3 DAYS AYUTTHAYA RIVER CRUISE & KANCHANABURI

Seat-in-coach tour (BKKRVM): Departure every Monday from Bangkok with English speaking guide (minimum 2 persons / maximum 12 persons).
Private tour (BKKRVP): Departure every Monday from Bangkok with English-, German-, or French speaking guide (other language guides available on request at surcharge). A Diethelm Travel guide will accompany guests during the whole duration of the trip; on the barge, guests will join with other guests booked on the cruise.
A unique opportunity to meet with local people in a world removed from the usual tourist haunts and to witness their typical handicraft occupations. Explore villages by bicycle along the Menam Lopburi and Menam Pasak Rivers. Cruise onboard a rice barge named ‘Thanatharee’ or ‘Treasure on the Water’, 21 meters in length and 5.9 meters in width. The barge provides simple, but comfortable air-conditioned dormitory-style accommodation for maximum 12 persons with a shared shower-room and 2 toilets. The spacious upper deck has ample room to relax, enjoy a refreshing drink, read, play games or just watch the world drift gently by. Enjoy the natural beauty along the Kwai River during a boat trip in a traditional long-tail boat to Sai Yoke National Park’s waterfall and Lawa Cave.

ITINERARY:

BANGKOK – AYUTTHAYA – MEANAM LOPBURI – MENAM PASAK (-/L/D)
DAY 1 MON Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Bangkok. Depart by air-conditioned van to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand situated 76 kilometers north of Bangkok. The Thai capital for 417 years, Ayutthaya is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions.

Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in the city, which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong. 33 kings of 5 dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767.Visit the principal sights: Wat Sri Sanphet, an important and outstanding monastery used as a residential palace in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. Wat Phananchoeng - this monastery existed before Ayuttaya was founded as the capital. The principal 19 metres high Buddha image is made of stucco and is the most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya. Wat Yai Chaimongkhol: The chedi at this monastery is among the largest in Ayuttaya and was built by King Naresuan (1590-1605). There are many Buddha images and a beautiful garden behind this chedi. After lunch, board the Thanatharee rice barge at Ayudhaya railway station pier at 13.30 hrs and cruise up Lopburi River. Take a bike ride to explore local villages, and the cottage industries they engaged in. Stop at the Elephant Village where the elephants in Ayudhaya live with their mahouts and the Elephant Kraal Pavilion which was used for the Royal Elephant Round Up in the olden days. Rejoin the barge and cruise along Pasak River. Moor at a village of Maenam Pasak, tie up for the night and enjoy dinner on board.

MENAM PASAK – AYUTTHAYA – KANCHANABURI (B/L/D)
DAY 2 TUE An opportunity to give food to the monks on their morning alms round. After breakfast set off by bicycle to Aranyik village renowned for its hand-crafted knives and all kinds of cutting utensils. Continue biking through the paddy field view countryside with possibilities for a school visit or make a short stop at a house making home-made Krayasart, a Thai sweet tidbit freshly made from peanuts and coconut. Visit Prasat Nakorn Luang, the royal accommodation from the late-Ayutthaya period built in a unique blend of architectural styles resembling a Khmer shrine. Rejoin the barge and cruise to Chao Phraya River with lunch served on board. Arrive at Ayutthaya train station pier at noon and continue by van to Kanchanaburi. Transfer by long-tail boat to your resort, beautifully located on the banks of the River Kwai. Dinner and overnight at RIVER KWAI RESOTEL.

KANCHANABURI – BANGKOK (B/L/-)
DAY 3 WED After breakfast, we take a long-tail boat trip to Sai Yoke Yai waterfall. Enjoy swimming in the river (bring along your swimsuit and a towel) or visit the National Park’s exhibition center close by. We then continue by boat to Lawa Cave with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. After a guided walking tour through the cave (about 45 minutes), return to Resotel for lunch. Check out and boat transfer to Resotel pier, then drive to Kanchanaburi town. Photo stop at the famous “Bridge over the River Kwai” and visit of the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and War Cemetery. Arrive in Bangkok in the early evening and transfer to your hotel.

Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers by air-conditioned van, boat cruise with dormitory style accommodation onboard the Thanataree Rice Barge, air-conditioned bungalows in Kanchanaburi, services of an English speaking guide, meals as described in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), entrance fees, boat excursions, service charges and VAT. Guests booked on a private tour will be accompanied by a Diethelm Travel guide in the language of their choice (surcharges may apply) throughout the trip. During the boat cruise, guests will join other clients booked on the cruise.

Not included are other meals than specified on the program, surcharges for compulsory gala dinners, beverages, personal expenses and gratuities.

HOTEL ADDRESS:
Thanataree Rice BargeTel. (01) 3190558
River Kwai Resotel55 Moo 5, Wang Kachae, Saiyok, Kanchanaburi 71150.  Tel. & Fax. (01) 2156402