Kanchanaburi
3
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Three days in Kanchanaburi and the western provinces reveal the most historically significant and naturally extraordinary region in Thailand. The Bridge on the River Kwai, the Death Railway built by Allied prisoners of war through the jungle, the moving Hellfire Pass cutting and the extraordinary emerald waterfalls of Erawan National Park all lie within this single river valley. This route covers the wartime history and natural wonders of Kanchanaburi province, from the iconic River Kwai bridge and the Thailand-Burma Railway museums to the seven-tier Erawan Falls, the extraordinary Sai Yok jungle railway and the floating raft houses of the Kwai Noi river. Three days that reveal a Thailand most visitors never see.
Best Time To Visit
November to February
Getting There
Bus from Bangkok Mo Chit, 2 hours. Train from Thonburi station, 3 hours
Getting Around
Songthaew, hired bicycle, longtail boat, local bus
Budget Per Day
Approx 35 to 80 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, jungle walking at Erawan
DAY 1
RIVER KWAI TOWN
MORNING
THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI AND THE THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE
The original steel spans of the Bridge on the River Kwai stand exactly as rebuilt after Allied bombing raids in 1945. Walk across the bridge above the Kwai Yai river on the exposed wooden sleepers. The extraordinary Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum 200 metres away tells the complete story of the 415km Death Railway with remarkable and moving detail. Entry to museum approx 160 baht. Drive/Travel: 5 min walk
MIDDAY
THE JEATH WAR MUSEUM AND THE ALLIED WAR CEMETERY
The JEATH Museum recreates the bamboo huts in which Allied prisoners were held, with extraordinary personal accounts, photographs and artefacts. The adjacent Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery contains 6,982 graves in immaculate lawns, one of the most moving sites in Southeast Asia. The Don Rak cemetery is free to enter and requires respectful dress. Drive/Travel: 10 min by bicycle
AFTERNOON
THE RIVER KWAI BY LONGTAIL BOAT AND THE FLOATING RAFT HOUSES
A longtail boat upriver from Kanchanaburi town passes floating raft house villages, limestone karst outcrops and jungle-covered hills unchanged since wartime. The extraordinary Wat Tham Khao Poon cave temple is accessible only by boat, its caverns filled with Buddhist shrines in extraordinary natural chambers. Boat hire approx 600 baht per hour.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wat Tham Sua, the Tiger Cave Temple on the limestone hill above Kanchanaburi, is almost entirely unknown to international visitors. The 400 steep steps lead to an extraordinary hilltop chedi with panoramic views over the entire Kwai valley and the distant mountains of Myanmar. The bats emerging from the cave at dusk number in the millions. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kanchanaburi morning market Boat noodles and grilled pork skewers at the covered market near the bus station. | Lunch: Apple's Retreat, River Kwai Road The finest Thai food in Kanchanaburi, beloved by repeat visitors. Green curry extraordinary. | Dinner: Floating restaurant, Kwai Yai river Fresh river fish, river prawns and Singha beer on the water at sunset.
DAY 2
HELLFIRE PASS
MORNING
HELLFIRE PASS MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND THE DEATH RAILWAY CUTTING
The most moving site in Kanchanaburi. The Hellfire Pass cutting was hand-drilled through solid rock by Allied POWs working 18-hour shifts by torchlight, hence the name given by the prisoners. The 4km walking trail follows the original railway alignment through the jungle. The museum, maintained by the Australian government, is extraordinary and profoundly moving. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min by local bus
MIDDAY
SAI YOK NOI WATERFALL AND THE DEATH RAILWAY VIADUCTS
The Sai Yok Noi waterfall cascades directly onto the banks of the Kwai Noi river beside the Death Railway line, one of the most extraordinary natural and historical juxtapositions in Thailand. The original wooden viaducts of the Death Railway cling to the cliff face above the river, accessible on foot from the station platform. Train from Nam Tok station approx 100 baht. Drive/Travel: 20 min by train or road
AFTERNOON
NAM TOK AND THE END OF THE DEATH RAILWAY
Nam Tok is the current terminus of the Death Railway, the line having been cut back from the original Burma junction at Three Pagodas Pass after the war. The extraordinary Tham Krasae viaduct, a wooden trestle bridge clinging to the cliff directly above the Kwai Noi, is the most photographed section of the line. The train crosses it at walking pace.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Three Pagodas Pass at the Myanmar border, the original destination of the Death Railway, is accessible as a long day trip from Kanchanaburi and is one of the most extraordinary border crossings in Southeast Asia. The three small chedis marking the ancient trade route between Thailand and Myanmar have stood here for centuries. Entry free on the Thai side.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Guesthouse breakfast, Kanchanaburi Most raft house guesthouses serve a Thai breakfast. Eat before the early bus. | Lunch: River Kwai Resotel, Nam Tok Outstanding riverside Thai food near the Nam Tok waterfall. Local fish dishes. | Dinner: Night market, Kanchanaburi The evening market near the bus station has the finest grilled river fish in the province.
