Day 1: Bangkok – River Kwai Resotel [L, D]
Kanchanaburi province’s beautiful rural landscape is revealed on this excellent three-day excursion. The adventure commences with a 6 am pick-up from centrally located Bangkok hotels, followed by a 128 km road trip to our destination. On arrival, we visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, information and research facility dedicated to the history of the famed rail link. Next is the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, a memorial to 6,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs) who perished while forced to build the ‘Death Railway’ by Japanese occupiers, followed by the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, a museum and gallery that memorialises the POWS who built the World War Two rail link. This visit includes a walk along the site of the tracks, behind the museum, to the Hellfire Pass memorial. We then transfer to Phutakien Pier and take a long-tail boat to the River Kwai Resotel for dinner and overnight. Our first day reveals history and sublime scenery in abundance.
Dinner is followed by a 45-minute presentation of a Mon Dance. This indigenous group are the earliest group of people to reside in South-East Asia, bringing their civilization to the region over 1,200 years ago. Their colourful costumes and traditional culture will be showcased at this event.
Overnight at River Kwai Resotel.
Day 2: River Kwai Resotel [B, L, D]
Our second day of discovery commences after breakfast with a long-tailed boat ride to visit a Mon tribal village. This immersive interaction with this indigenous group includes captivating storytelling and traditional Mon dance performances. We then head to the Golden Rock, the Buddha image cave and a village school where we enjoy some further interaction with the Mon people as we sit down and talk with them about their history, religion and culture. We will experience how to wear their traditional costume and be given instruction into playing the Saba game. Next, we get an insight into the production of Tanaka powder, a natural cosmetic, sunscreen, skin treatment and insect repellent created from the bark of a Tanaka tree. We then take a short walk along the river bank to get a magnificent view of the River Kwai. An authentic local lunch is enjoyed at the Jungle Rafts Restaurant, followed by the return to the River Kwai Resotel. In the afternoon we can explore the Palmetum, a serene area containing abundant tropical plants, followed by a refreshing dip in the swimming pool.
Dinner and overnight at River Kwai Resotel.
Day 3: River Kwai Resotel – Bangkok [B, L]
The final exploration of this excellent excursion begins after breakfast and the check-out of the hotel with a long-tail boat journey through idyllic river scenery to Phu Takien Pier. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a historic ride on a train that takes us along the ‘Death Railway’. This amazing journey takes us over the original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied prisoners of war. The construction has stood the test of time and it clings to the rock face over the River Kwai. After this unique experience we head back to Bangkok at 2.30 pm, with an expected arrival back in the capital city at around 6 pm, traffic permitting, and transfers to our respective hotels.
