Restless in Bangkok

Travel to Bangkok

Bangkok has the longest name of any city in the world, but locally it’s just called ‘Krungthep’ – ‘city of angels’.
The full name? Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

The Worldwide Navigators Difference

square

Sojourn – Gain a better understanding of the community you’re visiting. Learn about different religions or spiritual practices. How do these impact the communities? How does religion or spirituality influence local traditions?

1 of 1
square

 

Savor – Will you choose sweet or savory? Take the time to visit local markets and discover unique local ingredients. Learn how to prepare traditional meals & local favorites.

1 of 1
square

 

Tip of the Tongue – Each morning, take the time to learn a few basic greetings and phrases in the local language. Learn how to write greetings & your name in the local script.

1 of 1
square

 

A Wrinkle in Time – History influences our present. Discover the history of the country you visit. Hear the stories of your guides & their family history. Where do they come from?

1 of 1
square

 

Journal Journeys – Take some time to reflect on the day’s events and document your journey. Spend a moment journaling about the day had & day ahead. These are memories for a lifetime!

1 of 1
square

Culture – From local dances, festivals, or simple gestures to communicate – all of these make up a country’s culture. Learn and practice cultural norms & how to show respect in the culture you visit.

1 of 1

Itinerary

For your first full day in Thailand, you will be touring Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks. In the morning, your guide will take you to three different temples. You will start strong with Wat Traimit, where you will find a nine-centuries old Buddha statue whose true nature resurfaced when it was brought there in 1955. This temple holds the mysterious story of how 5 ½ tones of solid gold can fall into oblivion for 200 years with the simple help of a bit of plaster and a touch of lacquer. You will then take a tour of the Khmer-style Wat Arun and learn why it is also known as the “Temple of Dawn”. Then you will visit the place where traditional Thai massage is known to be born, which also happens to be the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok: Wat Po. After a reviving lunch, you will discover some of the most important buildings in all Thailand, starting with the Royal Grand Palace. Right at the heart of Bangkok, the Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925, making it a must-do visit in Thailand. Within the grounds of the Palace, you will also find the Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most important Buddhist temple in the country.

Venture to Ayutthaya, located about 80 km north of Bangkok. As you sit back and enjoy lunch on the boat, take a moment to go back a few centuries and imagine convoys of diplomats and traders sailing next to you. Ayutthaya was a significant center of global diplomacy and commerce before being razed by the Burmese in the 18th century. What it left of the former Siamese capital, which shows signs of a variety of foreign influences, demonstrates how ingenious and creative the Ayutthaya civilization was. You will start your visit as soon as you reach Wat Chong Lom Pier at around noon. You will start your land tour by tracing the steps of former Thai kings in the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Located on the Chao Phraya River, it is said to be one of the most beautiful site of the kind in the country.

You will then continue with Wat Yai Chaimongkhol. This temple was built in the 1357 in the reign of King U Thong, the first ruler of Ayutthaya. An impressively large Reclining Buddha statue lies in the temple grounds, as well as a large chedi, which was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan’s single-handed defeat of the then Burmese crown prince in a duel on elephants.

After this, you will head to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the former Royal Temple. This monastery, situated within the Royal Palace grounds, was the most important temple of Ayutthaya. Not surprisingly, it was later used as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.

You will conclude your visit of the island with a totally different experience. The Wat Mongkhon Bophit temple is still active and welcomes many visitors and worshipers throughout the day. Get a true sense of the place before heading back to Bangkok. You will be picked up at around 3 or 4 pm for your transfer.

Spend a full day completely immersed in Thai colors, smells and sounds at the Amphawa Authentic Floating Markets. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 7 in the morning and take you around Bangkok in quest of hidden gems. You will board a long-tail boat and navigate up the Mae Klong River. You will stop at Wat Bang Kung to explore a small chapel enclosed entirely within the roots of a banyan tree. You will then visit King Rama II Memorial Park and Museum, where you will find housing art objects of the 18th century exposed in four buildings that feature classical Thai architecture. Next is the Amphawa floating market, which is frequented almost exclusively by Thais. Locals congregate to buy and sell everything from cooking pots to fresh flowers to windup toys. The area around the market features open-air restaurants and canals full of colorful boats. You should be back at your hotel by 19:00 at night.

Make the best of the time you have left in Bangkok before moving on to your next destination! Your guide will escort you to airport on time for your flight, until what you are free to roam around new corners of Bangkok or to go back to your favorite places.

Imagine yourself island hopping? How about trekking in the lush forests of Northern Thailand? Extend your stay and venture outside of the city to experience all that Thailand has to offer!

Let us help you create your dream itinerary!

เข้าร่วมกับเรา!

With the recent opening of the Siam Piwat shopping mall, a $1.6 billion project to build the biggest commercial complex in the country by the Chao Praya river, Bangkok has shown once again how modern she is. The bustling metropolis is a real concrete jungle, but her subtle polarity might not be visible by simply looking across the city skyline. Rich and poor, fancy malls and small food carts, modernity and tradition, Buddhism and animism, all merging together to create this vivid international city. Bangkok attracts people from all backgrounds and origin. Step out of the comfort of your hotel and dive in! A day trip to Ayutthaya will bring you back in history and help you get a grasp of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. Your 5 days in Thailand will be as they should be: soulful and varied in experiences!

Value

3-6 Day
Group Trips

Classic

7-12 Day
Group Trips

Epic

7-14 Day
Group Trips

Interested in adding or modifying activities? No problem! All Worldwide Navigator itineraries can be customized to your liking!

Share with a Friend!
8
years' experience
45
countries
170
Customizable trips
9050
Travelers
260850
Individuals impacted

In collaboration with our partners

Scroll to Top