Luxury private tour: top 3 temples, and Thai Buddhism Tradition

Half-day guided tour of Bangkok’s canals and Chinatown district

Bangkok is famed for its skyscrapers and fast-paced way of life but on this tour you'll explore a different side to the city. You'll sail down a bustling river and quiet canals to get a feel for the traditional way of life. After cruising along, you'll end up in Bangkok's busy Chinatown for a look around.

Bangkok’s Floating and Railway Markets with local community visit

Thailand's markets are a quintessential experience, and two of the most popular ones take centre stage on this full day tour. Explore a unique market on the railway at Maeklong and be embraced by the flavours of Amphawa Floating Market. Plus, there's a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community. Mook, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Amphawa is one of the most traditional floating markets around Bangkok, full of locals browsing and enjoying something to eat. It's my No.1 spot for Thai street food, so make sure you come with an appetite.'First on the agenda is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating from around 1905, this fresh produce market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls. After soaking up the sights and sounds at Maekong, it's time to head to a local restaurant for lunch.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping prepare ‘Kanom Thai' – a popular Thai dessert. Round things off with a visit to Amphawa Floating Market, where you'll have free time to browse the stalls and tuck into Thai street food while taking in views of the canals.

Meet Thai locals and tour Maeklong Railway Market with lunch

Thai railway markets are a quintessential experience, and the country's most popular one takes centre stage on this tour from Bangkok. Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Maeklong Railway Market and get a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community.First up is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating back to around 1905, this seafood market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping to prepare ‘Kanom Thai' - a popular Thai dessert. Round things off at a local restaurant where you'll tuck into a tasty lunch.

Wat Bang Kung temple visit and mangrove boat ride from Bangkok

Lying along the Gulf of Thailand, the province of Samut Songkhram is best known for its floating markets and swimming monkeys. This tour from Bangkok shines the spotlight on two of the area's top attractions - Wat Bang Kung Buddhist temple and Khlong Khon Mangrove Conservation Centre.While Thailand has many Buddhist temples to visit, Wat Bang Kung is one of the most iconic. Swamped by the roots and branches of a huge Banyan tree, it's like nothing you've seen before. It's believed that the ancient temple was built over 300 years ago, as it houses paintings from the late Ayutthaya period. Inside, discover the famous golden Nila Manee Buddha statue, which many locals visit daily to worship. Then take a relaxing stroll along the Mae Klong river.Up next is the Mangrove Forest Conservation Centre in the coastal village of Khlong Khon. You'll board a longtail boat and cruise through mangroves, getting up close and personal to wild monkeys that patrol the river banks. Some of the cheeky creatures may even swim up to the boat to greet you. The tour ends with a tasty seafood lunch served at a local restaurant.

Bangkok temples and shrines small group walking tour

Discovering Bangkok's temples and history is just one part of this walking tour. You'll see unexplored corners of the city and delve right into local culture as you navigate Wat Saket, Wat Suthat and the ‘Giant Swing'. Prasit, one of our local guides, says, ‘The 37 golden spires of Loha Prasat represent the 37 requisites of enlightenment. These are stages in Buddhist teachings that must be achieved before attaining enlightenment.'Kick off at the temple of Wat Ratchanatdaram, best known for Loha Prasat, one of the few bronze-roofed palaces in the world. Then you'll visit the Golden Mount, just a short walk away, where you'll find Wat Saket. Climb the 344 steps up the golden chedi for views over old Bangkok. Prasit adds, ‘Wat Saket is an important landmark that sits on the only hill in Bangkok, and it holds great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. The stairs are long but they take you up to the top for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island.'Then, it's on to the Giant Swing – or Sao Ching Cha – and Wat Suthat, one of the most important temples from the Rattanakosin era. Prasit says, ‘Wat Suthat is my favourite temple. It stands out because the interior is richly decorated with murals of Thai life and faith. In the centre, above statues of praying monks, sits a giant golden Buddha.' After our visit, we'll have a coffee break before pressing on to San Chao Pho Suea, the ‘Tiger God Shrine'. And lastly, we'll walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to end the tour.

Royal Grand Palace and Bangkok temples tour

Bangkok's royal and spiritual riches dazzle on this cultural tour. Visit the Grand Palace as well as the beautiful Wat Pho and Wat Traimit temples, where the star attractions are Buddha statues – each one special in its own way.The morning kicks off at the Grand Palace, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Wander round the courtyards, temples, pagodas and gardens but make sure to visit the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha – home to a Buddha statue carved from one piece of solid, translucent jade. Next, you'll then head to the city's oldest temple, Wat Pho, famed for its huge Reclining Buddha. Next up is Wat Traimit. Here, you'll find the Golden Buddha, with an intriguing story to tell. Weighing as much as an elephant, this solid gold statue is believed to be about seven centuries old though it was only in 1954 that it was discovered to be made of gold. You'll round off the tour with a stop to a local lapidary factory to see authentic handicraft.

Damnernsaduak Floating Market, Grand Palace and Wat Po

Dive into Bangkok's best bits with this group tour. Start the day on a sweet note at a Coconut Sugar Farm, where you'll uncover the secrets behind coconut sugar – and of course, taste some fresh samples. Next, you'll hop aboard a long-tail boat to the lively Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Imagine drifting past vibrant stalls on boats, brimming with fresh fruits, snacks, and local delights – perfect for a photo op. After a tasty local lunch, you'll explore the Royal Grand Palace – it's an oriental masterpiece featuring golden temples and lush gardens that shout royalty. Inside, you'll be amazed by the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade – a true royal gem. To cap things off, you'll pop by a local jewellery factory where you can pick up unique handicrafts and silk at steal-worthy prices. And, don't miss Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, where the massive reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf will make your Instagram feed pop.

Bangkok by night with dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Settle in for a laidback night out along the Chao Phraya River. As your boat glides along the river, the city shows off its evening glow. You'll pass by important temples, bridges, and more that Bangkok has to offer. You've got a buffet included, as well, with a variety of international dishes on the menu, from seafood to easy comfort bites. Plus, you can expect music and traditional Thai performances on board. This is a really relaxed way to see Bangkok from a different angle.

Bangkok Canals and Flower Market

Thailand's markets come in all shapes and sizes – and this full-day tour dives right into the action. First up is Ladplee, Thailand's first floating market, and the oldest one around. It's for the history and the hypes, and trust us, it delivers. Picture colourful canoes drifting by, piled high with fresh fruit, snacks, and local goodies – perfect for snapping those Insta-worthy shots. Next, you'll cruise through Bangkok's canals to the lively Damnoen Floating Market, where the energy is just as electric. Then, it's off to Wat Bang Kung, an ancient temple that looks like it's been plucked straight from a movie set, completely enveloped by jungle vines. After a tasty seafood lunch, you'll have time to wave at the cheeky monkeys when you stop by the Mangrove Conservation Centre. And, for the grand finale, we'll hit the Maeklong Railway Market—where stalls are literally set up on the train tracks. Sounds wild, right? Just wait until you see them clear out in the nick of time as the train rolls through, then everything goes right back to business. This is one Thai adventure you won't want to miss.

Dinner cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River

Float past the Grand Palace of Bangkok, lit up in all its glory, on this evening dinner cruise. As you wind your way north up the Chao Phraya River, you'll take in views of historic landmarks and golden temples left, right and centre. Then, you'll reach the Rama VII Bridge, which is a polar opposite with the modern buildings that rub shoulders with it. Its colourful lights reflect off the water at night, creating a beautiful setting for you to relax and watch the Thai cabaret show onboard as you're served a typical Thai buffet.