Mekhala’s Overnight Cruise and Biking Tour in Ayutthaya

Itinerary

Day 1: BANGKOK – MEKHALA (D)

Your excursion starts as the MEKHALA casts off around 1.30 pm and heads up the Chao Phraya River, passing the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn and observing the way of rural life along the river.

Arriving at Pathum Thani in the afternoon, you will visit a fresh market where local people shop for food, fresh produce and a variety of Thai sweets.

At sunset, the MEKHALA will dock at Wat Kai Tia, a Buddhist temple located in a tranquil rural village. An exquisite candlelit dinner of mouth-watering Thai cuisine will be served on the deck. You will spend the night on board the boat, in your air-conditioned cabin.

Day 2: MEKHALA – AYUTTHAYA (B, L)

We start the day by cruising to a small village of Baan Saladang, an aged-old Mon community who migrated from Burma to this area in the early 19th century. The villagers here have successfully maintained their traditional life style, customs and natural surroundings. You will also see a collection of well-preserved typical Thai houses in this charming village.

Afterwards, you can partake of a delicious breakfast. Later in the morning about 10 am, you will disembark at the pier of Wat Niwet Thama Prawat next to Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace.

Upon arriving at the pier, you will be greeted by your biking guide. After selecting the bicycle and a quick bike fitting, we start the tour by following the road in northern direction through idyllic villages along rice-paddies. Visit a local elementary school (if open) to interact with the children. Continue the ride and make a stop at Phaniat Royal Elephant Kraal. The closer we get to the old capital, the more temple ruins we see along the way.   

We will have Thai lunch around noon at a riverside restaurant. After lunch, we enter the old capital and visit historic places such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Pra Sri Sanphet. Our guide will explain the history of Ayutthaya, its temples and kings. We continue with a short ride over a local market where typical local delicacies are baked, fried and sold. Not far from the market, we will make another stop at a big reclining Buddha, the biggest one in Ayuthaya, at Luang Phor Lokayasuttha.

 After that, continue biking to Wat Chai Wattanaram. Located on the river bank of the Chao Phraya River, this is a remarkable and beautiful temple. It was constructed in 1630 during the reign of the Ayutthaya King named Prasat Thong as a memorial of his mother’s residence in that area. After a short break at the temple, we continue our ride along the west bank of the Chao Praya River until we get back to Ayutthaya city. You will, then, be transferred to Bangkok, arriving around 6 pm.