Overview
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-day tour, you'll board the train for a ride on the famous railway line, visit an ancient Khmer temple, check out the infamous Hellfire Pass and enjoy three days in the beautiful countryside of West Thailand. Cycle small back roads as well as many unsealed tracks that provide a great opportunity to explore the rural communities of Thailand while also visiting the famous WWII sites. Stay the night in a raft resort where your accommodation floats on the river’s surface and savor the delicious flavors of Thai cuisine along the way on this interesting cycling journey.
Traveling in a group of 6 or more people? Contact our team about special group pricing for our on-request tours.
109 Km riding. This tour is on a mix of sealed and unsealed roads so we ride mountain bikes with knobby tires. You need to be able to handle some bumpy surfaces, but anyone who is comfortable riding a bike should be ok. There are some small hills to get up and roll down. The distances are all quite short so there is never any rush if you worry about being slow and we always have a support vehicle on hand in case you need to take a break from the cycling.
Pedal-assist E-bikes is an available option for this tour for $105 surcharge.
Highlights
Take a walk over the famous Bridge on the River Kwai and explore other significant WWII sites.
Learn about the “Death Railway” as you visit a museum and walk along the Hellfire Pass.
Stay at a luxurious raft resort where your floating accommodation features beautiful rooms and ample modern facilities.
Discover the Angkor-era ruins of Muang Sing after some fun cycling.
Day to Day
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok, we will transfer 2-3 hours to Kanchanaburi and the famous 'Bridge Over The River Kwai.' After walking across the bridge to the quieter side of the river, we set up the bikes and begin riding. Today takes us on a very pleasant ride that first follows the course of the river, with a stop at a war cemetery. After a short uphill, we leave the bikes to squeeze through a cave that sits in the grounds of a local temple. The remainder of the day is spent cycling through farmland with everything from common crops like corn, rice and sugar cane to small patches of asparagus and chilies. Late in the ride, we find ourselves pedaling alongside the very train tracks that were laid decades before by prisoners of war. At the end of the ride, we transfer to our beautiful accommodation at the Boutique Raft Resort for an interesting floating accommodation.
Starting the morning on bikes, we cycle small roads that slowly get narrower and eventually turn to dirt as we head into a beautiful forested landscape. The finale of the ride is a suspension bridge back to the land of sealed roads. The support van will then drive us up the hill to Hellfire Pass, where we spend some time visiting the excellent museum and walking along the infamous Hellfire Pass. From here a short drive brings us to Nam Tok train station, the modern day end of the train line that used to go all the way to Myanmar. Here we'll take a ride on the Death Railway, traveling along a piece of WWII history we have just learned about. After crossing the trestle bridge at Krasae Cave, we transfer back to our hotel.
From the resort this morning, we ride a series of small sealed and unsealed roads that wind their way around villages and farmland. After a short section of cycling on the main road and a bit of an uphill climb, we descend back towards the river and make a visit to the Angkor-era ruins at Muang Sing. This region marks the furthest point west that the great Cambodian Empire once spread. After visiting the ruins, it is a further 15km to the end of our ride, a late lunch, and the start of the 3-hour drive back to your hotel in Bangkok. During the transfer, you can reflect on three adventurous days of cycling terrain made famous for its bridge and railway line but with a whole lot more to see than just war history.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
We use our expertise and experience in Thailand to carefully craft itineraries that pack in lots of satisfying cycling, beautiful scenery, and cultural immersion while taking you to both the must-sees and hidden gems of each destination. Cycle back roads past scenic farmland to interesting historical locations on this three-day tour of Western Thailand. Visit ancient temples and WWII sites as well as cycling through small villages for a better understanding of authentic Thai life a few hours from Bangkok.
