DAY 1 BANGKOK-KANCHANABURI-THONG PHA PHUM-BAN HIN DAD
The Bridge on the River Kwai
07:00 - Depart from Bangkok by coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakorn Pathom.
09:00 - Short stop to visit the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Pathom Chedi" which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
10:30 - Visit to Khao Noi Cave Temple (Wat Tham Khao Noi) located on the west bank of the river. The monastery was constructed on a hill, decorated in the form of Chinese architecture and cultural art. From the top of the monastery observe the beautiful scenery of Kanchanaburi and its mountainous horizon. Also visit to Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) nearby, built in the form of Thai cultural art. The great Buddha image and pagoda placed in the temple are respected by all Buddhists.
11:30 - Continue to Kanchanaburi.
12:30 - Lunch at Sommai Restaurant.
13:30 - Proceed to Hell Fire Pass, a part of the Death Railway cut through the stone mountain. Trails lead to Hin Tok Bridge and Konyu Cutting where a plaque commemorates the ordeal of Australian and British POW's who undertook the hazardous work in precarious conditions at the aptly named pass. The memorial complex (Hin Lek Fai) is intended to honor the Allied Prisoners of War and conscripted people from India, Burma, Malaysia and other countries who died during construction of the railway, as well as all who suffered as a consequence of the hardships.
16:00 - Embark RV River Kwai at Daowadung Bridge and cruise downstream on Kwai Noi River.
19:30 - Dinner and overnight on board at Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls.
09:00 - Short stop to visit the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Pathom Chedi" which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
10:30 - Visit to Khao Noi Cave Temple (Wat Tham Khao Noi) located on the west bank of the river. The monastery was constructed on a hill, decorated in the form of Chinese architecture and cultural art. From the top of the monastery observe the beautiful scenery of Kanchanaburi and its mountainous horizon. Also visit to Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) nearby, built in the form of Thai cultural art. The great Buddha image and pagoda placed in the temple are respected by all Buddhists.
11:30 - Continue to Kanchanaburi.
12:30 - Lunch at Sommai Restaurant.
13:30 - Proceed to Hell Fire Pass, a part of the Death Railway cut through the stone mountain. Trails lead to Hin Tok Bridge and Konyu Cutting where a plaque commemorates the ordeal of Australian and British POW's who undertook the hazardous work in precarious conditions at the aptly named pass. The memorial complex (Hin Lek Fai) is intended to honor the Allied Prisoners of War and conscripted people from India, Burma, Malaysia and other countries who died during construction of the railway, as well as all who suffered as a consequence of the hardships.
16:00 - Embark RV River Kwai at Daowadung Bridge and cruise downstream on Kwai Noi River.
19:30 - Dinner and overnight on board at Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls.
DAY 2 - BAN HIN DAD - SAI YOK YAI-SAI YOK
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall Thailand
Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
08:30 - Visit a boarding school nearby the bank of Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children.
09:45 - Continue by coach to visit Hin Dad Hot Spring, formerly called Kui Mang. It was accidentally discovered by Japanese soldiers who were supervising the construction of the Death Railway. The natural hot spring features two large pools and private baths. The mineral in the spring is believed to cure many diseases, e.g. beriberi (lack of vitamin B), arthritis, etc.
10:30 - Visit to Pha Tad Waterfall located in the western zone of Si Nakharin Dam National Park. It originates from a small stream called Huai Kui Mang. Pha Tad is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kanchanaburi Province and flows into the Kwai Noi River.
11:30 - Board RV River Kwai at Kaeng Pa Lorm. (Optional: Asian Trails Elephant Driving Licence - Extra: Baht 1900.- per person)
12:00 - Basic information on elephants, 12:00-12:30 - Lecture part 1, 12:30-12:40 - Coffee break, 12:40-13:00 - Lecture part 2
13:30 - Lunch on board while cruising downriver to the Floatel Jungle Raft.
15:00 - River rafting or canoeing downstream on Kwai Noi River. If time allows, visit nearby Mon Village.
(Optional: Enjoy one hour Thai traditional massage - Extra: Baht 500.- per person)
19:30 - Dinner and overnight on board near the Resotel.
(Optional: Enjoy 45 minutes Mon dances performance - Extra: Baht 150.- per person)
08:30 - Visit a boarding school nearby the bank of Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children.
09:45 - Continue by coach to visit Hin Dad Hot Spring, formerly called Kui Mang. It was accidentally discovered by Japanese soldiers who were supervising the construction of the Death Railway. The natural hot spring features two large pools and private baths. The mineral in the spring is believed to cure many diseases, e.g. beriberi (lack of vitamin B), arthritis, etc.
10:30 - Visit to Pha Tad Waterfall located in the western zone of Si Nakharin Dam National Park. It originates from a small stream called Huai Kui Mang. Pha Tad is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kanchanaburi Province and flows into the Kwai Noi River.
11:30 - Board RV River Kwai at Kaeng Pa Lorm. (Optional: Asian Trails Elephant Driving Licence - Extra: Baht 1900.- per person)
12:00 - Basic information on elephants, 12:00-12:30 - Lecture part 1, 12:30-12:40 - Coffee break, 12:40-13:00 - Lecture part 2
13:30 - Lunch on board while cruising downriver to the Floatel Jungle Raft.
