Thailand & River Kwai for Christmas

Day 1/2 Wednesday 21/Thursday 22 December 2022

Depart UK, arrive Bangkok

Upon arrival in Bangkok and after immigration and luggage claim, you will be met with our local representative at the arrival hall and transferred to your hotel for check in and enjoy rest of the day at leisure.

Evening Tour Manohra Dinner Cruise

Step aboard a beautifully restored antique rice barge and cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Pass along famous royal sites, exquisite temples and striking modern landmarks as you dine on fine Thai cuisine at one of the best river dinner cruises. Float down the River of Kings on a beautifully restored rice barge. Revel in old world splendour over two unforgettable hours of fine cuisine and magnificent culture. Savour exquisite tastes and cocktails accompanied by a unique view of Bangkok.

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a trip on the River of Kings. Combining old world splendour and luxurious modern comfort, Manohra Cruises, one of the best river cruises in Bangkok, offers unforgettable heritage journeys along this legendary waterway. Board a lovingly restored antique rice barge from Anantara Riverside Bangkok’s private pier. Embark on a river voyage like no other, sauntering past the capital’s contemporary landmarks, striking bridges and iconic cultural sites including the Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho and Grand Palace. Relish heartfelt Thai hospitality and world class service as you savour divine menus. Immerse in unique journeys of discovery for dinner.

Meals included: Thai Set Dinner

Accommodation              Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok (Grand Deluxe Room River View)

                                               https://www.chatrium.com/chatriumriversidebangkok/

Day 3 Friday 23 December 2022

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning Tour Thonburi Klongs (Canals)

One of the best ways to explore Bangkok is by boat. A cruise along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals of Thonburi on the east side of the river reveals a scene that offers a stark contrast to the frenzied activity of the modern metropolis of Bangkok. The city’s network of canals earned Bangkok the title of “Venice of the East” we travel along these waterways by long-tail boat to witness a more traditional way of Thai life up close. You will be delighted to discover such a level of tranquillity as you drift past old wooden homes on stilts, Buddhist temples and shrines and small family businesses along the “Klongs” of Bangkok. On the return journey, we stop at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) whose towering spire has become an iconic symbol of Bangkok. There will be ample opportunities to photograph the magnificent multi-coloured porcelain-studded tower of this temple.

Afternoon Tour Grand Palace & Wat Po

The Grand Palace is the “must see” attraction in Bangkok. It is an architectural wonder of golden stupas, walls and pillars encrusted in shining and colourful mosaics and mural paintings. Previously the residence of past Kings of Thailand, you will see palaces once used for different occasions; the Reception Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Throne Hall, the Royal Guest House and Wat Phra Kaew. The architecture is predominantly Thai, though there are some European influences. The palace served as the official residence of kings of Thailand from the 18th to the mid-20th century. The most famous building within the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew and this is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The main temple building houses the sacred Emerald Buddha. The Buddha is carved from a single piece of jade and is the most revered object in Thailand. Continue to Wat Po, with its massive reclining Buddha. Equally spectacular, one of the largest temple complexes in the city and home to a colossal reclining Buddha that is 46 meters long, covered in gold leaf. The temple garden contains a Bodhi tree grown from a cutting of an original tree in India under which the Lord Buddha sat while awaiting enlightenment

Lunch and Dinner is under your own arrangement

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation              Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok (Grand Deluxe Room River View)

Day 4 Saturday 24 December 2022

Breakfast at your hotel

Full Day Tour Ayutthaya by Road (Incl. local long tail boat)

This excursion takes you to Bang Pa-In, the former Royal Summer Residence of King Rama V. A number of impressive buildings can be found in the palace complex consists of a quaint mixture of European and Thai architecture. Continue by road or river to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, the former Thai capital for 417 years and one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen around the city and Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong. A total of 33 kings of five dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. The UNESCO-listed city includes attractions such Wat Mahathat, and be amazed by the famous Buddha head in the banyan tree, Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch with a three spire pagoda; the large Buddha image of Phra Mongkol Bophit; and Wat Chaiya Mongkol. Lunch will be served and continue to cruise the waterways around Ayutthaya by long tail boat, taking in the incredible sights of the city. Drifting along the river you will pass local communities, traditional Thai style houses and more famous monuments. Return to Bangkok by road.

Christmas Eve’s Gala Dinner at hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Gala Dinner

Accommodation              Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok (Grand Deluxe Room River View)

Day 5 Sunday 25 December 2022 Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Breakfast at your hotel for an early pick up. Depart to Kanchanaburi, our first visit of the day is the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre an interactive museum and research centre, here you will find information dedicated to preserving the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Then on to visit Allied War Cemetery and pay respect to the memorial to some 6,000 allied prisoner of war who perished during the construction of the Death Railway and were moved post-war to this eternal resting place. Visit the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai, a part of Death Railway constructed by Allied POWs in World War II and had seen its share of conflict and bloodshed. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant. After lunch continue to the Hellfire Pass Memorial, a part of the Death Railway, was built cruelly by prisoners of war during the World War II. The pass is no longer in use and it becomes the museum to exhibit related tools and photographs about the historical event to remind people the importance of world peace. Take a long–tailed boat on River Kwai to the River Kwai Resotel and check-in. In the evening enjoy dinner and overnight at River Kwai Resotel.

Dinner and overnight at River Kwai Jungle Rafts.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation              River Kwai Jungle Rafts (Floating Raft Room)

                                               https://www.riverkwaijunglerafts.com/

Day 6 Monday 26 December 2022

Breakfast at your hotel

We re-join our long-tailed boats to take us on an exciting boat ride upstream to Saiyoke National Park, it's a bucolic place of walking trails amid mixed forests of bamboo, evergreen and deciduous greenery. Then, visit the Mon tribal village, where the Mon people have lived for generations. Visit the Golden Rock, Buddha image cave and village school. Take a short walk on easy jungle trail along the River bank to get to the stunning viewpoint of River Kwai. Lunch at your local restaurant (or return to your hotel for lunch if book seat-in-coach tour) before visiting Lawa Cave and exploring the fascinating stalactite in the afternoon and there’s a chance to spot Khun Kitti, the smallest bat in the world with a span-world of 10 cm and a weight of less than 2 gram.

Dinner at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation              River Kwai Jungle Rafts (Floating Raft Room)

Day 7 Tuesday 27 December 2022. Kanchanaburi – Hua Hin

An early breakfast at your hotel then take a long–tailed boat downstream to Phutakien Pier and continue on road. Lunch at local restaurant and enjoy an experiential train ride along the famous Death Railway that excitedly runs through the rock-cutting passage over the wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs. After the tour, you will be transferred overland approx. 3.30 – 4 hours to your hotel in Hua Hin for check in and enjoy rest of the day at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation              Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa (Deluxe Garden View Room)

https://www.anantara.com

Day 8-12 Wednesday 28 December 2022 – Sunday 01 January 2023

At Leisure. Enjoy the many facilities of your resort.

Meals included: Breakfast + Gala Dinner on New Years Eve

Day 13/14 Monday 02 January - Tuesday 03 January 2023. Hua Hin – Bangkok - Departure

Breakfast at your hotel.

Enjoy the morning at your leisure before heading back to Bangkok for your flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast