Thailand offers a wealth of opportunities to explore its ancient past during visits to Bangkok and Ayutthaya. At the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the archaeological ruins of palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. In Bangkok, experience a traditional Thai dinner and dance performance, visit the spectacular Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and take a private boat-cruise along the Chao Phraya River and peaceful canals. Following a scenic drive to Ayutthaya, explore this mid-14th-century city during visits to three temple ruins. Included are the Wat Maha That Temple, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the most important temple in the Royal Grand Palace compound, Afterward, transfer to Bangkok and proceed to the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel for check-in. This evening, embark a boat and ride to the Sala Rim Naam restaurant for a traditional Thai dinner accompanied by a classical Thai dance performance. Following an overnight stay at the hotel, take a tuk tuk-ride to the spectacular, late-18th-century Grand Palace. Upon arrival, take a walking tour through the Royal Palace Grounds and Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siam Court and former residence of the kings of Thailand. The vast grounds encompass over 100 buildings, including the Grand Palace. Next, visit the adjoining Temple of the Emerald Buddha to see the revered Emerald Buddha image. Your tour continues with a private boat-cruise along the Chao Phraya River and peaceful canals. En route, observe local residents living and working along the water, then pass by the Temple of Dawn, a magnificent temple and one of Bangkok's most recognised landmarks. Your boat-cruise ends at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel's pier. Upon arrival, disembark the boat and proceed for check-out and lunch at the hotel. Your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes on Day Two with lunch at the hotel, followed by a scenic drive back to Laem Chabang. Upon arrival, head to the pier and embark the ship.
01MIDLMC-C Ayutthaya and Bangkok overnight
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Departs from: Laem Chabang on the 14th November 2019
Re-join ship: Laem Chabang on the 15th November 2019
Reserve by: 90 Days Prior to the Start of the Cruise
IMPORTANT NOTE
This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.
Payment-in-full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.
VISA INFORMATION:
No visa is required
LOCAL CURRENCY:
The local currency is the Thai Baht; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels.
Discover the legacy, culture, traditions and lifestyles of Thailand during this fascinating, one-night overland excursion to the Ayutthaya Historical Park and Bangkok.
DAY ONE - Thursday, November 14, 2019 - Laem Chabang/Ayutthaya/Bangkok
Scenic Drive from Laem Chabang to Ayutthaya City, with a stop at the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Depart Laem Chabang Port for the scenic, approximately 2.5-hour drive to the historic city of Ayutthaya. En route, a stop is made for a visit the beautiful Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, formerly a popular summer retreat for Thai kings. Upon arrival, marvel at Bang Pa-In's captivating collection of exquisite pavilions built in a variety of Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian architectural styles, and encircled by a beautiful garden and lake.
Lunch at the Krungsri River Hotel, and a visit to the spectacular Ayutthaya Historical Park
Next, proceed for lunch at the Krungsri River Hotel. After lunch, re-board your coach and head to the spectacular Ayutthaya Historical Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a superb testament to true national Thai art. The second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and flourished from the 14th-18th centuries
Exploration of three temple ruins
Upon arrival, stops are made at three temple ruins. First, a visit is made to the Wat Maha That Temple, whose original construction included a high pagoda that was destroyed by Burmese invaders. From here, continue on to Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The most important temple within the Royal Grand Palace compound, Wat Phra Si Samphet is the equivalent of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok's Royal Grand Palace. The last stop on your tour is the Wat Chaiwatthanaram with its large prang and pagodas, most of which have retained their original shapes.
Transfer to Bangkok and check-in at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel
At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive to Bangkok. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel to freshen-up before dinner.
Boat-transfer to the Sala Rim Naam restaurant, Thai dinner and classical Thai dance performance
This evening, embark a boat for the short transfer to the Sala Rim Naam restaurant. Upon arrival, your Thai dining experience features a choice of traditional Thai dishes accompanied by a classical Thai dance performance. At the conclusion of your visit, embark the boat for the short ride back to the hotel's pier.
Overnight accommodations in a Deluxe Room at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok.
DAY TWO - Friday,November 15, 2019 - Bangkok/Laem Chabang
Tuk tuk-ride from the hotel to the spectacular Grand Palace
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the scenic, approximately 30-minute transfer to the Grand Palace via Bangkok's typical taxi, an open-air, motorised tricycle called a tuk tuk. Upon arrival, then proceed for a visit to Bangkok's greatest treasure, the late-18th-century Grand Palace. Take a guided, 1.5-hour walking tour through the Royal Palace Grounds and Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siam Court and former residence of the kings of Thailand. The vast grounds encompass over 100 buildings, including the Grand Palace.
Visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Next, a visit is made to the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which adjoins the Grand Palace and houses the revered image of the 23-inch-high (58-centimetre-high) Emerald Buddha. This jade statue is enshrined in a glass case, and perched on a pedestal high above the worshippers. Extensive murals line the inside walls of the compound, and the colourful temple structures feature gilded stupas, polished orange-and-green-tiled roofs, mosaic-encrusted pillars and rich marble pediments.
Private boat-cruise along the Chao Phraya River and peaceful canals, and past the Temple of Dawn
Leaving the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, walk to the boat landing and embark a private boat for a cruise along the Chao Phraya River and through some of the more peaceful canals. En route, observe local residents living and working along the water, and view the spectacular Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), a magnificent temple and one of Bangkok's most recognised landmarks.
Check-out and lunch at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel
Your boat-cruise ends at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel's pier. Upon arrival, disembark the boat and proceed for check-out and lunch at the hotel.
After lunch, depart for the approximately 2.5-hour drive back to Laem Chabang Port. Upon arrival at the pier, embark your ship.
Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure involves an extensive amount of driving and walking for approximately 1.5 miles (about 2.4 kilometres), at times over uneven, slippery and natural surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and tuk tuk, embark/disembark the boat, and at the sites visited. This tour is suitable for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests prone to seasickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, a light jacket, camera, and any necessary medication from the ship. Proper attire is required to enter the Grand Palace and Bang Pa-In Summer Palace; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted, and skirts must cover the knees. Tight or see-through blouses are not permitted, even if a jacket is worn over them. Tight-fitting trousers or leggings are not permitted, and trousers must be full-length to cover the ankles. Shoes must be removed when entering into the main chapel of the Emerald Buddha image. Also for dinner at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, ladies are kindly asked to wear elegant attire and proper footwear, and gentlemen are kindly asked to wear a smart shirt, long trousers and closed shoes. Video and still cameras are allowed within the grounds of the Grand Palace, but photography is not permitted inside the buildings. Avoid bringing valuables (such as jewellery or large amounts of cash) on this tour. Expect crowds and long lines at the Grand Palace. The tour sequence may vary.
Programme Includes:
- One-night stay in a Deluxe Room at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok
- One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner (lunch includes choice of two local beers, soft drinks, bottled water; beverage at dinner also includes house wine)
- Guide services
- Lunch at the Krungsri River Hotel
- Lunch at the Peninsula Bangkok Hotel
- Thai dinner and classical Thai dance performance at the Sala Rim Naam restaurant
- Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha image
- Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Ayutthaya's Temple ruins
- Private boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River
- Tuk tuk-ride
Not Included:
Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.