The River Kwai Seven Day Cruise Details
This is a seven-day cruise from Bangkok down the River Kwai. You’ll experience Thailand in a whole new way…
Cruise Itinerary
MONDAY | CRUISE DAY 1
BANGKOK-KANCHANABURI-THONG PHA PHUM-BAN HIN DAD
- 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 Sing.
- 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 DAT
- 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 DAT-THONG PHA PHUM-BAN HIN DAT
- Offering foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at nearby temple.
- Breakfast on board.
- Depart by coach to visit Vachiralongkorn Dam, an immense lake created from the waters of three rivers harnessed by the hydroelectric dam, which stretches to the far horizon. The thick jungle through which the railway line cut a swathe in recent times has been tamed and the surrounding fertile land now supports agricultural crops – sugar cane, tapioca, tobacco, maize and cotton. The admirable rugged scenery of the lake set against rolling hills on the distant horizon is ample reward for the long journey. Drive back to Thong Pha Phum and visit local market.
- Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure.
- Return to the RV River Kwai at local pier and cruise downstream on Kwai Noi River.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
FRIDAY | CRUISE DAY 5
BAN HIN DAT-SAI YOK YAI-SAI YOK
- Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
- Meet coach and continue 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.
- Visit to Pha Tat Waterfall located in the western zone of Si Nakharin Dam National Park. It originates from a small stream called Huai Kui Mang. Pha Tat is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kanchanaburi Province and flows into the Kwai Noi River.
- 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.
- Lunch at local restaurant and take a long tailed boat along Kwai Noi River to the Floatel Jungle Raft.
- River rafting or canoeing downstream on Kwai Noi River. If time allows, visit nearby the Mon Village.
- Dinner and overnight on board.
SATURDAY | CRUISE DAY 6
SAI YOK-BAN KAO
- Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
- Morning at leisure on the boat.
- Lunch on board while cruising downriver to Wang Pho Bridge.
- Depart by coach to visit Ban Kao National Museum, constructed beside a Neolithic burial ground. When Dr. Van Heekeren, a Dutch archaeologist was working as a prisoner of war on the construction of The Death Railway during World War II, he accidentally found numerous stone tolls in the Ban Kao area. When the war was over, the archaeological excavations were systematically conducted at the delta of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai Rivers. A large number of prehistoric skeletons, potteries, stone tools and ornaments were uncovered and exhibited at this museum.
- Rejoin RV River Kwai.
- Thai Cooking Class: There is no better way to learn Thai cooking than taking an authentic cooking class in Thailand. However this basic cooking class – on deck of RV River Kwai – will introduce you to the wonderful world of Thai flavors. During classes the school’s instructional emphasis is focused on three things: traditional Thai technique, innovative use of ingredients and aesthetic presentations. Spend a few hours learning to prepare a traditional Thai cocktail (‘Mai Tai’), authentic Thai dishes (e.g. ‘Tom Yam Kung’ or ‘Chicken Green Curry’) and a Thai green papaya salad (‘Som Tam’). An experience not to be missed!
- Farewell Dinner and overnight on board.
SUNDAY | CRUISE DAY 7
BAN KAO-KANCHANABURI-BANGKOK
- Breakfast on board while cruising downstream to Wat Tham Khaopoon.
- 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”.
- Rejoin RV River Kwai at Saphan Mai and lunch on board while cruising towards Nong Ya dock.
- Disembark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock and return to Bangkok by coach.
- Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.
