| KAYAKING IN AYUTTHAYA |
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This web page lists a number of kayak tracks, which are designed to bring you along the last remaining ancient waterways of the historical City of
Ayutthaya; as well as two multiple-days kayaking events with an historical background, organized occasionally by Ayutthaya Kayaking Experience [AKE]
for its members.
Ayutthaya Kayaking Experience is a sportive subsidiary from Ayutthaya Historical Research (1). AKE’s objective is to promote kayaking tourism in
Ayutthaya, by basically showing kayak presence on canals and rivers in Ayutthaya. Kayaking is the perfect outdoor recreation to explore the city island
contours and its surroundings. Any visitor to Ayutthaya - with some kayaking experience or enough sportive stamina - interested in kayaking with AKE is
welcome. More information can be found at the AKE’s website: http://AyKaEx.yolasite.com.
Ayutthaya was a typically Siamese water-based settlement; one of the characteristics which gave the city its UNESCO World Heritage status. Unfortunately,
Ayutthaya's waterways - the ancient transport and travel facilities - are fast disappearing. Many canals became stagnant, choked with urban trash or ran dry
due to silting and lack of maintenance. Many more were claimed to make way for embankments such as concrete roads. On the city island only a few canals
remain of which Khlong Makham Riang and Khlong Tho are the largest, but regrettably, they look like open sewers. Ayutthaya, “The Venice of the East",
became a far cry.
But not everything is lost. Water still plays a vital role for the local communities, who use the canals to fish, bathe, wash dishes and clothing, and irrigate their
gardens. Children still run along its banks and swim in its muddy waters, filled with a diversity of fishes and wild life. Birds still live in abundance in the lush
vegetation along the forgotten canals; a paradise for bird lovers. Off the city island, we still find some navigable canals, however the seasonal aspect has to be
taken in mind. Some canals tend to have low water levels in the hot period and the packs of water hyacinth can be a burden. Kayakable canals are: in the
north the old Lopburi River presently called Khlong Hua Ro; in the east - in the ancient Ayodhya area - Khlong Hantra and in the south Khlong Takhian.
Laze your way down the Ayutthayan canals and its gentle tidal rivers, between lush verdant forest and ancient monasteries; a perfect opportunity for birding
and observing wildlife. On this website you will find different tested kayak tracks described for each of these zones. Additional information and photographs
on Points of Interest, Reference Points and the History of Ayutthaya (including downloadable PDF-files on subject) can be also found on this website.
Ayutthaya; as well as two multiple-days kayaking events with an historical background, organized occasionally by Ayutthaya Kayaking Experience [AKE]
for its members.
Ayutthaya Kayaking Experience is a sportive subsidiary from Ayutthaya Historical Research (1). AKE’s objective is to promote kayaking tourism in
Ayutthaya, by basically showing kayak presence on canals and rivers in Ayutthaya. Kayaking is the perfect outdoor recreation to explore the city island
contours and its surroundings. Any visitor to Ayutthaya - with some kayaking experience or enough sportive stamina - interested in kayaking with AKE is
welcome. More information can be found at the AKE’s website: http://AyKaEx.yolasite.com.
Ayutthaya was a typically Siamese water-based settlement; one of the characteristics which gave the city its UNESCO World Heritage status. Unfortunately,
Ayutthaya's waterways - the ancient transport and travel facilities - are fast disappearing. Many canals became stagnant, choked with urban trash or ran dry
due to silting and lack of maintenance. Many more were claimed to make way for embankments such as concrete roads. On the city island only a few canals
remain of which Khlong Makham Riang and Khlong Tho are the largest, but regrettably, they look like open sewers. Ayutthaya, “The Venice of the East",
became a far cry.
But not everything is lost. Water still plays a vital role for the local communities, who use the canals to fish, bathe, wash dishes and clothing, and irrigate their
gardens. Children still run along its banks and swim in its muddy waters, filled with a diversity of fishes and wild life. Birds still live in abundance in the lush
vegetation along the forgotten canals; a paradise for bird lovers. Off the city island, we still find some navigable canals, however the seasonal aspect has to be
taken in mind. Some canals tend to have low water levels in the hot period and the packs of water hyacinth can be a burden. Kayakable canals are: in the
north the old Lopburi River presently called Khlong Hua Ro; in the east - in the ancient Ayodhya area - Khlong Hantra and in the south Khlong Takhian.
Laze your way down the Ayutthayan canals and its gentle tidal rivers, between lush verdant forest and ancient monasteries; a perfect opportunity for birding
and observing wildlife. On this website you will find different tested kayak tracks described for each of these zones. Additional information and photographs
on Points of Interest, Reference Points and the History of Ayutthaya (including downloadable PDF-files on subject) can be also found on this website.
