Depart from Bangkok in the early morning then head northwest towards Kanchanaburi - Thailand’s largest province home to some spectacular scenery and a fascinating history. Cultural and historical stops in the morning include the War Museum, the War Cemetery and the world-famous ‘Bridge Over the River Kwai’. Walk along the tracks, as well as check out the adjacent museum to learn more about the construction of the bridge as part of the Japanese-led ‘Death Railway’ built during WWII. For a change of pace, jump on a long-tail boat heading towards The River Kwai Resotel. This retreat is comprised of charming and luxurious “jungle chalets” made from local materials, with bamboo walls and thatched roofs. Later in the afternoon, travel downstream via long-tailed boat to Phutakien Pier and continue via land to the Hellfire Pass Memorial. The ‘Hellfire Pass’ is a section of the Death Railway where thousands of allied prisoners of war lost their lives in the effort to excavate the mountainside to make room for the rail tracks. Take a tour of the museum, or head down the small hill to see the original site cut into the mountain, before returning to the hotel for dinner. After a delicious Thai dinner, be entertained by an exciting display of traditional Mon dance.

After breakfast, take a long-tailed boat upstream to visit the stunning Saiyoke Yai Waterfall & National Park. After lunch at the River Kwai Jungle Rafts, visit the spectacular Lawa Cave with its incredible stalactites and geological formations. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Check out of The River Kwai Resotel and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, take a ride on the historic Death Railway Train, which slowly rolls from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok Railway Station, over an original wooden viaduct constructed by prisoners of war. Continue by air-conditioned transportation to Bangkok, with an early evening arrival in the big city.