The Hidden Beauty of Kanchanaburi

Today you will fly to Bangkok. On arrival, your private guide will welcome you at the arrival hall and transfer you to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

UME Travel's Complimentary Local SIM Card:

UME will help you prepare a local SIM card with unlimited 5G Internet and free international calling credit to make your stay in Thailand worry-free.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market located 100 km (62 mi) from Bangkok, one of Thailand’s most famous attractions. Day-in and day-out from about 8 am to about 11 am, the Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. You will have a chance to take a ride on a long-tail boat to get a real sense of a floating village. After the long tail boat cruise around the village, you will stop at a transit point where you can choose to further explore the floating market by a 4-seat boat or stroll around by the river's banks. 

After having lunch, you will return to Bangkok, and you will visit Wat Pho, which is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I about 200 years ago and houses the gigantic, gold-plated Reclining Buddha image. This unique image is 49 meters long and 12 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Your last stop is The Royal Grand Palace, the nation's landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace, which is used for many different occasions, and you will see The Coronation Hall, the Funeral Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the mysterious, famous Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. 

Pick up from Bangkok hotels before departing to Kanchanaburi province (128 km. to the west of Bangkok). After Arriving at Kanchanaburi, you will visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, information, and research facility dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand–Burma Railway. The fully air-conditioned center offers the visitor an educational and moving experience. Visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery which is a memorial to some 6000 allied prisoners of war (POWs) who perished along the death railway line and were moved post-war to this eternal resting place. Visit the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai, part of the Death Railway constructed by Allied POWs.

After having lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. The interpretive center presents the history of the Burma-Thailand railway under chronological and thematic headings, explaining the rationale for the railway, the way in which it was constructed, and the hardship experienced by those who worked on it. Then you can descend the long set of stairs behind the museum to Hellfire Pass Memorial Walking Trail following the original rail bed. Then, take a long-tailed boat from Phu Takien pier to River Kwai Jungle Rafts. Check-in upon arrival. Dinner followed by a 45–minute presentation of traditional Mon Dance and overnight at River Kwai Jungle Rafts.

After breakfast, head into the nearby Mon tribal village, where the Mon people have lived for generations. Visit the Golden Rock, Buddha image cave, and village school. Mon Chat, sitting down and talking with original Mon people concerning history religion culture, and dances. Experience how to wear the “Sa-rong” Mon costume and how to play the “Saba” traditional Mon game. Making Tanaka powder from the wood and bark of the Tanaka tree extensively as a natural cosmetic, sunscreen, skin treatment, and insect repellent. Then take a short walk on an easy jungle trail along the river bank to get to the stunning viewpoint of River Kwai.

After having lunch at River Kwai Jungle Rafts, you will Relax in paradise (optional chargeable activities: bamboo rafting, canoeing, river jumping, and Thai traditional massage). Dinner and overnight at River Kwai Jungle Rafts.

Enjoy your breakfast then check out and take a local long-tailed boat to Phu Takien pier and proceed to have lunch at a local restaurant. After taking a historic ride on Death Railway Train passing over the original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs, you will take a Journey back to Bangkok. Arrive at Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai.

Free in the morning. This afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing drive of about 1hr takes you to Doi Suthep Mountain. Climb 309 steps to the top (For the less active traveler, a tram is available for a small surcharge.), enjoying the truly breathtaking scenery all along the way.  You will find Wat Phra That at the very top, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. At the top, rest and relax while marveling at the panoramic views of the city of Chiang Mai. 

Next, take an adventurous ride on a songthaew across the rugged roads toward the exotic Meo hill tribe villages, which is located a further 18 Kilometers from Wat Doi Suthep into the mountains of Doi Suthep Pui National Park. You will visit a native household and discover the daily lives of the friendly villagers. Learn about their unique customs and heritage before returning to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

A half-day package to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (join activity) offers you an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural home, as well as gain an insight into their history and behavior, and create cherished lifelong memories of their time spent with these amazing animals.

Today you will be picked up (private transfer) from your place of accommodation and will drive through scenic agricultural areas before arriving at the Sanctuary. There, you will meet your English-speaking guide and learn a little about the elephants, before changing into traditional Karen clothing.

After being allocated bananas and sugar cane to feed to the elephants, you will walk with your guide through the Sanctuary, where you will find free-roaming elephants and hear their individual stories. You can touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. 

After the close encounter with the elephant, you will return to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Check out and transfer to the airport for your flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. On arrival, your private guide will accompany you for your hotel check-in. After settling in, relax poolside or head to the beach.

Day of leisure. Relax at your hotel or explore the surrounding area.

Day of leisure. Relax at your hotel or explore the surrounding area.

Enjoy your free time until your guide comes to escort you to the airport for your onward flight.