Ampawa Cultural Boat & Biking Tour

2 days -- from USD 450 per person

Explore an amazing network of 330 canals and 109 temples by bike and boat and see true Thai culture up close and personal.

Day 1 - Bangkok - Ampawa

07.00 a.m. Depart from Bangkok by private air-conditioned transfer to Tha Kha district at Amphur Ampawa in Samut Songkram province.

09.00 a.m. Start the biking tour on which you will explore the green areas along both sides of different canals: fruit orchards, vegetable plantations, etc. During the tour we stop to visit Tao Tan, a place where local coconut sugar is produced, and Wat Chulamanee, an ancient temple with wonderful mural paintings constructed since the beginning of Ayuthaya era (14th – 18th century). Inside the main teak wooden residence of the temple, you can find the natural mummified Buddhist priest in a glass coffin.

Next, visit the house of traditional Thai Five-coloured porcelains (Bencharong) where you can see the production workshop of Thai tableware. After that, cycle along the Ampawa canal and experience the charming ambience of local ancient Thai houses with the tranquil life of local people. Arrive the Ampawa Municipality pier where the biking tour ends and refresh yourself on a short windy journey by boat to have lunch at a local restaurant situated on the riverbank. After lunch a short transfer by boat brings you to the Baan Tai Haad resort. Check in and free time at leisure.

07.00 p.m. Enjoy an exciting boat trip by night on the Maeklong River where you may have the opportunity to see fireflies and sleeping birds on various trees or active fishermen who go fishing at night.

Overnight at Baan Tai Haad Resort.

Day 2 - Ampawa - Bangkok (Breakfast)

After breakfast at the resort, depart by boat and sail along the Maeklong River; visit Tang Seng Ha Museum, a private local museum with a collection of antique household items and objects found in the Maeklong River since the Ayuthaya Kingdom. Then, visit Wat Bang Kung situated in the Bang Kung navy camp, which was built as a moral support to the army of Ayuthaya king. Inside the temple, you can see an ancient latter and the assembly hall, which is supported by a bodhi tree and a banyan tree, which prevent it from falling down.

Next, visit Wat Bangkae Noi where you find an amazing interior teak wood-carvings on the main chamber walls with stories of Buddha's illumination. After that, visit the King Rama II Park, this five square kilometre large park has been erected to commemorate the "Poet King" and patron of the arts. It is a riverside garden believed to have been the birthplace of King Rama II.

A group of typical Thai Houses has been constructed in the park and converted to a museum. An interesting collection of music instruments, beautiful masks and various household items, used by the King can be found as well as a statue of King Rama II and an exhibition of his works. Trees and plants of all species found in Thai literature are grown throughout the area.

Depart Samut Songkram by private air-conditioned transfer to Bangkok with arrival around 1 p.m.