Temples of Bangkok and Grand Palace half-day guided tour

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.

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.

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 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.

Ayutthaya Historical Park Tour

Before there was Thailand, there were Ayutthaya and Siam. These two kingdoms have left a wealth of ancient cities and palaces. And this excursion takes you to the most impressive – Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hemmed in by the Chao Phraya River, it was the capital until invaders destroyed it. Get the lowdown on ruins such as Wat Lokayasutharam – which has the largest reclining Buddha in the world – and Wat Mahathat, with its iconic Buddha's head devoured by fig tree roots. Then, on the riverboat back, you'll enjoy a buffet lunch and see top Bangkok sights from a new perspective.

Damnoen Saduak Floating & Maeklong Railway Markets Tour

Magical markets and fantastic food – this is Thailand in a nutshell. On this colourful tour, you'll visit the floating market of Damnoen and the famous Maeklong Railway market.Arriving at Damonen floating market, you'll hop into a long-tailed boat and join the congested canals of colourful canoes. Laden with fresh produce, vendors float downstream selling to throngs of shoppers on the banks. The perfect place to practice your bargaining skills.Moving on, we'll head to the Maeklong Railway market. Here, rows of stalls set up on the tracks and shut shop as soon as they hear the trains approaching. And when they pass, it's back to business as usual – a real Thai spectacle.