Kanchanaburi

You’ll start your adventure with an early pickup before heading to the elephant sanctuary. ElephantsWorld is a conservation organization dedicated to helping these intelligent and proud creatures. Once there, you’ll listen to an introduction and safety briefing before preparing food for the elephants. Get down and dirty and give the elephants a mud bath before heading to the river to rinse them off. There will be some time to shower before you tuck in to a delicious buffet lunch. After helping yourself to delicious Thai dishes, feed the elephants the food you prepared earlier. At Erawan National Park, you’ll trek through the lush forests and caves before arriving at Erawan Waterfall. This famous seven-tiered beauty with its emerald pools is a great place to take a dip or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

History lovers visiting Thailand will value this opportunity to tour the region of Kanchanaburi in West Thailand. During this memorable day trip from Bangkok, you’ll visit the Death Railway which was put on the map by the 1957 movie, Bridge Over the River Kwai. You’ll begin the day by getting immersed in Thailand’s rich bounty at one of the country’s best-loved national parks, Erawan National Park. Walking trails, running water, and undisturbed wildlife characterize this peaceful area. Erawan Waterfall has seven tiers and a set of limestone caves at its base: you'll forget all about the busy streets of Bangkok. This natural paradise is the perfect place to breathe in the fresh country air. Continue to JEATH Museum, dedicated to the Allied Prisoners of War who died building the Burmese railway. This museum is a sad yet important reminder of Thailand’s history; it’s thought that over 100,000 lives were lost during this period. JEATH is an acronym for the main nationalities involved in the building of the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Dutch. Finally, you’ll visit the historic Bridge over the River Kwai. You’ll get the chance to walk over the bridge, soak up the impressive scenery, and take a moment to remember the past, before returning to your accommodations/meeting point at approximately 8:00 PM.

This full-day tour begins when you meet with the group and drive to ElephantsWorld. Learn about this sanctuary for old and rescued elephants, who will spend their remaining years well cared for in a natural environment. Help care for the animals by feeding them, gathering food and bathing them. Around noon, enjoy a buffet lunch before heading out to see the major attractions of Kanchanaburi. Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, which is part of the infamous Death Railway, built by prisoners during World War II. Continue your tour with a stop at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the final resting place of 6,982 allied prisoners who died during the construction of the railway.

Day 1: In the early morning at 7:30AM, your personal guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby in Bangkok. You will begin with a visit to the floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Close to the market you will board a fast long-tail boat, which will bring you through the narrow "khlongs" to the market. At the market you will enjoy watching farmers selling fruit and many kinds of local products in their boats. If you want, you can take one of the paddle boats to cruise through the market (optional). Following this great experience, you will continue your trip to the bridge over the River Kwai, the Allied Forces Cemetery, and the JEATH war museum. You will then travel once more by long-tail boat to the Jungle Raft, a unique, floating hotel in the middle of the jungle, made from wood and bamboo. The resort offers a unique accommodation experience right on the flowing Kwai Noi River. All floating rooms are tucked into a floating bamboo lodge moored along the historic River Kwai Noi and surrounded by lush green mountains and jungle. At this "floatel", the historic River Kwai Noi flows underneath your bed. The walls are weaved from local bamboo decorated with wooden furniture reflecting the Mon living style (hotel subject to availability). Day 2: Following breakfast, your guide will take you by long-tail boat back to your private vehicle. After another 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel will take you to Erawan National Park, where you will find the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand: the Erawan Waterfalls. The waterfall consists of 7 plateaus, and you can hike to the highest level through a small jungle path. After reaching the top, you will still have plenty of time to discover the natural fish spas, see the natural shaped slides, and go for a swim. Following lunch, you will be taken back to your hotel in Bangkok.

You’ll start bright and early and head to Srinakarin Lake, built as a result of the Srinakarin Dam on the Kwai Yai River. The peaceful lake offers fantastic views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains and forests. Admire the lakeside views and get your photos in before heading to your next destination.  Erawan National Park is named after the three-headed white elephant in Hindu mythology. The park is most famous for housing the Erawan Waterfall, a cascade that tumbles down seven tiers – said to resemble the god Erawan. Take a quick dip in the emerald green pools, scout the nearby caves, and take in the lush surrounding forest of the park before digging in to a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. Up next is the infamous Siam-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway. Ccatch a train and chug past stunning views of the Tham Krasae Bridge and River Kwai. You’ll end the day with a stop at the Bridge On The River Kwai, where you’ll learn about its cultural and historical significance while admiring fantastic views.

