MANOHRA SONG LUXURY RIVER CRUISE TOUR

ITINERARY

The Manohra Song, dubbed 'The Orient Express of the River', is a 20-meter-long river rice barge that has been lovingly restored and lavishly converted into an ultra-deluxe river cruiser, designed for up to four couples to explore Thailand's famous Menam Chao Phraya, 'The River of Kings', in unmatched luxury and comfort. Built upon the original 100-year-old, solid Teak hull, Manohra Song features four air-conditioned staterooms with queen-size beds, en suite bathrooms, an expansive saloon living and dining area with bar, plus an ample forward sun-deck lounging area; with private crew quarters and kitchen in the aft section. Designed and built by interior designer Kathleen Heinecke, the Manohra Song features warm Teak, Padua and Mahogany woods throughout, custom-designed furniture covered with colorful Thai silks and cottons, oriental rugs, Thai and Southeast Asian art, sculpture and artifacts. It has been designed using many accessories from the arts and crafts made by the peoples living along the rivers and Klongs of Thailand, as well as some of the more remote areas.

Manohra Song is staffed by an experienced and attentive crew of four. A variety of custom-planned cruises are available, including the regularly scheduled two night - three day Ayutthaya Adventure. Stops along the way include overnights at Wat Bang Na, a typical Thai temple, plus the unique Wat Nivat. There's also a tour of the fabulous Summer Palace complex at beautiful Bang Pa-In. In Ayutthaya, there's time to explore the 17th Century historical ruins (UNESCO World Heritage site), ride an elephant and do a little shopping and sight-seeing. The Chao Phraya river itself offers a never-ending vista of river life; temples, log-rafts, barges, long-tail boats, houses, palaces, and Wats; and above all, the friendly, happy people who are never too busy to wave at visitors cruising aboard Manohra Song.Manohra Song is available for private charters and custom cruises departing from the Manohra Cruises pier located on the river front of the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa.

DAY1 : BANGKOK - NONTABURI
10:00 hrs Depart from the Manohra Cruises Pier located in front of the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa.
Once on board you'll meet your Manohra Song Chief Steward and the crew who will be looking after you on your trip. Cold, lemon-grass scented towels and a chilled fresh fruit cocktail will be waiting for you.

10:30 hrs Exotissimo guide will meet and greet clients at Pak Klong Talaat Flower Market. Guided tour of the exotic flower and flora.

11:10 hrs Arrive at The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun as it is otherwise known. This is one of the best known temples in Bangkok and dates back to the ancient Ayutthaya period. The tall, elongated central Khmer-style tower is surrounded by four minor towers, which symbolise Mount Meru, the earthly representation of the thirty-three heavens. Here you'll find pavilions containing statues of the Buddha at the most important stages of life. The beautiful architecture and fine craftsmanship mark Wat Arun as one of the most remarkable temples in Thailand. We'll stop here for a short guided tour and depart at 11.30 am. There also a chance to have your fortune told here also.

11:50 hrs Arrive at the Royal Barges National Museum. This is one of Bangkok's most fascinating sights and something you will not see anywhere else in the world. The museum is home to an incredible collection of gilded and ornately decorated boats with magnificently carved prows. His Majesty the King's personal barge, Suphannahongse, can be seen here. Built in 1911 to resemble a mythical swan, the boat is 46 meters long and was carved from a single tree. All the barges are unique and incredible works of craftsmanship.

12:45 hrs Lunch underway. Enjoy our Thai cuisine prepared by your personal on-board chef.

Shortly after your lunch, the Manohra Song will pass the island of Koh Kret in Nonthaburi Province, an island which was 'man-made' in the last 100 years when a canal was built to shorten the journey around a circuitous bend in the river. The island is populated by the Mon people, one of Thailand's many ethnic minority groups, who use the river's fine clay to produce earthenware pots.
Spend the afternoon relaxing on board, watching the vignettes of river life unfold as they float by. At 4 pm we'll serve a traditional English afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, scones and dainties, with a selection of teas.

16:30 hrs A quick stop at Wat Pathum Khong Ka to feed the fish - a simple way of gaining merit and good luck. This promotes the Buddhist cycle of life by feeding the fish so they in turn can produce life. Some of these carp fish are giants!

17:30 hrs Arrive at Wat Bang Na, where we can watch the sun set and then moor for the night. Wat Bang Na was constructed in 1777 by a Mon family who moved from Ayutthaya. One of the more curious sights within the compound of this temple is the body of the 4th chief monk of this temple who died in 1988 but whose mummified body remains in excellent condition and is today housed in a glass enclosure.

