Explore the area around the historical sides and enjoy gliding along the untouched riverbanks. Join the land excursions and visit different kind of attractions along the river such as temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, the bridge on the River Kwai, and local attractions.

Step on board at this newly built colonial style river cruiser based on designs used by the original Irrawaddy Flotilla which was founded in Burma in 1865 and by the 1920s was the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. The vessel carries a maximum of only 20 guests in 10 unique teakwood cabin. Each cabin with own shower, water closet, airconditioned and mini safes.

The below itinerary can also be split into 4 days / 3 nights upstream or 4 days / 3 nights downstream cruise for those who do not have enough time to do the full 7 days. Please contact us for dates and availability.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Monday:   Bangkok – Kanchanaburi – Ban Kao  ( - / L / D )

The morning starts early with a departure around 6.00 am from your hotel in downtown Bangkok by air-condition van / coach.  Our journey to Kanchanaburi via Nakorn Pathom begins. On the way we plan a short stop to visit “Phra Pathom Chedi” the highest Chedi in Thailand which is the also the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.  Our next stop will be “Wat Tham Khao Noi” also call the Khao Noi Cave Temple, located on the west bank of the river. A visit at “Wat Tham Sua” the Tiger Cave Temple nearby, built in the form of Thai cultural art is our next stop. The great Buddha image and pagoda placed in the temple are respected by all Buddhists. We continue our journey to Kanchanaburi to visit the 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.  See tools, bombs, photographs, original sketches, testimonies, pictorials, and physical memorabilia dating from World War II before we embark our river cruiser at the Nong Ya dock.  Lunch will be served on board while start cruising along the Kwai Noi River. Enjoy and relax on board.  Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 2 Tuesday:   Ban Kao – Sai Yok  ( B / L / D )

Enjoy your breakfast on board while we continue cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh. You will visit a boarding school nearby the bank of the River Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children before we continue a visit "Prasat Muang Singh", a historical park with Khmer architecture from some 700-800 years ago from the late Lopburi period. The extensive ruins of the temples beside the River are a potent reminder of the vast expanse of the Khmer empire. The ancient border town of Muang Singh, "City of the Lions", was established as a trading post. You will continue by coach to the Tha Kilen Train Station to take the 3^rd class train to Saphan Tham Krasae passing over the long wooden viaduct. Tham Krasae Bridge also known as the Wampo Viaduct, is the forgotten section of the death railway. Arriving at the at “Saphan Tham Krasae” you will visit the Krasae Cave, which is an excellent viewpoint. The caves also house a Buddha image. We continue by coach back to the Pier with a short stop at Sai Yok Village, upriver from the Wang Pho Bridge. Lunch will be served on board while continue cruising upriver the Kwai Noi River. Enjoy and relax on board.  Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 3 Wednesday: Sai Yok – Sai Yok Yai – Ban Hin Dad   ( B / L / D )

After breakfast on board we will start our day with a walk uphill to visit the “Kaeng Lave Cave”.  A short trail leads to the cave which boasts admirable stone draperies and concretions in large chambers, the stalactites and stalagmites are a spectacular creating by nature and not been missed. We continue by coach to “Hell Fire Pass”, a part of the “Death Railway” cut through the stone mountain. Trails lead us to “Hin Tok Bridge” and “Konyu Cutting” where a plaque commemorates the ordeal of Australian and British Prisoner of war’s, undertook the hazardous work in precarious conditions at the aptly named pass.  The memorial complex “Hin Lek Fai”, the memorial complex 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 will be served at local restaurant in Saiyoke National Park area, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls. After lunch return to our boat and cruising upriver.  Afternoon at leisure on the boat. Farewell Dinner and Farewell dinner for those who will leave us the next morning (4 days / 3 nights upriver cruise). Overnight on board.

Day 4 Thursday:  Ban Hin Dad – Thong Pha Phum – Ban Hin Dad    ( B / L / D )

For the early birds we will start the day at 06.00 am to offer food to monks at the nearby temple. (making merit in Buddhist style). Return we will have breakfast before we start our excursion by coach to the “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. Returning to Thong Pha Phum we will visit a local market and lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure and exploration of the town before we return to the Boat at the local pier and cruising downstream on the Kwai Noi River.  Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 5 Friday:  Ban Hin Dad – Sai Yok Yai – Sai Yok    ( B / L / D )

Breakfast will be served onboard while cruising downriver. Today we will visit the “Hin Das Hot Spring” former called “Kui Mang”. Discovered by accident by Japanese soldiers during the construction of the Death Railway. The natural hat 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.  Our next stop is a visit at the “Pha Tad Waterfall” located at the “Si Nakharin Dam National Park”. Pha Tad is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kanchanaburi Province, flows into the Kwai Noi River and has it originates from a small stream called “Huai Kui Mang”. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we take a long-tailed boat along Kwai Noi River to the Floatel Jungle Raft. From here we will do some river rafting or canoeing downstream on Kwai Noi River.  If time allows, visit nearby the Mon Village. Dinner and overnight on board. 

Day 6 Saturday:  Sai Yok – Ban Kao      ( B / L / D ) 

Enjoy breakfast on board while cruising downriver and relax on board. Lunch will be served onboard while continue cruising downriver to the “wang Pho Bridge”. From here we will departure by coach to visit the “Ban Kao National Museum”, which is constructed besides a Neolithic burial ground. When the Dutch archaeologist, Dr. Van Heekeren, was working as a prisoner of war on the construction of the Death Railway during World War II, he found by accident 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.  Many prehistoric skeletons, potteries, stone tools and ornaments were uncovered and exhibited at this museum.  Return onboard join our Thai Cooking Class. We will introduce you to the wonderful world of Thai flavors. During the basic cooking class, we will 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 on board and overnight on board.

Day 7 Sunday:   Ban Kao – Kanchanaburi – Bangkok      ( B / L / - ) 

Enjoy your last breakfast on board while cruising downstream to “Wat Tham Khaopoon”. From here continue by coach to Kanchanaburi to visit 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, our last visit will be 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 the boat at Saphan Mai, lunch will be served on board while cruising towards Nong Ya dock. Time to we will say goodbye to the team of the boat and disembark the boat at Nong Ya dock and return to Bangkok by coach. Arrive Bangkok around 18.00 (06.00pm) and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.

Learn more about the Historical Highlights around Kanchanaburi at our Travel Blog

Note: the boat needs a minimum of 4 (four) clients to guarantee operation of any cruises, please check with us the availability of confirmed departures