Takua Pa Old Town And Little Amazon: A Half-Day Journey Through Time And Nature

From: 1,900.00 ฿

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Duration

Half day

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

12 people

Languages

Deutsche, English

About this tour

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 to honour those lost to the sea on that fateful day back in 2004.

On this sightseeing tour, you get the best of both worlds. You will delve into the eclectic culture and dramatic history of the proud people who call Takua Pa home and experience the sights and sounds of the 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! It will soon become apparent why discovery is part of our name.

Itinerary

Pick-up from your hotel in the Khao Lak Area and Head up to Takua Pa

We will pick you up at around 8 am, depending on the location of your hotel in Khao Lak.

You will receive confirmation of the exact pick-up at the time of booking.

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.

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 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.

Visit Takua Pa Old Town: Architecture, Traditions, and Beliefs have remained timeless

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.

Takua Pa has a long and rich tin mining history dating back to the 15th century and was one of the principal tin mining centres 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. Remnants of the bustling economy and foreign aesthetic influence that shaped the local architecture and culture have been ever-present until this day.

However, the tin mining industry began to decline in the early part of the 20th century due to falling prices and the depletion of resources. Only a few small-scale tin mines are still operating around Takua Pa today.

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, standing 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 victims and learn about the resilience of the 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 and remember, always be respectful, for many of them have suffered greatly.

It is always polite to ask for permission before photographing people, but never interrupt them when in the act of prayer to do so.

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. Remember to remove your footwear and hats before entering any temple, shrine, or stepping onto a monument platform.