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Peregrine Travel Centre

River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms

River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms

From $ 850 AUD

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Description

Leave behind the fast-moving streets of the Thai capital and take time out to experience Ayutthaya, a World Heritage-listed wonder near the border of Burma (Myanmar). Explore this ancient Siam capital with a knowledgeable local guide, and bear witness to timeworn temples, bell-shaped chedis and intricately carved relics of Thailand’s golden era. Travel onwards to the shady town of Kanchanaburi and pay tribute to the brave POWs who perished while building the infamous Hellfire Pass and Bridge on the River Kwai. Delve further into World War II history on a visit to the War Museum and Allied Cemetery before this historical sojourn completes the loop back in Bangkok. End the journey amid the buzz of night markets, sidewalk restaurants and colourful, chaotic streets.

Trip Name
River Kwai & Ancient Thai Kingdoms
Last Updated
2024-04-23
Days
3
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Explore the ancient and modern history of Thailand with a three-day trip from Bangkok, taking in Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya.
  • Uncover a golden age of Siam with the royal residences and atmospheric temples of ancient Ayutthaya.
  • Swim in idyllic rock pools fed by waterfalls in the seven-tiered Erawan National Park.
  • Take a ride on the Death Railway and learn all about this tragic part of history at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum.
  • Travel to the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, EcoThailand Foundation. Donations help educate school children on important environmental issues like climate change, nature appreciation, conservation and sustainability.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. This trip may run in reverse with the same inclusions and program AGE RESTRICTIONS: Age restrictions apply to this trip - minimum age 5.

