PACKAGE TOUR 3 DAY/2 NIGHT (PT303)
Floating Market – Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya








Description
- DAY 1
- 07:00 Pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and travel to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is located about 100km southwest of Bangkok in the Thai province of Ratchaburi. There are several floating markets with Damnoen Saduak Floating Market being the most popular and provides visitors with a distinctive shopping and cultural experience that takes place on and around the waterways. You will take a ride in a paddle boat which is a great way to explore the floating market. Paddle boats are the ideal vehicle to navigate the busy waterways, allowing you to get a closer look at the colorful waterside market stalls and other passing boats and also engage with the traders. You will experience the dynamic atmosphere of the floating market with traders selling fruits, vegetables, foods, drinks, crafts and souvenirs from their boats and riverside stalls.
- After the floating market you will then travel to the Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market which is also called the Talat Rom Hup. The famous Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market is unique and is well known for its market location which is directly on operating train tracks. The fact that a train travels directly along the tracks where the vendors have set up their stalls numerous times each day is what makes this market so extraordinary. In order to make room for the approaching train the sellers quickly pull back their awnings, fold their umbrellas and move their wares out of the way. They promptly continue their operations and put their stalls back in their original locations after the train has passed. Fresh produce, fish, meats, vegetables, fruits, spices, snacks and regional goods are all available at this market. Additionally, visitors can purchase local handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs. The Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market has a lively ambiance and is located in a busy and dynamic setting.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- After lunch you will travel to the River Kwai Bridge which is a historically significant bridge located in Kanchanaburi province. It is one of the major attractions in this region and holds great historical importance due to its connection to World War II. During the Second World War the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Thailand and used forced labor including prisoners of war and Asian laborers to construct a railway line connecting Thailand to Myanmar (then Burma). The construction of the railway was a grueling and challenging task given the difficult terrain and harsh working conditions. The section of the railway that crossed the Mae Klong River (also known as the Kwai Yai River) required a bridge to span the river’s width.
- The River Kwai Bridge was built using wooden and concrete materials and was completed in 1943. The construction involved immense human suffering as thousands of laborers lost their lives due to the harsh conditions, maltreatment and disease. After the war the original wooden bridge was replaced with a stronger steel and concrete structure. Today the River Kwai Bridge stands as a symbol of the past and serves as a memorial to the thousands who lost their lives during its construction.
- From the River Kwai Bridge you will then travel a short distance to the The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre which is an interactive museum, research and information centre dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway built during the World War II. This museum showcases an exhibition about the history of the Thailand-Burma railway and the educational exhibition displays information and photographs about the planning and construction processes of the Death Railway as well as the geography and local living condition during World War II before the bombing and end of the railway.
- After the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre you will then visit the Kanchanaburi Skywalk. Kanchanaburi Skywalk is a 12m high and 150m long glass walkway that runs alongside the Kwae Yai river and is designed to give visitors a bird’s eye view of where the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi rivers meet. From the Kanchanaburi Skywalk you will get beautiful views of the converging rivers flowing through lush green surroundings with mountains in the background. After Kanchanaburi Skywalk you will eat dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner you will be taken to your Kanchanaburi hotel.
- Stay overnight in Kanchanaburi hotel/guesthouse.
- DAY 2
- 07:00 Breakfast at your hotel in Kanchanaburi.
- 07:30 Pickup from your hotel in Kanchanaburi and travel to the famous Erawan Waterfalls. The beautiful Erawan Waterfalls are 1500m long and consists of seven tiers, each with an individual waterfall. There are lots of great and safe swimming areas and lots of nature trails to explore. As you get closer to the summit at the highest waterfall the trail gets steeper and more rocky. You will have 3 hours to enjoy at your leisure at the Erawan Waterfalls.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- After lunch you will travel to the Hellfire Pass. Hellfire Pass is another significant historical site located in Kanchanaburi and is a part of the Death Railway which was constructed during World War II by forced labor. Hellfire Pass is also known as ‘Konyu Cutting’ or ‘Chong Khao Kad’ and was one of the most challenging sections of the railway to build as the POWs and forced labor had to cut through the mountain using hand drills, picks and shovels to carve through the rock. The name ‘Hellfire Pass’ originates from the conditions endured by those who worked there. The laborers had to work day and night using only torches for lighting creating the eerie impression of a passageway glowing like hellfire.
