Itinerary

Day 1

Bangkok - Kanchanaburi Early this morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel in Bangkok to begin your River Kwai tour. First, you'll travel by minibus across Bangkok to Damnoek Saduak, the Thai floating market, arriving early enough to beat the crowds. You'll find a massive variety on offer at this market, from cocunuts and chillies to Thai hats, parasols, and sarongs. After stocking up at the market, you'll begin the journey to the tropical province of Kanchanaburi, just west of Bangkok. Here, you'll step aboard the haunting Death Railway, built by POWs taken by the Japanese during the Second World War. During the trip, your guide will explain to you the fascinating, and shocking, history of the rails. From the train, you'll have a stunning view over the jungle and the River Kwai. The crossing of the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai' is, without a doubt, the highlight of this River Kwai tour. The River Kwai raliway tour ends in Nam Tok station, where you'll catch a bit to eat (lunch is included) before continuing with your journey.

After lunch, you'll set off on the next leg of your River Kwai tour. You'll make your way down to the riverbank, where you'll be collected by longtail boat and transferred to your unfortgettable accommodation for the night. You'll have your own floating hut, built on a bamboo raft, complete with swimming ladder and hammock. All of the huts are shackled down, so you don't need to worry about floating downstrean in the middle of the night. Around 7pm you'll gather around the long table for an atmospheric communal dinner. This is also included in the price. After dinner, you can see a traditional Mon dance, performed by local amateur teenagers.

Day 2

Kanchanaburi - Erawan Waterfalls After waking up in your floating hut, you'll hop in a longtail boat. Within an hour you arrive at the Erawan Waterfalls (entrance costs approx £3, paid locally). The waterfall has seven levels with a height difference of 1500m. Depending on your walking speed, it will take about an hour and a half to reach the top. Your efforts will be rewarded when you reach this fairytale place of sparkling dreamy waters with light blue basins in a chalk rock background, wonderfully carved by the water. You will be given about three hours of free time by the waterfall to relax and marvel at the spectacular scenery. In the afternoon, you will be brought back to Kanchanaburi (about one and a half hours away) for another night in the province. This evening, you will stay at a bungalow complex run by Uncle Pan, a wonderful and welcoming resort. Most of the bungalows have magnificent views over the river, and breakfast is included.
The rest of the day is free for you to go as you please. For those craving a little culture, you can visit the JEATH War Museum. You can walk it in 20 minutes, or take a tuk-tuk (five minutes, 50p - £1 depending on your haggling skills!). The museum is a confronting and eye-opening experience, with (sometimes shocking) photos of the barracks in the horrifying Japanese work camps. There is also a graveyard at the musuem - the resting place of many POWs used as slave labourers to build the infamous Burma (or Death) Railway. Near the musuem and graveyard there are several small restaurants lining the riverbank, which are ideal for an atmospheric evening meal.

Day 3

This trip finishes after breakfast, after which you will continue with your Thai adventure.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Breakfast and some other meals

Exclusions -

International flights to Thailand