Self-Guided Day Tour to Koh Samet Island from Bangkok

Bangkok Canal Tour and Chinatown

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 Phra Nakhon Walking Tour with Wat Suthat

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.

Mangrove Forest Conservation Centre

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.

Exploring Local Life with Maeklong Railway Market

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.

Railway and Floating Markets Tour 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.

Bangkok Royal Grand Palace Group Tour with Skip-the-line Entrance

If there's one thing you must see while in Bangkok, it's the architectural masterpiece known as the Royal Grand Palace. This half-day group tour with skip-the-line admission sees you exploring almost every corner of the palace complex with a guide and soaking up royal history, including the Wat Phra Kaew – the temple that houses the revered Emerald Buddha.Until 1925, the palace was the official royal residence for the Kings of Siam and their governments. And as you tread past its collection of pavilions and golden spires, you'll be transported back in time. You'll also visit the elaborately decorated Royal Chapel – or Wat Phra Kaew – and see the Emerald Buddha, carved from a solid piece of jade.You'll have plenty of time to admire the palace's ornate architecture, whose intricacy and richness never fails to impress. To round off the tour, you'll head to a lapidary factory to browse handicrafts, jewellery and silk products.

Bangkok Canals & Wat Arun Tour

An afternoon away from the skyscrapers and big city life. On this cultural excursion, you'll enjoy a river cruise along the bustling river and backwaters of Bangkok's canals. Watch as people go about their life on the klongs and then visit Wat Arun – the vast riverside Temple of Dawn.

Bangkok Temples Tour

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, with around 95% of Thais practising the Theravada discipline of Buddhism. So it's not unusual to see monks walking the streets of Bangkok. This half-day tour takes you to Bangkok's three most sacred and significant temples – Wat Pho, Wat Traimit and Wat Benchamabophit.First up is Wat Traimit, known as the temple of the Golden Buddha, which protects a 3m tall Buddha statue crafted from more than 5 tons of solid gold. Then, it's onward to the second temple of the day – Wat Pho. It is known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha because of its large statues, which at an 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height, is the largest in the city.The day's final temple is Wat Benchamabophit – the ‘Temple of the Fifth King' – which is famed for its intricate Italian marble detail. To round off the tour, there's a visit to a lapidary factory, where you can browse handicrafts, jewellery and silk.

Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise by White Orchid

The ‘city of angels and nine gems' is also a city with the round-the-clock sightseeing. And this evening tour of Bangkok is no different. You'll cruise down the Chao Phraya River with the twinkle of the city in the background, and tuck into a tasty buffet dinner on board during this romantic evening cruise.

Don Wai Market and Boat Trip

Don Wai market has become something of a star in recent years. It's authentically Thai – there's lots of noise, colour, flavour and a few weird eats. And as it's a bit off the tourist radar, you can explore without the crowds – except locals, that is. To round off this genuine Thai morning, there's also a boat trip on the Tha Chin River.