Four Day Upstream Cruise Details

During the four day upstream cruise (every Monday-Thursday) from Bangkok on the River Kwai, we will take you to visit sights such as temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, the bridge over the River Kwai and other local attractions, as well as enable you to participate in activities all along the way.

River Kwai Cruise Itinerary

Monday | Cruise Day 1 |

BANGKOK-KANCHANABURI-BAN KAO

Depart from Bangkok by van / coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakorn Pathom.
Short stop 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 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.
Embark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock. Lunch on board while cruising on Kwai Noi River.
Afternoon at leisure!
Dinner and overnight on board.

Tuesday | Cruise Day 2 |

BAN KAO-SAI YOK

Breakfast on board while cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh.
Visit a boarding school nearby the bank of the Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children.
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.
Continue by coach to Tha Kilen Train Station.
Take a 3rd class train to Saphan Tham Krasae passing over the long wooden viaduct.
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.
Continue by coach and short stop at Sai Yok Village located right on the river bank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge.
Lunch on board while cruising upriver.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
Dinner and overnight on board.

Wednesday | Cruise Day 3 |

SAI YOK-SAI YOK YAI-BAN HIN DAD

Breakfast on board.
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.
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.
Lunch at local restaurant in Saiyoke National Park area, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls.
Back to boat and cruising upriver.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
“Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board.

Thursday | Cruise Day 4 |

BAN HIN DAD-KANCHANABURI-BANGKOK

Offering foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at nearby temple.
Breakfast on board.
Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach.
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.
Then, 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.
Lunch at River Kwai Restaurant, next to the bridge.
Proceed to Bangkok.
Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.