Bike trip and Lake House Adventure - 7 days

This journey will take you 130 km west of Bangkok toward the border with Burma (Myanmar), where you will cycle through gorgeous Thai countryside, including a trip on the Bridge over the River Kwai, infamous for its construction by prisoners of war during World War II.

After three days you will move from land to water with Visit Beyond's new lake house on Khuen Khao Laem, or "Pointed Mountain Lake". This man-made lake in Sangkhlaburi was commissioned by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and sits amidst a nature reserve of over 1,000 km².

Bike Trip:

• Imported 24-speed mountain bikes (Merida and Trek) and helmet
• Cycling guide
• Water and snacks
• Mechanical backup
• Vehicle support
• Entrance fees
• Ride on the Thai-Burma Railway

Lake House:

• Shaded lower deck including dining area
• Fully-stocked bar
• Free use of kayaks and inner tubes
• Deck chairs, comfortable armchairs and hammocks for snoozing
• 1.80 meter platform for jumping into the lake
• Water/coffee/tea and fruit are included
• Books, games and fishing equipment free of use
• Life jackets
• All meals included

Target group:
The trip is suitable for everybody in good condition and fit to ride a bicycle. No children under 12 years is allowed on this trip due to the cycling trip.

Season:
The trip can be completed any time of year The best period is from November to February, where it's dry and the temperature is at its lowest. From March to May the temperature may be higher. Between May and November, Thailand enters its rainy season, where tropical showers during the day time are not uncommon.

Day 1: Transfer from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi and cycling
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok it is 2-3 hours transfer to Kanchanaburi where we stop to visit the WWII cemetery downtown. From here you board the Thai-Burma Railway for a ride through history along a railway line. The train carries you over the infamous "Bridge Over The River Kwai' and North West towards Burma. Following the course of the Kwai Noi River the train passes slowly as it crosses original trestle bridges built by the prisoner of war laborers. At Tam Krassair you will disembark from the train and have lunch before transferring to the Khmer ruins at Muang Sing. At the peak of the Khmer Empire, centered out of Siem Reap in Cambodia, this region was on the outer edges of the Kingdom. Muang Sing is a Khmer ruin from this period. The ruins are largely incomplete but it is a peaceful place and the perfect starting point to the cycling part of your journey. Today's ride is an easy 35km on small back roads through villages and farmland that make for a great introduction to the region. We will make stops at anything interesting seen along the way. The great joy of cycling back roads is that you never know what will be happening from one week to the next. (L, D)

Day 2: Around the outskirts of Kanchanaburi:
Today's journey is cycling all the way. The support vehicle will be on duty if you need it but if you can ride the entire 55km you'll enjoy a full day of cycling in Thailand. The ride to the end destination is mostly on unsealed roads with a little bit of rolling terrain. You will pass endless villages and countryside as you continue following the general course of the Kwai Noi River. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Hellfire pass and Sai Yok Noi:
This morning you will start with an easy 22km ride to Hellfire Pass. Hellfire Pass is a legendary part of the story of the Thai-Burma Railway. While cutting a pass through the limestone rock hundreds of prisoners died here. A highly informative memorial museum has been built here and there are tracks built to explore the Pass. Back on the bikes you continue on to Sai Yok for lunch before joining with the non-cyclists and boarding their vehicle for the transfer to the houseboat. Arriving on the house boat you check in while dinner is prepared. While having dinner you sail towards the first nights anchor point. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Water Fall and Coconut Island:
After breakfast we take the kayaks to mainland, and after a short walk we will reach Dai Chong Thong waterfall. It is possible to take a swim or just enjoy the sight (from March to May, it is dry season which causes low water level, so during this period the activity is not guaranteed). In the afternoon we will visit the Coconut Island with a population of just ten people. A nice and cozy island with lots of coconut trees, cacao and other kinds of trees. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Elephant riding, lunch at the Karen village:
We start the day in kayak, visiting one of many small bays and explore five small caves containing a lot of bats, and maybe see one of the local fishermen in action. At midday you will be picked up by a long tail boat and go up a nearby river. When you reach the Karen village at the river, the elephant riding will start, and they will take you up the river through the jungle. After an hour you will be set off to do bamboo rafting back to the village. (B, L, D).

Day 6: Enjoy the day swimming, fishing or relax in the sun:
Today you will reach the final destination of the trip - Sangklaburi. In the morning there will be time to go kayaking, fishing, swimming or what you prefer, before we set off. Back on mainland you can see the longest teakwood bridges in Thailand or you can take a private tour to the Three

Pagodas Pass, which is located on the border between Thailand and Burma. In Sangkhlaburi you will check in at a nice guesthouse just on the river bank. (B, L)

Day 7: Sangklaburi-Bangkok:
After your stay in the relaxing village of Sangkhlaburi, we will be on our way back to Bangkok. The trip is about 7 hours, but the first part is very beautiful where you will go through jungle areas. You will end at the Northern bus terminal, and transport to NRGH or else where is on your own.

Choice: If you like, you may wish to extend the trip one or more days in the village of Sangklaburi.

General word explanation: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner

We reserve the rights to make changes without prior notice.

If there less than 4 customers for this trip we reserve the right to cancel without prior notice.

Cancellation:

• Penalty of 25% will be charged on a 16 days advance notice of cancellation.
• Penalty of 50% will be charged on an advance notice of cancellation between 15 to 5 days.
• No refund for less than 5 days advance notice of cancellation.

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