River Kwai Adventure

Experience classic World War II sights, Adventure your way through Kanchanaburi, Enjoy biking, rafting through the city, Visit hot pools, waterfalls, Sit on gentle giants with elephant riding, River Kwai view from a nice resort, Trek through jungles and learn to cook Thai jungle food!

Season:
The trip to River Kwai can be completed year round, but in the period from June to October there might be heavy downpours in the middle of the day. The best period is from November to February, where it's dry, and the temperature is lowest - the day temperature lies about 30 degrees. From March to May the temperature can occur all up to 39 degrees.

Day 1: Bangkok-Kanchanaburi
About 8.45 in the morning you are picked up from New Road Guest House, Hotel Narai or Lebua State Tower in Bangkok. After this you are driven to Kanchanaburi – it’s about two hours drive. Upon arrival you check in at River Kwai Bridge Resort and enjoy a delicious lunch at the resort. After lunch you have time to relax, before it is time to explore the historical area. Look forward to a nice bicycle ride around the beautiful town Kanchanaburi accompanied by your English speaking guide. First stop is at the big cave Kao Poon Cave, which was used as hiding place for weapons for the Japanese during 2nd World War. After this you ride through narrow streets to the large military graveyard "Chung Kai War Cemetery", which is situated five kilometers outside Kanchanaburi. This cemetery houses about 1.800 western prisoners from the war, they were buried during the construction of the bridge and the railway in the years 1942-1943. Finally you bike back to Kanchanaburi in order to see the main attraction in the town - the Bridge over the river Kwai. During the building of this bridge between 80.000 -100.000 locals lost their lives. Shortly after the war ended large parts of the 415 km stretch was destroyed, and there is now is only 80 km back of "Death rail way", as it's called by the locals in the area. The bicycle ride back ends at the resort, where you can choose to cool off at the pool, relax with a book on the terrace next to the river or just sit and enjoy the view of the Bridge over the river Kwai. The dinner is served at the resort. The rest of the evening is at your free disposal. (L, D).

Day 2: Waterfalls, trekking and local village
After breakfast the trip continue to the Sai Yok national park, where the highlight is the waterfall, which starts 100 km from where it runs out in the River Kwai. This waterfall is famous in Thailand, because they say that king Rama V has steeped in the waterfall.

There have been written many songs about the waterfall and the nature around as being the most beautiful and most vigorous nature you will find in Thailand. After visiting the waterfall you go to visit the part of the railway that is named Hellfire Pass. It's the stretch on the railway, which has been most difficult to built, as it goes directly through an enormous cliff. After a good local lunch the trip continue to the natural hot springs "Hin Dad Hot Springs", where you can enjoy water temperatures up to 40 degrees. These hot springs were discovered by the Japanese during the construction of "The Death rail way", and because of the springs high contents of minerals it is said they have healing strength! If you like it is possible to swim in the springs - so remember a swimsuit. After this experience you go to see the local Karen-village, Nong Bang, where the locals live close with nature. When the visit ends, you drive by a 4WD-car, deep into the jungle. You can now look forward to a 4-5 hours trekking trip through big bamboo forests where your guide will help spotting some of the parks many funny and fascinating animal species. The trekking ends at a bamboo hut in the middle of the jungle, where you have to stay overnight. Here you get the possibility to help the guide to prepare the food in traditional Thai way. While eating the guide is playing on guitar and sing some songs from the area. Enjoy a relaxed evening and the peaceful atmosphere far away from the city noise. Be aware that staying in the jungle is with simple conditions, and there is no electricity. (B, L, D).

Day 3: Trekking, rafting and ride on elephant back
After the breakfast you begin the trekking back to the Karen-village. After about two hours hiking, you will ride on elephant back the rest of the way down to the river.
The trip goes through vigorous jungle, and you will be surprised how elegantly an elephant can move in difficult terrain. At the river you have to sail on a bamboo raft the rest of the way down to the village. If the current are very suitable, you maybe even get the possibility to steer the raft yourself - if you like. Back in the village you eat lunch together with the locals. You get time to take a look around in the village, and you can try to talk to the tribe people, who have a very different way of life compared to the Westerners. When you return to Kanchanaburi late in the afternoon, you board the train, which will take you over the tree-covered viaduct on the historical route known as "The death rail way". The trip takes about 30 min. When approaching the end of the train ride, your transport is waiting for you to take you back to Bangkok. Expect to be back at the hotel in Bangkok around 20.30, where the trip ends. (B, L).

Please note: If you come by yourself, an additional 650 THB will be added to the price.

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