While the Manohra Song departs from the Manohra Cruises Pier you will be introduced to the crew who will go out of their way to pamper you the following three days. First visits are done while the barge still cruises past Bangkok 's major sites such as the Temple of Dawn, a lsoknown as the Temple of Dawn. Its 80 m high Khmer-style tower is embedded with broken pieces of Chinese porcelain and has become of the most famous landmarks of Bangkok. Next you will stop at the Royal Barges Museum, home to an incredible collection of gilded and ornately decorated boats with magnificently carved prows. Up to today, these unique barges are still used on special occasions. While cruising upstream lunch is served on board before you pass the river island of Koh Kret , man-made' in the last 100 years when a canal was built to shorten the journey around a bend in the river. You will spend the afternoon relaxing on board, watching the vignettes of river life unfold as they float by. At time for sunset the Manohra Song arrives at Wat Bang Na temple to moor for the night. With the illuminated temple as a dramatic backdrop, a Thai traditional dinner will be served. Time to relax on deck with a glass of wine or digestif before retiring to your stateroom for your first night on the river.

An early start and chance to make merit with the Monks of Wat Bang Na. Thai Buddhists believe that by making merit, they earn happiness, peace in life and the chance to progress in their next life, a wonderful and harmonious way to start the day. Back on board breakfast is served and you'll get underway for the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. A morning of gentle cruising up the Chao Phraya, through the Thai countryside awaits you. Recline on a deck lounger and watch the river life float past. Lunch is served on deck at noon. You'll spend the afternoon exploring Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an expert guide. The ancient capital was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and it was from here that the Siamese ruled their Kingdom for 417 years. There'll even be a chance for you to experience riding on the back of an elephant. From Ayutthaya, you'll transfer by limousine to Bang Pa In, site of the former Summer Palace, where you'll rejoin the Manohra Song. Across from Bang Pa In is Wat Nivat - one of the more intriguing Buddhist temples – and this is where we'll moor for the night. For your second night on the river, an Ayutthaya-inspired Thai dinner will be served.

After breakfast on board it will be a short walk to the Bang Pa In Summer Palace. The original Bang Pa In Palace was used as a country residence for the later kings of the Ayutthaya period. However, after the capital moved to Bangkok, it was abandoned. 80 years later King Rama V commanded the construction of new and additional buildings in a mixture of European, Chinese and Thai styles. Later during the morning you cruise downriver from Bang Pa In to Bang Sai village. Here you can see a variety of Thai houses in regional styles and observe how Thailand’s rural people make handicrafts. Bang Sai enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and is a great place to shop for Thai handicrafts. Lunch is back on board while the Manohra Song heads back towards Bangkok and docks at the pier at around 6pm.

Included

• Private escorted cruise and tour as per programme (English speaking crew and guide)
• Accommodation in air-conditioned stateroom with en suite bathrooms
• All meals on board
• Admission charges to museums and temples
• Service charge and prevailing value added tax

Excluded

• Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, tipping)
• Transfer to / from pier (The Manohra Song departs from its pier at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel)