Discovering the Kingdoms of Ancient Thailand

Depart Bangkok on a 1hr drive to Ayutthaya, the city which served as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the centre of Thailand between the 14th and 18th centuries. Visiting Ayutthaya Historical Park, which were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. It is home to the ruins of Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a former royal temple and Wat Mahathat, which is best known for a stone Buddha whose head is entwined in tree roots. Each step through Ayutthaya is a stroll through time, where the stories of the past gracefully intersect with the present. After an inspiring exploration of Ayutthaya’s cultural treasures, your journey continues with a return drive to the Khao Yai area. Along the way, indulge in the flavors of Thai cuisine at a local restaurant.

The day begins with a trip to the ancient city of Si Thep. Si Thep was one of the most important and powerful cities in the Dvaravati kingdom of the Mon people of Central Thailand. Its long history, stretching from a humble settlement in the 3^rd century to a thriving city at the height of the Angkorian period of the Khmer Empire in the 13^th century made it a vital cultural centre, the importance of which was recognised when UNESCO added it to the register of World Heritage Sites in 2023. Visiting Si Thep is an immersive experience, revealing corridors of history that few have a chance to walk and fewer still can forget. One part of the adventure concluded, the next leads us to the peaceful city of Phitsanulok, one of Thailand’s most important centres of pilgrimage, for lunch, leisure, and an overnight stay.

Our final day begins with a visit to Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, known locally as Wat Yai which is home to one of Thailand’s most revered bronze Buddhas: The Phra Buddha Chinnarat. From the Buddha’s gilded, golden hall, we proceed to Sukhothai Historical Park. Home to the remnants of the Sukhothai Kingdom of the 13^th and 14^th centuries, the park was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1991 alongside Ayutthaya. The kingdom is mainly remembered for its distinctive architectural style whose elaborate silhouettes are still favoured to this day. Adorned with reflective pools and luxuriant vegetation, Sukhothai intoxicates all senses, leaving visitor delighted and mesmerised. A hearty lunch follows at your hotel in the nearby town of Sukhothai Thani.

Our final day is kept for leisure until your departure for the airport and your next adventure.