Click
here for Currency Converter
Click
here to make a Reservation or request a Quote
| Cruise
Fares Per Person / Sharing a twin cabin
2011 & 2012 Prices are in USD |
| Vessel |
2011
Start Date
|
Cruise only |
Land & Cruise
only |
|
09 September 2011 |
$1,399 |
$2,699 |
|
23 September 2011 |
$1,499 |
$2,799 |
| RV
River Kwai |
07 October 2011 |
$1,499 |
$2,899 |
| RV
River Kwai |
21 October 2011 |
$1,499 |
$2,899 |
| RV
River Kwai |
11 November 2011 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
02 December 2011 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| 2012 Cruise Dates |
| RV
River Kwai |
06 January 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
20 January 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
03 February 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
17 February 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
02 March 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,899 |
| RV
River Kwai |
16 March 2012 |
$1,499 |
$2,899 |
| RV
River Kwai |
30 March 2012 |
$1,399 |
$2,999 |
| RV
River Kwai |
20 April 2012 |
$1,399 |
$2,799 |
| RV
River Kwai |
27 April 2012 |
$1,399 |
$2,799 |
| RV
River Kwai |
04 May 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,699 |
| RV
River Kwai |
18 May 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,699 |
| RV
River Kwai |
01 June 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,699 |
| RV
River Kwai |
15 June 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,599 |
| RV
River Kwai |
29 June 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,599 |
| RV
River Kwai |
13 July 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,499 |
| RV
River Kwai |
27 July 2012 |
$1,299 |
$2,499 |
Port
and Fuel charges :
$72 pp
For single occupancy in a twin cabin supplemnet : 50%
Rates,
additional charges and conditions are subject to change,
and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions
Excepted |
Click
here to make a Reservation or request a Quote
CRUISE INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
Included in the Land Portion:
-
Arrival and departure transfers, airport-hotel-airport
with assistance*
-
Total of 7 nights at select superior First
Class 4* hotels; Bangkok: 4 nights at the Century Park,
Rembrandt hotel or similar; Chiang
Mai: 2 nights at the
Chiang Mai Plaza, Ratilanna Riverside or similar; Chiang Rai: 1 night
at the Wiang Inn, Legend Hotel or similar
-
Total of 13 meals
during land portion (7 breakfast, 3 lunches and 3 dinner)
-
All sightseeing as outlined, including transportation
and all entrance fees via air conditioned vehicles
-
Two domestic
economy class flights
-
English - speaking guides throughout
Included in the Cruise Portion:
-
Total of 6 nights/7 days aboard the R/V River
Kwai in all outside facing cabins
-
Total of 19 meals (6 breakfasts,
7 lunches, 6 dinners)
-
All
sigthseeing and shore excursion as outlined (expect those
listed as "optional")
-
All on board activities, lectures, games and
similar
-
Free daily water, coffee, tea
-
Services of
an English speaking Cruise manager plus a crew of 10 throughout.
-
4
nights in superior First Class 4* hotels (Century Park, Rembrandt
hotel or similar)
-
Royal
Grand Palace
-
3
Buddhist Temples (Wat Trimitr, Wat Po, Emerald Buddha)
-
Special
Thai dinners with dance
-
Phra
Pathom Chedi (largest Pagoda in Southeas Asia)
-
Khao
Noi Cave Temple
-
Tiger
Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)
-
Death
War Museum
-
Sai
Yok Elephant village
-
Bridge
of the River Kwai
-
Sai
Yok Yai Waterfalls
-
Indochines
Tiger at Wa Pa Luang Ta Bua
-
Flight
to Chiang Mai
-
2
nights at the Chiang Mai Plaza, Ratilanna Riverside or similar
-
Chiang
Mai temple
-
Wat
Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Sing Temples
-
Golden
Triangle
FRIDAY
- DAY 01 BANGKOK – ARRIVAL
Arrive Bangkok Airport and transfer to your hotel by private air-conditioned
vehicle and English-speaking guide. Due to various arrival times,
the balance of the day is free of activities and meals are on your
own.
SATURDAY
- DAY 02 BANGKOK
After a sumptuous buffet breakfast, depart on a half-day City & Temple
tour including the Royal Grand Palace. The tour will include three
of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with
its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 tons of solid gold) - Wat Po, with
its colossal Reclining Buddha and the beautiful Emerald Buddha
located within the Grand Palace. Return to your hotel for a break.
Lunch is on your own. The evening is reserved for a special welcome
Thai Dinner & Dance. Enjoy a genuine Thai dinner in a delightful
Thai atmosphere surrounded by beautiful decoration. The meal is
accompanied by Thai classical music and dances. With their beautiful
costumes and exquisite graceful movements the dancers will mesmerize
you! (B, D)
SUNDAY
- DAY 03 BANGKOK – DAMNOEN SADUAK - BANGKOK
Morning excursion out of Bangkok, to visit the last authentic floating
market located at Damnoen Saduak. On the way, stops will be made
at a Salt Farm & Coconut Sugar Farm. On arrival, you will first
board long tailed speed boats featured in James Bond movies, which
will race you through the local canals. The speed boat ride will
end at the heart of the village where you will transfer into small
sampan boats which will thrust you directly into the small channels
filled with farmers and merchants selling everything from hats
to fried bananas! After the canoe ride, walk around and meet the
local traders before another short trip takes you to a delightful
open-air restaurant located riverside for a wonderful al-fresco
lunch. Return to Bangkok in the late afternoon. The balance of
the day is free to explore the local night markets and vibrant
Bangkok nightlife. Dinner is on your own. (B, L)
MONDAY
- DAY 04 BANGKOK – KANCHANABURI – BAN KAO EMBARKATION
Early breakfast at the hotel as you depart from Bangkok by coach
to Kanchanaburi. On the way you will stop to see several sites
including “Phra Pathom Chedi”, the largest pagoda in
Southeast Asia, the Khao Noi Cave Temple constructed on a hill,
decorated in the form of Chinese architecture and cultural art
and the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua), built in the form of
Thai cultural art. The great Buddha image and pagoda placed in
the temple are respected by all Buddhists. Prior to boarding the
ship, stop to visit the DEATH War Museum, a realistic depiction
of a prisoner of war (POW) camp which gives an inkling to the grim
living conditions endured. On display are tools, bombs, photographs,
original sketches, testimonies, pictorials and physical memorabilia
dating from World War II. WELCOME ABOARD! Embark RV River Kwai
at Nong Ya dock around noon time.
After settling into your cabins, enjoy your first al fresco lunch
on board as our Cruise Director introduces you to the ship, crew
and some basic rules to cruising while you set sail upstream on
the Kwai Noi River. After lunch, depart on your first sightseeing
tour which will include a visit to Wat Tham Khaopoon, a Buddhist
temple followed by a visit to Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park, known
as "Stone Garden", 96 acres covered with unique animal
shaped stones. Return to the ship and continue sailing while our
Cruise Director gives a short lecture on the river. Then its time
for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
TUESDAY
- DAY 05 BAN KAO-SAI YOK
Cooked to order breakfast prior to departing to see "Prasat
Muang Singh", a historical park featuring Khmer architecture
from the late Lopburi period, some 700-800 years ago. The extensive
ruins of the temple beside the River Kwai Noi are a potent reminder
of the vast expanse of the Khmer empire. Then continue by coach
to Tha Kilen Train Station where you are in for a treat – a
3 station train ride aboard an authentic wooden train dating from
1950! Te views as you cross the high wooden viaduct cut into the
hills is fantastic! From here, continue by coach and to the Sai
Yok Elephant Village located right on the river bank. Here you
will have a chance to pet and feed these mild mannered beasts,
watch them play and perform for you and for those “brave” enough
an optional Jungle elephant ride will be available for purchase.
Then return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing. The afternoon
is free to allow you to lay back and delight in the passing scenery.
Dock near the Resotel and enjoy a candle lit dinner on the sun
deck. An optional visit to the local minority Mon Theater where
local children will perform for you will be available. (B, L, D)
WEDNESDAY
- DAY 06 SAI YOK-SAI YOK YAI-BAN HIN DAD
After breakfast, take a walk (uphill) to visit Kaeng Lava Cave
to view fabulous stalactites and stalagmites created over centuries!
Then cruise upriver to Ban Haad Ngiu and continue by coach to Hell
Fire Pass, a part of the infamous Death Railway, depicted in the
famous movie “Bridge over the River Kwai”. The memorial
complex (Hin Lek Fai) is intended to honor the Allied Prisoners
of War and conscripted people from India, Burma, Malaysia and other
countries who died during construction of the railway. Return to
the ship for lunch as you pass the magnificent Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls.
After lunch, stop to visit a boarding school built under the patronage
of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children. Back
on board enjoy the afternoon breeze as you continue sailing. Dinner
and overnight on board at Daowadueng Bridge. (B, L, D)
THURSDAY
- DAY 07 BAN HIN DAD-THONG PHA PHUM-BAN HIN DAD
Whether or not you are an early riser, we highly recommend joining
our Cruise Director at sun rise who will take you through the local
park to join the residents as they prepare the traditional “Offering
foods to Monks” (making merit in Buddhist style) at a nearby
temple.
Return to the ship for breakfast. Then it’s on to visit Vachiralongkorn
Dam, an immense lake created from the waters of three rivers harnessed
by the hydroelectric dam, which stretches to the far horizon. The
thick jungle through which the railway line cut a swathe, has been
tamed and the surrounding fertile land now supports agricultural
crops - sugar cane, tapioca, tobacco, maize and cotton. Drive back
to Thong Pha Phum and visit a local market where you can select
your own dessert for the evening – Jack or Dragon Fruit?.
