Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Erawan Falls Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Erawan National Park's seven-tiered waterfalls
- Swim in the emerald pools of Erawan Falls
- Discover the historic Bridge over the River Kwai
- Learn about WWII history at the JEATH War Museum
- Enjoy scenic views of the Kwai River
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Bangkok
- Guided tour of Erawan National Park
- Visit to the Bridge over the River Kwai
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
The JEATH War Museum is dedicated to the story of the men who worked on the Death Railway. The acronym JEATH stands for the different nationalities of the POWs that worked on the construction of the railway between 1942 and 1943: Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland (The Netherlands). The museum displays the actual items that were used for the construction of the Death Railway and it exhibits a large number of photographs taken by prisoners at the time. One of the three galleries featuring photos is housed within a bamboo hut that’s an exact replica of the shelters that the POWs (Prisoners of War) lived in during this time. The museum is also home to a bomb dropped by the allies to destroy the bridge but that failed to explode. NOTE: TOTAL TIME IS INCLUDING TRAVELING TIME FROM BANGKOK TO KANCHANABURI
The Bridge on the River Kwai was part of a strategic railway route to Burma in which the Japanese aimed to secure supplies with which to conquer other western Asian countries. It was 415 kilometres long and passed through the Three Pagodas Pass in Sangkhlaburi District, the northern most part of Kanchanaburi province. The Japanese Imperial Army brought the iron bridge from Java during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II. It was then resembled by Allied Prisoners of War (POW) under Japanese supervision. Visiting the River Kwai Bridge and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery encourages one to contemplate the intolerable treatment Allied prisoners of war, Thais, Burmese and Malayans were subjected to under the Japanese Imperial Army during the construction of the notorious Burma Railway, better known as Death Railway. The work on the railway was completed in 16 months, despite calculations by Japanese engineers that the construction would take at least 5 years!
Founded in 1975 as Thailand’s 12th National Park, the Erawan National Park is home to one of the most popular waterfalls in the country. The major attraction of the park is the 7-tiered Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds. The fall is called after the three-headed elephant from Hindu mythology as the top cataract resembles it. Here you have enough time for a refreshing swim right in the middle of the jungle or even walk to the top level of the waterfalls (if weather permits). Do not forget to bring swimwear and a towel. NOTE: TOTAL TIME IS INCLUDING TRAVELING TIME FROM KANCHANABURI TO BANGKOK
Meeting point
Start Location
WanderSiam - Tour Operator, 459/1 Thanon Chaokhamrop, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour involves walking on uneven paths; a moderate level of fitness is recommended.
- Meals and personal expenses are not included in the tour price.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately for the climate.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring swimwear and a towel for swimming at the waterfalls.
- Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Bring swimwear and a towel. We also recommend to wear proper walking shoes.
- We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square. If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up list, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. IMPORTANT: The exact pick-up time will be sent to you via private message on the booking platform one day before the tour. Depending on the number of participants, hotel pick-up will be between 7:00 - 7:30 hrs. Please check your email (including junk folder) carefully the day before your tour to avoid any delays or missed departures.
- Bangkok’s traffic can be heavily congested. As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
- Please note that Kanchanaburi is approximately a 3-hour drive from Bangkok (one way), depending on traffic conditions. Guests should be aware that a significant part of the day will be spent traveling.
Traveler reviews
Amazing tour
Tour Guide Na was very accommodating, she was professional yet friendly at the same time. She was approachable and has good personality. The driver was also a good driver. I highly recommend booking the tour with the Tour Guide Na. The Tour gave us an amazing experience here in thailand. Will recommend to my friends in the future. Love from heart, from elisa and glorie from the Philippines.
Very interesting historical and nature tour
We caught a grab to the travel office in Chinatown,we got there we got invited in inside,nice aircon,then our driver turned up,I forgot his name ,then we started our drive to bridge over river Kwai and erawan falls,it took us nearly 2.5 hrs to get there,we met our guide Na she was very good indeed, explained everything about the railway and the museum,the prisoners of wars ,were treated terrible by the Japanese soldiers,if you didn't work you were punished,then we caught a boat down the river to the bridge,that was excited,then walked over the bridge,the railway so to take 3 years,but they were made to it in 18 months,100,000 soldiers died,then we left there and went to the erawan falls in the national park,,which were 1 hr away,we got there Na walked with us to waterfall 2 ,my wife went by the waterfall and we took photos,then Na left us and we walked up to waterfall 5,that was hard work,but I did it,it made me proud at 54 yrs old,I beat some of the young people.then we walked back down,my wife got dressed put the life jacket back,then we got the buggy back to the entrance,I would say have lunch before you go to the falls. I enjoyed it so much.defintely recommend it.
Great
Even though it was raining, the day was lovely. A little bit of variety with the war museum and boat ride, topped with a walk (we went to 5) and swimming in 3 and 2. Not too many people, and good amount of time. Food was great. Nah (tour guide) and our driver were friendly too!
Amazing!
Amazing! Love the waterfall and the kwai river. It’s a must do to get out of hectic Bangkok. Beautiful lush rain forest
WW11 POW Reality combine with picturesque Erawan Falls
Our guide was very friendly, informative, personal and spoke English very well which all added to our trip. The JEATH Museum and death railway were very moving in their atrocity. It was good to follow this with the trip to the Erawan Falls which were very picturesque and a stark contrast to the inhumanity suffered by the POWs. Our driver, was also very friendly and did his best to converse in English, using his translator app to explain further. It was a very good trip combining history, culture and nature.