RIVER KWAI CRUISE

RV River Kwai Cruise

The RV River Kwai, the first inland cruise ship in Thailand, is a colonial-style river cruiser inspired by the designs of the original Irrawaddy Flotilla, which was founded in Burma in 1865 and, by the 1920s, had become the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world.

The RV River Kwai carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 teakwood cabins on a single deck. It operates year-round on a 4-day / 3-night program every Monday–Thursday and Thursday–Sunday, alternating between upstream and downstream programs.

The RV River Kwai opens up an entirely new area for river tourism in Kanchanaburi Province, west of Bangkok. Every morning and afternoon, land excursions are offered to visit attractions along the river, including temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, the Bridge over the River Kwai, and other local attractions.

Catering

Local cuisine and beverages are served aboard the RV River Kwai. Breakfast is always served on board. Depending on the day's activities, lunch is served either on board or at a local restaurant. Dinner is served on board.

Included

• Accommodation aboard the RV River Kwai, meals as mentioned in the itinerary, coffee, tea, and drinking water
• Transfers and sightseeing tours with an English-speaking local guide, together with other cruise guests
• German- or French-speaking guides may be available upon request, subject to availability
• Entrance fees

Not Included

• Optional tours
• Personal expenses, including bar and laundry services
• Gratuities for the crew

River Kwai Cruise Itinerary

Thursday | Cruise Day 1

Bangkok – Kanchanaburi – Thong Pha Phum – Ban Hin Dad

• Depart from Bangkok by van or coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakhon Pathom.
• Stop in Nakhon Pathom to visit Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in Thailand and one of the largest pagodas in Southeast Asia.
• Visit Khao Noi Cave Temple (Wat Tham Khao Noi), located on the west bank of the river. The monastery is built on a hill and features Chinese-inspired architecture and decorative arts. From the top, enjoy beautiful views of Kanchanaburi and the surrounding mountainous landscape.
• Continue to nearby Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua), featuring traditional Thai architectural elements. Its impressive Buddha image and pagoda are highly respected by local Buddhists.
• Continue to Kanchanaburi.
• Lunch at Sommai Restaurant.
• Proceed to Hellfire Pass, a section of the Death Railway cut through the stone mountain. Trails lead towards Hin Tok Bridge and Konyu Cutting, where a memorial commemorates the Australian and British prisoners of war who endured hazardous working conditions during the railway's construction.
• The memorial complex at Hin Lek Fai honours Allied prisoners of war and conscripted labourers from India, Burma, Malaysia, and other countries who died during the construction of the railway, as well as those who suffered as a result of the hardships.
• Embark on the RV River Kwai and cruise along the Kwai Noi River.
• Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday | Cruise Day 2

Ban Hin Dad – Sai Yok Yai – Sai Yok

• Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
• Visit Hin Dad Hot Spring, formerly known as Kui Mang. The natural hot spring was discovered by Japanese soldiers supervising the construction of the Death Railway. It features two large pools and private bathing areas.
• Visit Pha Tad Waterfall, located in the western area of Si Nakharin Dam National Park. The waterfall originates from a small stream called Huai Kui Mang and is considered one of the beautiful waterfalls of Kanchanaburi Province, flowing towards the Kwai Noi River.
• Return to the RV River Kwai.
• Lunch on board while cruising along the Kwai Noi River.
• Enjoy river rafting or canoeing downstream on the Kwai Noi River. If time permits, visit a nearby Mon village.
• Dinner and overnight on board.

Saturday | Cruise Day 3

Sai Yok – Ban Kao

• Breakfast on board while cruising downriver.
• Make a short visit to Sai Yok Village, located directly on the riverbank.
• Lunch on board while cruising through beautiful green and mountainous scenery.
• Board the coach to visit Krasae Cave, situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River and offering an excellent viewpoint. The cave also houses a Buddha image.
• Take a third-class train to Tha Kilen Railway Station, travelling across the historic wooden Wang Pho Viaduct.
• Arrive at Tha Kilen and continue by coach to Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park, featuring Khmer architecture from the late Lopburi period, approximately 700–800 years ago. The extensive temple ruins beside the Kwai Noi River are a reminder of the former reach of the Khmer Empire.
• The ancient border town of Muang Singh, meaning “City of the Lions,” was probably established as an important trading post.
• Return to the RV River Kwai and continue cruising along the Kwai Noi River.
• Afternoon at leisure on board.
• Enjoy a Farewell Dinner and overnight on board.

Sunday | Cruise Day 4

Ban Kao – Kanchanaburi – Bangkok

• Participate in a traditional Buddhist merit-making experience by offering food to monks at Chukkadon Market in Kanchanaburi.
• Breakfast on board while cruising towards Nong Ya.
• Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach.
• Visit Wat Tham Khao Pun, a Buddhist cave temple that was used as a camp during World War II. Inside the cave are stalactites, stalagmites, and several Buddha images. Behind the temple, enjoy panoramic views across the valley of the Kwai Noi River.
• Continue by coach to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum and research centre dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway.
• Visit the well-maintained Don Rak War Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of Allied prisoners of war who died during the construction of the Death Railway.
• Visit the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai. The iron bridge spanning the Kwai Yai River was a crucial part of the Death Railway. It was constructed during World War II, damaged by Allied bombing raids, and later rebuilt.
• Lunch at Rabiang FA Restaurant, located near the confluence of the Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi rivers.
• Proceed to Bangkok.
• Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in downtown Bangkok.