PACKAGE TOUR 2 DAY/1 NIGHT (PT204)

Kanchanaburi – Kanchanaburi

Description

• DAY 1
• 07:30 Pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and travel to the River Kwai Bridge which is a historically significant bridge located in Kanchanaburi province. It is one of the major attractions in this region and holds great historical importance due to its connection to World War II. During the Second World War the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Thailand and used forced labor including prisoners of war and Asian laborers to construct a railway line connecting Thailand to Myanmar (then Burma). The construction of the railway was a grueling and challenging task given the difficult terrain and harsh working conditions. The section of the railway that crossed the Mae Klong River (also known as the Kwai Yai River) required a bridge to span the river’s width.
  The River Kwai Bridge was built using wooden and concrete materials and was completed in 1943. The construction involved immense human suffering as thousands of laborers lost their lives due to the harsh conditions, maltreatment and disease. After the war the original wooden bridge was replaced with a stronger steel and concrete structure. Today the River Kwai Bridge stands as a symbol of the past and serves as a memorial to the thousands who lost their lives during its construction.
• After the River Kwai Bridge you will visit the JEATH War Museum. The name JEATH is derived from countries engaged in the Death Railway construction from 1942 to 1945 (Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland). The JEATH War Museum displays photographs and illustrations narrating the living conditions of the prisoners of war (POWs) during that cruel time, some of which were donated by former POWs who survived.
• After the JEATH War Museum you will visit the War Cemetery also known as the Don Rak War Cemetery. The Don Rak War Cemetery is a solemn and significant memorial located in Kanchanaburi and serves as a final resting place for thousands of Allied prisoners of war who lost their lives during the construction of the Death Railway in World War II. The Don Rak War Cemetery is situated close to the River Kwai Bridge and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and contains the graves of over 6,000 Allied and Asian prisoners of war. Within the cemetery grounds there is a memorial building that displays the names of nearly 12,000 prisoners of war who died while working on the railway but have no known graves. The Don Rak War Cemetery is beautifully landscaped and provides a serene and peaceful environment for visitors to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifices made during the war. After the JEATH War Museum you will then travel to Elephant Haven (elephant sanctuary) in Kanchanaburi.
• Lunch at Elephant Haven (Thai vegetarian food).
• Elephant Haven is a famous elephant sanctuary in the beautiful Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi which has introduced their elephant freedom project. This project has brought 7 elephants to freedom and your visit will support them to provide the best possible care for the herd. Elephant Haven operates a ‘saddle off’ policy and there is no riding of elephants at this sanctuary. The elephants at Elephant Haven herd have the freedom to roam, socialise, enjoy a mud bath and cool down in the River Kwai which runs through the sanctuary. In this beautiful setting you can observe the elephants behaviour and learn more about their complex social structure. You will watch the elephants playing in a mud pit and can walk with the elephants to the river and help bathe the elephants. You can then walk with the elephants through the forest back to the main project area and feed the elephants. A wonderful elephant experience.
• After Elephant Haven you will have free time in Kanchanaburi before eating dinner in a local restaurant.
• Stay overnight in Kanchanaburi hotel/guesthouse.
• DAY 2
• 07:30 Breakfast at your hotel in Kanchanaburi.
• 08:00 Pickup from your hotel in Kanchanaburi and travel to the famous Erawan Waterfalls. The beautiful Erawan Waterfalls are 1500m long and consists of seven tiers, each with an individual waterfall. There are lots of great and safe swimming areas and lots of nature trails to explore. As you get closer to the summit at the highest waterfall the trail gets steeper and more rocky. You will have 3 hours to enjoy at your leisure at the Erawan Waterfalls.
• Lunch at local restaurant.
• After lunch you will then travel to the Srinakarin Dam which is a massive embankment dam on the Khwae Yai River in Kanchanaburi province. The Srinakarin Dam is 140m tall and 610m long and contains a resevoir with a huge capacity of water. The massive lake created by the dam is a habitat for many species of plants and animals and the surrounding area is very beautiful.
• After the Srinakarin Dam you will make some traditional bamboo rafting for 30 minutes along the River Kwai.
• 17:30 Return to your hotel in Bangkok.

** Guide times are approximate depending upon local traffic and weather conditions and can also be adjusted to suit your own personal requirements **

Tour includes