Day 1 - Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Kanchanaburi
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Around 8 am-9 am this morning you’ll be picked up from the joining point hotel, along with other travellers in your group. If you prefer to be picked up from a different, centrally located hotel in Bangkok, please advise your booking agent at least 14 days before your departure date. Your first stop is the Bang Pa Inn Palace, a former summer retreat of Thai kings on the Chao Phraya River 65 kilometres north of the capital (approximately 1.5 hours). Admire the magnificent grounds, which are a combination of European and Thai designed buildings and gardens. Next, visit Ayutthaya, one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a World Heritage site. Here, explore Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, a temple that might offer a glimpse into the future, as it’s home to a fortune teller. Continue to Wat Phanan Cheoeng, Ayutthaya's answer to the Taj Mahal (approximately 40 minutes). It’s one of Ayutthaya's oldest temples and home to a 19-metre-high Buddha image. Behind the temple is a small 18th-century shrine built to honour a Chinese Princess, who drowned herself because of the king's infidelity. After lunch, move on to the 13th century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat. The rows of Burmese beheaded Buddhas are very atmospheric, and a Buddha head surrounded by Banyan tree roots is perhaps the most photographed site in all of Ayutthaya. Head west to Kanchanaburi (approximately 3 hours) and check in to your resort, located on the famous River Kwai.
Day 2 - Kanchanaburi
In the morning, set off to visit to Erawan National Park (approximately 1.5 hours) where you can explore the famous seven-level waterfall or simply swim and relax. The falls are considered the most beautiful in the whole country, with glacial blue waters rushing through the forest into bamboo-shaded pools perfect for a refreshing dip. If you want to make the climb all the way from level one to level seven it’s about a ninety-minute hike, with the uppermost level usually quiet and with a stunning view over the jungle below. Be sure to pack your swimming gear, but also appropriate footwear if you’re going to make the walk. After lunch, travel (approximately 1 hour) back towards Kanchanaburi, where you'll learn about a tragic part of the area's history. Hellfire Pass memorial was built to honour the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while constructing some of the most difficult stretches of the Thai-Burma Death Railway – the eponymous pass, cut through rock 18 metres deep, got its name from the hellish fires used to light the work at night. Then you'll travel a short distance (approximately 20 minutes) to Nam Tok Train Station - The end of the original death railway station during the second world war which was constructed by the allied POWs. Take a ride along the historic tracks alongside the Kwai Noi River, passing through Tham Krasae station which is one of the most beautiful panoramic scenes of the Kwai Noi river from the curves of the wooden railway line close to the mountainside. After arriving at Kilen Train Station, transfer back to the hotel (approximately 30 minutes). Tonight there's an option to head into Kanchanaburi's famous night markets and try a variety of Western Thai dishes.
Day 3 - Kanchanaburi/Bangkok
After breakfast, head out on a tour of the sights surrounding the town. This will include the WWII War Museum, the Allied War Cemetery, and the Bridge over the River Kwai itself. Travel through magnificent scenery and back to a dark time in the area’s history, and spend a moment reflecting on those who were forced to give their lives in the process of bending this environment to man’s will. You will then end this short adventure with a return to Bangkok (approximately 2 hours), where your trip ends in the afternoon at approximately 2 pm. Notes: There is no accommodation included tonight.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-04-202402-05-2024AUD $ 850-
02-05-202404-05-2024AUD $ 850-
04-05-202406-05-2024AUD $ 850-
05-05-202407-05-2024AUD $ 850-
07-05-202409-05-2024AUD $ 850-
09-05-202411-05-2024AUD $ 850-
11-05-202413-05-2024AUD $ 850-
12-05-202414-05-2024AUD $ 850-
14-05-202416-05-2024AUD $ 850-
16-05-202418-05-2024AUD $ 850-
18-05-202420-05-2024AUD $ 850-
19-05-202421-05-2024AUD $ 850-
21-05-202423-05-2024AUD $ 850-
23-05-202425-05-2024AUD $ 850-
25-05-202427-05-2024AUD $ 850-
26-05-202428-05-2024AUD $ 850-
28-05-202430-05-2024AUD $ 850-
30-05-202401-06-2024AUD $ 850-
01-06-202403-06-2024AUD $ 850-
02-06-202404-06-2024AUD $ 850-
04-06-202406-06-2024AUD $ 850-
06-06-202408-06-2024AUD $ 850-
08-06-202410-06-2024AUD $ 850-
09-06-202411-06-2024AUD $ 850-
11-06-202413-06-2024AUD $ 850-
13-06-202415-06-2024AUD $ 850-
15-06-202417-06-2024AUD $ 850-
16-06-202418-06-2024AUD $ 850-
18-06-202420-06-2024AUD $ 850-
20-06-202422-06-2024AUD $ 850-
22-06-202424-06-2024AUD $ 850-
23-06-202425-06-2024AUD $ 850-
25-06-202427-06-2024AUD $ 850-
27-06-202429-06-2024AUD $ 850-
29-06-202401-07-2024AUD $ 850-
30-06-202402-07-2024AUD $ 850-
