Takua Pa Old Town and Little Amazon – An Intriguing Journey Through Time and Nature

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Takua Pa, Phang Nga, Thailand

From: 1,900.00 ฿

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Duration

Half Day

Tour Type

Specific Date

Group Size

12 people

Languages

Deutsche, English

About this tour

Takua Pa Old Town and Canoeing at Little Amazon

Join us on a half-day journey Takua Pa Old town and Little Amazon through nature and time! Immerse yourself in the multicultural ambiance of Takua Pa Old Town, a living testament to the rich history and diverse culture found in the region. Explore a stunning yet eerie tidal ecosystem by canoeing through a dense forest of mangrove and banyan trees, teeming with wildlife. Lest we forget more recent historical events, we stop for a moment of reflection at the Tsunami Memorial at Baan Nam Khem or the Tsunami Museum near Takua Pa to honour the victims of the giant wave that reshaped the Phang Nga coastline on that fateful day back in 2004.

We’ll take you to Little Amazon where your paddle guide will take you by canoe on tidal river in search of elusive wildlife living in this strange and other-worldly ecosystem. Exotic birds, slumbering snakes, and inquisitive monkeys are commonly seen on tree branches overhanging the river, so be sure to have your camera ready! Your paddle guide will be doing all of the work, leaving your hands and eyes free to focus on the unique flora and fauna found along and over the river.

Explore Takua Pa Old Town to discover temples of different faiths, eclectic shops, and sample the local street food cuisine on the Sunday walking street. Takua Pa has a long and rich tin mining history dating back to the 15th century and was one of the principal tin mining centers in the world. The opportunity to make a fortune attracted people from all over the known world, including Chinese, Portuguese, and British traders. Takua Pa District was home to hundreds of profitable tin mines and remnants of the bustling economy and foreign aesthetic influence that shaped the local architecture and culture have been ever-present until this day.

Prior to 2004, not many people had even heard of a place called Khao Lak. The Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26, 2004, brought Khao Lak and the surrounding region into spotlight on the world stage, albeit for tragic reasons. In the days that followed, thousands of locals and tourists were still missing, some swept out to sea, others entombed in mud and debris. Elephants worked side-by-side with locals to remove debris to rescue people buried alive and recover the bodies of loved ones. Many were never found. We will take you to one of the memorials near Takua Pa where your guide will offer a local perspective on one of the worst tragedies in recorded history.

On this sightseeing tour, you get the best of both worlds. Delve into the eclectic culture and dramatic history of the proud people who call Takua Pa home and experience the sights and sounds of nature at Little Amazon, all in a half day, leaving you ample time after the low-paced excursion to enjoy the luxurious amenities at your hotel, the pristine beaches, and magnificent sunsets over the North Andaman Sea! So grab your camera and come along with us!

Photo Tip: If you bring a camera, we highly suggest a lens array encompassing wide-angle to super-telephoto focal ranges. Depending on the density of the forest canopy, lighting ranges from fully diffused to harsh, direct sunlight. Under the forest canopy, the intense tropical sunlight softens, allowing for dramatic, low-contrast photos. If you have a flash, be sure to bring it along. Using fill-flash may allow you to capture catchlights in the eyes of your animal subjects. Using a lens hood to minimize flare and ghosting is recommended when the canopy overhead opens up and allows the intense tropical sun to shine through or when walking the streets of Takua Pa Old Town.

Itinerary

Pick-up from your Hotel in the Khao Lak Area

Your friendly driver and guide will pick you up before dawn at around 8:00 am. The exact time varies based on the location of your hotel and the timing of the tides. We will confirm your pick-up time with you when you book.

As your canoe glides through the narrow water channels that twist and turn through the lush tropical forest, look for a wide range of mammalian, reptilian, and avian species. Playful and mischievous monkeys swing from the branches in the forest canopy that bridge over the meandering tidal river. Snakes gracefully glide across the surface of the water or hang from branches. Birds can be spotted soaring overhead, perched on branches, or foraging for food near the riverbank. Your experienced paddle guide will navigate your canoe through this enchanting and mysterious world, allowing you to focus your attention and your camera on the diversity of flora and fauna that call this unique ecosystem their home. With years of experience, your local paddle guide will help spot elusive creatures you may otherwise miss.

We head to Takua Pa Old Town, just a short drive away. This historic district is a treasure trove of well-preserved buildings, ornate temples, and an eclectic array of shophouses and restaurants. As you stroll through the streets, it can feel like you have stepped back in time. Sino-Portuguese architecture lines the streets, and ancient traditions and beliefs are evident on every corner and within the temples in and around Takua Pa Old Town. Temples of different faiths have been constructed over the years, allowing the historical and modern-day peoples places to worship their many gods and deities. There is plenty of time on your guided tour of the Old Town to visit the temples, shop for souvenirs, and sample the wide gamut of local cuisine. The temples are active places of worship, so please remember when entering temples to do so respectfully. Photo tip: Takua Pa Old Town has a multitude of subjects for avid shutterbugs to capture, including temples, relics, local architecture and people. Please note that if you wish to photograph the local people, please ask their permission first.

Baan Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial or Tsunami Museum

Visit the Tsunami Memorial in Baan Nam Khem or the Tsunami Museum which stand as sombre reminders of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that struck the coast around 10:00 am on December 26, 2004. These locations are places for quiet contemplation, reflection, and prayer, where you can pay your respects to the thousands of souls lost that day. Learn a little about the resilient local community that faced one of the greatest national disasters in recorded history. Evidence of the severity of the wave’s destruction still haunts the western coastal regions of Thailand to this day. Surviving friends and families of the victims regularly visit the memorial in remembrance of their lost loved ones, so please keep that in mind when selecting the subjects of your photos. Please remember to always be respectful, for many of them have suffered greatly. Here are a few general rules and guidelines when visiting any sacred area or temple in Thailand. If you wish to enter any temples, temple grounds, or areas held sacred by the locals, please remember to dress accordingly. Your clothing should not be too revealing and must cover your shoulders and knees. Instead of wearing trousers, long dresses and skirts, or restrictive shirts and blouses, a sarong can worn to cover up in a pinch. Never walk in front of people when they are in the act of prayer, and always remember to remove your footwear and hats before entering any temple, shrine, or stepping onto a monument platform.

We will have you back at your resort or hotel around noon, leaving you plenty of time to relax and work on your sun tan in the afternoon. Please be sure you have all your belongings when you exit the minibus. We thank you for joining us and hope to see you again soon!