Overview
This tour departs from Bangkok, one of the most popular gateways to Southeast Asia and a fascinating place to explore in its own right (preview our pre-tour extension option). We won't linger here long though, taking straight to the road for Kanchanaburi, a town in western Thailand that was the subject of one of the most audacious and ultimately tragic Japanese initiatives of World War II.
Not only will our cycling exploration provide us with scenic vistas and cultural sites, but it will allow for historical immersion as well. We’ll pedal down a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, over a suspension bridge, to historic sites such as Hellfire Pass aptly named for the difficulty of conditions endured by the laborers who built it, and take a ride on a section of the original Thai-Burma Railway. Non-cyclists will enjoy taking in these sites as well, in addition to a mix of activities while the riders are out on the bikes.
Our tour rounds up on the idyllic surroundings of Koh Yao, complete with a blissful stay on an island resort, and cycling exploration of the island as well as other water and land activities like kayaking, snorkeling and secluded island hopping. Discover the history and culture of Thailand, combined with physical exploration and a relaxing beach vacation on this seven-day multi-activity tour.
125 Km/ 151 Mi riding. This tour does feature some hills, but they are more of the undulating, rolling nature than the sustained climbing nature. You are on a mixture of well-paved roads and some hard-packed, gravel/dirt roads that make up about 20% of the total riding.
Pedal-assist E-bike is an available option for this tour for $200 surcharge.
Highlights
- Cycle the 13th century Muang Sing ruins before returning to the ship for a relaxing river cruise with great views.
- Pedal back roads around Koh Yao for an exploration of tropical life and sparkling beaches.
- Spend a day in paradise, kayaking in the clear waters of Koh Yao or taking a walk through the jungle.
Inclusions
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
- 3 nights aboard a River Ship
- 3 nights in an island resort
- Local guides and support team
- Cannondale bikes & support vehicle
- Healthy snacks and water during cycling
- All activities and site entry fees
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
- Tips for non-Grasshopper service staff
What our Guests Say
Day to Day
You will have time for breakfast at your Bangkok hotel before we pick you up at 7:30 am. The drive to Kanchanaburi City is about 3.5 hours and our first stop of the day is one of the most educated on the topic of the Thai-Burma Railway. The Thai-Burma Railway Center is a privately funded museum, curated by Rod Beattie, an Australian who has dedicated years to researching the railway, the POW camps and the stories of the prisoners. The museum provides a comprehensive overview of what occurred on the railway and the conditions under which the prisoners toiled and many perished. Opposite the museum is the allied war cemetery where the remains of 6,982 Allied POW have been laid to rest.
After that somber start to the day, we will convene on the grounds of a temple, to conduct a bike fitting and to hear all about safe riding from your group leader. Then we start off on a pedal of the town to visit the famed "Bridge Over the River Kwai". From there, we ride out into the countryside through sugar cane fields and rice paddies where farmers tend to their buffalo. Lunch is had in a family-owned restaurant and with that fuel in our stomachs, we ride the last little bit to reach the embarkation point for our river ship.
The RV River Kwai was built in Burma by the remnants of the East India Flotilla Company and is modeled in that British Colonial-era style for which the company was famous. We see the day by cruising up the river with a cold drink in hand.
Today we have a short ride option and a long ride option and you can make the decision on the day. We'll enjoy riding on almost deserted roads in the countryside, through farmland where corn, rice, and various other crops are grown and where the pace of life slows even more.
Along the way, we pass remnants of the civilizations that have since been swept away with the passage of time. At one point, the Khmer Empire in what is now Cambodia occupied this land and built structures including Prasat Muang Sing where we will stop for lunch.
For those who opt to ride on after lunch, we have a loop through even more remote countryside where we pass workers busily tending to orchards and a few modern-day temples where monks will be meditating after their final meal for the day.
Back onboard the ship, we'll cruise upstream at a leisurely pace and time our passage as such that it's likely you'll see elephants from the nearby sanctuary come down with their Mahouts for an afternoon bath in the river. This is a special sight and makes for some excellent pictures as the elephants often swim up quite close to the ship.
This is the biggest day of activity on the trip. We leave the ship quite early and take a short walk to board our train. This train runs on the remaining sections of track from the original Thai-Burma Railway and a short way into the journey passes over the exciting Wang Pho Viaduct. The train is mostly empty but for a few locals getting to market and to school at this time of the morning.
After our train ride, it's back onto the bikes for arguably the most varied ride of the tour. We start out along the river where the road is mostly flat and paved. We stop at a temple where an informative mural forms the backdrop to a lovely viewpoint over the river, then we continue along and enter a forestry area. Here the government is cultivating Teak and other indigenous timber for future use and this allows for some nice shade as we leave the tarmac.
Riding gravel roads through the forest is quite a different experience to the last few days and a few hills make this section even more interesting. We conclude at a pedestrian, suspension bridge over the river and here we load into the vans for the short drive to the Hellfire Pass Memorial. We walk down to the cutting that was hand chiseled by the prisoners, then time permitting we can walk a section of the now removed track that traversed a particularly difficult piece of engineering, but today is being reclaimed by the bamboo forest.
Back at the ship, we have an evening talk by Rod Beattie (schedule permitting). By now you will know quite a bit of the story of the Thai Burma Railway and Rod's part in this is to tie it all together for you into the greater narrative, something that he does superbly, drawing on his significant understanding of the events of the time.
We leave the ship after breakfast and farewell the delightful crew. Then it's a 3-hour drive to the airport and a 1-hour flight down to the south of Thailand where we board a speedboat for a scenic trip out to Koh Yao Noi. We will arrive on this lovely little island just in time for sundowners on the beach.
The resort is in a secluded part of the island with a choice of a rugged trail or pleasant boat ride to reach the rest of the island. We take the boat option and after just a short zip in the boat, we find our bikes and go for a pedal of the southern area of the island which is mostly flat and with quiet paved roads. We will get a feel for the geography of the island, stop to see how rubber is grown and harvested and stop in on an aquaculture farm. We will ride over to the western side of the island where the landscape is a little different and sit down to lunch at a local restaurant on a pier. Then it's back to the resort by boat and an afternoon free for you to enjoy as you see fit.
Our departure time will depend on the tide because after a short boat ride, we will be getting into kayaks and paddling through a natural tunnel in the limestone to reach an enclosed lagoon. In fact, we will visit two of these lagoons in which it feels as though you are in a different dimension. The noise of passing boats is not heard and the sunlight filtering through the leaves and onto the faces of the small colony of monkeys that live here, give it a surreal feel. As the tide shifts, we paddle out and then continue to explore these small, limestone islands that are dotted throughout the bay. At one with a nice beach, we come aground to enjoy a swim and lunch before returning to the resort for another free afternoon before our final dinner as a group.
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Paradise. Depending on your departure plans, we offer optional assistance in arranging transportation to Phuket International Airport or a Phuket Island hotel. Enhance your travel experience with our tailored service for a seamless departure from this idyllic destination.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
This combination of bike, boat and beach holiday is unique to Grasshopper, and we’ve created this tour so there is something for everyone, cyclists or non-riders alike. We’ve crafted this itinerary to take you from the capital city through the countryside to places of historical interest before making our way to the quiet, blissful Koh Yao for a few days of fun in the sun. There is so much variety in this tour, as well as a comfortable cruise, incredible Thai food, and fun cycling that you will come away with a greater appreciation for Thailand and its culture and beauty.