19:30 hrs Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite stateroom and then return to the deck for aperitifs and Thai canap.

20:00 hrs With Wat Bang Na, as a dramatic backdrop, a dinner of Thai traditional dishes will be served. Relax on deck with a glass of wine or digestif before retiring to your stateroom for your first night on the river.
Overnight : Manohra Song
Meal : Lunch + Dinner

DAY2 : AYUTTAYA
07:30 hrs An early start and chance to make merit with the Monks of Wat Bang Na and tour the temple. Thai Buddhists believe that by making merit, they earn happiness, peace in life and the chance to progress in their next life. Making merit with the Monks is a wonderfully harmonious way to start the day.

08:00 hrs We'll get underway for the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya.

09:00 hrs Freshly prepared continental breakfast is served.
A morning of gentle cruising up the Chao Phraya, through the Thai countryside. Recline on a deck lounger and watch the river life float past.

13:00 hrs An Italian luncheon of pasta and salad served under steam.

14:00 hrs Arrive at Wat Pananchoeng to begin your tour. Wat Pananchoeng is an old monastery housing Thailand's largest ancient Buddha image. This image, known as Luang Po To was made in 1344. The Chinese revere this image as their God Protector since much of the sailing done then was by the Chinese.

A waiting limousine with guide will then transfer you to within Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 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. Continue to Ayutthaya Ancient Palace, was original built King U-Thong in the 14 th century, and was expanded over the years. These pavilions were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundation, porticos and walls.

Visit Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of king Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was badly destroyed by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed, but does not have as beautiful craftmanship as the previous one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where the royal cremation ceremonies took place.

Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. Then take a 20 minute elephant ride through historical park.

17:30 hrs From Ayutthaya, you'll transfer by limousine to Bang Pa In, one of the 16 districts of Ayutthaya where you'll rejoin the Manohra Song. Along the way, you may wish to buy a bag of fish or a cage of small birds for you to release back to nature. This is a wonderful gesture and makes merit.
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. Wat Nivat was constructed at the command of King Rama V in 1878, in the style of an English Gothic church. The temple's stained glass windows and unusual architecture make it one of the most distinctive Buddhist temples anywhere in Thailand.

18:30 hrs Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite stateroom and then return to the deck for aperitifs and Asian-inspired canapes.

20:00 hrs For your second night on the river, we'll serve an Ayutthaya-inspired Thai dinner.
Overnight : Manohra Song
Meal : Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

DAY3 : BANG PA IN SUMMER PALACE & SANG SAI ROYAL CRAFTS CENTER
08:00 hrs Wake up to the taste of a full English breakfast, freshly prepared to your order from the Manohra Song kitchen.

09:00 hrs Guided tour of Wat Nivat.
From Wat Nivat it is a short walk to the Bang Pa In Summer Palace. The original Bang Pa In Palace was built by King Prasat Thong on the island and was used as a country residence for the later kings of the Ayutthaya period. However, after the capital moved to Bangkok, Bang Pa In was abandoned for 80 years, to be revived by King Rama V. He commanded the construction of additional buildings - theatres, temples and monuments in a mixture of European, Chinese and Thai styles. We'll explore the palace grounds by electric carts although the site can be easily walked.

10:30 hrs Get underway for Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center.

12:00 hrs A short cruise downriver from Bang Pa In is the Bang Sai village, which enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. Here you can see a variety of Thai houses in regional styles and see how Thailand's rural people make handicrafts such as fern basketry, silk flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, silk dyeing, wood carving, miniature hand-modeled dolls and traditional furniture. A great place to shop for Thai handicrafts. After a short guided tour, we will depart at around 1 pm.

13:30 hrs Light Thai lunche on underway.

16:00 hrs Light afternoon tea served on board as we head back towards Bangkok.

18:30 hrs Arrive at the Manohra Cruises Pier and disembark. Try dinner at one of the Resort's many restaurants.

The Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa has the longest river front terrace in Bangkok and at the open-air Riverside Terrace restaurant there is a nightly show of Thai dancing and music set against the backdrop of the river. The restaurant's 'show kitchens' serve everything from a la minute pasta, seafood BBQ, Teppanyaki and Thai dishes to Indian and Chinese delicacies, Japanese sushi and sashimi, all freshly prepared at live stations.
Alternatively head to one of the resort's other restaurants - award-winning Benihana, The Rice Mill or Trader Vic's (dinner costs on the third night are not included in the cruise)
Overnight : -
Meal : Breakfast + Lunch