River Kwai Nature & Adventure

📍 Distance and journey time: Bangkok – Samut Songkhram (75.2 km): 1.04 hr Samut Songkhram – Kanchanaburi (109 km): 1.30 hr Kanchanaburi – Hintok River Camp (86.1 km): 1.23 hr Kanchanaburi – River Kwai Resotel (80.1 km): 1.33 hr Kanchanaburi – The FloatHouse River Kwai (80.8 km): 1.34 hr

Early this morning, drive south from Bangkok to the garden province of Samut Songkhram (80km) in the Mae Klong River delta area. *Visit a unique country market along the railway tracks where local people gather to buy and sell a variety of goods. From here, the journey continues to the very famous touristic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although quite touristy today, the market remains the best example to showcase how a floating market originally was like decades ago.

(For visits falling on a Saturday or Sunday, the tour offers the option of an exploration choosing between visiting Damnoen Saduak or the smaller and less touristy floating market Tha Kha where a short paddle boat tour in the backwaters offering a visit to an old Thai house making coconut palm sugar.)

Take a fascinating paddleboat journey through the waterways to visit a family that makes coconut sugar syrup at their teak house, and taste a glass of the sweet juice. Visit some beautiful local temples; see a 400 year-old banyan tree and interesting statues depicting the traditional art of Thai boxing. Then visit Rama II Park, which houses a local museum with traditional artifacts.

The day continues with a drive to Kanchanaburi, where guests will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The restaurant is situated near the famous “Bridge on the River Kwai”, which was built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II. Visit Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum and stroll through the historical lanes in the Pak Preak community, lined with charming shop houses built during the reign of King Rama V. Guests are then driven to their hotel. [River Kwai Bridge]

Dinner and overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 River Kwai Resotel / The FloatHouse – Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum (143 km): 2.14 hr Hintok River Camp – Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum (4.7 km): 18 min Hintok River Camp – Erawan National Park (79 km): 1.53 hr River Kwai Resotel / The FloatHouse – Erawan National Park (72.1 km): 1.40 hr

Option A

After a hearty breakfast, take a one-hour drive (80km) to the northwestern part of the city. Visit the Hellfire Pass Museum before embarking on a trek through the nearby canyon. The walk along the Memorial Walking Trail overlooks the hills of Myanmar. A free audio guide, narrated by former POWs, is provided to help guests understand the conditions endured by those working on the line during World War II.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Option B

After breakfast, depart for Erawan Waterfall - a beautiful seven-tiered waterfall. Located in Erawan National Park, the best time to visit is during rainy season from May until September. Guests will be able to walk up to each tier of these picturesque falls, so it is best to bring good walking shoes. Also guests should remember to bring their swimming suit so they can cool off in the falls’ natural pools.

Note: Depending on the circumstances, the guide will decide whether it is safe enough to swim in the waterfalls. Guests should kindly always respect and follow his decision.

After lunch, take a short train ride along the infamous ‘death railway’ through Kwai Noi gorge.

After the ride, transfer to your resort.

Dinner at the resort.

Overnight in Kanchanaburi. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Kanchanaburi – Phra Pathom Chedi Nakhon Pathom (71.6 km): 59 min Phra Pathom Chedi Nakhon Pathom – Bangkok City (61.3 km): 1.30 hr Phra Pathom Chedi Nakhon Pathom – Bangkok Airport (86.2 km): 1.25 hr

After breakfast, visit Prasat Muang Singh, a Khmer temple complex dating back to the Angkorian period. Walk around the peaceful historical ruins and explore the history and culture of the area. Return to Bangkok via Nakhon Pathom, stopping to visit Phra Pathom Chedi, the world’s tallest Buddhist chedi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast