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River Kwai Kanchanaburi - River Kwai safari tents

Oil lamps along the bamboo river

Route: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - River Kwai - Erawan waterfall - Bangkok

This River Kwai and Kanchanaburi tour is similar to our popular River and the Railway module, but with a twist. Rather than a floating raft, you'll spend your nights at an indulgent tented camp. On the first day of the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi tour, you'll travel from Bangkok to the train market. Following a trip on the spectacular Death Railway, you'll travel by train to your tented camp on the bamboo-lined banks of the River Kwai. In the evening, your tent will be lit by oil lamps and you can sit by the campfire under starry skies. On the second day, you can hike through Hellfire Gorge, take a kayak out on the river or explore the countryside by mountain bike. On Day 3, you'll take a trip to the Erawan Falls where to swim in the crystal clear waters before heading back to Bangkok.

Duration	3 days / 2 nights Departs Mondays and Thursdays from Bangkok	Accommodation	2 nights in luxury tented camp along River Kwai with private bathroom and hot water. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£208 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Return transport from Bangkok, accommodation with breakfast and two dinners, English-speaking guide on Day 1 and 3, kayaks and mountain bikes at tented camp.
Transport	Minibus, boat, train	Excludes	Other meals, excursions, admission fees (admission to Erawan Waterfalls is approx £8 per person).

Day 1: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Early this morning, you'll be picked up from your Bangkok hotel in a minibus to begin your River Kwai adventure. You'll start with a visit to the old fishing port of Samut Sakhon, locally known as 'Mahachai', which is well known for its unique 'train market'. Here, you can wander around the stalls trying the exotic fruits and local snacks on display between the rails. When the train comes, all the vendors dash madly about to move their wares away from the tracks. As soon as the train passes, they put everything back in place just as quickly, so within seconds it seems as if nothing has ever happened. The market is a really authentic and fun experience, not touristy at all, which is why we've made this change.

After stocking up at the market, you’ll begin the journey to the tropical province of Kanchanaburi, west of Bangkok. Here, you'll step aboard the haunting Death Railway built by POWs taken by the Japanese during the Second World War. Your guide will explain to you the fascinating and shocking history of the rails and you'll have a stunning view over the River Kwai.

River Kwai Kanchanaburi - Bridge over River Kwai

One real highlight of the train journey is crossing “The Bridge on the River Kwai”. You'll leave the train in Nam Tok around lunchtime (lunch included).

After lunch you'll be transferred by minibus to your tented camp, the transfer takes approx 30-45 minutes. At the camp your spacious khaki tents are located near the river and you'll hear the twittering of birds along the riverbank, the breeze in the trees and the sound of the river. There’s a comfortable bathroom with a ‘normal’ toilet and a (warm shower). There’s no electricity but your oil lamp is refilled daily and lit in the evening once it gets dark.

Once you’ve freshened up you’ll join the other guests in the restaurant for dinner. Of course, a tented camp wouldn’t be complete without a campfire - so you can gather under starry skies by the fire.

Day 2: Free Day - River Kwai

There's nothing planned on the second day of this River Kwai and Kanchanaburi tour, so you can spend your time exactly as you wish.

We can recommend taking one of the kayaks out on to the river for an hour or so, a wonderful way to see the area. There's also a winding path leading into the jungle and mountain bikes at the camp if you don't fancy kayaking. They belong to the camp and you can use them whenever you want.

We can also recommend taking a walk to Hellfire Pass. This 1½ hour hike along even paths passes through bamboo forests with views across the river, then through a rocky gorge where you can see parts of the railway. The Hellfire Pass Museum is considered one of the best in Thailand.

Alternatively, you can just enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing by the tent.

River Kwai Kanchanaburi - River Kwai tent

Day 3: Erawan waterfalls - Bangkok

On day three of your River Kwai Kanchanaburi trip, the minibus will be waiting to take you to the Erawan waterfalls. You'll be dropped off at the entrance to the park and a ten-minute walk will take you to the first of the seven levels of waterfalls. The place is popular with Thai families who come here for a picnic and a dip. If it's not too hot, you can head further up the path to the higher waterfalls. It's a tough uphill walk at times, especially in the heat, but the higher you go the more exotic the waterfall plateaus become. Once you reach the highest plateau and sink into the warm, turquoise water you'll feel duly rewarded for the arduous climb.

In the afternoon the minibus will pick you up again and take you back to Bangkok, where your River Kwai Kanchanaburi tour ends. You'll be back in time to catch the sleeper train back to Chiang Mai if you're about to begin one of our Chiang Mai tours in Northern Thailand. However, you may prefer to spend another night in Bangkok and take the train in the morning to see some temples in Thailand with our 'Temples and tuk-tuks' module if you're heading north. Alternatively, you could continue your trip with one of our Southern tours in Thailand.

Kanchanaburi River Kwai tour - Accommodation (click to enlarge)

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