River Kwai & Ancient Kingdoms

All content by Intrepid

3 days (ex Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Kanchanaburi)

Destinations visited: Thailand, Bangkok, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$400

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Description

Take time out from the tumultuous streets of Bangkok and discover the ancient ruins of World Heritage-listed Ayuthaya. Pay tribute to POWs who perished building the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Delve into WWII history in the War Museum and at the Allied Cemetery in Kanchanaburi. Round off the adventure amid the buzz of Bangkok's night markets and colourful, chaotic streets.

Highlights

Visit a former residence of Thai kings .
Experience ancient Ayutthaya .
Be humbled by the Hellfire Pass Memorial .
Swim in idyllic rock pools fed by waterfalls .
Travel by samlaw to The Bridge on the River Kwai.

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok / Ayutthaya / Kanchanaburi

Get this ancient odyssey underway by heading out to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a former residence of Thai kings, set around a lavish ornamental pond. Then, make tracks to the Ayutthaya where there's the chance to have fortunes told inside Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon before admiring a temple often compared to the Taj Mahal.

Day 2 Kanchanaburi / River Kwai

Be humbled by inscriptions on the Hellfire Pass Memorial, built to honour the POWs who died while constructing the 'Death Railway'. Venture into the steamy surrounds of Erawan National Park, home to seven refreshing waterfalls and plenty of rock pools for swimming. Return to Kanchanaburi and perhaps hit the markets for a night stroll.

Day 3 Kanchanaburi/Bangkok

Board a traditional samlaw and take in several historic sites including the WWII War Museum, the Allied War Cemetary and the notorious Bridge on the River Kwai. Return to Bangkok where the journey wraps up.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Departure Guarantee

Departure is guaranteed

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

Transport

Private minibus, Songthaew, Sammlaw (cycle rickshaw)

Budget

Allow USD $50 for meals not included.

Pricing Details

AUD $400.00 per person single share

AUD $347.50 per person twin share

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$400

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