TWO-DAY TOUR 1

The first day begins with an elephant trek in jungle, followed by a trip on a bamboo raft along the River Kwai. After lunch, we visit Hellfire Pass and then it's on to Sangklaburi, where we spend the night at P Guest House, which is set on the banks of a tranquil lake. The next morning we take the short trip to Three Pagodas Pass, the historical border crossing into Burma. After lunch we relax at Hin Dat Hot Springs and the day ends with a train journey on the notorious Death Railway back to Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai.

Please note that two-day tours require a minimum of four people. All meals included.

Itinerary:

DAY ONE

Elephant Trek and Bamboo Rafting

Take a ride through the jungles of Kanchanaburi province on the back of an elephant. The picturesque elephant camp is sited on the banks of the River Kwai. Afterwards, try a trip along the river on a bamboo raft – life jackets provided, but don't worry, it's safer than it looks!

lunch

Hellfire Pass

A stark illustration of the terrible conditions endured by Allied prisoners of war, Hellfire Pass was dug out of rock in six terrible weeks in 1943 by Australian, British, US and Dutch POWs forced to work 18 hours a day as the Japanese attempted to complete a railway line, now known as Death Railway, from Bangkok to Rangoon during World War 2. Some 68 prisoners were beaten to death by their guards during this phase of construction.

overnight at p guest house, sangklaburi

DAY TWO

Three Pagodas Pass

The three miniature pagodas mark the mountainous border between Thailand and Burma which was frequently used as an invasion point during the Ayutthaya dynasty. Visitors are allowed to cross from the settlement of Three Pagodas Pass into the nearest Burmese village to do a little local shopping, but it is not a legal route into the rest of Burma. In Sangklaburi, you will also visit the Mon village and Thailand's longest wooden bridge.

lunch

Hin Dat Hot Springs

After lunch relax in a hot bath – in the jungle! Luxuriate in the hot springs at Hin Dat. Deep in the jungle the natural springs will set you up for the rest of the day.

Krasae Cave and Wang Pho Viaduct

The Thai-Burma railway line, or Death Railway, was built to support the Japanese occupation of Burma during World War 2. Living in horrific conditions, some 100,000 conscripted Asian labourers and 16,000 Allied POWs died during its construction. The Wang Po Viaduct – a wooden lattice structure that supports the railway line around a cliff wall – is a spectacular remnant of the project. Near Wang Pho station, Krasae Cave houses a fine Buddha figure and offers a spectacular view over the River Kwai.

Train to the Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai, made famous by the 1957 David Lean movie, remains in use to this day. The target of frequent Allied bombing, the bridge was used by the Japanese for two years before it was eventually destroyed. It was rebuilt after the War, and many parts of the original bridge – the curved sections leading from either bank – can still be seen supporting the daily train to Sai Yok.

Price per person: Bt2990