Four days, three nights, and a river that carries you gently home. From Thursday to Sunday, the RV River Kwai follows the Kwai Noi downstream from the mountains of Kanchanaburi, through jungle valleys and past quiet villages.

The journey begins at Phra Pathom Chedi, Thailand's tallest stupa, and the cave temples of Khao Noi and Tiger Cave. In the afternoon you stand at Hellfire Pass, one of the most moving memorial sites of the Second World War, before boarding the ship for your first evening on the river.

The second day belongs to nature: the warm mineral pools of Hin Dat Hot Spring, the Pha Tad waterfall in the forest, and a canoe or rafting trip on the Kwai Noi, with a visit to a Mon village if time allows. On day three you visit Krasae Cave on the riverbank. Then a local train on the historic Thailand–Burma Railway rolls across the wooden Wang Pho viaduct, and the afternoon leads to the 800-year-old Khmer ruins of Prasat Muang Singh. A farewell dinner on board closes the evening.

On the final morning you take part in the Buddhist alms-giving at the Chukkadon market in Kanchanaburi. Before returning to Bangkok, you visit the cave temple of Wat Tham Khaopoon, the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, the Don Rak War Cemetery and the bridge over the River Kwai.

Between excursions, the ship is yours: the sun deck, a cool drink at sunset and the river landscape drifting past your picture window.

A small ship, a personal journey
The RV River Kwai is built in the colonial style of the historic Irrawaddy Flotilla. She carries a maximum of 20 guests in ten teak-panelled outside cabins, each with a private bathroom and a large picture window. The small group means personal service and an unhurried atmosphere.

Prefer to travel upstream? The upstream cruise runs from Monday to Thursday. For a longer journey, our seven-day Heritage Cruise covers both directions. For golf lovers, we also offer a four-day golf cruise.

Catering
Cuisine on board is a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and international dishes. Breakfast and dinner are served on board. Lunch is served on board or in a local restaurant, depending on the day's programme. Please tell us about any dietary requirements or allergies at least three days before departure.

Included

• Accommodation on board the RV River Kwai, meals as described, coffee, tea and drinking water
• Transfers and sightseeing with an English-speaking local guide, shared with fellow cruise guests (German, French or other languages on request, subject to availability)
• Entrance fees

Not included

• Optional tours
• Personal expenses (bar, laundry)
• Gratuities for the crew

Cruise details

• Direction: Downstream (↡)
• Duration: Thursday to Sunday | 4 days / 3 nights
• Regular departure day: Thursday, from Bangkok
• Capacity: Max. 20 guests | 10 cabins

Departures and operating conditions

Upstream departures on the first and third Monday of each month are guaranteed without a minimum number of guests. All other regular departures are initially conditional and operate with at least 4 booked guests or explicit confirmation by CruiseAsia.

A confirmed 7-day/6-night booking departing on a guaranteed first or third Monday also guarantees the following Thursday downstream departure, even with fewer than 4 guests booked for that segment. A 7-day booking reserves the same cabin continuously across both segments.

Dry dock: 3 May to 4 July 2027 inclusive. No cruises operate during this maintenance period; all departures and bookings are blocked, including otherwise guaranteed departures. Departures from 5 July 2027 have been released again by the operator and remain subject to the regular operating conditions.

All cruises remain subject to safety-related, hydrological and exceptional operational circumstances.

Your own ship on the River Kwai
Charter the RV River Kwai exclusively for your group: a club outing, a company incentive, a family celebration or a special anniversary. Ten cabins, a programme tailored to your group, and our crew and guides entirely at your service. We will gladly prepare a personal proposal for you.