Kanchanaburi tour - River Kwai safari tents

Oil lamps along the bamboo river

This Kanchanaburi tour is similar to our popular River and the Railway module. However, this time you'll spend two nights in an African safari-style tented camp along the River Kwai, slowing down the pace. A tent may sound basic but, rest assured, this one is anything but...

On the first day of our Kanchanaburi tour, you'll travel from Bangkok to the floating markets. 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	£217 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Return transport from Bangkok, accommodation with breakfast and 2x dinner, English-speaking guide on Day 1 and 3, kayaks and mountain bikes at tented camp.
Transport	Minibus, boat	Excludes	Other meals, excursions, admission fees (admission Erawan Waterfsalls approx £8 per person).

Day 1: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Early this morning, you'll be picked up in Bangkok and, together with other travellers who booked this Kanchanburi tour, you'll travel through the suburbs of Bangkok to the most famous floating market in Thailand. These days the market is mainly for tourists but it’s still great to watch the little boats weaving through the river. Besides mangoes and bananas, you'll find Thai hats, parasols, beautiful skirts and other clothes here.

After 1½ hours you’ll leave the market and continue on to Kanchanaburi, the tropical province to the west of Bangkok. Here, you'll board the train to follow a stretch of the Death Railway, built in the Second World War by POWs held captive by the Japanese. Your guide will tell you all about its harrowing history during the 1½ hour train ride. There are beautiful views across the jungle and the River Kwai, especially from the right of the train.

Kanchanaburi tour - bridge over the 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 on the agenda for your Kanchanaburi tour today, 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.

Day 3: Erawan waterfalls - Bangkok

This morning, the minibus will 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 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 Northern Thailand tours, but you may prefer to spend another night in Bangkok and the take the train in the morning to start our Ayutthaya tour if you're heading north, or continue your trip with one of our Southern Thailand tours.

A peek at your accommodation

Kanchanaburi tour - tented camp terrace

Kanchanaburi tour - tented camp interior

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