Ayutthaya & Lopburi Day Trip: Monkey Temple, Ruins & Pickup

Summary

Ancient temples, wild monkeys and echoes of old Siam in one day

You’ll wander ancient Ayutthaya’s temple ruins with a local guide, climb weathered steps for sweeping views, and watch wild monkeys dart around Lopburi’s famous temple—all in one day trip from Bangkok with pickup included. Expect surprising moments (and maybe some monkey mischief), plus time to soak up stories and local color along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect to have my shoelaces nearly stolen by a monkey before lunch. But that’s what happened at Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lopburi. We’d already wandered through the crumbling chedis and tangled roots of Ayutthaya earlier that morning—our guide Niran kept tossing out little stories about kings and invasions while we tried to dodge the sun (and failed). The air smelled faintly of incense, even outside the temples, and I caught a whiff of grilled chicken drifting over from a street cart near Wat Mahathat. It’s funny how you remember smells more than facts sometimes.

The drive from Bangkok was longer than I thought—maybe two hours?—but our van had cold AC and everyone sort of nodded off until we hit Ayutthaya. There’s something about seeing those huge stone Buddhas up close that makes you go quiet for a second. At Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, we climbed the steps up the prang (I was sweating buckets) and looked out over rows of saffron-robed statues. Niran pointed out scorch marks from the old Burmese invasion—he said most people miss them. I still think about that view sometimes, all those statues lined up like silent monks waiting for rain.

Lopburi was next, and it felt like stepping into another world entirely—less grand, but somehow wilder. The monkey temple is right in the middle of town; you can hear them before you see them, chattering and clattering across the rooftops. There aren’t as many monkeys now (Niran said some were relocated), but they’re still quick enough to snatch anything shiny or edible if you’re not careful. One tried to grab my water bottle—I laughed but also zipped up my bag real fast after that. A local woman waved at us from her doorway and warned “no food!” with a big grin.

By late afternoon we were all tired in that good way—dusty shoes, full camera rolls, heads spinning with old stories. The ride back to Bangkok was quiet except for someone quietly humming Thai pop songs under their breath (not me… okay maybe it was). This day trip from Bangkok wasn’t just ruins or monkeys—it was little moments strung together: sticky air, soft chanting in temple halls, sudden laughter when someone nearly lost their hat to a monkey. Not sure I’ll ever look at my shoelaces quite the same way again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Ayutthaya and Lopburi temples

• Travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
• Visit Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
• Visit Wat Mahathat temple
• Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
• Travel from Ayutthaya to Lopburi
• Visit Phra Prang Sam Yot monkey temple
• Explore Lopburi old town and temples
• Return to Bangkok from Lopburi

Top questions

How long does the Ayutthaya & Lopburi day trip take?

The tour lasts a full day including travel time between Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Lopburi.

Are entrance fees included in this tour?

No, entrance fees for each site must be paid in cash on arrival.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you’re staying in Khao San or Siam Square areas.

How many people are on each tour group?

The maximum group size is 10 participants per tour.

Are there still monkeys at Lopburi Monkey Temple?

Yes, but fewer than before since many were relocated; sightings are likely but not guaranteed as they roam freely.

What should I do if monkeys approach me at Lopburi?

Keep your distance, don’t bring food or loose items, and secure your belongings as monkeys are wild animals.

Which temples will we visit in Ayutthaya?

You’ll visit Wat Mahathat, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet during the tour.

Is this day trip suitable for children or older travelers?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Bangkok (Khao San or Siam Square), transport by air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed English-speaking guide leading your small group through Ayutthaya’s ruins and Lopburi’s monkey temple—and bottled water to keep you going between stops before returning to the city by evening.