Step into Siam’s golden age in Ayutthaya and meet the monkeys of Lopburi!
We leave Bangkok in the morning for a full-day journey through Thailand’s rich past, visiting the historic cities of Ayutthaya and Lopburi.
Our first stop is Ayutthaya, the glorious kingdom that flourished from 1350 to 1767 and was once the beating heart of Siam. For over four centuries it was a thriving centre of trade, culture, and religion, attracting merchants from across the world.
Its golden era came to an end when the Burmese army invaded in 1767, setting the city ablaze and leaving it in ruins.
Today, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wandering among its magnificent remains feels like stepping back in time. We will visit three of its most iconic temples: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon with its towering chedi and serene Buddha statues, Wat Mahathat with the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the former royal temple of the Ayutthaya kings.
From Ayutthaya we continue to Lopburi, a city with a history stretching back more than 1,500 years. It first rose to prominence during the Dvaravati era, later becoming part of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century, which left behind impressive monuments still standing today.
In the 17th century, King Narai the Great made Lopburi the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Nowadays, the city is just as famous for its mischievous residents: hundreds of playful long-tailed macaques that roam the streets and temple grounds.
Our visit to Phra Prang Sam Yot, the famous monkey temple, is a chance to watch these lively creatures in action as they leap across the ancient Khmer ruins.
This day offers a perfect blend of fascinating history, stunning architecture, and unforgettable encounters with Lopburi’s cheeky monkeys.
Although there are still monkeys around Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lopburi, there are fewer than in previous years. Many monkeys have been relocated by the authorities due to overpopulation. Please keep in mind that Lopburi is not a zoo. The monkeys are wild and roam freely throughout the town, so while you will likely see some, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Pick up/Meeting point:
We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square.
If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up area, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. Our office in Chinatown is just a short 5-minute walk from Wat Mangkon MRT (metro) station.
For the exact location of our WanderSiam office on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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157 Comments
5
It’s worth the trip
The old temples were beautiful and the host gave us lots of information and history. I enjoyed seeing the monkeys at the temple but my friend was not impressed as they seemed a bit unpredictable.
5
Good time with WanderSiam
Did everything I thought we were going to do and more. I was the only one on the tour which made it more personal. Joe the guide was very knowledgeable and nice and Mai was a very smooth driver.
5
Ayutthaya, a Unesco site
I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the ancient ruins in this Unesco site. Our guide, Pyia, was well informed in its history.
5
Fantastic Tour of Ayutthaya and Lopburi Temples with a Wonderful Guide
Had an absolutely fantastic time. Both locations were amazing to see. Not to miss when visiting Bangkok and Thailand. Our guide Surina was absolutely wonderful and explained so much history to us. She made sure we had a good time and took lots of photos for us. Our driver Nu got us to each location quickly and safely and was a very nice. Would fully recommend going on this tour and having both Surina and Nu. A truly wonderful experience.
5
Our guide really made the experience
Guide was wonderful – full of the best information and knew where you could have a clean and comfortable rest stop. Sights were interesting.