The river and the railway (Kanchanaburi province)

This River Kwai tour is one of our most popular modules. It is a trip through the diverse landscape along the River Kwai- an authentic and totally essential Thailand experience. You will begin the River Kwai tour with a visit to the floating markets in Bangkok. From there, you'll travel down the original tracks of the infamous Burmese Death Railway. Afterwards, you'll head to your home for the night - a unique floating guest house on the River Kwai.

The following day, you'll continue your River Kwai tour with a swim in one of Thailand's most beautiful waterfalls, the Erawan falls. Next you'll travel on to Kanchanaburi where you'll visit the JEATH War Museum, and the Memorial Cemetary for POWs who were captured and forced to build the Death Railway. Afterwards, you can relax in laid back Kanchanaburi.

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Duration	Three days / two nights Departs Monday and Thursday	Accommodation	Two nights in a double room with your own bathroom, the first night is on a River Kwai floating raft hotel, without electricity.Comfort levels 1 & 2 (see accommodation).
Price	£131 per person - based on two people	Includes	Transport, accommodation, English-speaking guide. Lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Day 2, breakfast on Day 3. Entrance fee to JEATH War Museum.
Travel	Minibus, longtail boat on River Kwai and train	Excludes	Drinks and other meals, excursions and entrance costs not listed in the daily itinerary. Entrance to Erawan waterfalls (200 Baht, approx £4 entrance fee paid locally).

Day 1: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Early this morning, you'll be picked up from your Bangkok hotel in a minibus to begin your River Kwai tour. First, you'll travel across Bangkok to Damnoek Saduak, the Thai floating market, arriving early enough to beat the crowds. You'll find a massive variety on offer here, from coconuts and chilli peppers to Thai hats, parasols, and sarongs. 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. During the trip, the 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.

River Kwai tours - Damnoek Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok

River Kwai tour - Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

The River Kwai raliway tour ends in Nam Tok station, where you'll hop back in the minibus for the short drive to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. The historical bridge is an amazing sight, and part of the original viaduct remains to this very day. Next you'll catch a bite to eat (lunch is included) before continuing with your journey.

After lunch, 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 downstream in the middle of the night! There is no electricity, but the river will be alight with flickering oil lamps. You can swim safely in the River Kwai, but please be aware of the currents. Around 7pm you will 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 (additional cost of 400 Baht - approx £8).

Day 2: Staying in Kanchanaburi - Erawan waterfalls

After waking up in your floating hut, you'll begin the return journey by longtail boat. Within an hour you'll arrive at the Erawan Waterfalls (entrance fee 200 Baht, approx £4 paid locally). The waterfall has seven levels with a height difference of 1500m. Depending on your walking speed, it will take about 1 hour to reach the top. Your efforts will be rewarded when you reach this fairytale place of sparkling waters and pools in a chalk rock background, wonderfully carved by the water. Please be sure to bring plenty of water for the hike. You'll be given about three hours of free time by the waterfall to relax and take in the scenery. At the entrance to the waterfall there are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can buy snacks and refreshments. Many Thai people visit Erawan during the weekend, and this module has been planned to coincide with this, giving you more of a local experience. In the afternoon, you'll be brought back to Kanchanaburi (about one and a half hours away) for another night in the province.

River Kwai trips - Erawan waterfallsfloating

One of the 7 levels of the Erawan waterfalls

When you arrive in Kanchanaburi, you'll stop at the graveyard of many of the POWs that died while constructing the Burma (or Death) Railway during the Second World War. Next you'll visit the JEATH War Museum on the banks of the River Kwai. The museum is a confronting and eye-opening experience, with (sometimes shocking) photos of the barracks in the horrifying Japanese work camps.

This evening, you'll stay in a hotel located right on the River Kwai. Breakfast is included.

Day 3: Kanchanaburi and departure

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

From Kanchanaburi, you can continue on to the Royal City of Ayutthaya module. This journey takes about two hours, which we can easily arrange for you. In Ayutthaya, you will take a sunset tuk-tuk tour to the Khmer temples and stay overnight in the city. The following evening you can board the overnight train to Chiang Mai, and travel into the breathtaking northern province of the country.

For those of wishing to travel back to Bangkok, you can relax by the hotel swimming pool until it's time to leave. You'll then buy your own bus ticket (it's far easier and cheaper to arrange on the spot) at the station to travel back to Bangkok.

Those going straight from Kanchanaburi to the beach can reach Hua Hin within half a day. Our guide will advise you about how to get there. Hua Hin is perfect destination if you are looking for a beach close to Bangkok as it's only 4 hours away by train.

Another option is taking the train south via Nakhon Pathom to Surat Thani: the gateway to Thailand's Palm Beaches and Islands.

Our local agent will be more than happy to dispense advice concerning your onward plans. Please feel free to ask him as many questions as you wish- he will be delighted to help.

River Kwai tour - Walk over the famous bridge over the River Kwai

Tips

Take with you: Easy walking shoes (sandals or trainers), swimming costume and towel/sarong (for the waterfalls).

Best time to travel: This module is offered throughout the year. It is hot in March and April and rains more frequently from May to November. However, during the rainier months the jungle is a vibrant green and the Erawan Waterfalls are an even more impressive sight.

Food and drink: The accommodation for the first night is on the river and meals are therefore included. On Day 2, you can grab your own lunch at the waterfall, or later on in Kanchanaburi.

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