DAY 3
ERAWAN FALLS
MORNING
ERAWAN NATIONAL PARK, THE SEVEN-TIER EMERALD WATERFALLS
The seven tiers of Erawan Falls are among the most extraordinary in Thailand. Each tier forms a different emerald-green swimming pool filled with Mahseer fish that feed from your hands. Tier 2 is the most beautiful with its natural arch. Tier 7 requires a 2km jungle trek and is almost entirely free of visitors. Arrive at park opening at 8am. Entry approx 300 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by local bus
MIDDAY
ERAWAN UPPER TIERS AND THE JUNGLE TRAIL
The upper tiers of Erawan from Tier 4 to Tier 7 require an increasingly challenging jungle trail through extraordinary primary forest. Tier 7, the source pool of the falls, is accessible to fit walkers and offers the most extraordinary swimming in Thailand in a completely natural jungle setting. Fewer than 10 percent of visitors reach Tier 7. Trail well marked. Drive/Travel: 45 min bus back to town
AFTERNOON
KANCHANABURI TOWN AND THE RIVER KWAI FAREWELL
The final afternoon is best spent on the river. Rent a kayak from one of the guesthouses on River Kwai Road for approx 150 baht per hour and paddle upstream past the bridge and the war cemetery. The golden hour light on the river and the bridge is extraordinary. The night market near the bus terminal opens at 5pm for the finest farewell dinner in the province.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lawa Cave at Wang Badan, accessible from a small road 15km north of Kanchanaburi town, is one of the most extraordinary cave systems in western Thailand, an enormous cavern with stalactites, stalagmites and an underground river almost entirely unknown to international visitors. Local guides available at the cave entrance for approx 100 baht. Bring a torch.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Erawan park entrance stalls Buy sticky rice and grilled corn before entering the park. Last food until Tier 1 cafe. | Lunch: Erawan Tier 1 restaurant Simple Thai food in the national park. Eat early before the lunch crowds arrive. | Dinner: River Kwai Road night market The finest grilled river fish, papaya salad and cold Chang beer in the province.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Kanchanaburi Town, All Nights Stay on River Kwai Road for river access. Pung Waan Resort or Apple's Retreat. Approx 30 to 80 USD. Floating Raft House An extraordinary experience unique to Kanchanaburi. River Kwai Resotel or Jungle Rafts. Approx 40 to 90 USD. Budget Option Blue Star Guesthouse or Sugar Cane 2. Approx 10 to 25 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Erawan Falls on weekdays only. Weekends bring huge crowds. Arrive at 8am opening whatever day you go.
2. Hellfire Pass museum opens at 9am. Bring water and sun protection for the 4km railway trail walk.
3. The Death Railway train to Nam Tok is one of the finest short rail journeys in Asia. Do not miss it.
4. Floating raft houses on the Kwai Noi are unique to this region. Booking ahead essential in high season.
5. River Kwai bridge is most atmospheric at dawn before tour groups arrive from Bangkok.
6. Leeches on jungle trails after rain. Wear long socks and bring salt or repellent spray.
Total Budget
26 to 95 USD/day