Rice Barge

The Chao Phraya River, which runs through the heart of Bangkok creates the frame for this 3 day adventure. You'll spend your time on and about a traditional Rice Barge, which means "Treasure on the water". On the tour you will visit local markets and villages, see extravagant temples and rice fields, and give alms to the monks. This trip is recommended for everybody, who wants to get away from the mass tourism and experience a different Thailand in an area surrounded by traditions and history.

Season:
The trip on the Rice Barge runs all year round but in the period from September to November heavy downpours in the middle of the day may occur. The best period is from December to March, where it's dry and the temperature is at its lowest - around 30 degrees in the day time. From March to May the temperature may get up to 39 degrees at midday.

Day 1: Bangkok-Ko Kred - bird temple - Maenam Noi
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Bangkok around 7.30 am and taken to the rice barge. When you have ‘checked in’, you can enjoy the departure from Bangkok on the deck, where you can see how the locals live on the Chao Phraya River. First stop on the route is the island of Ko Kred, where descendants of the Mon tribe live and have specialized in producing pots and jars of clay the old fashioned way. Next stop is the lively Pathum Thani market, which is known for selling fresh fish and shellfish to the upscale restaurants in Bangkok, and afterwards we have a short stop at the temple Wat Pialom, which is domicile for the Asian Openbill Stork. Last stop of the day is at a temple called Wat Chang Noi - little elephant temple, where dinner is served. (L, D)

Day 2: Maenam Noi - bicycle ride in villages - children's home/temple - Pamok
Early in the morning you can give food to the monks, who come to collect alms at the barge. After breakfast you’ll be equipped with your own bicycle and go on discovery around the area, where you’ll pass small villages with children that wave at you and shout Hello. Back on the barge, lunch is served as we head towards the temple of Wat Tuku. Here, we’ll get on the bikes again and go around the area seeing rice fields, villages and factory areas. Afterwards, the trip continues to Ban Sadej temple and children's home, where local orphans are taken care of and given an education. We’ll visit the children at school and be present in their lessons followed by a walk around the village, where the townspeople produce wool for scarves, carpets and clothes. Back on the boat, the tour continues to a village at the Pamok area. Here the boat will be moored and dinner will be served. The rest of the evening is at your own disposal. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Pa Mok - market - village and school visits - Ayutthaya
After breakfast you visit the local market and the school in Pamok. Here, you can talk to the pupils, who are very eager to show how much English they can speak. It's also possible to help teach the class if time allows it. We’ll also visit a local family that makes drums in all sizes and shapes. Back on the boat, you can sit on the deck and see how the landscape changes from villages to production areas and finally we reach Ayutthaya, where the tour ends. Ayutthaya is the former capital of Thailand (1350-1767) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many well preserved temples. We highly recommend you stay another day in Ayutthaya to see the town and temples and experience the town in the evening, where all the temples are illuminated. (M)

General word explanation: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner

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