Experience Bangkok's Temples & River of Kings

Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:

This tour hires local longtail boatmen who own their own boats directly. These boatmen rely on tourism to supplement their income as modern transport routes mean fewer locals need to use their boats.

Forget your guidebook — the real stuff comes from the mouths of the locals! Explore some famous landmarks as well as hidden gems on this Bangkok day tour that takes you through the city by boat and on foot. You’ll begin this Bangkok tour by walking to the pier, where you’ll board a longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings. The name of the river perfectly reflects this part of the tour; you’ll feel like royalty on your relaxing journey! This river is also the reason why Bangkok is known as the ‘Venice of the East,’ and you’ll explore this nickname further as you glide through the network of khlongs, or canals. Many of the khlongs have been filled in over the years and converted into roads. These roads have turned into little Thai communities, and as you swoop through the waters you’ll discover insights into these neighbourhoods. This area of Bangkok feels like a world away from the busy streets and chaos, and a welcome break from the bustling city centre!

You’ll continue by heading over to the Grand Palace. Strolling through the palace grounds feels like walking through an Asian version of Alice in Wonderland — the buildings are so beautiful they almost don’t feel real. But bet your bottom dollar, they’re real alright! Your local guide will tell you all about the history behind the palace and the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew. This place is considered to be the spiritual centre of the nation, making it a visit that you cannot afford to miss.

From one beautiful temple to another, you’ll move on to Wat Pho, another temple that is integral to the Buddhist religion in Thailand. It’s home to the famous golden reclining Buddha and is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. This is one of the most popular things to do in Bangkok, and with our local guide to take your through the temples, you’ll hear all the secret stories and local knowledge about the place.

Your tour will finish up at Wat Pho, from where you can continue to explore, or your local guide will be happy to give you directions back to your accommodation. This tour shows you a truly unique side of the city that you won’t find on any of the other day tours in Bangkok, and it gives you the opportunity to visit both famous sights and hidden spots, exploring them through the eyes of a local.  

Please note that this tour covers 5 km of Boat Ride and 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking.