RV River Kwai Upstream cruise

RV River Kwai Upstream cruise Overview

The RV River Kwai, a newly built colonial style river cruiser based on designs used by the original Irrawaddy Flotilla, cruises into Kanchanaburi province from Bangkok. Land excursions are offered to visit attractions including temples, historic sites, Khmer ruins, waterfalls, war cemeteries, hot springs, the bridge on the River Kwai.

RV River Kwai 4 Days Nights Upstream Cruise

The RV River Kwai, the first inland cruise ship in Thailand, is a 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. She carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 teakwood cabins (single deck) and operates on a 4 days/3 nights year round program every Monday-Thursday and Thursday-Sunday on both Upstream and Downstream programs alternately. 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 on the River Kwai, and local attractions.

Best time to cruise River Kwai Kanchanaburi: From November to February when the temperatures are cool and dry.

Day 1: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Ban Kao

06:00 Depart from Bangkok by van/coach to Kanchanaburi via Nakorn Pathom.

09:00 Stop 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 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.

11:30 Continue to Kanchanaburi and visit 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.

12:30 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.

13:30 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, near Ban Kao.

Day 2: Ban Kao - Sai Yok

Breakfast on board while cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh.

10:00 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 long wooden viaduct.

12:02 Arrive at Saphan Tham Krasae and visit Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent viewpoint. The cavern houses a Buddha image.

12:30 Continue by coach and a short stop at Sai Yok Elephant Village located right on the river bank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge.

14:00 Lunch on board while cruising upriver. Afternoon at leisure on the boat.

19:30 Dinner and overnight on board near the Resotel.

Day 3: Sai Yok - Sai Yok Yai - Ban Hin Dad

Breakfast on board.

09:00 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 Cruise upriver to Ban Haad Ngiu and 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 the construction of the railway, as well as all who suffered as a consequence of the hardships. Rejoin the boat at Kaeng Pa Lorm.

13:30 Lunch on board while cruising upriver, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls. Afternoon at leisure on the boat.

15:30 Visit a boarding school nearby the bank of Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children.

16:30 Back to the boat and cruise upriver.

19:00 “Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board at Daowadueng Bridge.

Day 4: Ban Hin Dad - Kanchanaburi – Bangkok

07:00 Offer foods to monks (making merit in Buddhist style) at a nearby temple.

08:30 Breakfast on board.

10:00 Disembark and return to Kanchanaburi by coach. 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 the Don Rak 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.

13:00 Lunch at River Kwai Restaurant, next to the bridge.

14:00 Proceed to Bangkok.

18:00 Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok downtown.