Description

Ayutthaya tour by cruise

07.30 Depart from your hotel in Bangkok for the Bang Pa In Summer Palace for a 1 hour drive covering about 65 kilometers (40 miles). During this lovely drive, you’ll observe the beautiful scenery of flourishing rice fields, plantations and orchards.
08.30 Our first stop for this Ayutthaya tour by cruise will be the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace, built in 1632 for the kings during the Ayutthaya period. After the fall of the Empire, in 1767, it was abandoned for more than a century.
In the 1800’s, it was reconstructed by King Rama V and King Rama IV of Bangkok. Most of the buildings standing today were rebuilt, between 1872 and 1889, to serve as the summer palace of the Bangkok kings. The Palace’s historical significance derives from its association with an era of transformation and westernization.
Ayutthaya kings visited Bang Pa-In regularly, since it was situated within a convenient distance from the capital.

Today, the palace is used occasionally by Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit, both as a residence and for holding receptions and banquets.

Our visit will include: The Aisawan-Dhipaya-Asana Pavillion, a miniature pavilion hall reminiscent of the architecture of the Aphonbimoka Prasart Pavillion in the Grand Palace; the Varobhas Bimarn Residential Hall, originally a 2-story building in the Corinthian style, now just 1 story following an 1885 renovation; the Uthayan Phumisathian Residential Hall, the principal building in the inner court of Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built in 1877 in the Swiss Chalet style and used as the guest residence for foreign visitors in the reign of King Rama V; and the Wehart Chamrun Residential hall , built in 1889 and the most complete example of Chinese architecture in Thailand.

09.30 Depart from the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.

10.00 The tour to Ayutthaya’s historical park continues with us witnessing some of the former glories of the Kingdom of Siam. The highlight is Wat Prasri Sanpetch, the Palace Temple of the Kingdom most contemporaneous with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Though the Palace Temple was destroyed by the invading Burmese in 1767, the impact of its glory can still be seen and felt today.

The historical significance and elegance of the Temple is impressive. The three stupas contain the ashes of Ayutthaya’s kings, the smaller stupas housing the ashes of members of the royal family. The image hall, which formerly enshrined the most important Buddha image of the Kingdom, still remains to be seen today. The principal Buddha image was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Later, the core was transferred to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok and enclosed inside the Green Stupa of the Temple.

We next explore two additional exquisite temples of the Kingdom, Wat Mongkolbopit, built in the early 17th century and featuring a colossal bronze statue of Buddha; and either Wat Mahathat, the royal temple of the Kingdom, built in 1374 and housing the relics of the Buddha, or Wat Chai Wattanaram, an impressive temple, erected in 1360 and still in good condition, reflecting the imposing Khmer architecture.

12.15 Drive from Ayutthaya to the pier by private car. While we cruise to Bangkok aboard the Pearl of Siam, a sumptuous international and Thai buffet lunch will be served. Enjoy the fascinating scenery and observe the local life styles of the people who live along the Chao Praya River.

16.00 Disembark in Bangkok where a private car returns you to your hotel.

(Please Note that PROPER ATTIRE IS REQUIRED for this tour due to the sites we will be visiting)