HISTORY & NATURE

ITINERARY

Day 1 Bangkok – Ayuthaya (L)
Depart Bangkok on a leisurely cruise as we head up stream on the Chao Phraya River for the ancient Kingdom of Ayuthaya. Enjoy the scenes of the river as you escape the capital for the country scenery, lunch is also served on board as you sail north.  Your first visit after the cruise is Bang Pa-In Royal Palace also known as the Summer Palace, is a palace complex formerly used by the Thai kings. , It lies beside the Chao Phraya River in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province. After continue to the ancient Kingdom of Ayuthaya, one of Thailand’s historical and majestic highlights, serving as the Thai capital for 417 years (1350 – 1767), it was once glorified as one of the biggest cities in the world – a Southeast Asia center for civilizations.  In the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders or diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. During this day trip you will visit many interesting ancient sites including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, in 1491 the temple was located inside the compound of the Grand Palace-the foundations of which are still visible-and served as the royal chapel, as Wat Phra Kaeo does in Bangkok. This Royal Palace was built by King U-Thong upon the founding of the city. In Ayutthaya’s heyday, this was the largest temple in the city. Continue to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. Within the complex is a huge image of a reclining Buddha in brick and stucco. The chedi is bell-shaped and constructed on a mound of raised ground with steps going up to the Buddhist image placed midway to the top. The chedi itself now has a distinct tilt, but still can be entered via the stairs. After we visit Wat Phanan Choeng, overlooking the river on the opposite bank from the main city, Wat Phanan Choeng was founded shortly before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the Kingdoms capital. 

Day 2
Early departure for Thailand's third largest national park, covering an area of 300 square kilometers, including evergreen forests and grasslands. Its altitude mostly ranges from 400–1,000 meters above sea level. There are 3,000 species of plants, 320 species of birds like red junglefowl and coral-billed ground cuckoo, and 66 species of mammals, including Asian black bear, Asian elephant, gaur, gibbon, Indian sambar deer, pig-tailed macaque, Indian muntjac, dhole, and wild pig.  Your nature trek will be led by a park ranger as we walk through the national park. 

Day 3
With an early morning departure from the resort, we cross Khao Yai national park and exit in another province on the journey to the Thai Cambodian border town of Aranyapathet.  If we are lucky we may catch a glimps of wild elephants before we exit the park on the otherside. On arrival at the border, you’ll need to pass through immigration and customs prior to entering the Kingdom of Cambodia.