3 Days Starter Package in Bangkok

Private transfer airport Bangkok - hotel Bangkok

Upon arrival in Bangkok private transfer to your hotel in the center of Bangkok. On the way to the hotel you will get your first impressions of the immense metropolis of Bangkok. Once the vast suburbs give way to the crackling of many tuk-tuks, colorful food stalls everywhere and smiling Thai people you will feel like in another world. After check-in the day is free at leisure.

Discover Bangkok

In the morning you will be picked up at the hotel for the Grand Palace & Temples of Bangkok tour. Wat Phra Kaew, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, is Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple and a masterpiece of Thai religious architecture. The temple enshrines the Emerald Buddha, a highly revered statue carved from a single block of jade, clothed in gold seasonal robes by the King of Thailand. Surrounding the Emerald Buddha are exquisitely decorated buildings, pavilions, and golden chedis that reflect centuries of devotion and craftsmanship. The temple complex is adorned with intricate murals depicting scenes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana, and colorful guardian statues known as yakshas stand at the entrances, adding a dramatic and iconic flair. Visitors are captivated by the shimmering golden spires, detailed mosaics, and the serene atmosphere, which together create a powerful sense of spirituality and history.

The Grand Palace, built in 1782, was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (now Thailand) for over 150 years and remains a symbol of the Thai monarchy. The complex showcases dazzling architecture, ornate gates, and beautifully decorated halls, reflecting the grandeur and cultural richness of the kingdom. Please note that during the tour, we admire the palace building from the outside, as entry to the main building is not allowed.

From the Grand Palace we take a typical Thai tuk-tuk to nearby Wat Pho, or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is generally known to the Thai people. Wat Pho is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. At 20 acres large, it is the largest temple in Bangkok, and technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. It holds the dual honors of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in Thailand. The highly impressive reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The large grounds of Wat Pho contain more than 1000 Buddha images in total, most from the ruins of the former capitals Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.

We walk to a nearby pier and take a ferry across the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Here stands one of the most remarkable temples in Thailand, Wat Arun, named after Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn. The imposing central prang of Wat Arun rises more than 70 meters into the sky and has become one of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks. Surrounding this towering spire are four smaller satellite prangs, creating an elegant and perfectly balanced temple complex. What makes Wat Arun truly unique is its extraordinary decoration. The prangs are covered with thousands of tiny pieces of colored glass and delicate Chinese porcelain. These porcelain fragments originally arrived in Bangkok as ballast on trading ships from China and were later used to decorate the temple. As you walk closer, you’ll notice the intricate floral patterns, mythical figures and detailed ornaments that cover the entire structure.

Finally, we visit Pak Khlong Talat, the old flower market of Bangkok. This colorful and lively wholesale market is open 24 hours a day and offers a fascinating glimpse into local daily life. As you walk through the narrow lanes, you often have to step aside for mopeds and porters pushing carts piled high with fresh flowers. Much of the produce is destined for nearby temples, and throughout the market you will see vendors carefully crafting traditional flower garlands used as offerings. No matter what time you visit, the market is always bustling with activity. After exploring the flower market, the guide will bring you back to your hotel.

Visit the ancient capital Ayutthaya

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is a beautiful temple off the historical island. Highlights are its 60 meter tall bell shaped chedi and a Reclining Buddha.

Wat Mahathat was one of Ayutthaya's most important temples. Nowadays Ayutthaya is well-known because of the famous Buddha head entwined in the roots of an old Banyan tree.

Wat Ratchaburana is one of the most impressive temples in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and is connected to a dramatic moment in the kingdom’s history. The temple was built in 1424 by King Borommarachathirat II. According to historical chronicles, two of his elder brothers fought a fierce battle on elephant-back for the throne after their father’s death. Both princes were killed during the duel at the exact spot where the temple now stands. When Borommarachathirat II became king, he ordered Wat Ratchaburana to be constructed there to commemorate his brothers. The temple’s highlight is the impressive central prang, a tall Khmer-style tower symbolizing Mount Meru, the sacred center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. The prang rises high above the surrounding ruins and remains one of the most recognizable structures in Ayutthaya.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important temple of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and served as the royal temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located within the grounds of the former Royal Palace, it was used for important royal ceremonies and religious rituals, and unlike many other temples it had no resident monks. The temple is best known for the three impressive bell-shaped stupas standing in the center of the complex. These distinctive chedis contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings and have become one of the most iconic images of the historic city. During the height of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was considered the spiritual heart of the royal court. The temple once housed a magnificent standing Buddha image covered with gold, but it was destroyed when the city was invaded and largely ruined during the Burmese–Siamese War. Today, the impressive chedis and surrounding ruins remain a powerful reminder of the former glory of the Siamese capital.

Wat Lokayasutharam is one of the most remarkable temple sites in Ayutthaya, best known for its enormous Reclining Buddha statue. The temple dates back to the early Ayutthaya period, although much of the original complex was destroyed during the Burmese–Siamese War. The highlight is the massive reclining Buddha, about 42 meters long and 8 meters high. The statue represents the Buddha entering Nirvana and rests peacefully in the open air, draped in a bright saffron robe. Today only a few brick ruins of the original temple remain, which makes the giant Buddha lying quietly among the ruins even more impressive and atmospheric. Visitors often stop here to admire the statue and offer flowers or incense.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most impressive and photogenic temples in the ancient capital. The temple was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to commemorate his mother and to celebrate the power and prosperity of the Kingdom. The temple complex was designed following the concept of the great Khmer mountain temples of Angkor in present-day Cambodia. Located beautifully along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Chaiwatthanaram once formed an important religious center and royal temple. Although the complex was heavily damaged after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the majestic ruins that remain today still give a powerful impression of the grandeur of the former Siamese capital. After our exploration of Ayutthaya we can drop you off at your hotel in Ayutthaya (hotel not included in this package) or at the train station in Ayutthaya. Alternatively, we can drive back to Bangkok and drop you off at your hotel (hotel not included in this package), train station or airport.