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Kanchanaburi is Thailand's third largest province lying 130-kilometres west and a comfortable 2-hour drive from Bangkok. The Province is rich in rainforest, lakes, rivers and wildlife, as well as ethnic minority people, and makes for some scenic as well as challenging biking.
Kanchanaburi is famous as the site of the world-famous Bridge Over The River Kwai, immortalized in books and movies. Beyond the compact provincial capital, where the Kwai Yai and the Kwai Noi rivers unite to form the Mae Klong River, Kanchanaburi unfolds into a rugged beautiful landscape characterized by waterfalls, caves and tranquil riverside settings.
A sparsely populated province much of which has been preserved in National parks, Kanchanaburi is a treat for nature lovers and cyclists.
Notes
7D Kanchanaburi cycling
Day 1 - Kanchanaburi
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok you will be drive to the provincial city of Kanchanaburi. You will visit the sites in Kanchaniburi before taking the train to Tam Krase where you will have lunch In the after noon we ride to Wat Prast Muang Singh. This historical site covers some 74 hectares and is believed to have been used by the Khmer empire as a trading point along the Kwai Noi River. From here you cycle around the park before departing on ride taking in some stunning countryside, small Thai villages, Teak plantations to a very beautiful hotel for the evening which nestles on the banks of the river. Ride 45km L D
Day 2 Sai Yok
Ride scenic loop from hotel that offers some great views of the mountains surrounding the hotel. This ride will have some short climbs and distance can be varied depending on the riders. Ride 60km B L D
Day 3 - Tong Pha Phum
After a short drive to Hellfire Pass you set out on the ride to Tong Pha Phum, a small town with excellent snacks available at the local market. The destination for the night is a flotilla of raft houses on the nearby lake. Ride 95km B L D
Day 4 - Sangklaburi
The most challenging day of the ride, you head from the rafts up to Sangklaburi, a town close to the border with Myanmar. The ride follows the edge of the lake looking out onto attractive floating villages. This town is home to many a diverse range of ethnic groups and feels more like being in Myanmar than Thailand. Ride 75km B L D
Day 5 - Huay Mae Kamin
A short road transfer to the beginning of the ride will get us started mid morning on this dirt road ride into the Khuean Srinagarindra National Park. This ride is through the quiet jungle and is a true adventure into a largely unexplored part of the country. A swim in the refreshing Huay Mae Kamin Waterfall will be a good reward for the long day of cycling. Ride 65km B L D
Day 6 - Erawan
A short ride to the ferry that will take us across the lake, then a scenic undulating ride on smooth sealed road will take us towards our destination of Erawan Waterfall. Ride 75km B L D
Day 7 - Return to Bangkok
After a relaxing morning you will be transferred back to Bangkok and the conclusion of the trip. B L
Inclusions
- 6 nights is twin share accommodation.
- 7 Lunches / 6 dinners (Thai food).
- Pick up / drop off from hotel in Bangkok.
- Air Con Support vehicle specially rigged to carry bikes.
- All entrances to museums / train fares etc.
- All water, ice cold towels, soft drinks, fresh fruit and snacks whilst riding.
- Bike Hire, spares and helmet for seven days.
- Local English speaking guide.
Exclusions
- Massages.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips for local guides.
- Elephant trek.
- Any items services not mentioned in itinerary.
3D cycling & 4D rafting fun
Kanchanaburi Adventure
Short Break Cycle & Adventure tour in Thailand - 7 days ex Bangkok.
Explore the Thai-Burma Railway and Bridge Over the River Kwai while cycling to ancient temples through friendly countryside. Finish with 4 days of adventurous fun on a Raft House.
Closer to Bangkok than you 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 ride you'll board the train for a ride on the famous railway line, visit an ancient Khmer temple, cycle to the infamous Hellfire Pass and enjoy 3 days in this beautiful countryside of West Thailand. 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.
After 3 days on the bike you will be transferred to the Shambhala Lake Raft House on Khao Lam Lake. A totally unique experience the raft house is based on the traditional raft homes that locals in the area still use. The houseboat will take you slowly through the stunning scenery, which you can enjoy from the sundeck. When the boat stops, you can take a swim, go kayaking or fishing or just enjoy yourself and relax on the deck. It will be possible to visit the small natural caves and Coconut Island. You will also be riding elephants and you will go bamboo rafting at the nearby river.
Itinerary
Day 1: Death Railway, Ancient Temples
After picking you up from your hotel in Bangkok it is 2-3 hours transfer to Kanchanaburi where we stop to visit the WWII cemetery in the city. From here you board the Thai-Burma Railway for a ride through history along a railway line. The train carries you over the infamous "Bridge Over The River Kwai' and north west towards Burma. Following the course of the Kwai Noi River the train passes slowly as it crosses original trestle bridges built by the prisoner of war labourers. At Tam Krasae you will disembark from the train and have lunch before transferring to the Khmer ruins at Muang Sing.