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| WEAR A LIFE VEST! |
Tips and Warnings
Kayaks can be rented at "The Seven Seas Restaurant" (1), near the railway station, the starting point of most of our tracks. The website address is http:
//www.ayutthaya-sevenseas.com.
Professionally guided kayak tours can be booked at “Ayutthaya Boat & Travel”. The website address is http://www.ayutthaya-boat.com.
Kayaking is great fun. Paddling offers so much to so many; quiet leisure, intense adrenaline, or a path to exploration and adventure. Kayaking is a great way
to access nature, experience reflective moments and to enjoy family and friends away from the distractions of life.
Although paddlers should be aware of the following: wear a life jacket when paddling and be sure you are visible; know your emotional and physical
limitations; prepare your trip well; remember to watch for water and weather changes; keep an eye out for other boat traffic. On the main rivers be it the
Chao Phraya, the Lopburi or the Pa Sak, there can be heavy current and whirlpools. So be aware and stay close to the river banks.
AHR will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever for any suggestions made in relation to the site's promotion of eco-tourism. It is the
responsibility of the user of the site to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to
equipment. Any reliance on the site's information is therefore strictly at your own risk (see disclaimer on site).
Kayaks can be rented at "The Seven Seas Restaurant" (1), near the railway station, the starting point of most of our tracks. The website address is http:
//www.ayutthaya-sevenseas.com.
Professionally guided kayak tours can be booked at “Ayutthaya Boat & Travel”. The website address is http://www.ayutthaya-boat.com.
Kayaking is great fun. Paddling offers so much to so many; quiet leisure, intense adrenaline, or a path to exploration and adventure. Kayaking is a great way
to access nature, experience reflective moments and to enjoy family and friends away from the distractions of life.
Although paddlers should be aware of the following: wear a life jacket when paddling and be sure you are visible; know your emotional and physical
limitations; prepare your trip well; remember to watch for water and weather changes; keep an eye out for other boat traffic. On the main rivers be it the
Chao Phraya, the Lopburi or the Pa Sak, there can be heavy current and whirlpools. So be aware and stay close to the river banks.
AHR will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever for any suggestions made in relation to the site's promotion of eco-tourism. It is the
responsibility of the user of the site to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to
equipment. Any reliance on the site's information is therefore strictly at your own risk (see disclaimer on site).
1. Printing
We provide TWO possibilities to print kayak track info.
The choice is yours. It is all free to download - no charges at all.
2. Digital download
RouteYou.com provides the possibility to download data on GPS or iPhone. The method to download a route on your GPS depends on your GPS device.
Data can also be provided in GPX-format. We have although one major problem. The zone of Ayutthaya is not yet digitalized and available in the online data
bank of RouteYou, which means that we have to use many way points to set up our tracks. GPS devices as Garmin and TomTom are limited in the number
of way points the equipment can download and master. RouteYou uses Geolives from Apple as preferred application for iPhone. More specific info can be
found on the site of “RouteYou”: http://www.routeyou.com.
3. Tracks
In King Narai's Trail
In the Wake of the Suphannahongsa
Footnotes:
(1) Ayutthaya Historical Research is a non-profit web site and post no adds. AHR mentions - though temporary - business-related kayak-stations as long
kayaking in Ayutthaya needs to be promoted.
(2) Member of AHR’s Reciprocal Link Exchange program.
We provide TWO possibilities to print kayak track info.
- First possibility is via the Download | Print button in the map window of the page. You have the choice of downloading a single page map or detailed
multiple page maps. The latter includes driving instructions, information on the Points of Interest and a small photograph. The print out is based on a
standard print frame set up by RouteYou.com.
- Second possibility is to download our PDF-file with a map, driving instructions and information on the Points of Interest from the site.
The choice is yours. It is all free to download - no charges at all.
2. Digital download
RouteYou.com provides the possibility to download data on GPS or iPhone. The method to download a route on your GPS depends on your GPS device.
Data can also be provided in GPX-format. We have although one major problem. The zone of Ayutthaya is not yet digitalized and available in the online data
bank of RouteYou, which means that we have to use many way points to set up our tracks. GPS devices as Garmin and TomTom are limited in the number
of way points the equipment can download and master. RouteYou uses Geolives from Apple as preferred application for iPhone. More specific info can be
found on the site of “RouteYou”: http://www.routeyou.com.
3. Tracks
- Half-day tracks
- Multiple-day tracks
In King Narai's Trail
In the Wake of the Suphannahongsa
- More tracks can be found on the Ayutthaya Kayaking Experience website.
Footnotes:
(1) Ayutthaya Historical Research is a non-profit web site and post no adds. AHR mentions - though temporary - business-related kayak-stations as long
kayaking in Ayutthaya needs to be promoted.
(2) Member of AHR’s Reciprocal Link Exchange program.
| (Khlong Oom) |
| (Front city canal & Wat Monthop) |