PACKAGE TOUR 2 DAY/1 NIGHT (PT205)

Kanchanaburi – Kanchanaburi

Description

• DAY 1
• 07:00 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 board a local train and take a train ride along the Death Railway which runs through beautiful local scenery and historical sites. This route takes passengers across the River Kwai Bridge and through the picturesque countryside of Kanchanaburi province. The journey provides insights into the tragic history of the Death Railway and the significant human suffering that occurred during its construction. As you ride the train you can view the beautiful landcape and remember the thousands of lives lost and the hardships endured by those who were forced to build the Death Railway. You will ride along the Death Railway for 1 hour before the train reaches Tham Kra Sae Station where you will disembark and then travel by vehicle to a local restaurant.
• Lunch at local restaurant.
• After lunch you will visit Krasae Cave which is located right next to the Death Railway. Within Krasae Cave there is a Buddha image enshrined and this cave is also known as ‘Krasae Buddha Cave’ or ‘Krasae Cave Temple’. Krasae Cave is one of the points along the Death Railway route where workers encountered formidable geological obstacles. Krasae Cave provided a natural shelter and protection for the railway workers during construction where it served as a rest stop and a place to take refuge from the harsh weather conditions and the danger of bombing raids by Allied forces. Krasae Cave is situated beside the scenic Khwae Noi River and offers stunning views of the surrounding limestone cliffs and lush vegetation making it a picturesque and historically significant site.
• After Krasae Cave you will travel to the Hellfire Pass. Hellfire Pass is another significant historical site located in Kanchanaburi and is a part of the Death Railway which was constructed during World War II by forced labor. Hellfire Pass is also known as ‘Konyu Cutting’ or ‘Chong Khao Kad’ and was one of the most challenging sections of the railway to build as the POWs and forced labor had to cut through the mountain using hand drills, picks and shovels to carve through the rock. The name ‘Hellfire Pass’ originates from the conditions endured by those who worked there. The laborers had to work day and night using only torches for lighting creating the eerie impression of a passageway glowing like hellfire.
• The 500m long pass was incredibly completed in six months in 1943 and many lives were sacrificed. Nowadays Hellfire Pass has become a historical site with an information centre and a museum that exhibits related tools and photographs from this historical event to remind people the importance of world peace.
• After Hellfire Pass you will travel to the Kanchanaburi Night Market where you can browse the many different stalls offering handicrafts, souvenirs, local foods and clothing items and where you can eat dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner you will be taken to your Kanchanaburi hotel.
• 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 Muang Sing Historical Park. The history of Muang Sing Historical Park goes back to a period between 857 and 1157 when the Khmer Kingdom was flourishing. Records show that this town was abandoned until the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809) when the name Muang Sing first showed in chronicles of this time period. Muang Sing was a fortified town protecting the town of Kanchanaburi and was built in the Bayon-style therefore similarities between the Muang Sing Historical Park and the Angkor Wat are very apparent. The architecture at Muang Sing Historical Park is very old and beautiful and there are four large monuments located in the historical park surrounded by a laterite wall.
• After the Muang Sing Historical Park you will then visit the Kanchanaburi Skywalk. Kanchanaburi Skywalk is a 12m high and 150m long glass walkway that runs alongside the Kwae Yai river and is designed to give visitors a bird’s eye view of where the Kwae Yai and Kwae Noi rivers meet. From the Kanchanaburi Skywalk you will get beautiful views of the converging rivers flowing through lush green surroundings with mountains in the background.
• 19:30 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