Lunch back on board as you sail downstream. Stops will be made
for swimming under the Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls! Dinner and overnight
on board. (B, L, D)
FRIDAY
- DAY 08 BAN HIN DAD-SAI YOK YAI-SAI YOK
After breakfast, pack your swimming gear as you depart by bus to
visit the Hin Dad Hot Spring. Accidentally discovered by Japanese
soldiers supervising the construction of the Death Railway, the
natural hot spring features two large pools and private baths.
Join the locals for a dip in the soothing waters. Then, continue
on to Pha Tad Waterfalls one of the most beautiful in all of Thailand.
Cascading from a hilltop, walk the luscious trails or take a refreshing
dip in one of the clear pools created by the flowing water. You
will feel like Tarzan and Jane! Return to the ship for lunch as
you continue sailing downstream to the Jungle Raft Hotel. Here,
another adventure awaits as you board bamboo rafts and float downstream
through majestic gorges. Dock next to the Resotel in time for an
optional classic Thai massage prior to enjoying dinner on board.
Then dance the night away at the hotel bar or make your own “music” aboard
the ship, under the stars… (B, L, D)
SATURDAY
- DAY 09 SAI YOK-BAN KAO
Morning at sail. An early lunch will be followed by an exciting
excursion – a visit to the unique Indochinese Tiger Conservation
Project at Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua. At this natural open air preserve,
a variety of wildlife such as peacock, deer, gibbon, wild boar
and other, roam freely. It is here that local Monks began saving
injured tigers and started breeding them. As featured on National
Geographic it is the only place in the world where you will actually
be introduced to the tigers up close and will be able to pet real
tiger cubs (after they have been fed! ? ) A truly amazing scene
as you watch monks interact and play freely with these amazing
cats! Then its time to return to your ship, wash up, and prepare
for the fun of our final Captain’s farewell dinner punctuated
by songs from our crew! (B, L, D)
SUNDAY
- DAY 10 BAN KAO-KANCHANABURI-BANGKOK-CHIANG MAI DISEMBARKATION
Breakfast on board followed by a motor coach excursion to the famous
Bridge over the River Kwai. The sturdy Iron Bridge, a crucial part
of the Death Railway, was built in some 16 months by Allied prisoners
of war and Asian conscripts. The bridge was destroyed in Allied
bombing raids towards the end of World War II and was later rebuilt
by the Japanese as war reparations. Continue to the Thailand-Burma
Railway Center Museum, an interactive museum which provides a remarkable
research and information centre dedicated to presenting the story
of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Rejoin RV River Kwai for a final
lunch on board while cruising towards Nong Ya dock. Around 3 pm,
bid your wonderful crew goodbye as you disembark and return to
Bangkok Airport for your short flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival,
transfer to your hotel for overnight (dinner on own). (B, L)
MONDAY
- DAY11 CHIANG MAI
After breakfast, depart on your City & Temple Tour. Drive up
the serpentine road to the magnificently situated Wat Doi Suthep.
Perched on a forested mountain, this most sacred Chiang Mai temple
(3,280 ft) provides a superb view over the city, as well as a wealth
of images and frescos. You then pass the city's biggest market,
Talat Warorod, before going to two important temples - Wat Chedi
Luang and Wat Phra Sing. Return to your hotel for some rest time
(Lunch is on own). The evening is reserved for a special Kantoke
Dinner. Enjoy a typical Thai Dinner with presentation of dances
from northern Thailand, followed by a performance of dance and
songs of various hill tribes. Then enjoy some free time to explore
the bustling night market before returning to your hotel for overnight.
(B, D)
TUESDAY
- DAY12 CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI
After breakfast, bid Chiang Mai farewell as you drive to Chiang
Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated on
the Mekong River bordering Thailand and Laos. Lunch will be served
at local restaurant. Continue with a visit to Wat Phra Dhat Jom
Kitti by climbing 383 steps to top of hill. Then board long-tail
speedboats that will take you on a thrilling ride upriver to the
infamous Golden Triangle where borders of Thailand, Myanmar and
Laos convene. Continue on to Chiang Rai for dinner and overnight
at your hotel. (B, L, D)
WEDNESDAY-
DAY13 CHIANG RAI – BANGKOK
Check-out of the hotel and after breakfast depart on your Chiang
Rai City Tour where you will learn some interesting facts and history
about the local hilltribes at the HillTribe Museum. Afterwards
you will visit two interesting temples: the Wat Klang Wiang displays
a heavy Hindu influence on the typical northern style. The Wat
Phra Kheo temple used to house the only existing Emerald Buddha
in Thailand, now located at the Royal Palace in Bangkok. The tour
will end at a local restaurant where you will savor lunch, prior
to transferring to the airport for your short flight back to Bangkok.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel with the balance of the day
free from any activities allowing you to roam the city restaurants
and night markets in search of those final souvenirs. Dinner is
on your own. (B, L)
THURSDAY-
DAY14 BANGKOK - HOME
End of Cruise