Dubbed “ The Oriental Express of the river” this vassals is a 20 –meter-long
rice barge that has been carefully restored and lavishly converted into a
ultra-deluxe river cruiser Designed for up to four couples, Anantara Overnight
Cruise explores Thailand famous Menam Chao Phraya in unmatched luxury and
comfort.
ITINERARY: Depart on Monday-Wednesday & Thursday-Saturday
Day 01: Bangkok – Ayutthaya (L, D)
09:00am Pick up from hotel to pier
10:00am Depart from the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa Pier
located in front of the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa (currently known
as Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa). Once on board you will meet the crew who will
be looking after you on your trip. Cold towel with lemongrass aroma and chilled
fresh fruit cocktail will be waiting for you.
10:50am Arrive at the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun as it is otherwise
known. This is one of the best known temples in Bangkok and dates back to the
ancient Ayutthaya period. The tall, elongated central Khmer-style tower is
surrounded by four minor towers, which symbolise Mount Meru, the earthly
representation of the thirty-three heavens. Here you will find pavilions
containing statues of the Buddha at the most important stages of life. The
beautiful architecture and fine craftsmanship mark Wat Arun as one of the most
remarkable temples in Thailand. We will stop here for a short guided tour and
depart at 11:30am. There is also a chance to have your fortune told here.
11:50am Arrive at the Royal Barges National Museum. This is one of
Bangkok’s most fascinating sights and something you will not see anywhere else
in the world. The museum is home to an incredible collection of gilded and
ornately decorated boats with magnificently carved prows. His Majesty the King’s
personal barge, Suphannahongse, can be seen here. Built in 1911 to resemble a
mythical swan, the boat is 46 metres long and was carved from a single tree. All
the barges are unique and incredible works of craftsmanship.
01:00pm Lunch underway. Enjoy our Thai cuisine prepared by your
personal on-board chef. Shortly after your lunch, the Anantara Song will pass
the island of Koh Kret in Nonthaburi Province, an island which was ‘man-made’ in
the last 100 years when a canal was built to shorten the journey around a
circuitous bend in the river. The island is populated by the Mon people, one of
Thailand’s many ethnic minority groups, who use the river’s fine clay to produce
earthenware pots. Spend the afternoon relaxing on board, watching the vignettes
of river life unfold as they float by.
04:00pm A traditional English afternoon tea with selections of cookies,
pastries and teas will be served.
04:30pm A quick stop at Wat Pathum Khong Ka to feed the fish – a simple
way of gaining merit and good luck. This promotes the Buddhist cycle of life by
feeding the fish so they in turn can produce life. Some of these carp fish are
giants!
05:00pm Arrive at Wat Samakkeeyaram, where we can watch the sun set and
then moor for the night.
07:00pm Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite stateroom and then
return to the deck for aperitifs and Thai canapés.
08:00pm With Wat Samakkeeyaram, as a dramatic backdrop, a traditional
Thai dinner will be served. Relax on deck with a glass of wine or digestif
before retiring to your stateroom for your first night on the river.
Overnight on the luxury river cruise
Day 02: Ayutthaya (B, L, D)
08:30am An early start and chance to make merit with the Monks of Wat
Samakkeeyaram and tour the temple. Thai Buddhists believe that by making merit,
they earn happiness, peace in life and the chance to progress in their next
life. Making merit with the Monks is a wonderfully harmonious way to start the
day.
09:00am Freshly prepared continental breakfast is served. Recline on a
deck lounger and watch the river life float past while cruising up the Chao
Phraya River through the Thai country side.
01.00pm Mediterranean set lunch served under steam.
02:00pm Anantara Song arrives at Wat Panancherng to begin your tour.
Wat Panancherng is an old monastery housing Thailand’s largest ancient Buddha
image. This image, known as Luang Po To was made in 1344. The Chinese revere
this image as their God Protector since much of the sailing done then was by the
Chinese.
Limousine with guide will then transfer you to within Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World
Heritage site. The ancient capital was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and it
was from here that the Siamese ruled their Kingdom for 417 years. You will
spend the afternoon exploring Ayutthaya in the company of our expert guide.
There will even be a chance for you to experience riding on the back of an
elephant. As Ayutthaya is such a large area, the limousine driver will wait for
you and take you on a tour of the outer areas of the ancient city.
05:30pm The limousine will transfer you to Bang Pa In, one of the 16
districts of Ayutthaya where you will rejoin the Anantara Song. Along the way,
you may wish to buy a bag of fish or a cage of small birds for you to release
back to nature. This is a wonderful gesture and makes merit.
Across from Bang Pa In is Wat Niwet Thammaprawat - one of the most intriguing
Buddhist temples – and this is where we will moor for the night. Wat Niwet
Thammaprawat was constructed at the command of King Rama V in 1878, in the style
of an English Gothic church. The temple’s stained glass windows and unusual
architecture makes it one of the most distinctive Buddhist temples anywhere in
Thailand.
07:00pm Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite stateroom and then
return to the deck for aperitifs and Thai canapés.
08:00pm A traditional Thai dinner will be served on deck.
Overnight on the luxury river cruise
Day 03: Ayutthaya - Bangkok (B, L)
08:00am Freshly prepared breakfast.
09:00am Your personal guide will meet you at Anantara Song and begin
the tour of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat.
09:30am From Wat Niwet Thammaprawat it is a short walk to the Bang Pa
In Summer Palace. The original palace was built by King Prasat Thong on the
island and was used as a country residence for the later kings of the Ayutthaya
period. However, after the capital moved to Bangkok, Bang Pa In was abandoned
for 80 years, to be revived by King Rama V. He commanded the construction of
addition buildings - theatres, temples and monuments - in a mixture of European,
Chinese and Thai styles. We will explore the palace grounds by electric carts
although the site can be easily walked.
10:30am Depart to Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center with
limousine transfer and guide where you enjoy the patronage of Her Majesty the
Queen. Here you can see a variety of Thai houses in regional styles and see how
Thailand’s rural people make handicrafts such as fern basketry, silk flowers,
hand-woven silk. Return to Bangkok hotel
Hotel
accommodation as specific or similar, base on twin sharing Private
car/mini van All entrance
fees English speaking guide. Other languages can be arranged upon request All meals
as per program
Exclusive:
Domestic &
International flight and all airport taxes
Drinks, except otherwise mentioned Insurance Personal
expenses & Tips Thailand
Visa
Luxury hotels
Hotel
accommodation as specific or similar, base on twin sharing
