Private Ancient city of Ayutthaya Shore Excursion
Description
A full-day tour to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, The Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbors. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. The area, well conserved as a historical park, has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage since 13 December 1991.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Laem Chabang is a port city in Chonburi Province, Thailand. It includes tambon Bang Lamung of Bang Lamung District, the tambons Bueng, Surasak, Thung Sukhla, and parts of Nong Kham of Si Racha District. As of 2006 it had a population of 61,801. The town has grown up around the port, but also serves as a major stop on the coastal highway linking Pattaya and Bangkok via Sukhumvit Road . The town is also known for hosting a Japanese retirement community with specialty stores geared towards them.
The Ayutthaya Kingdom was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Indians, Japanese, Koreans, Persians, and later Spaniards, Dutch, English, and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the capital, also called Ayutthaya.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon or the Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory is located off the city island in the southeastern area of Ayutthaya in present Phai Ling Sub-district. In the past it bears other names as Wat Pa Kaeo, Wat Chao Phraya Thai and Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon.
Admission on Wednesday to Sunday. The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum on the historical island of Ayutthaya exhibits artifacts discovered during excavation works and restorations of ancient temples in Ayutthaya. The museum is named after Chao Sam Phraya, King of Ayutthaya in the 15th century. Exhibited are several thousand items including Buddha images, votive tablets, gold artifacts and other treasures recovered from the crypts of several temples.
Admission from Monday to Tuesday Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre is funded by the Japanese Government and dedicated to research into Ayutthaya's history (focusing on its era as the nation's capital). The centre houses a museum and provides a range of information alongside a well-stocked library covering all aspects of the city's history. The displays are very impressive and cover the development of the city and the traditions of the area. This is a good visit, but bear in mind that although the content of the study centre is varied, it does revolve around a single theme - Ayutthaya. If you have limited time a visit to the Study Centre might not be as high a priority as other sites unless you a keen student of Thai history.
Phra Mongkhon Bophit or the Buddha of the Holy and Supremely Auspicious Reverence was sculpted in 1538 in the reign of King Chairacha (r. 1534-1547) at Wat Chi Chiang Sai. 1538 is generally accepted as the year that the image was built, based on the Luang Prasoet version of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya (Most of the other versions put its construction at 880 of the Chulasakkarat era or somehow 20 years earlier)
Wat Phra Si Sanphet, “the temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet” was the most important temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Being part of the Royal Palace complex, the very large monastery with dozens of structures was used by Ayutthaya Kings only; it was a Royal temple without resident monks.
One of Ayutthaya’s most impressive temples, the Khmer style Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a Royal temple that was used by the King and other members of the Royal family. The monastery is located opposite the South West corner of the historical island on the other side of the Chao Phraya river. A boat trip around the historical island provides for very nice views of this large, well preserved temple.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(10)
The ancient capital of Ayutthaya is well worth a visit. Totally different to Bangkok with a charm all of its own. We were very glad that we had booked this tour. Our guide Giftsy was very knowledgeable and helpful. She took us to some wonderful sites.Our driver Danny was very professional and the car was extremely comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed our day, thank-you.
This is full of history which I love! If you are not a history buff there are other tours that do more of an overview. There is lots of walking and climbing. Really great to see!
Great insight to the ancient civilisation, the royal family and the hierarchy of this Thai dynasty. The size of the site is quite large , Unfortunately many parts are ruins, however it gives an idea of how large it was for the original capital before being moved to where Bangkok is now
The trip was absolutely wonderful. Although it's a long way our wonderful driver made it there in record time safe and sound and in fact made it back as well because we were all coming off a cruise line ship which is typically 2 to 3 hours away. The ruins were amazing and my husband said he even liked them better then the ruins in bangkok. Monica was an excellent tour guide who gave us a lot of history and imparted tremendous knowledge on what all of the different symbols and shapes meant. It was an excellent trip and worth taking.
