7 days ex Bangkok - trip code GHTJ09
US$1060 (single room optional for US$140)
Closer to Bangkok than you think is the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai, part of World War II's Death Railway that linked Thailand and Burma. On this active three ride you'll board the train for a ride on the famous railway line, visit an ancient Khmer temple, cycle to the infamous Hellfire Pass and enjoy 3 days in the beautiful country side of West Thailand. Cycling on small back roads as well as many unsealed roads gives a great opportunity to explore the rural communities of Thailand while also visiting the famous WWII sites.
After three day on the bike you will transfer to the Shambala Lake Raft House on Khao Lam Lake. A totally unique experience the raft house is based on the traditional raft homes that locals in the area still use. The houseboat will take you slowly through the stunning scenery, which you can enjoy from the sundeck. When the boat stops, you can take a swim, go kayaking or fishing or just enjoy yourself and relax on the deck. It will be possible to visit the small natural caves and Coconut Island. You will also be riding elephants and you will go bamboo rafting at the nearby river. Pretty much everything for a great adventurous holiday.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Death Railway, Ancient Temples
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok it is 2-3 hours transfer to Kanchanaburi where we stop to visit the WWII cemetery in the city. From here you board the Thai-Burma Railway for a ride through history along a railway line. The train carries you over the infamous "Bridge Over The River Kwai' and north west towards Burma. Following the course of the Kwai Noi River the train passes slowly as it crosses original trestle bridges built by the prisoner of war labourers. At Tam Krasae you will disembark from the train and have lunch before transferring to the Khmer ruins at Muang Sing. At the peak of the Khmer Empire, centred out of Siem Reap in Cambodia, this region was on the outer edges of the Kingdom. Muang Sing is a Khmer ruin from this period. The ruins are largely incomplete but it is a peaceful place and the perfect starting point to the cycling part of your journey. Today's ride is an easy 33km on small back roads through villages and farmland that make for a great introduction to the region. We will make stops at anything interesting seen along the way. The great joy of cycling back roads is that you never know what will be happening from one week to the next.
Day 2 | Countryside Cycling
After transferring out of town we cycle all the way to tonight's resort. The support vehicle will be on duty if you need it but if you can ride the entire 42km you'll enjoy a full day of cycling in Thailand. The ride to the end destination is mostly on unsealed roads with a little bit of rolling terrain. You will pass endless villages and countryside as you continue following the general course of the Kwai Noi River
Day 3 | Hellfire Pass, Sai Yok Noi, Raft House
This morning you will take you on rolling dirt road, 23km to Hellfire Pass. Hellfire Pass is a legendary part of the story of the Thai-Burma Railway. While cutting a pass through the limestone rock hundreds of prisoners died here. A highly informative memorial museum has been built here and there are tracks built to explore the Pass. After lunch at Sai Yok transfer to the rafthouse. Arriving on the raft house you check in while dinner is prepared. While having dinner you sail towards the first nights anchor point.
Day 4 | Waterfall, Coconut Island
After breakfast we take the kayaks to the mainland, and after a short walk we will reach Dai Chong Thong waterfall. It is possible to take a swim or just enjoy the sight (from March to May it is dry season which causes low water level, so during this period the activity is not guaranteed). In the afternoon we will visit the Coconut Island with a population of just ten people. A nice and cozy island with a lot of coconut trees and also cacao and other kinds of trees.
Day 5 | Elephant Riding, Hilltribe Village
We start the day in kayaks, visiting one of many small bays and explore five small caves containing a lot of bats, and maybe see one of the local fishermen in action. At midday you will be picked up by a long tail boat and go up a nearby river. When you reach the Karen village at the river, the elephant riding will start, and they will take you up the river through the jungle. After an hour you will be set off to do bamboo rafting back to the village.
Day 6 | Sangklaburi
Today you will reach the final destination of the trip - Sangklaburi. In the morning there will be time to go kayaking, fishing, swimming or just relax, before we set off. Back on the mainland you can see the longest teakwood bridges in Thailand or you can visit the Three Pagodas Pass, which is located on the border between Thailand and Burma. In Sanghklaburi you will still at a nice guesthouse just on the banks of the lake.
Day 7 | Bangkok
After your stay in the relaxing village of Sangkhlaburi, we will be on our way back to Bangkok. The trip is about 6 hours in a minibus. The tour ends at the New Road Guesthouse in Bangkok. From here it is easy to catch a taxi to your accommodation.
Tour Map
Private Groups
This tour can depart at any time for private groups for the following prices:
1 person: US$1685
2 people: US$1270
3 people: US$1135
4+ people: US$1060
Private tours can start on any Saturday on demand.
From November to March this tour can also depart on Tuesday.
April to October the tour can depart on Monday where the group size is 6 or more people.
Facts and Information
Style
fully supported cycling
Grasshopper Leader
This tour will be led by our highly experienced and knowledgable Thai cycling guider the first 3 days and a specialist rafthouse guide for the remaining 4 days.
Inclusions
support vehicle, local guide, most meals, entry fees, imported 24 speed mountain bike, elephant riding, kayaking
Accommodation
2 nights hotel (one hotel is in town with a swimming pool overlooking the river, the other is a beautiful countryside resort on a lovely bend in the river), 1 night guesthouse, 3 nights raft house
the lake house accommodation is limited which means at times we must place our customers in the dormitory accommodation rather than private rooms - in this case the price for the tour is reduced
Meals Included
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Difficulty
moderate - some of the bike ride is spent on unsealed roads with short steep ups and downs. You should have some cycling experience to do this tour.
Feedback and Reviews
"We ended our tour yesterday, and had an incredible time. Will be more than happy to recommend Grasshopper Adventures to our friends, and you guys did great, especially the biking portion in Kanchanaburi. Just wanted to make a special mention on behalf of my brother and I to the assigned guide for my bike tour - Khun Jump. He is great!!"
- Ren, January 2010
