Cycle Thailand's historic western province
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Explore the Thai-Burma Railway and the Bridge Over the River Kwai while cycling to ancient temples through the friendly countryside around Kanchanaburi. The trip includes a special dawn service ceremony and visits historical sites to commemorate those who served during the war.
Overview
Closer to Bangkok than you might 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 four day ride, you'll board the train for a ride on the famous railway line, visit an ancient Khmer temple, visit the infamous Hellfire Pass and enjoy four days in the beautiful countryside of West Thailand. On ANZAC Day, April 25, you will participate in the dawn service commemorating the end of both World Wars.
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.
This is a special ANZAC Day departure to commemorate the end of World War I and II. We will join in honoring those who gave their lives in the service of their country and who suffered the hardships of the Japanese POW camps to build the Death Railway.
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 comfortable with some bumpy surfaces but anyone who is comfortable riding a bike should be ok. There are some small short 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 cycling.
Deposit: $300USD
Single room option: $130USD
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.
Attend the service commemorating the end of both World Wars.
Discover the Angkor-era ruins of Muang Sing after some fun cycling.
Day to Day
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok it is 2-3 hour transfer 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 the ride. Today takes us on a very pleasant ride that at 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 on the grounds of a local temple. The remainder of the day is 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 riding alongside the very train tracks laid decades before by prisoners of war. At the end of the ride transfer to our beautiful accommodation at the Boutique Raft Resort.
Starting the morning on the bikes we cycle on small roads that slowly get smaller and eventually turn to dirt as we head into a beautiful forested landscape. The finale to 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 to visit the excellent museum and walk 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, and a ride on the Death Railway that will take you traveling along with a piece of WWI history. After crossing the perilous trestle bridge at Krasae Cave we transfer back to our hotel.
This special day starts early at around 3 am. Drive to the Hellfire Pass Museum and start the early morning trek to the Hellfire Pass Memorial. The Dawn Service begins at 5 am. Following the service return to the museum for a Gunfire Breakfast of tea and ANZAC biscuits. The next event is the Memorial Wreath Laying Service at the Kanchanburi War Cemetery at 10 am. After lunch on the River Kwai return to our accommodation for an afternoon of leisure.
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 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 marked the furthest point west that the great Cambodian Empire once spread. After visiting the ruins it is a further 15km to the end of the ride, a late lunch, and the start of the 3 hour drive back to your hotel in Bangkok, during which you can reflect on three adventurous days cycling a 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.
