RV River Kwai Cruise - Upstream

Approx. 06.00-07.00hrs, pick up from your hotel in Bangkok city and transfer by airconditioned minivan/coach to Kanchanaburi with a stop at Phra Pathom Chedi, which means “Holy chedi of the beginning” is regarded the oldest Buddhist structure in Thailand. Visit the Khao Noi Cave Temple is only two Chinese temples in all Kanchanaburi, was built in 1881 and the Tiger Cave Temple (“Wat Thaem Suea” as it is locally known) is another amazing part of your River Kwai cruise, was discovered in 1975 by a Vipassan monk named Jumnean Seelasettho, who was looking for a place to meditate. The legend goes that as he was meditating he witnessed tigers roaming around inside the cave thus leading to the name. Continue onto JEATH War Museum; a realistic depiction of a prisoner of war (POW) camp with bamboo huts, and Wat Tham Khaopoona; 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. Embark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock and Lunch on board while cruising on Kwai Noi River. Your afternoon is at leisure before returning to the boat and cruising upriver to Wang Pla Moo Bridge.

Enjoy your wonderful morning and breakfast on board while cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh. Visit Prasat Muang Singh, 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 road to Tha Kilen Train Station for boarding the 3rd class train, passing over the long wooden viaduct. Stop at Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent view point. Continue by coach and short stop at Sai Yok Village located right on the river bank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge. Lunch on board with leisure time.

Optional:
Afternoon - Enjoy one-hour Thai traditional massage
Evening - Enjoy 45 minutes Mon dances performance

After breakfast, 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. 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. Lunch on board while cruising upriver, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls Afternoon at leisure on the boat. Visit a boarding school built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children nearby the bank.

Early morning experience the Thai traditional of alms ‘Tak Bat’, means giving alms to monks. It’s a way for Thai people to give back by offering food to Buddhist monks who help teach others to be good and virtuous. Breakfast on board, disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach. On the way, visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum, an interactive museum which provides a remarkable research and alms 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 local restaurant, next to the bridge. Proceed to Bangkok, arrive around 18.00hrs and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok City.