The Allure of Antiquity: Ayutthaya Day Tour, Floating Market & Optional Elephant Ride

Bring out your inner historian and embark on a journey through the magical ruins of Ayutthaya. Dotted with gigantic monasteries and enigmatic reliquary towers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the largest cities in the world by the 18th century and this tour will give you a taste of its bewitching success as a capital of the Siamese kingdom.

With a convenient pickup available from your hotel in Bangkok or near the Suvarnabhumi Airport, we will head straight to the Ayutthaya Historical Park housing the ruins of the old city. Starting with the stunning Wat Phra Mahathat, one of the biggest religious sites for Theravada Buddhists, you can admire the incredible sight of gargantuan banyan roots weaving around the head of a Buddha statue and relish the air of royal antiquity enveloping the place. Next up is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the holiest temple in the city, and a vision in classic Ceylonese art. The three majestic chedis, the symbolic identifier for the Siamese Wats, are actually what remains today but it lives right up to its illustrious legacy as it wraps you in a sense of admiration for the incredible stone work and technological dexterity which was far ahead of its time. As you casually ramble around the sweeping stretch of ruins, you will find yourself marvelling at the architectural opulence of the entire area.

Once you have gotten up close and personal with the ancient Siamese life, it’s time to take a quick break and enjoy a brush with present day society. We will take you to the Ayuthaya floating market where you can observe the intriguing nuances of the local Thai society and also get your loved ones some awesome little souvenirs from the Land of Smiles. Treat yourself to a quick lunch of native Thai delicacies while you immerse yourself in the invigorating frenzy of one of the cultural highlights of this country. Having given your wanderlust a teeny break, it’s time for a fix of excitement as we take you near Elephantstay, an elephant village. Fill your hearts with joy as you bond with these behemoth yet absolutely gentle creatures and indulge in fun photo ops with your very own Colonel Hathi.

Before you head back to Bangkok, though, we have a final rendezvous with the past at Wat Chai Watthanaram, one of the most popular temples in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. A Khmer-style piece of architectonic magic, it is a testament of the Buddhist world perspective and visible masterpiece even in its ruins. To say the least, Ayutthaya is like an entire skipped chapter in our history books and almost makes you relive its grandiose heritage - a sensational experience you should not even think of missing out on!