15:00 - River rafting or canoeing downstream on Kwai Noi River. If time allows, visit nearby Mon Village.
(Optional: Enjoy one hour Thai traditional massage - Extra: Baht 500.- per person)
19:30 - Dinner and overnight on board near the Resotel.
(Optional: Enjoy 45 minutes Mon dances performance - Extra: Baht 150.- per person)
DAY 3 SAI YOK BAN HAO
Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
09:00-09:30 - Exam on theory
10:15 - Short visit at Sai Yok Elephant village located right on the river bank. (Optional: Enjoy half an hour elephant riding through the jungle and along the River Kwai Noi - Extra: Baht 300.- pro Person, ca. 7 Euro) Training and practical exam for Elephant Driving Licence
11:45 - Lunch on board while cruising downriver to Wang Pho Bridge.
13:00 - Board the coach to visit the Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent view point. The cavern houses a Buddha image.
13:36 - Take a 3rd class train to Tha Kilen Train Station passing over the long wooden viaduct.
13:51 - Arrive Tha Kilen and continue by coach to "Prasat Muang Singh", historical park with Khmer architecture from the late Lopburi period, some 700-800 years ago. The extensive ruins of the temple beside the River Kwai Noi are a potent reminder of the vast expanse of the Khmer empire. The ancient border town of Muang Singh, "City of the Lions", was probably established as a trading post.
15:00 - Return to the RV River Kwai at Prasat Muang Singh and cruise downstream. Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
19:00 - "Farewell Dinner" and overnight on board, near Ban Kao.
09:00-09:30 - Exam on theory
10:15 - Short visit at Sai Yok Elephant village located right on the river bank. (Optional: Enjoy half an hour elephant riding through the jungle and along the River Kwai Noi - Extra: Baht 300.- pro Person, ca. 7 Euro) Training and practical exam for Elephant Driving Licence
11:45 - Lunch on board while cruising downriver to Wang Pho Bridge.
13:00 - Board the coach to visit the Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent view point. The cavern houses a Buddha image.
13:36 - Take a 3rd class train to Tha Kilen Train Station passing over the long wooden viaduct.
13:51 - Arrive Tha Kilen and continue by coach to "Prasat Muang Singh", historical park with Khmer architecture from the late Lopburi period, some 700-800 years ago. The extensive ruins of the temple beside the River Kwai Noi are a potent reminder of the vast expanse of the Khmer empire. The ancient border town of Muang Singh, "City of the Lions", was probably established as a trading post.
15:00 - Return to the RV River Kwai at Prasat Muang Singh and cruise downstream. Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
19:00 - "Farewell Dinner" and overnight on board, near Ban Kao.
DAY 4 BAN KAO-KANCHANABURI-BANGKOK
08:00 - Breakfast on board while cruising downstream to Wat Tham Khaopoon.
09:00 - Visit to Wat Tham Khaopoon, a Buddhist temple which served as a big camp of World War II. There is a middle cave containing stalactites and stalagmites and many remarkable Buddha images. Behind the temple enjoy a marvelous view down the valley of the Kwai Noi River.
09:30 - Continue by coach to Kanchanaburi to visit the world-famous bridge over the River Kwai. The sturdy Iron Bridge spanning the River Kwai Yai, which was a crucial part of the Death Railway, was built in some 16 months by Allied prisoners of war and Asian conscripts. The bridge was destroyed in Allied bombing raids towards the end of World War II and was later rebuilt by the Japanese as war reparations. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum, an interactive museum which provides a remarkable research and information centre dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Finally, visit to the Donrak War Cemetery which contains the remains of 6,982 Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the "Death Railway".
12:30 - Rejoin RV River Kwai at Saphan Mai and lunch on board while cruising towards Nong Ya dock.
15:00 - Disembark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock and return to Bangkok by coach.
18:00 - Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel or to Bangkok Airport.
09:00 - Visit to Wat Tham Khaopoon, a Buddhist temple which served as a big camp of World War II. There is a middle cave containing stalactites and stalagmites and many remarkable Buddha images. Behind the temple enjoy a marvelous view down the valley of the Kwai Noi River.
09:30 - Continue by coach to Kanchanaburi to visit the world-famous bridge over the River Kwai. The sturdy Iron Bridge spanning the River Kwai Yai, which was a crucial part of the Death Railway, was built in some 16 months by Allied prisoners of war and Asian conscripts. The bridge was destroyed in Allied bombing raids towards the end of World War II and was later rebuilt by the Japanese as war reparations. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum, an interactive museum which provides a remarkable research and information centre dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Finally, visit to the Donrak War Cemetery which contains the remains of 6,982 Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the "Death Railway".
12:30 - Rejoin RV River Kwai at Saphan Mai and lunch on board while cruising towards Nong Ya dock.
15:00 - Disembark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock and return to Bangkok by coach.
18:00 - Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel or to Bangkok Airport.
