River Kwai Cruise - 4 Days

The RV River Kwai, the first inland cruise ship in Thailand, is a newly built colonial style river cruiser based on designs used by the original Irrawaddy Flotilla which was founded in Burma in 1865 and by the 1920s was the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world.

The RV River Kwai carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 teakwood cabins (single deck) and operates on a 4 days/3 nights year round program every Monday-Thursday and Thursday-Sunday on both Upstream and Downstream programs alternately.

The RV River Kwai opens up an entirely new area for river tourism in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok. Every morning and afternoon land excursions are offered to visit attractions along the river including temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, the bridge on the River Kwai, and local attractions, etc.

Itinerary Program I - Upstream

Day 1 - Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Ban Kao (L/D)

• 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 and visit to JEATH War Museum, a realistic depiction of a prisoner of war (POW) camp with bamboo huts which give an inkling of the grim living conditions and atrocities endured. On display are tools, bombs, photographs, original sketches, testimonies, pictorials and physical memorabilia dating from World War II.
• 12:00 Embark RV River Kwai.
• 13:00 Lunch on board while cruising on Kwai Noi River.
• 14:30 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.
• 15:00 Proceed by coach to visit Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park, located in the Kanchanaburi Agriculture College. It is known as "Stone Garden" covering 200 rai (96 acres), since most of its area is scattered with stones of different sizes and shapes, similar to animals.
• 16:30 Return to boat and continue cruising upriver to Wang Pla Moo Bridge.
(Optional: Asian Trails Elephant Driving Licence - Extra: Baht 1900.- per person)
• 18:00 Basic information on elephants
• 18:00-18:30 Lecture part 1
• 18:30-18:40 Coffee break
• 18:40-19:00 Lecture part 2
• 19:30 Dinner and overnight on board, near Ban Kao.

Day 2 - Ban Kao - Sai Yok (B/L/D)

• Breakfast on board while cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh.
• 09:00-09:30 Exam on theory
• 10:00 Visit "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.
• 11:00 Continue by coach to Tha Kilen Train Station.
• 11:47 Take a 3rd class train to Saphan Tham Krasae passing over the long wooden viaduct.
• 12:02 Arrive at Saphan Tham Krasae and visit to Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent view point. The cavern houses a Buddha image.
• 12:30 Continue by coach and short stop at Sai Yok Elephant Village located right on the river bank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge.
(Optional: Enjoy half an hour elephant riding through the jungle and along the Kwai Noi River – Extra: Baht 300.- per person)
Training and practical exam for Elephant Driving Licence
• 14:00 Lunch on board while cruising upriver.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
(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 - Sai Yok Yai - Ban Hin Dad (B/L/D)

• Breakfast on board.
• 09:00 Walk uphill to visit Kaeng Lava Cave. From the landing a short trail leads to the cave which boasts admirable stone draperies and concretions in large chambers. The stalactites and stalagmites are a spectacular creation by nature.
• 10:30 Cruise upriver to Ban Haad Ngiu and continue by coach 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.
Rejoin the boat at Kaeng Pa Lorm.
• 13:30 Lunch on board while cruising upriver, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
• 15:30 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.
• 16:30 Back to boat and cruising upriver.
• 19:00 “Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board at Daowadueng Bridge.

Day 4 - Ban Hin Dad - Kanchanaburi - Bangkok (B/L)

• 07:00 Offering foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at nearby temple.
• 08:30 Breakfast on board.
• 10:00 Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach. Visit 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. Also 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”. Continue to 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.
• 13:00 Lunch at River Kwai Restaurant, next to the bridge.
• 14:00 Proceed to Bangkok.
• 18:00 Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel or to Bangkok Airport.

Itinerary Program II - Downstream

Day 1 - Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Thong Pha Phum (L/D)

• 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.

Day 2 - Ban Hin Dad-Sai Yok Yai-Sai Yok (B/L/D)

• 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)

Day 3 - Sai Yok-Ban Kao (B/L/D)

• 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.- per person)
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 (B/L)

• 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 on the Mae Klong Dam at Tha Muang.
• 15:00 Disembark RV River Kwai at Mae Klong Dam and return to Bangkok by coach.
• 18:00 Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel or to Bangkok Airport.

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