At the peak of the Khmer Empire, centred out of Siem Reap in Cambodia, this region was on the outer edges of the Kingdom. Muang Sing is a Khmer ruin from this period. The ruins are largely incomplete but it is a peaceful place and the perfect starting point to the cycling part of your journey. Today's ride is an easy 33km on small back roads through villages and farmland that make for a great introduction to the region. We will make stops at anything interesting seen along the way. The great joy of cycling back roads is that you never know what will be happening from one week to the next.
Day 2: Countryside Cycling
After cycling out of town we cycle all the way to tonight's resort. The support vehicle will be on duty if you need it but if you can ride the entire 42km you'll enjoy a full day of cycling in Thailand. The ride to the end destination is mostly on unsealed roads with a little bit of rolling terrain. You will pass endless villages and countryside as you continue following the general course of the Kwai Noi River
Day 3: Hellfire Pass, Sai Yok Noi, Raft House
This morning you will take you on an easy 23km ride to Hellfire Pass. Hellfire Pass is a legendary part of the story of the Thai-Burma Railway. While cutting a pass through the limestone rock hundreds of prisoners died here. A highly informative memorial museum has been built here and there are tracks built to explore the Pass. After lunch at Sai Yok transfer to the rafthouse. Arriving on the raft house you check in while dinner is prepared. While having dinner you sail towards the first nights anchor point.
Day 4: Waterfall, Coconut Island
After breakfast we take the kayaks to the mainland, and after a short walk we will reach Dai Chong Thong waterfall. It is possible to take a swim or just enjoy the sight (from March to May it is dry season which causes low water level, so during this period the activity is not guaranteed). In the afternoon we will visit the Coconut Island with a population of just ten people. A nice and cozy island with a lot of coconut trees and also cacao and other kinds of trees.
Day 5: Elephant Riding, Hilltribe Village
We start the day in kayaks, visiting one of many small bays and explore five small caves containing a lot of bats, and maybe see one of the local fishermen in action. At midday you will be picked up by a long tail boat and go up a nearby river. When you reach the Karen village at the river, the elephant riding will start, and they will take you up the river through the jungle. After an hour you will be set off to do bamboo rafting back to the village.
Day 6: Sangklaburi
Today you will reach the final destination of the trip - Sangklaburi. In the morning there will be time to go kayaking, fishing, swimming or jsut relax, before we set off. Back on the mainland you can see the longest teakwood bridges in Thailand or you can visit the Three Pagodas Pass, which is located on the border between Thailand and Burma. In Sanghklaburi you will still at a nice guesthouse just on the banks of the lake.
Day 7: Bangkok
After your stay in the relaxing village of Sangkhlaburi, we will be on our way back to Bangkok. The trip is about 7 hours in a comfortable public bus. The tour ends at the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. From here it is easy to catch a taxi to your accommodation.
Facts and Information
Style: fully supported cycling
Leader: This tour will be led by a local cycling guide.
Inclusions:
- support vehicle,
- local guide,
- most meals,
- entry fees,
- imported 24 speed mountain bike,
- elephant riding,
- kayaking
Group Size: minimum 2, maximum 12
Accommodation: 2 nights hotel, 1 night guesthouse, 3 nights raft house. The lake house accommodation is limited which means at times we must place our customers in the dormitory accommodation rather than private rooms - in this case the price for the tour is reduced
Single Supplement: Single supplement is not optional on this tour. If you are travelling alone and we can not pair you with another traveller you will have to pay the supplement.
Meals Included: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Difficulty: moderate
8D Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya by Bike
This road bike tour of central Thailand takes in the historical and natural sights of Kanchanaburi before taking you to a little visited national park with a jungle and caves right out of “Lost World” before ending at the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital.
The riding starts after a visit to the famous sites in Kanchanaburi, then it's time to truly see this sparsely populated province, much of which has been preserved in national parks. We ride to our first temples at Muang Sing Historical Park and overnight on the banks of the Kwai Noi River. Crossing to the next valley we follow the Kwai Yai River to the stunning Erawan Waterfalls. Here's where the hills start in earnest! As we skirt around the Sri Nakarin reservoir, we'll have great views from our climbs! The landscape is rural, and we'll pass rice fields and orchards as we push our pedals. At Charlerm Rattanakosin National Park we'll be wowed by the caves and the waterfalls! On our way to Ayutthaya we'll stop and visit the site of a battlefield where victory was won on the backs of elephants. Next stop will be Ayutthaya, which reigned from 1350 until being sacked by Burma in 1767. The ruins are worth visiting before we head towards the more modern period of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the summer palace at Bang Pa In.
For cyclists that don't mind pushing their pedals, this tour is a perfect combination of seeing sites and having an authentic Thai experience.
Trip Profile
We ride 575 kilometres in seven cycling days. There are long 100 km days and some hills to take on in the middle of this tour. We cover quite a lot of ground, take in some of Thailand's major sites, but also visit some lesser known caves and waterfalls. Our days will be quite full and action packed.
