Bangkok, River Kwai (Kanchanaburi) &
Khao Lak
14 Nights
14 Nights
Experience the best of Thailand with a journey that blends vibrant city life, a serene river adventure, and tropical relaxation. Begin with a 3 night stay at The Salil Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok, where you’ll be perfectly situated to explore the capital’s rich culture, world-class shopping, and exciting nightlife. Then, embark on a unique 3 night voyage aboard the RV River Kwai Cruise, gliding along the historic River Kwai while discovering ancient temples, local villages, and breath taking scenery, then head back to Bangkok for the night before flying onto Phuket to unwind with a 7 night escape at the Khao Lak Merlin Resort, where you can soak up the sun on pristine beaches, swim in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this tropical paradise.
Itinerary
Thursday London - Bangkok
Departure from London Heathrow at 14.55hrs arrive Bangkok 12.05hrs (next day)
Friday Bangkok
Meet & greet at Bangkok airport and transfer to your hotel
The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor
Premier Room [B]
Saturday Bangkok
At leisure
Overnight: The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor
Premier Room [B]
Sunday Bangkok
At leisure
Overnight: The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor
Premier Room [B]
Monday Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Ban Kao [-/L/D]
06:00 Depart from Bangkok by van/coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakhon Pathom.
09:00 Short stop in Nakhon Pathom to visit the highest Chedi in Thailand called “Phra Pathom Chedi” which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
10:30 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.
11:40 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.
12:45 Embark RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock. Lunch on board while cruising on Kwai Noi River.
Afternoon at leisure!
19:30 Dinner and overnight on board.
Tuesday Ban Kao - Sai Yok [B/L/D]
Breakfast on board while cruising along Kwai Noi River.
08:00 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.
11:00 Continue by coach to Tha Kilen Train Station.
11:47 Take a 3rd class train to Saphan Tham Krasae passing over the wooden Wang Pho viaduct.
12:02 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.
12:30 Continue by coach and short stop at Sai Yok Village located right on the river bank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge.
13:00 Lunch on board while cruising.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
19:30 Dinner and overnight on board.
Wednesday Sai Yok - Sai Yok Yai - Ban Hin Dad [B/L/D]
Breakfast on board and depart for Kaeng Lava Cave.
08:00 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.
10:30 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 honour 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.
12:30 Lunch at a local restaurant in Sai Yoke National Park, near the Sai Yok Yai waterfalls.
15:30 Back to RV River Kwai.
Afternoon at leisure on the boat.
19:00 “Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board.
Thursday Ban Hin Dad - Kanchanaburi - Bangkok [B/L/-]
06:00 Offering foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at nearby temple.
Breakfast on board.
09:15 Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach.
Visit to Wat Tham Khaopoon, 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 marvellous view down the valley of the Kwai Noi River.
Then, visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum, an interactive museum which provides a remarkable research and 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.
12:00 Lunch at the Rabiang FA Restaurant, near the confluence of the two rivers Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi.
13:15 Proceed to Bangkok.
18:00 Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.
Overnight: The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor
Premier Room [B]
Friday Bangkok - Khao Lak
Pick up from you hotel for airport transfer
Depart Bangkok at 10.30hrs or 12.40hrs arrive Phuket 12.00hrs or 14.10hrs
Meet & greet at Phuket airport and transfer to your hotel
Khao Lak Merlin Resort
Deluxe Room [B]
Saturday to Thursday Khao Lak
At leisure
Overnight: Khao Lak Merlin Resort
Deluxe Room [B]
Friday Khao Lak - London
Pick up from you hotel for airport transfer
Depart Phuket at 20.30hrs arrive London Heathrow at 06.25hrs (next day)
This offer includes:
- 3 Nights at the The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor in a Premier Room with Breakfast
- 3 Nights aboard The RV River Kwai on Full Board
- 1 Night at the The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57-Thonglor in a Premier Room with Breakfast
- 7 Nights at the Khao Lak Merlin Resort in a Deluxe Room with Breakfast
- Private transfers from Bangkok airport to/from your Bangkok hotel
- Shared transfers to/from the RV Cruise
- Private transfers from Phuket airport to/from your Khao Lak hotel
- Flights from London Heathrow
- Flying with Qatar Airways (via Doha),
- Cabin & Hold Luggage
Flight Details:
Depart Heathrow at 14.55hrs arrive Doha at 00.35hrs, depart Doha at 01.45hrs arrive Bangkok at 12.05hrs (next day)
Depart Bangkok at 10.30hrs arrive Phuket at 12.00hrs or Depart Bangkok at 12.40hrs arrive Phuket at 14.10hrs
Depart Phuket at 20.30hrs arrive Doha at 13.40hrs, depart Doha at 01.50hrs arrive Heathrow at 06.25hrs (next day)
Alternative flight options available from London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle or Glasgow - please contact us for quote & availability
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