The River and the Railway

Kanchanaburi province

This River Kwai rafts tour is one of our most popular modules. It is a trip through the diverse landscape along the River Kwai - an essential Thailand experience.

You will begin the River Kwai rafts tour with a visit to an authentic train market just outside Bangkok. From there, you'll travel down the original tracks of the infamous Burmese "Death" Railway, built with forced POW labour during WWII. After a relaxing boat trip down the river you will spend the night in a unique floating guest house on the River Kwai. The following day, you'll take a swim in the Erawan falls before visiting the War Museum and the Memorial Cemetery for POWs. Afterwards, you can relax in laid back Kanchanaburi.

Duration:	3 days - 2 nights Offered Monday and Thursday from Bangkok	Accommodation:	Basic jungle hut and cosy-small scale hotel Comfort Level 1-2 (see accommodation)
Price:	From $239 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Included:	Transport, accommodation, English-speaking guide. Lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Day 2, breakfast on Day 3. Entrance fee to Thai-Burma Railway Centre
Transport:	Minibus, longtail boat on River Kwai and train	Excluded:	Excursions and entrance costs not listed in daily itinerary. Entrance to Erawan waterfalls.

Day 1: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

It's an early start this morning when you'll be picked up from your Bangkok hotel in a minibus to begin your River Kwai rafts tour. Not far from Bangkok you'll stop in the town of Samut Sakhon where you'll experience a guided tour of the 'train market'. Here, you can wander around the stalls trying the exotic fruits and local snacks on display between the rails. When the train comes, all the vendors dash madly about to move their wares away from the tracks. As soon as the train passes, they put everything back in place just as quickly, so within seconds it seems as if nothing has ever happened. The market is a truly authentic and fun experience many tourists don't get to see.

After stocking up at the market, you’ll travel to the tropical province of Kanchanaburi and step aboard the the train to Mak Tol over the infamous Burma Railway, built by POWs taken by the Japanese during WWII. Your guide will explain to you the fascinating and shocking history of the rails and you'll have a stunning view over the River Kwai.

River Kwai tours - Damnoek Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok

River Kwai tour - Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

The River Kwai railway tour ends in Nam Tok station, where you'll hop back in the minibus for the short drive to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. The historical bridge is an interesting sight, and part of the original viaduct remains to this very day. Before continuing with your journey you will catch a bite to eat in Paksaeng (included).

After lunch you'll wander down to the riverbank where you'll be transferred by long-tail boat to the River Kwai jungle rafts where you will spend the night. Although there is no electricity, oil lamps create a special atmosphere. Your accommodation consists of basic, though comfortable, rooms with hammocks on the front porch and private facilities. In the evening there will be traditional dances and music of the Mon (small contribution may be requested locally). Overnight at the River Kwai Jungle Rafts.

Day 2: Staying in Kanchanaburi - Erawan waterfalls

After waking up in your jungle hut, you'll begin the return journey by longtail boat. Within an hour you'll arrive at the Erawan Waterfalls (entrance fee 200 Baht, approx $8, paid locally). The waterfall has seven levels with a height difference of 1500m. Depending on your walking speed, it will take about 1 hour to reach the top. Your efforts will be rewarded when you reach this fairytale place of sparkling waters and pools in a chalk rock background. You'll be given about three hours of free time by the waterfall to relax and take in the scenery. At the entrance to the waterfall there are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can buy snacks and refreshments. Many Thai people visit Erawan during the weekend, and this River Kwai tour has been planned to coincide with this, giving you more of a local experience. In the afternoon, you'll be brought back to Kanchanaburi (about one and a half hours away) for a night in the province.

River Kwai trips - Erawan waterfallsfloating

When you arrive in Kanchanaburi, you'll stop at the cemetary for many of the POWs who died while constructing the Burma Railway during the Second World War. Next you'll visit the Thai-Burma Railway Centre. The centre is a moving experience, giving further information and (sometimes shocking) details of the living conditions of the labourers.

This evening, you'll spend the night in a hotel located right on the River Kwai.

Day 3: Kanchanaburi and departure

Your River Kwai tour finishes this morning after breakfast, in Kanchanaburi, after which you will continue with your Thailand adventure.

From Kanchanaburi, you can continue on to Ayutthaya with our Temples and Tuk-Tuks tour. This journey takes about two hours, which we can easily arrange for you. In Ayutthaya, you'll take a sunset tuk-tuk tour to the Khmer temples. The following evening, you can board the overnight train to Chiang Mai to begin one of our Northern Thailand tours.

For those wishing to travel back to Bangkok, you can relax by the hotel swimming pool until it's time to leave. You can then buy a bus ticket locally (it's easier and cheaper to arrange on the spot) to travel back to Bangkok.

River Kwai tour - Walk over the famous bridge over the River Kwai

Tips

Take with you: Easy walking shoes (sandals or trainers), swimming costume and towel/sarong (for the waterfalls).

Best time to travel: This River Kwai Tour is offered throughout the year. It is hot in March and April and rains more frequently from May to November. However, during the rainier months the jungle is a vibrant green and the Erawan Waterfalls are an even more impressive sight.

Food and drink: Each nights accommodation includes breakfast. Lunch is included on day 1 and 2 and your dinner is included on day 2. Beverages and other meals at own arrangement.

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