- Spanish-speaking guide for the full day
- All temple entrance fees
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- River ferry and long-tail boat through the canals
- Dinner on a rooftop terrace
- Drinking water throughout the day
Excursion · 1 day
small group
local guide
Bangkok gives a poor first impression. It is hot, loud and enormous, and most visitors spend their first day in traffic wondering what they have done. This tour is designed to fix that on day one.
We start early at the Grand Palace, before the heat and the crowds, walking through the courtyards of the royal compound to the Emerald Buddha, the most revered image in the country and smaller than almost anyone expects. A short walk away is Wat Pho, home to the reclining Buddha and to the school where Thai massage was formalised, and a far quieter place to spend an hour.
In the afternoon we swap the streets for the water. Bangkok was built as a river city and still makes far more sense from a boat than from a taxi. We cross the Chao Phraya to Wat Arun, climb as far up the central spire as visitors are allowed, and then take a slow boat through the canals on the Thonburi side, where wooden houses sit directly on the water and life carries on much as it did before the roads arrived.
The day ends above it all, with dinner on a rooftop as the sun goes down and the city switches on. It is the moment most guests remember, and the reason we schedule the day in this order rather than the other way round.
Groups are capped at 20, and everything is guided in Spanish.
We meet in the old town, close to the palace. Full directions and a map are sent with your confirmation.
We enter as the gates open. Around two hours inside the compound, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Modest dress is required and enforced at the entrance; details below.
A ten minute walk to the reclining Buddha, the courtyards of stupas, and the massage school. Optional traditional massage here at your own cost if you would rather rest than walk.
Thai lunch at a local restaurant near the river. Vegetarian and non-spicy options always available; tell us about allergies when you book.
Cross the river by public ferry, which takes four minutes and costs almost nothing, and spend an hour at the temple of dawn. The climb up the steep steps is optional.
A long-tail boat through the Thonburi klongs and back along the main river, roughly ninety minutes on the water.
Dinner on a rooftop terrace as the sun sets, with time to stay for the view afterwards.
The tour ends at the restaurant. Your guide will help arrange transport back to your hotel.
What we get asked most often before booking this program.
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