TEMPLES & SHRINES · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 14 temple tours by boat worth the money, each with its price, its start time and the one thing to know before the gate.
Travel from Rhodes to Symi aboard the Nikolaos X ferry, stopping at Panormitis Monastery and Symi Town. You get about an hour at the monastery and 3.5 to 4 hours in Symi for lunch, shopping, swimming, and walks. Saturday summer trips may add a 20-minute swim at Nymporio Bay.
“Everything was on time. Boat was big with a lot of space.”
Travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya with a guide such as Donna, First, or Ken, explore major temple ruins, then return by riverboat with a Thai and international buffet. Choose hotel pickup or meet at River City Bangkok. Expect a full 9-hour day with walking, history, and a long cruise.
“Excellent tour! Learned a lot about the history of Ayutthaya. We also love the boat ride back to Bangkok. First, out tour guide did an excellent job and was really informative.”
From Virpazar, you’ll cruise narrow channels to Lesendro ruins, water lilies, and Kom Monastery with an English-speaking guide such as Petar or Jovan. Wine, juice, local pastries, park fees, and monastery entry are included. A short swim may follow, weather and timing permitting.
“I really enjoyed this boat trip. Our guide made the trip. He was very informative and welcoming. He brought us warm fresh donuts and local wine. 10/10 would definitely recommend this trip”
Spend 9 to 10 hours exploring My Tho and Ben Tre with guides such as James, Nam, or Manh. Expect motorboat and hand-rowed canal rides, coconut candy, honey tea, tropical fruit, a five-course lunch, optional cycling, traditional music, and Vinh Trang Pagoda.
“Lead by a local guy who truly gave us his experience of the Mekong area. Great day out, bring your waterproofs and mossie spray, just in case. Big shout out to Nam, thank you.”
Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with a small group of up to 12 people, guided in English by hosts such as Anna, Bee, or MM. Expect a 15-hour day covering three striking temples, a Thai buffet, the Golden Triangle, and a Mekong long-tail boat ride.
“It’s my first time in Thailand and I’m happy I chose this tour. Anna, our guide was amazing! She was very professional and provided information for every spot. She was also very kind and assisted when I didn’t have any cash. Highly recommended!”
Spend three hours on Bangkok’s canals and river, visiting Wat Paknam’s glass pagoda and Giant Golden Buddha before Wat Arun. Guides such as Jack, Nancy, Tee, and Surin add history, local context, and practical help. Expect a small group, temple dress rules, and a 200 THB Wat Arun fee.
“We had a very nice trip with our guide, who introduced himself as Mr. Thai Thai. He gave a lot of information an facts about Bangkok and the way of living. Really to recommend. Great experience. The Guide waited as mentioned with a TripGuru sign. Easy to find.”
Travel from Bangkok in a cool minivan to Bang Pa-In Palace and Ayutthaya’s main temple ruins. English-speaking guides such as Mod, Sasha, Luke, and Steven share history and local stories, while lunch and a 30-minute long-tail boat ride round out this small-group day.
“Luke was fantastic guide! Organised well, on time, guide told us not only about temples but also about Thai traditions and everyday life. Thank u!”
From Ouranoupolis, sail for 3.5 hours along the Mount Athos coast and view eight of its 20 monasteries from the legally required distance of 500 meters. An onboard multilingual guide covers the area’s 1,000-year story. Bring binoculars, arrive early for shade, and watch for dolphins.
“Kann man gern machen, man kommt halt nur auf 500 Meter an die Küste Ran, also unbedingt ein Fernglas mitnehmen. Info kommt 3sprachig aus dem Lautsprecher. aber für 25 Euro 3,5 h mit dem Boot is fair. Oben ist beschattet, alles gut. An Land geht man nie,1 Kuttenträger kommt im Kloster Dorf an Board und verkauft Selbst erstelltes.”
Start with a 30-minute private dragon-boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, then visit the Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc tombs by air-conditioned car. Choose a driver or guide option, and leave time for the colorful Thuy Xuan Incense Village.
“We had a great time. The activity was great. Our driver spoke very good English and explained a lot about the tours and Vietnam. He also took us to some very nice additional places. Perfect.”
Join Shaolin Port Douglas at 5pm for a 90-minute sunset sail on a well-kept Chinese junk boat. Enjoy one complimentary drink, shared yum cha canapés, local commentary, and views of the Coral Sea, Daintree coast, islands, and mountains. The captain may cruise the inlet if wind makes the sea rough.
“Friendly staff, plenty of fluids and enough food. Great commentary and engaging skipper and crew who obviously enjoy sharing with people”
Travel from Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, or Makadi to Luxor with a certified Egyptologist. Visit Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon, with an optional Nile crossing, lunch, drinks, and a small-group setting.
“Our day with Doa was really great. She gave us a lot of background information about ancient Egyptian history and architecture. We would definitely recommend her as a Guide as well as the trip.”
Build your Hue day around a dragon boat ride, Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial City and selected Nguyen tombs. Choose a private car or motorbike with driver. Guides such as Nhien, Hung, Misa, Viet and Lynh are praised for clear history, flexible pacing and personal service.
“We had a lovely day timely pick up and the trip was very interesting and informative. Would definitely recommend great value for money. NIh (knee) our tour guide and our driver were both lovely.”
See Hue by private car and dragon boat, from a 30-minute Perfume River cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda and three royal tombs. Drivers such as Long, Austin, and Leo are praised for clear English and local tips. Entrance fees are extra, and a guide costs $45.
“A beautiful day out seeing pagoda, historical tombs and riding dragon boat with our driver Khanh. Super well organised and beautiful tour.”
Travel from Aswan to Luxor aboard a full-board Nile cruise with a private guide, visiting Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Pickup from Aswan airport or train station and transfer to Luxor airport or station are included.
“Luxury Cruise from Aswan Luxor..with best tours attractions every I have seen in Egypt..our room was so Beautiful having a Nile View all the forest day was super amazing our guide Mohammed was very friendly and knowledge by many informRead more”
Sunrise, sunset, on foot or by tuk-tuk.