Best TOUR EVER. THE COMPANY IS ABSOLUTELY PROFESIONAL. I have nothing negative at all to say about it. I felt safe all the time being a woman traveling alone. Don't hesitate, just do it!
Amazing tour everything is absolutely stunning. Great food, great driver (Dani). Amazing guide (Giftsy) felt I was traveling with a close friend. Respectful, safe... one of the beat tours of my life.
Ayutthaya was the ancient capital of Thailand apparently, but it is still a vibrant little city today. The ancient temples and the modern city are mixed together. We picked about 5 temples we most wanted to see --- Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, and Wat Chai Watthanaram. Seeing these gave us the Buddah head embedded in the trunk of a growing tree and the giant reclining buddah--plus lots of other beautiful things. It is free to go to Ayutthaya---a couple of the temples had a tiny entry fee, but for the most part you just wander around as you want to. Ayutthaya is about a one hour drive from Bangkok, but it is absolutely worth the time to get there! If we had not gone I would still be kicking myself. We could have hired a grab for the day, but this time we decided to ask our hotel to get us a driver. He spoke good English and showed us a few extra temples he really likes---I think paying him was a good call. So for us, Ayutthaya came in thethird and final week of our trip. We spent the previous week in Cambodia exploring many breathtaking temples. The big difference with Ayutthaya's temples is that they were much closer together, and because town is basically laid down all around them, you didn't have the long walk to reach them as you often had in Cambodia. After three weeks of climbing, walking, etc. I was perfectly happy to be able to step out of the car and walk 30 feet to a temple. The temples are absolutely beautiful! Really spectacular. I'm so glad we got to see them!
We embarked on the Ayutthaya tour with Mr. Ohm, and it was truly fantastic. A captivating journey that not only entertained us but also deepened our understanding of Thailand's rich history. Both our guide and driver were exceptionally friendly, making the trip incredibly comfortable and engaging. We explored various sites in Ayutthaya, caught glimpses of rice fields (keeping in mind that visibility is limited during the dry season), and enjoyed a delightful lunch at a local restaurant. The comfortable air-conditioned car was a welcome relief on hot days, and the provision of cold wet wipes added a thoughtful touch for cooling down. We felt exceptionally well taken care of throughout the tour. A heartfelt thank you for enriching our experience with the incredible culture of Thailand.
I was promptly picked up from my cruise ship by Raht, whose excellent English made communication seamless for non-Thai speakers. Embarked on a full-day excursion to Historical Ayutthaya, and it truly lived up to expectations. The temple ruins are awe-inspiring; if you find yourself in Bangkok, allocate a day for this experience (approximately an hour away). Enjoyed a delightful lunch, though be cautious – the Thai concept of mild spice is a touch spicier than the American counterpart :). Returned to the ship after a fulfilling day.
This excursion stands out as one of the most enjoyable I've experienced – impeccably organized, with an outstanding guide and a wealth of beautiful scenery and historical sites. The visit to the Ayutthaya temples proved to be the highlight of my stay in Bangkok. A full-day tour to Ayutthaya commenced with an early morning hotel pickup and concluded with a late afternoon drop-off. We explored the ancient capital of Siam, enjoying breathtaking views of temples, ruins, and Buddha monuments lining the Chao Phraya River. Notable moments included a visit to the reclining Buddha statue at Wat Chai Mongkol and another Buddha whose head was entwined in tree roots. The summer palace of King Rama IV, reached through picturesque gardens along a river, showcased an intriguing blend of Thai, Chinese, Gothic, and even Greek influences. The palace, doubling as a small museum, offered a fascinating glimpse into history. Lunch was a delightful buffet served on a ship during a river cruise along the Chao Phraya River, featuring a variety of soups, a DIY salad bar, and delectable desserts. I wholeheartedly recommend this excursion to anyone seeking a blend of cultural richness, historical exploration, and scenic beauty in the heart of Thailand.
