RIVER KWAI ( KANCHANABURI )
RIVER KWAI ( KANCHANABURI )
Erawan KANCHANABURI
National Park
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Death Railway
Hellfire Pass & Museum JEATH War Museum
1 2
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Bridge over the River Kwai 4 War Museum Tham Phu
Wat Ban
Wa Temple Tham
River Kwai
Wat Tham Mankhon Thong
1 River Kwai Resotel 2 Hintok River Camp 3 The Floathouse 4 Cross River Kwai
River Kwai Bridge
Getting there : The journey by road from Bangkok takes about 3 hours .
We suggest : Adding on a few days here after Bangkok , before you hit the beach .
Best time to go : For sightseeing and activities the region is a year round destination . Visit during the rainy season ( June-October ) when water levels rise and you can swim in the river !
Emotive history , tropical scenery and soft adventures
Heavy with history , Kanchanaburi is famed for its World War II museums , memorials and landmarks including the black iron Bridge over the River Kwai and so-called Death Railway , which Japanese soldiers forced Allied prisoners and Asian labourers to build . Although partially destroyed by bombs in 1945 , it was rebuilt and is a poignant reminder of WWII horrors . The interactive Thailand-Burma Railway Centre is an ideal first stop providing a superb overview of the workers plight , whilst the immaculately kept Allied Force War Cemetery , provides a quiet reflective sanctuary . You can also walk along the bridge itself , pass under during a river cruise or even ride a train over it . The two hour journey along the notorious Thai-Burma Death Railway is truly spectacular , with tracks enclosed by verdant forests , opening out onto a sheer cliff and running alongside the River Kwai . The deadliest part of the railway was Hellfire Pass ( Konyu Cutting ), which is about 50 miles from Kanchanaburi . Prisoners dug this infamous cutting almost entirely by hand and endured brutal conditions and the on-site Memorial Museum tells their harrowing story while a walking trail follows the original rail bed . History aside , the province boasts a landscape of dense jungles , lush riverside resorts and gushing waterfalls , particularly in Erawan National Park . Bamboo rafting , trekking and cycling are all popular diversions from the stunning scenery .
1 night escorted tour from £ 169pp 2 nights from £ 249pp
Alternatively , why not consider a 3 night river cruise ?
RIVER KWAI
1 NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR
poignant World War II sites & memorials • picturesque scenery • great for history buffs
DAY 1 Bangkok / River Kwai
Early drive to Kanchanaburi province ( approx 2½ hours ). Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum and moving war cemetery of the Allied prisoners of World War II who died building the railway . Continue to the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai before lunch at a local restaurant . Travel onwards to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre before descending a long set of stairs to the Hellfire Pass Memorial Trail which follows the original rail bed . Later , transfer to Phu Takien pier for a longtail boat ride on the River Kwai to your hotel .
DAY 2 River Kwai / Bangkok
Morning boat ride to the nearby ethnic Mon Tribal Village whose people lead a simple way of life . Return by boat for lunch and a ride on the Death Railway train passing over the original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs ’. This afternoon , return to Bangkok ( approx 3 hours ).
Hellfire Pass
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Departures : Daily from Bangkok for at least two passengers .
Accommodation : River Kwai Resotel ; also available at a supplement at Hintok River Camp or The FloatHouse . Cross River Kwai available on a private tour basis . Please ask for prices .
Tour price : The prices shown include return transfers by mini bus or coach , sightseeing as outlined and accommodation on full board at your chosen River Kwai hotel . Note : Not recommended for the less mobile . A night in Bangkok both before and after either tour is recommended . On public holidays Hellfire Museum may be closed and tour will visit Sir Weary Dunlop Park instead .
EXTEND YOUR STAY The two night tour allows time to relax or trekking into the abundant forest . All River Kwai hotels on page 19 are also available independently of the tour .
3 night river cruise from £ 999pp
RV RIVER KWAI CRUISE
3 NIGHT RIVER CRUISE
As an alternative to the featured River Kwai tour , a fascinating three night river cruise aboard the RV River Kwai is also available . This colonial-style vessel has 10 teakwood cabins for up to 20 passengers and an upper deck which is open plan with dining , bar and seating areas covered by a collapsible frame awning , enabling the vessel to pass under low bridges .
The price shown includes accommodation in a deluxe cabin , full board , sightseeing during the voyage and transfers to and from Bangkok .
A choice of upstream and downstream itineraries are available .
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