Elephant World is a self-supporting environmental conservation organization that cares for domestic elephants, situated just outside the town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Elephant World cares for the daily needs of over 30 elephants and staff by offering eco-travelers the experience of an up-close and personal encounter with these wonderful creatures. Choose from either a 1-day program or an overnight stay which includes accommodation in a traditional Thai-style cottage by the river and the mountains.  1-Day Experience The 1-day experience starts with pick up from your hotel or guesthouse in Kanchanaburi at 9 AM. Arrive at Elephant World, where you'll meet and feed the friendly elephants up close. Then observe the elephants bathing on a huge river. Have the opportunity to clean fruits and vegetables and prepare and cook sticky rice balls for your new friends. After lunch, gather plants and vegetables for elephants at the sanctuary's farm then plant banana trees and sugarcane. Feed sticky rice balls to the old elephants and take the elephants to the river for a bath where you can scrub them clean before feeding them with the fruits you prepared. The day program ends at 4 PM when you will head back to your hotel. Overnight Experience The overnight experience is the same but includes overnight accommodation in a traditional Thai-style cottage, equipped with a bathroom and hot shower, mosquito nets, and a comfortable terrace for relaxing. In the wet season, the elephants sleep and eat in the forest. Staying overnight will allow you to walk the elephants out into the forest at the end of the day with the mahouts. The next day, wake early up to the sounds of the wildlife. Bring the elephants back in from the forest before the day's activities begin. In the dry season, take a walk with the elephants in the morning. Choose to hike to the top of a mountain (for an extra fee of 100 THB) and enjoy the view or observe the beautiful birds next to the river. After that, return for a tasty Thai lunch and check out. Finally, enjoy a fun afternoon with the elephants and help them take a bath. Then, enjoy rafting down the River Kwai with life jackets provided. Relax and admire at the peaceful atmosphere of the surroundings as you float back to Elephant World. Finish the program at around 3 PM and return to your hotel in Kanchanaburi.

Make the most of your day of adventure and start early with a smooth pickup from Bangkok. Catch up on sleep in the comfy air-conditioned van on the way to your first stop, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Walk along the perfectly kept grounds as you honor the fallen soldiers and prisoners of war and civilians who died while working on the infamous Death Railway (Siam-Burma Railway) under the Japanese Empire. Head to the JEATH Museum, built to commemorate those who lost their lives while working on the railway during World War II. The JEATH War Museum was named after the nationalities of those that worked on the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai, and Hollander. Examine exhibits from the war such as weapons, tools, uniforms, medals, and replicas of the living conditions the prisoners of war lived in. Make a quick stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai, where you’ll experience the subject of your earlier history lessons. At Tham Krasae Station, a picturesque railway section that snakes around a cliff, admire the views, see the trains pass by, and fill up on some tasty lunch. Enjoy a quick coffee break before stopping at Wat Tham Suea, otherwise known as the Tiger Cave Temple. Don’t miss the tiger paw prints on its cave walls and the large, gleaming, 18-meter-tall Buddha statue at the top. Make the steep hike and be rewarded with a close-up view of the statue as well as the impressive scenery of the surrounding landscape. After exploring and taking photos at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), begin your journey back to Bangkok, with some of Thailand’s unforgettable history engraved in your mind.

Explore western Thailand on a private tour from Bangkok. Starting with pickup at 7:00 AM, travel 2.5 hours to Kanchanaburi, learning about the history of this area and life under Japanese occupation in WWII from your English-speaking guide as you go.   The first stop will be at the Allied Cemetery and the JEATH (Japanese-English-American-Australian-Thai-Holland) War Museum. Learn about the poor circumstances of the Asian convicts and European POWs during the construction of the Myanmar railway. Next, you will visit the iconic bridge over the River Kwai, the main landmark of Kanchanaburi. Wait until the local train passes and enjoy the view of the picturesque river. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you will proceed to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, the Erawan Waterfalls. The waterfall consists of 7 plateaus and has many caves hidden behind the walls of water. If you wish, you can take a dip in the crystal-clear pools.  At the end of the tour, hotel drop-off will be provided. You will reach your hotel in Bangkok at around 6:00 PM.

Make the most of your day of adventure and start early with a smooth pickup from your accommodation in Kanchanaburi, or meet your guide at the Kanchanburi Bus Terminal. Catch up on sleep in the comfy air-conditioned van on the way to your first stop, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Walk along the perfectly kept grounds as you honor the fallen soldiers and prisoners of war and civilians who died while working on the infamous Death Railway (Siam-Burma Railway) under the Japanese Empire. Head to the JEATH Museum, built to commemorate those who lost their lives while working on the railway during World War II. The JEATH War Museum was named after the nationalities of those that worked on the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai, and Hollander. Examine exhibits from the war such as weapons, tools, uniforms, medals, and replicas of the living conditions the prisoners of war lived in. Make a quick stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai, where you’ll experience the subject of your earlier history lessons. At Tham Krasae Station, a picturesque railway section that snakes around a cliff, admire the views, see the trains pass by, and fill up on some tasty lunch. Enjoy a quick coffee break before stopping at Wat Tham Suea, otherwise known as the Tiger Cave Temple. Don’t miss the tiger paw prints on its cave walls and the large, gleaming, 18-meter-tall Buddha statue at the top. Make the steep hike and be rewarded with a close-up view of the statue as well as the impressive scenery of the surrounding landscape. After exploring and taking photos at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), begin your journey back to your accommodation with some of Thailand’s unforgettable history engraved in your mind.

Take a relaxing break in the peaceful and natural surroundings of Elephants World. Visit the Erawan National Park and swim in the clear pools. Start your adventure by heading to the elephant sanctuary. Elephants World is an environmental conservation organization and animal rescue facility dedicated to helping ill, old and abused elephants. Listen to an introduction and safety briefing before preparing to feed the elephants. Get down and dirty and give the elephants a mud bath before heading to the river to rinse them off. There will be some time to shower before you tuck into a delicious buffet lunch. After helping yourself to delicious Thai dishes, feed the elephants the food you prepared earlier. At Erawan National Park, trek through lush forests and caves before arriving at Erawan Waterfall. Enjoy the impressive 7-tiered waterfall and emerald pools. Take a dip or simply relax and enjoy the abundance of native flora and fauna around you.