The trip is fully supported and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit.
Suitability: This ride is for those who have some biking experience and have a reasonable level of fitness. The first two days are relatively easy, but there will be hills and there are some long distances to cover. Never underestimate the heat and humidity of Thailand, as it will likely ensure things feel hot.
Biking Conditions: The road surfaces are good quality asphalt roads. There is nothing technical involved on this tour and anyone, assuming they have a reasonable level of fitness, will be able to join. A support truck is always available to help.
Cycling Distance: 575 kilometres
Cycling Days: 6 full/1 half
Itinerary [B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner]
Day 1 – Bangkok - Kanchanaburi
Starting in Bangkok we drive 1.5 hours to Kanchanaburi. We visit the local sites – the war museum and cemetery and the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai before checking into our hotel located on the banks of the River Kwai Yai. After a bike fitting we meet up for dinner where we'll go over the itinerary for the upcoming days of riding.
Royal River Kwai Resort. L D
Day 2 – Kanchanaburi-Sai Yok
Today we’ll spend most of the day on the bike as we cycle at a leisurely pace along quiet roads with stunning views of the valleys that surround this area. We stop en route to visit Muang Sing Historical Park, this historical site covering some 74 hectares is believed to have been used by the Khmer empire as a trad- ing point along the Kwai Noi River. We ride around the park and visit the mu- seum. The cycling in the afternoon is a little challenging with some undulating ter- rain. This ride gives us a great chance to see the karsts that separate Burma from Thailand. We arrive at our riverside hotel by late afternoon and can choose to relax by the pool, have a massage or go for a scramble up their climbing wall.
Pung Waan Resort. Ride 85 km. B L D
Day 3 – Sai Yok – Si Sawat
This morning we ride from the hotel and after 12 km we'll be following the River Kwai Yai. A very gradual incline takes us to the stunning Erawan Waterfalls. We stop for a walk up a few of the seven levels and have time for a dip before lunch. Once we have cooled off it's time for a 3 km uphill as we crest over the top of the Sri Nakarin Dam. An all too quick downhill will have us skirting the reservoir as we ride to our lakeside resort. There's time for a swim ion the
Rayaburi Resort. Ride 100 km. B L D
Day 4 – Si Sawat - Charlerm Rattanakosin
Our toughest day of the tour as we'll be riding up and down all day and end with a long climb. We'll be riding on a quiet tarmac road that skirts Salakpra Wildlife Reserve, a corridor wild elephants use to go north to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve. We aren't likely to see any elephants, but there are more then 300 in the area. The landscape is rural, and we'll pass rice fields and orchards as we push our pedals. We overnight at a national park that is famous for its caves. After dinner we'll walk to the cave to listen for the Barking Frog, named after its unusual mating cry.
Charlerm Rattanakosin National Park. Ride 80 km. B L D
Day 5 – Charlerm Rattanakosin – Dan Chang
In the morning we'll rise early and hike for about two hours. Our trek starts with a walk through the same cave we visited the night before and then the trail heads up through lush jungle and towering trees, passing a few waterfalls. The highlight of the park is a cave that resembles a natural rock bridge and is 60 metres wide. We then hike back down to the bikes and start our ride. Today will be much easi- er terrain as we ride through farmland and small villages. We overnight at the small town of Dan Chang.
Dan Chang Camping House. Ride 100 km. B L D
Day 6 – Dan Chang- Suphanburi
Today is a semi rest day as we ride in the morning to Suphan Buri, passing a famous battle site on the way. In 1592 King Naresuan the Great defeated the Burmese Crown Prince in a royal duel on elephant back; as a result, the Sia- mese kingdom regained its sovereignty from the occupation of Burma. The Don Chedi commemorating the battle looms up at 66 m high. We overnight at a Thai- style resort that is part of a Buffalo Village where you can see all types of water buffaloes, including pygmy and albino. Baan Thai Resort. Ride 50 km. B L D
Day 7 – Suphanburi – Ayutthaya
The terrain is flat today as we ride through the fertile river basin of the Chao Phraya River. We follow the River of Kings, the Chao Phraya River, to Ayutthaya, the former capital city of Siam. Relax at the peaceful resort set amidst rice fields. Pludhaya Resort. Ride 90 km. B L D
Day 8 – Ayutthaya – Bangkok
Our tour today gives us a glimpse into the glory of the Ayutthaya Empire (1350- 1767A.D.) by visiting the many remains of temples. The first visit of the day is Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. This well-tended temple was founded by King U-Thong in 1357 as a center for monks returning from study in Sri Lanka, then we ride to Wat Phra Mahathat to photograph the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots before we ride our bikes to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the old palace, and Wat Chai Wattanaram. We leave the temples behind and head into the countryside on small back roads to Bang-Pa In, the former summer palace of King Chulalongkorn. From here we'll transfer you to your hotel in Bangkok.
Ride 70 km. B L