Experience Travel Group
1-888-577-8452 020 7924 7133
Call

Mekhala Cruise, Chao Phraya, Bangkok

Thailand, Bangkok

Experience Travel Group
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Travel Blog
    • Our brochure
  • How it works
    • Where to start...
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Get in touch
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by Month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Holidays in Thailand
    • Hidden Thailand Holidays
    • Family Thailand Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Guide to Thailand
    • Thailand Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Thailand Travel Blog
  • Places in Thailand
    • Northern Thailand
        Overview
      • Chiang Mai
      • Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
      • Mae Hong Son
      • Pai
    • Isan
        Overview
      • Loei
      • Nakhon Phanom
      • Udon Thani
      • Phanom Rung
    • Central Thailand
        Overview
      • Ayutthaya
      • Bangkok
      • Kanchanaburi
      • Erawan National Park
      • Khao Yai National Park
      • Lopburi
      • Phitsanulok
      • Sukhothai
    • Central Beaches & Islands
        Overview
      • Hua Hin & Cha-Am
      • Koh Chang
      • Koh Kood
      • Koh Samet
    • Southern Thailand
        Overview
      • Ao Phang Nga National Park
      • Khao Sok National Park
      • Trang
    • Western Beaches & Islands
        Overview
      • Phuket
      • Koh Lanta
      • Koh Lipe
      • Koh Phi Phi
      • Koh Yao
      • Khao Lak
      • Koh Jum
      • Koh Ngai
      • Krabi
    • Eastern Beaches & Islands
        Overview
      • Khanom
      • Koh Samui
      • Koh Pha-Ngan
      • Koh Tao
  • Info
  • Rating
  • GalleryPics
  • Holidays
  • Map

There are a number of companies offering the perfect Chao Phraya river cruise from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. This is not surprising, as it is a beautiful and accessible route offering visitors a glimpse at a Thailand that’s a little different from Bangkok and the southern beaches.

The “Mekhala”, a traditional rice barge cruise, is our favourites as their emphasis is on responsible travel – unobtrusive tourism, great Thai food and off the beaten track excursions, giving you a wonderful insight into ancient Thai culture.

The Mekhala is not just a Chao Phraya river cruise, it is effectively a floating hotel. There are 15 comfortable cabins, immaculately appointed, with bunks, cushioned sofa (which can serve as a third bunk for child), dressing table and a private shower room. All have varnished wooden floors & walls. Up on deck, there is room for sunbathing with chairs and cushions, a cozy corner and a dining area.

The Mekhala departs Bangkok in the early afternoon and immediately offers spectacular views of the Temple of Dawn and The Grand Palace on the river banks of Bangkok, before moving into the rural delta outside of Bangkok. The boat stops at Pathum Thani, for a visit to a fresh local market and docks for the night at Wat Kai Ria, a Thai temple set in a tranquil rural village. A Thai feast is served on deck.

On the second day of your Chao Phraya river cruise, the boat stops at the small village of Baan Saladang, an old Mon community who migrated from Burma to this area in the early 19th century. The villagers have successfully maintained their traditional lifestyle, customs and natural surroundings. In the afternoon, we include a visit to the spectacular ruins of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. In the 17th and 18th century Ayutthaya was one of the largest cities in the words due to its ideal trading location. The ruins of its once majestic golden temples and palaces are now UNESCO protected.

We thoroughly recommend this as a unique and relaxing way to experience some of the historical, cultural and architectural highlights of Thailand. 

Deluxe - This is our first really 'upmarket' category. It might be a beautiful tiny hotel with very limited facilities or a 5* resort hotel with all the trimmings; but any hotel in this category will be a well-run establishment with very comfortable rooms, a strong service ethos and excellent food.

Our rating system explained...

Include this hotel as part of your Experience Travel Holiday of a lifetime.

Here are some popular holidays including this hotel or we can create a tailor made holiday, crafted for you.

Deluxe Thailand with Cycle Adventure

Deluxe Thailand with Cycle Adventure

A holiday of two sides; relaxation and luxury combined with off-the-beaten-track adventures by bicycle.

Map centered on Mekhala Cruise, Chao Phraya. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.

~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133



Experience Travel Group

The newsletter you look forward to

A world of wonder delivered straight to your inbox. Your fantastic fortnightly round-up of delicious destinations, the hottest in cool accommodation, (the coolest in hot accommodation?), wild and woolly traveller experiences and advice from our expert travel team, plus all our latest holiday offers.

Sign up Here

~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

How it works
  • Where to start...
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Booking
  • Get in touch
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Immersive Escapes
  • The Revitalise Collection
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Thailand
    • Hidden Thailand Holidays
    • Family Thailand Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Guide to Thailand
    • Thailand Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Thailand Travel Blog
  • Info on Thailand
    • Northern Thailand
      • Overview
      • Chiang Mai
      • Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
      • Mae Hong Son
      • Pai
    • Isan
      • Overview
      • Loei
      • Nakhon Phanom
      • Udon Thani
      • Phanom Rung
    • Central Thailand
      • Overview
      • Ayutthaya
      • Bangkok
      • Kanchanaburi
      • Erawan National Park
      • Khao Yai National Park
      • Lopburi
      • Phitsanulok
      • Sukhothai
    • Central Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Hua Hin & Cha-Am
      • Koh Chang
      • Koh Kood
      • Koh Samet
    • Southern Thailand
      • Overview
      • Ao Phang Nga National Park
      • Khao Sok National Park
      • Trang
    • Western Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Phuket
      • Koh Lanta
      • Koh Lipe
      • Koh Phi Phi
      • Koh Yao
      • Khao Lak
      • Koh Jum
      • Koh Ngai
      • Krabi
    • Eastern Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Khanom
      • Koh Samui
      • Koh Pha-Ngan
      • Koh Tao
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
  • How it works
    • Where to start...
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Get in touch
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Contact Us
  • My Booking
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog