served on-board.

Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo from Bangkok

The Elephant - Thailand's most important animal

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

If you are looking for a family friendly day tour from Bangkok then look no further. Situated just 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Bangkok is the Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo, a place where the whole family can learn more about Thailand's most revered animal - the Elephant.

This is the perfect opportunity to take a 30-minute elephant ride (cost not included, payable direct, approximately BAHT400 per person) as well as learn, via performances, just how and why these mighty creatures are held in such high regard by the Thai people. There are a variety of shows on display, including elephants at work as well how elephants once played an important part in the battles that took place in ancient Siam. One show in particular will depict the battle between King Naraesuan The Great and the Burmese Prince, where elephants were used by both armies. Can elephants play football? Well, you will find out at one of the many shows complete with dramatic sound and narration.

The Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo also has other animals on display, including crocodiles which star in the crocodile wrestling shows. Don't worry, the animals are all cared for well. The Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo was accredited by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) as maintaining one of the cleanest and most impressive public crocodile displays in the world.

Bangkok Temples Tour including reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

The reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is the largest in Thailand

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist country with around 95% of Thai's practicing the Theravada discipline of Buddhism. On this half-day guided tour you will visit three of the most famous wat's (the local name for temple) in Bangkok - Wat Traimit, Wat Pho and Wat Benchamabophit.

A Wat is a Buddhist building where both men and women can be ordained as monks or nuns.As you wander the streets of Bangkok it is not unusual to see monks walking along the road and it should come as no surprise as Thailand has over 26,000 Wat's.

Wat Traimit is also known as the temple of the Golden Buddha. The 3 meter tall statue is made from solid gold and weighs 5.5 tons and is a fine example of Sukhothai style art. You will then pass through Chinatown on your way to Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha. At 46 meters in length and 15 meters high the Buddha is the largest in Bangkok and illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. Your last stop is at Wat Benchamabophit, or the marble temple. This magnificent monastery was built out of white Italian marble from Carrara in the late 19th century.

Safari World Animal and Theme Park in Bangkok

Safari Park at Safari World

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 8 hours

Take the family on a full day, guided excursion out of Bangkok to Safari World, Thailand's greatest and most popular open zoo. Covering over 200 acres, Safari World comprises of two main attractions - Safari Park and Marine Park.

If you have never been to Africa then the Safari Park is the ultimate safari experience. Drive in the comfort of your car through the African designed landscapes to see hundreds of animals from all over the world. At the Marine Park you can take a jungle cruise, see the white tiger exhibit, visit adventure island or catch one of the many exciting shows including a stunt show, dolphin show or professional water skiing.

Rose Garden Cultural Center with Thai Village from Bangkok

The Rose Garden Cultural Center is a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3.5 hours

Located 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the city of Bangkok, amidst the rural scenery along the Nakhon Chaisri River, is The Rose Garden Cultural centre.

Located 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the city of Bangkok, amidst the rural scenery along the Nakhon Chaisri River, is The Rose Garden Cultural centre.

The Rose Garden offers a numerous reasons to escape the city of Bangkok for half a day with the most attractive being the typical Thai Village. Here, you will see local Thai villagers creating traditional village handicrafts in their natural environment. All sorts of skills are on display including; silk-weaving, pottery-making, umbrella-painting, Khon mask masking, mat weaving, doll making, fruit carving, garland-making, rice-pounding and even the delicate crafting of silver and laquerware.

There are also impressive displays of authentic Thai period costumes, a chance to see busy, typical Thai market, different styles of Thai Houses (from both the North to South regions of Thailand) and an intriguing display of Thai antiques from various parts of the country. The Thai village offers a real potpourri of different Thai cultural activities that also include Muay Thai boxing, sword fighting, Thai dances, elephants at work and much, much more.

Group of 2 travellers or more? Upgrade to a private tour for a small additional cost. Search for Product Code: 3685BKK12P

Jim Thompson's House and Vimanmek Teak Mansion Tour in Bangkok

Jim Thompson's well preserved house in Bangkok

Commences: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 3 hours

With the Grand Palace complex and various other temples attracting most of the attention of sightseers in Bangkok it is easy to overlook two other remarkable buildings that are definitely worth visiting. If you appreciate Thai architecture - or even if you don't - the Jim Thompson house and the Vimanmek Teak Mansion (also known as the Vimanmek Palace) are two examples of the finest Thai residences on display in Thailand today.

Your guided half-day tour begins with a tour of Jim Thompson's house. Jim Thompson, an American who returned to live in Thailand after World War II (he found New York City tame after many years in Bangkok!), is known as the man who put the Thai silk industry on the global stage. A visit to his beautifully built Thai house, preserved as a museum complete with his personal belongings, showcases his passion for Thai arts and culture. The house was constructed from different parts of various derelict houses in central Thailand and contains a fabulous collection of paintings and Asian artifacts. In 1967 Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared in the Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) which has only added to his legend.

Built in the early 1900's the Vimanmek Palace is the former home of King Rama V and is made entirely of golden teak wood, the largest of it's kind in the world. Once inside the 3 story, L-shaped palace the regal opulence is evident as you browse through its 81 rooms, many of which house priceless Thai antiques and opulent collections.

Group of 2 travellers or more? Upgrade to a private tour for a small additional cost. Search for Product Code: 3685BKK34P