Temples and Tuk-Tuk's

After the chaos of Bangkok, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of Royal Thai culture in Ayutthaya. The pace is far slower and more stately here, making it a wonderful place for a stopover before heading into the jungles of the north.

In Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, you can stroll between the imposing chedis (temple towers) and palaces, built in the Khmer style. You will see the temples at twilight whilst taking a sunset tuk-tuk tour through the city. Seated comfortably in this typically Thai means of transport, you can watch the sun sink behind the temples, bathing the ancient ruins in spectacular glowing colours.

Duration:	2days - 1 night Offered daily	Accommodation:	Air-conditioned bungalow/room Comfort Level 2-4 (see accommodation)
Price:	From $59 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Included:	1 x night accommodation with breakfast, sunset tuk-tuk tour.
Transport:	Tuk-tuk	Excluded:	Travel to Ayutthaya, excursions and entrance costs not listed in the daily itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Ayutthaya

This Ayutthaya tour starts in Ayutthaya, with most travellers arriving from either Bangkok or Kanchanaburi. There’s an air-conditioned bus that leaves from Bangkok every 20 minutes and takes only 1½ hours. Trains depart at 10:50am or 1:30pm. Alternatively, if you have just finished our River Kwai tour in Kanchanaburi, you can take the 9am bus, which takes about four hours.

When you arrive in Ayutthaya, you can take a tuk-tuk or taxi from the station to your hotel. You'll stay in either a complex of 10 bungalows set in beautiful lotus gardens on the outskirts of the city (authentic option), or a lovely centrally located hotel by the river (modern option). The authentic bungalows are tastefully decorated with verandas, bathrooms, air conditioning and fridges. On the corner, you'll find one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the city - a temple in your own backyard! The central hotel is more modern and set on the banks of the Pa-Sak river. The rooms are air conditioned and have satellite/cable TV, personal electronic safe, mini bars and marble bathrooms.

The entire city of Ayutthaya, (which means ‘holy city’) is situated on an island between rivers and has been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The city was created in the 12th century and was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in Southeast Asia, its borders stretching from Angkor in Cambodia to deep within Burma. In the 18th century, the city lost its power after the invasion of the Burmese, who destroyed the temples and left the ruins behind as we see them today. In the afternoon, you can take some time to stroll around the temples. The temples can be found everywhere and during your Ayutthaya tour you'll often find yourself alone, wandering amongst the ruins with no other tourists in sight. Wear a hat and take plenty of water to drink.

It can be difficult to choose which temples to visit as there are so many to choose from and they are spread over a large area. We can suggest Wat Mahatat and Wat Rachaburana (entrance fees are approx 50p per temple). Both of these majestic temples will give you a good feel for Khmer-style architecture. At the end of the afternoon, you can fresh up at the hotel and relax for a while. Then, at about 5:30 pm, you'll be collected from the hotel for the sunset tuk-tuk tour as part of your Ayutthaya tour (if you wish to enter temple complexes, small entrance fees will apply).

Around 6pm the sun begins to sink and bathes the ruins in an ethereal light. As your driver may not speak much English, you may need to take a guide book for detailed background information about each temple. Our favorite temple is Wat Chai Wattanaram, which you'll visit just as the sun is setting. The temple is a little further out of the city, so there's an excellent view over the rice paddies and cashew trees. Both the temple and the surrounding landscape are spellbinding at sunset. Around 7:30pm, you'll be dropped back in the city centre, so you'll have plenty of time for dinner at one of the atmosphere Pericallis floating restaurants on the river.

Day 2: Ayutthaya and departure

Your Ayutthaya tour ends after breakfast.

After checking out and leaving Ayutthaya, most travellers head further north to begin one of our Northern Thailand tours. There is a train that leaves at 7:25am, arriving in Chiang Mai at 7:45pm. Or, better still, there's an overnight sleeper train. This gives you another whole day to explore more temples and soak up Ayutthaya. Additionally, you'll simply wake up in Chiang Mai the next morning, with no wasted time at all, and better still no accommodation costs.

For those going to Bangkok, it's very easy and cost effective to make your own way back by bus or train.

Sukothai

For those interested in historic Thai cultures, you can continue to follow the ‘ancient capitals’ path from Ayutthaya to Sukothai, adding an extra stop to your trip.

Sukothai is 5½ hours north by bus and, unlike Ayutthaya, has rarely seen conflict. There are some 21 historic sites and 4 great ponds, all enclosed by ancient walls. We can reserve seats on the day train to Phitsanulok for you. On board all you need to do is sit back, relax and take in the beautiful Thai scenery of green farmland and rice paddies. You’ll arrive at the tiny station of Phitsanulok around 2pm. A quick look on the map of Thailand will tell you you’re right in the middle of the country. Most travellers stay on board to continue north to Chiang Mai, but you’ll leave the train here to discover one of Thailand’s best kept secrets- the hidden Khmer city of Sukothai. At Phitsanulok station you’ll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Sukothai. It’s a lovely hotel set in wonderfully peaceful surroundings and there’s a pool. The hotel is within walking distance of the ruins, so head over there in the evening to enjoy the sunset. In the afternoon you can relax by the pool or visit the ruins and wander around the ancient buildings. Early morning in Sukothai is magical, so we recommend being in the park by 8am so you can explore the ruins as the sun slowly rises. Late morning, when the temperature starts to soar, head back to your hotel for lunch and check-out. You’ll be picked up around 1pm and taken back to Phitsanulok station to catch the train up to Chiang Mai.

You can also travel in opposite the direction from Chiang Mai via Sukothai and Ayutthaya to Bangkok. If you’d like to include Sukothai in your trip, just let our travel specialist know and they'll add it to your itinerary.

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