Ayutthaya Temples & Elephant Tour: A Journey Through Thai History

Planning a trip to Bangkok? Wondering if you should go beyond the city’s modern attractions?

• ✔️ Is the Ayutthaya Temple & Elephant Tour worth it?
• ✔️ What can I expect to see?
• ✔️ How can I make the most of the tour?

Absolutely! The Ayutthaya Temple & Elephant Tour offers a fantastic way to experience the historical heart of Thailand, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy unique activities. This post will give you the lowdown.

Why Visit Ayutthaya?

When you think of a trip to Bangkok, you probably imagine shopping malls and rooftop bars, right? But if you really want to experience Thailand, then the Ayutthaya Historical Park is a must-see.

Established in 1350, the ancient capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sheer grandeur of the place sets it apart.

Seeing the enormous Buddha statues and the intricate pagodas really gives you a sense of awe. You’ll feel transported to another world.

I started my tour from the Riverside area of Bangkok.

The refreshing air along the Chao Phraya River in the morning was energizing. It was the perfect way to start the day.

The drive to Ayutthaya is about an hour and twenty minutes, but even the convenience store we stopped at along the way had such a local vibe, making for a fun little break.

Even on a weekday morning, the tour buses were full. That’s when I knew, “Okay, this place is definitely popular!”

It’s a world away from the busy streets of Bangkok. The quiet atmosphere made a big impression on me. It felt like time had stopped.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

First up was Wat Chaiwatthanaram, and wow… I was blown away by the scale of it.

The huge central pagoda immediately reminded me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Looking at the Buddha images with their damaged heads, I felt a sense of sadness, knowing they were a reminder of past wars.

The temperature was 33 degrees Celsius that day, but the gentle breeze helped keep things bearable. (I’m glad I had an umbrella, haha!)

The colors of the red bricks against the blue sky were incredible, making for picture-perfect photos.

Wat Lokayasutharam

Next, I moved on to Wat Lokayasutharam, where I saw a massive reclining Buddha statue, which measured 42 meters long.

Seeing it in person, the sheer size of the Buddha created a unique sense of wonder.

Watching the locals offering their prayers in front of the statue, I realized how important this place is to their faith.

There was barely any shade, so I was sweating within minutes, but the stunning scenery made it hard to leave.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, located within the Ayutthaya Royal Palace, was the most important temple.

The three towering bell-shaped pagodas are the highlights here.

The atmosphere felt more solemn and majestic, as this is where the remains of the kings were kept.

Touching the brickwork, which has survived for hundreds of years, gave me a real sense of being in a historical place.

The only downside was having to rush through the highlights due to the tour schedule.

Elephant Trekking

After seeing the temples, I went straight to the elephant camp, where I spotted the elephants from a distance.

Riding on an elephant and seeing the historical park from its back is a unique experience only available in Ayutthaya.

I paid 50 Baht for a basket of food and gave it to one of the elephants. It was amazing how they used their trunks to grab the food.

The view of the temples from up high was completely different from what you see at ground level.

The expressions of the children with their families were priceless. It made me happy too.

Wat Mahathat

The last stop on my tour was the famous Wat Mahathat, home to the Buddha head entwined in the Bodhi tree roots.

Seeing it in person after reading about it, it looked as if the roots and the Buddha head were always one. It was quite a sight.

Seeing the Buddha’s gentle smile made me feel refreshed from the heat.

Remember, when you take photos, it’s polite to crouch down and position your head lower than the Buddha’s.

With the sunlight streaming through the crumbling walls, the atmosphere was just incredible.

I was back in Bangkok around 2:30 PM after the tour.

I felt like I had traveled back in time. The satisfaction level was high.

The tour bus made getting around Bangkok’s heavy traffic so easy. It was the best decision, really.

The city’s vibrant attractions are great, but I strongly recommend the Ayutthaya tour to experience the deep roots of Thailand.