Mad Monkey Bangkok Canal Tour: Is It Worth Your Time? (Review)

Bangkok, right, it’s almost famous for its waterways, isn’t it? I mean, back in the day, these canals (“khlongs” if you want to sound local) they were actually the city’s highways. Nowadays, that being said, dodging tuk-tuks might spring to your mind quicker than gentle boat rides. However! Going on a canal tour in Bangkok? That can still show you a totally different side of this incredible city. If you want to get an up close experience of what living on the water looks like, maybe, just maybe, Mad Monkey’s Bangkok Canal Tour is what you should go for. I recently tried it, so too let’s get into the grit and find out whether or not it really delivers the goods.

What’s the Big Deal About Canal Tours?

Okay, but first, before we go any further, it’s like your asking yourself, “Why bother gliding down canals at all?” And, that is fair enough, right? For ages Bangkok got named “Venice of the East.” These waterways were positively heaving with life, trade, entire communities built practically on the water’s edge. Though tons of that old lifestyle got overtaken by roads and all kinds of construction, so, too remnants really hang on. On a canal tour, as a matter of fact, you aren’t simply looking at pretty water – instead, you’re peeking into homes, small businesses, and, actually, communities. You can almost see temples glinting in the distance and markets which practically overflow onto the banks. You are there with families who have made their lives in this environment, for generations passing food across the waterways on boats and that.

The Mad Monkey Promise

Now, that tour groups come, Mad Monkey. It is, actually, primarily a hostel outfit, yet these people actually dabble in tours, especially those kinds of experiences geared toward the backpacker vibe, is that right? Their Bangkok Canal Tour claims to present “an authentic look at Bangkok life” while traveling down these smaller khlongs, very different to going along big Chao Phraya River. With them it’s about getting you up close and personal. Very good, in fact. Mad Monkey says they offer experiences others might skip, by going a little bit deeper.

My Personal Experience on the Tour

Getting Started and What to Expect

As I showed up at the Mad Monkey hostel, for a starting point, I was really greeted by what appeared to be an extremely excited tour guide, honestly buzzing with excitement, you know? I was just one member of a fairly diverse group – mainly backpackers and single travellers, but as a matter of fact, it seemed everybody looked really up for exploring. What took place right after that involved a brief taxi (they sort that out) that got us directly toward the pier that was awaiting our longtail boat.

The boat, in any case, itself appeared quite conventional – long and slender, you know, accompanied with an engine to give it some poke and rows along the benches to perch. Sure, It may not seem like something luxurious; very crucial when you want the true canal atmosphere to come over is the point of view. As we went on, very shortly after, leaving the main river behind and that. The transition of views that was provided as a matter of fact appeared like turning a page; skyscraper sights, it is true, replaced through stilted homes and tiny shops practically floating just next to the banks. So cool.

Sights, Sounds, and Smells

While we gently travelled by, a whole other section Bangkok almost unveiled itself. I was struck, actually, through what I’d only refer to as pure life taking shape around the khlongs. Little kids, yes, that seemed happy, you know waving out; sellers in small watercraft, offering pretty much everything originating at tropical fruits up to like some seriously steaming bowls of noodle soup, in fact; lizards lazily relaxed with warm concrete, more or less. Just to see that it does add appeal toward tour that wants immersion as priority instead grand scenic spots, like some tours put on over and over.

What really surprised all of us might very well actually just have had to be this one stop we did wind up taking in this small temple complex! It’s very interesting indeed that there seems not many travel guides making mention that there will be stopping points. I think in the tour’s case there has only been locals praying on the banks as it could provide them time away form chaotic side located on Bangkok; you end up discovering an original part within town instead merely driving thru it or that.

It isn’t always absolutely delightful. As any long tail boat user can tell: from point to point along the klongs are just simply mess – bits from thrown materials lying beside plantlife! You will even get the strong whiffs caused sometimes coming directly out off all of your garbage! And well these scenarios are real facets out over canal living it serves rather as an indicator exactly when your goal comes from watching Thai existences far better compared the constructed experiences usually available by traditional visitor programmes anyway.

The Guide’s Knowledge and Vibe

Anyway, for all the things going great about my excursion that specific guide could really do it, you know?! Very obviously knowledgeable and quite happy being at any instant describing facets through its background right into its existing lifestyle on waterway way along we visited through locations; these are actually little additions giving this kind trip character as rather some disinterested voyage when some prepackaged commentaries would do nothing by anyone!

Lasting Memories

Okay, while it’s true there were temples which positively gleamed combined with markets with tons vibrant hues: you have impressions you took, is that correct?! Everything becomes really special; children’s smiles right before residents who have been working diligently always make sure waterways alive together form part regarding why travelling abroad brings anything great since that really reveals parts to this place perhaps tourists typically often overlooked too. That Mad Monkey offers one unforgettable excursion, indeed. It really makes what Bangkok may seem regarding anyone else feel distinct! When seeking anything genuine in regard what life appears situated over the river banks – after – certainly give this certain venture on your next opportunity too.

What Could be Improved?

With any activity like this, really, there can almost surely be little snags: Like I explained before already some could find sections dirty perhaps occasionally that whiffs emanating can all feel quite intense while still one may make peace along their sights but expect be completely sanitized excursion you may experience tiny disappointments!

The boat rides get so fairly long and quite occasionally uncomfortable indeed. Padded seats would add some luxurious elements given particularly that tours stretches several good number. That information on website or by tour companies needs update when it reaches certain stop overs/sightseeing for they would really avoid unneeded amazement potentially

Is This Tour Right for You?

Basically, considering any tour, do your goals really fit what offers occur during! Get something really “Insta-perfect”, well, no, maybe probably won’t meet up there. Anyone expecting fully curated tourist experience possibly look anyplace to!

On your part wanting witnessing Thailand beyond sightseers this is almost sure for real view or not and really aren’t easily shocked through reality’s elements in which everything combines or that probably an excellent trip

Pricing and What’s Included

Just so people reading know, the Mad Monkey Bangkok Canal Tour typically hangs around that 700-900 baht ($20-$30 USD) range. Included, usually, that includes, well, the boat trip itself, also a guide who will fill you in as you go, sometimes some little pit stops (like little temples, or sweet stands!), and often enough transportation between their spot and the boat place. As it seems obvious though, be sure you have some extra money just in case to pick up any of those tiny bites, or what to give anything nice as donation located within a temple we sometimes visit!

Alternative Canal Tours

As the saying goes: loads of choices for boat rides which move round on rivers on town Bangkok indeed or that is what anyone wants for a great reason as such but it really is that kind which works through one requirement greatly differs regarding those trips offered here or some that there are too; just ensure of knowing something will suit before jumping straight ahead into stuff too much further ahead there will perhaps be alternative available!

1. Local Community Tours: Certain organizations usually specialize supporting indigenous communities residing together besides shores via excursions: These experiences help tourists getting in proximity alongside inhabitants perhaps while supporting those initiatives personally by generating financial investments from visitor
2. Private Longtail Rentals: This gives someone complete discretion or itinerary as well: Tourists manage things just a great tour should operate where that is perhaps best selection so there appears complete discretion regarding exactly which locations do make them excited at all periods etc., while perhaps not really having somebody present alongside that entire adventure
3. Evening Canal Tours: During twilight time certain tours showcase city differently when lights have reflections by using water; these tend turn pretty much amazing when looking romantic perhaps.