- The 500m long pass was incredibly completed in six months in 1943 and many lives were sacrificed. Nowadays Hellfire Pass has become a historical site with an information centre and a museum that exhibits related tools and photographs from this historical event to remind people the importance of world peace.
- After Hellfire Pass you will travel to Tham Kra Sae Station and then take a train ride along the Death Railway which runs through beautiful local scenery and historical sites. This route takes passengers through the picturesque countryside of Kanchanaburi province. The journey provides insights into the tragic history of the Death Railway and the significant human suffering that occurred during its construction. As you ride the train you can view the beautiful landcape and remember the thousands of lives lost and the hardships endured by those who were forced to build the Death Railway. You will ride along the Death Railway for 1 hour before the train reaches River Kwai Bridge Station where you will disembark.
- After the Death Railway train ride you will then visit the Kanchanaburi Night Market where you can browse the many different stalls offering handicrafts, souvenirs, local foods and clothing items and where you can eat dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner you will be taken to your Kanchanaburi hotel.
- Stay overnight in Kanchanaburi hotel/guesthouse.
- DAY 3
- 06:30 Breakfast at your hotel in Kanchanaburi.
- 07:00 Pickup from your hotel in Kanchanaburi and travel to the city of Ayutthaya.
- The first temple in Ayutthaya to be visited is Wat Mahathat which is located next to Pa Than Bridge. This temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Wat Mahathat is located in the area of the Ayutthaya Historical Park and here you will find the remains of important old buildings such as pagodas, octagonal pagodas, a royal hall, small temples, murals under a Bodhi tree and the famous sand-stone Ayutthaya-style head of the Buddha image in a tree’s root.
- After Wat Mahathat you will travel to Wat Ratchaburana in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Wat Ratchaburana was constructed in the mid-14th century during the reign of King Borommarachathirat II and is famous for its prang (Khmer-style tower) which stands tall and can be seen from afar. The prang is adorned with intricate stucco designs and bas-reliefs showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of that era.
- After Wat Ratchaburana you will travel to Wat Phra Ram which was built in the early 14th century during the reign of King Ramesuan to honor his father, King Ramathibodi I, who was the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The name ‘Wat Phra Ram’ means ‘Temple of the Lord Ram’ and is derived from the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. Wat Phra Ram features a large central prang (Khmer-style tower) that was once surrounded by four smaller prangs at the corners. The prangs are in a state of partial ruin today but they still give an impressive impression of the temple’s former grandeur. The central prang which is adorned with intricate stucco designs is the most prominent feature of the temple.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- After lunch you will travel to Wat Chaiwatthanaram which is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River to the west of Ayutthaya City. Wat Chaiwatthanaram was ordered to be built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother and features the architectural style influenced by the Angkor temples in Cambodia. A feature unique to Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs which symbolize Mount Sumeru which is the god’s mountain according to Hindu belief.
- From Wat Chaiwatthanaram you will then travel to Wat Phanan Choeng which is renowned for its enormous gilded Buddha statue called ‘Phra Buddha Chinnarat’. This statue is one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand and holds great religious significance for the local people. Phra Buddha Chinnarat is seated in the Subduing Mara posture which represents the Buddha’s victory over the temptations and distractions posed by the demon Mara while he was meditating under the Bodhi tree. This image is highly venerated and devotees come from all over the country to pay their respects and make their offerings.
- 17:30 Return to your hotel in Bangkok.
** Guide times are approximate depending upon local traffic and weather conditions and can also be adjusted to suit your own personal requirements **
Tour includes
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- English speaking local tour guide
- All applicable entrance fees
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Paddle boat ride
- Mae Klong Train Umbrella Market
- Lunch day 1
- River Kwai Bridge
- Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
- Kanchanaburi Skywalk
- Dinner day 1
- Kanchanaburi hotel/guesthouse 1 night (1st night)
- Breakfast day 2
- Erawan Waterfalls
- Lunch day 2
- Hellfire Pass
- Death Railway train ride
- Dinner day 2
- Kanchanaburi Night Market
- Kanchanaburi hotel/guesthouse 1 night (2nd night)
- Breakfast day 3
- Transport from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
- Wat Mahathat
- Wat Ratchaburana
- Wat Phra Ram
- Lunch day 3
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Wat Phanan Choeng
- Travel insurance