02-07-202404-07-2024AUD $ 850-
04-07-202406-07-2024AUD $ 850-
06-07-202408-07-2024AUD $ 850-
07-07-202409-07-2024AUD $ 850-
09-07-202411-07-2024AUD $ 850-
11-07-202413-07-2024AUD $ 850-
13-07-202415-07-2024AUD $ 850-
14-07-202416-07-2024AUD $ 850-
16-07-202418-07-2024AUD $ 850-
18-07-202420-07-2024AUD $ 850-
20-07-202422-07-2024AUD $ 850-
21-07-202423-07-2024AUD $ 850-
23-07-202425-07-2024AUD $ 850-
25-07-202427-07-2024AUD $ 850-
27-07-202429-07-2024AUD $ 850-
28-07-202430-07-2024AUD $ 850-
30-07-202401-08-2024AUD $ 850-
01-08-202403-08-2024AUD $ 850-
03-08-202405-08-2024AUD $ 850-
04-08-202406-08-2024AUD $ 850-
06-08-202408-08-2024AUD $ 850-
08-08-202410-08-2024AUD $ 850-
10-08-202412-08-2024AUD $ 850-
11-08-202413-08-2024AUD $ 850-
13-08-202415-08-2024AUD $ 850-
15-08-202417-08-2024AUD $ 850-
17-08-202419-08-2024AUD $ 850-
18-08-202420-08-2024AUD $ 850-
20-08-202422-08-2024AUD $ 850-
22-08-202424-08-2024AUD $ 850-
24-08-202426-08-2024AUD $ 850-
25-08-202427-08-2024AUD $ 850-
27-08-202429-08-2024AUD $ 850-
29-08-202431-08-2024AUD $ 850-
31-08-202402-09-2024AUD $ 850-
01-09-202403-09-2024AUD $ 850-
03-09-202405-09-2024AUD $ 850-
05-09-202407-09-2024AUD $ 850-
07-09-202409-09-2024AUD $ 850-
08-09-202410-09-2024AUD $ 850-
10-09-202412-09-2024AUD $ 850-
12-09-202414-09-2024AUD $ 850-
14-09-202416-09-2024AUD $ 850-
15-09-202417-09-2024AUD $ 850-
17-09-202419-09-2024AUD $ 850-
19-09-202421-09-2024AUD $ 850-
21-09-202423-09-2024AUD $ 850-
22-09-202424-09-2024AUD $ 850-
24-09-202426-09-2024AUD $ 850-
26-09-202428-09-2024AUD $ 850-
28-09-202430-09-2024AUD $ 850-
29-09-202401-10-2024AUD $ 850-
01-10-202403-10-2024AUD $ 850-
03-10-202405-10-2024AUD $ 850-
05-10-202407-10-2024AUD $ 850-
06-10-202408-10-2024AUD $ 850-
08-10-202410-10-2024AUD $ 850-
10-10-202412-10-2024AUD $ 850-
12-10-202414-10-2024AUD $ 850-
13-10-202415-10-2024AUD $ 850-
15-10-202417-10-2024AUD $ 850-
17-10-202419-10-2024AUD $ 850-
19-10-202421-10-2024AUD $ 850-
20-10-202422-10-2024AUD $ 850-
22-10-202424-10-2024AUD $ 850-
24-10-202426-10-2024AUD $ 850-
26-10-202428-10-2024AUD $ 850-
27-10-202429-10-2024AUD $ 850-
29-10-202431-10-2024AUD $ 850-
31-10-202402-11-2024AUD $ 850-
02-11-202404-11-2024AUD $ 850-
03-11-202405-11-2024AUD $ 850-
05-11-202407-11-2024AUD $ 850-
07-11-202409-11-2024AUD $ 850-
09-11-202411-11-2024AUD $ 850-
10-11-202412-11-2024AUD $ 850-
12-11-202414-11-2024AUD $ 850-
14-11-202416-11-2024AUD $ 850-
16-11-202418-11-2024AUD $ 850-
17-11-202419-11-2024AUD $ 850-
19-11-202421-11-2024AUD $ 850-
21-11-202423-11-2024AUD $ 850-
23-11-202425-11-2024AUD $ 850-
24-11-202426-11-2024AUD $ 850-
26-11-202428-11-2024AUD $ 850-
28-11-202430-11-2024AUD $ 850-
30-11-202402-12-2024AUD $ 850-
01-12-202403-12-2024AUD $ 850-
03-12-202405-12-2024AUD $ 850-
05-12-202407-12-2024AUD $ 850-
07-12-202409-12-2024AUD $ 850-
08-12-202410-12-2024AUD $ 850-
10-12-202412-12-2024AUD $ 850-
12-12-202414-12-2024AUD $ 850-
14-12-202416-12-2024AUD $ 850-
15-12-202417-12-2024AUD $ 850-
17-12-202419-12-2024AUD $ 850-
19-12-202421-12-2024AUD $ 850-
21-12-202423-12-2024AUD $ 850-
22-12-202424-12-2024AUD $ 850-
24-12-202426-12-2024AUD $ 850-
26-12-202428-12-2024AUD $ 850-
02-01-202504-01-2025AUD $ 850-
04-01-202506-01-2025AUD $ 850-
07-01-202509-01-2025AUD $ 850-
09-01-202511-01-2025AUD $ 850-
11-01-202513-01-2025AUD $ 850-
14-01-202516-01-2025AUD $ 850-
16-01-202518-01-2025AUD $ 850-
18-01-202520-01-2025AUD $ 850-
21-01-202523-01-2025AUD $ 850-
23-01-202525-01-2025AUD $ 850-
25-01-202527-01-2025AUD $ 850-
28-01-202530-01-2025AUD $ 850-
30-01-202501-02-2025AUD $ 850-
01-02-202503-02-2025AUD $ 850-
04-02-202506-02-2025AUD $ 850-
06-02-202508-02-2025AUD $ 850-
08-02-202510-02-2025AUD $ 850-
11-02-202513-02-2025AUD $ 850-
13-02-202515-02-2025AUD $ 850-
15-02-202517-02-2025AUD $ 850-
18-02-202520-02-2025AUD $ 850-
20-02-202522-02-2025AUD $ 850-
30-03-202501-04-2025AUD $ 850-
06-04-202508-04-2025AUD $ 850-
20-04-202522-04-2025AUD $ 850-
27-04-202529-04-2025AUD $ 850-
04-05-202506-05-2025AUD $ 850-
11-05-202513-05-2025AUD $ 850-
18-05-202520-05-2025AUD $ 850-
25-05-202527-05-2025AUD $ 850-
01-06-202503-06-2025AUD $ 850-
08-06-202510-06-2025AUD $ 850-
15-06-202517-06-2025AUD $ 850-
22-06-202524-06-2025AUD $ 850-
29-06-202501-07-2025AUD $ 850-
06-07-202508-07-2025AUD $ 850-
13-07-202515-07-2025AUD $ 850-
20-07-202522-07-2025AUD $ 850-
27-07-202529-07-2025AUD $ 850-
03-08-202505-08-2025AUD $ 850-
10-08-202512-08-2025AUD $ 850-
17-08-202519-08-2025AUD $ 850-
24-08-202526-08-2025AUD $ 850-
31-08-202502-09-2025AUD $ 850-
07-09-202509-09-2025AUD $ 850-
14-09-202516-09-2025AUD $ 850-
21-09-202523-09-2025AUD $ 850-
28-09-202530-09-2025AUD $ 850-
05-10-202507-10-2025AUD $ 850-
12-10-202514-10-2025AUD $ 850-
19-10-202521-10-2025AUD $ 850-
26-10-202528-10-2025AUD $ 850-
02-11-202504-11-2025AUD $ 850-
09-11-202511-11-2025AUD $ 850-
16-11-202518-11-2025AUD $ 850-
23-11-202525-11-2025AUD $ 850-
30-11-202502-12-2025AUD $ 850-
07-12-202509-12-2025AUD $ 850-
14-12-202516-12-2025AUD $ 850-
21-12-202523-12-2025AUD $ 850-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights)

Transport

Private minibus,Songthaew,Train

Map

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