Itinerary

Four Day River Kwai Downstream Cruise Details

During the four day downstream cruise (every Thursday-Sunday) on the River Kwai from Kanchanaburi, we will visit many sights and arrange activities all along the way. In the itinerary are temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, and of course the famous bridge over the River Kwai as well as many other local attractions…

River Kwai Cruise Itinerary

Thursday | Cruise Day 1 |

BANGKOK-KANCHANABURI-THONG PHA PHUM-BAN HIN DAD

• Depart from Bangkok by van/coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakorn Pathom.
• A shortstop in Nakhon Pathom to visit the highest Chedi in Thailand called “Phra Pathom Chedi” which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
• 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.
• Continue to Kanchanaburi.
• Lunch at Sommai Restaurant.
• 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 the construction of the railway, as well as all who suffered as a consequence of the hardships.
• Embark RV River Kwai and cruise along Kwai Noi River.
• Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday | Cruise Day 2 |

BAN HIN DAT-SAI YOK YAI-SAI YOK

• Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
• 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.
• Visit 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.
• Back on RV River Kwai.
• Lunch on board while cruising along Kwai Noi River.
• River rafting or canoeing downstream on Kwai Noi River. If time allows, visit nearby Mon Village.
• Dinner and overnight on board.

Saturday | Cruise Day 3 |

SAI YOK-BAN KAO

• Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
• Short visit at Sai Yok village located right on the river bank.
• Lunch on board while cruising to view greenery and mountainous scenery at its best.
• Board the coach to visit the Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent viewpoint. The cavern houses a Buddha image.
• Take a 3rd class train to Tha Kilen Train Station passing over the long wooden Wang Pho viaduct.
• Arrive Tha Kilen and continue by coach to "Prasat Muang Singh", a 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.
• Return to the RV River Kwai and cruise along Kwai Noi River.
  Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
• “Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board.

Sunday | Cruise Day 4 |

BAN KAO-KANCHANABURI-BANGKOK

• Offering foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at Chukkadon Market in Kanchanaburi.
  Breakfast on the boat whilst cruising to Nong Ya.
• Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach.
  Visit Wat Tham Khaopoon, a Buddhist temple that 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.
• Continue by bus to visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum, an interactive museum that provides a remarkable research and information center dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Then, visit the well-maintained Don Rak war cemetery which contains the remains of 6,982 Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the infamous “Death Railway”. Its tranquility still reminds visitors of the war and its aftermath.
  Finally, 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.
• Lunch at the Rabiang FA Restaurant, near the confluence of the two rivers Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi.
• Proceed to Bangkok.
• Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.