Burma-Thailand Railway - 3 Days 2025 Anzac Day & Railway

Day 1: Wednesday, 24th April 2025

Depart Mercure/ Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel, Bangkok: 7:00am

(Please note: The Mercure/ Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel is the only pick-up / departure point in Bangkok)

Finish: 5:00pm approx.

Gather in the concierge area of the Mercure/ Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel (your Bangkok pick-up point), by 6:30am. Meet the other members of the tour before boarding your minivan/bus for the trip to Kanchanaburi, about 3 hours after leaving Bangkok.

Board the mid-morning tourist train at Kanchanaburi Railway Station and ride on this original section of the Burma-Thailand Railway passing over the Bridge over the River Kwai, through the Chungkai Cutting (the first cutting on the southern end constructed by the POW’s) and over the spectacular Wang Pho Viaduct. Leave the train at Tham Krasae for a closer look at the Wang Pho Viaduct. Here the POW’s built a series of bridges with towering cliffs on one side and a steep drop to the River Kwai on the other.

After lunch, travel further north to an area rarely visited by Australians but significant to the POW’s story when constructing the railway. Inside the picturesque Saiyok National Park, is an area known as Kinsaiyok which was a major railway junction on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Stop at the site of the railway station where the remnants of the coal dumps still exist. See examples of the teak trees and understand why they were used in the building of bridges and viaducts along the railway. Visit the Japanese and POW’s camp site areas and the Japanese Ovens. Afterwards, discover the natural beauty of the park at the Saiyok Waterfalls on the River Kwai itself.

Return down the highway to your overnight accommodation, uniquely situated on floating rafts out over the River Kwai. This 3 Star Resort provides good quality ensuited and airconditioned rooms that are a tranquil oasis while you watch the river flow by. Take time to relax, join in some of the resort’s water activities on the River Kwai itself or have a refreshing drink at the bar.

(Please note: Floating raft accommodation is limited and subject to availability. It will be offered on a ‘first come first serviced’ basis. Alternate ‘land based’ accommodation will be provided in lieu.)

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Boutique Raft Resort River Kwai (or similar)

Day 2: Thursday, 25th April 2025

Depart hotel: 2:15am approx.

Finish: 1:30pm approx.

An early start for what will be an emotional and memorable day. Travel to Hellfire Pass (about 25 minutes) for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Hellfire Pass Memorial. Afterwards, in the light of day, examine Hellfire Pass and the take in the amazing views of the River Kwai valley below, from the old track bed. Mingle with other travellers at the Gunfire Breakfast before exploring the exhibits at the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre.

Travel to Kanchanaburi (about 1 hour, 15 minutes) and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Join in a private Wreath Laying Ceremony at the cemetery’s Cross of Sacrifice and then take time to walk around the beautifully landscaped grounds where nearly 7,000 POW’s are buried and begin to understand why the railway became known as the “Death Railway”.

Visit the JEATH Museum, a pictorial display of the construction of the Burma-Thailand Railway before boarding a long tail boat for a ride on the River Kwai gaining a unique perspective of the Bridge over the River Kwai from the river itself. On a hot day, the boat ride is not only a lot of fun but is also cooling as you speed along the river.

Enjoy a relaxing early lunch at the Floating Restaurant with views of the bridge. After, visit the Bridge over the River Kwai and observe the war damage that can still be seen today but largely goes unnoticed. Then make the return walk across the bridge.

Travel the short distance to your 4 Star accommodation with views from your balcony, overlooking the River Kwai.

With the early start, the rest of your day is free. Perhaps relax by the hotel’s pool or try one of the many bars close-by and share stories with other Anzac Day travellers. Tonight, join your fellow tour members at the tour dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Natee, The Riverfront Hotel, Kanchanaburi (or similar)

Day 3: Friday, 26th April 2025

Depart hotel: 9:00am

Arrive Mercure/ Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel, Bangkok: 5:30pm approx.

(Please note: The Mercure/ Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel is the only arrival / drop-off point in Bangkok)

Take the short drive to the Chungkai War Cemetery and the site of the Chungkai POW railway construction camp and later, a hospital camp. As a mark of respect to those buried here take a moment of quiet reflection, then see the remnants of the death trenches that fortunately, were never used.

Return to the Bridge over the River Kwai by long-tail boat. You will travel down the Kwai Noi and then up the Kwai Yai and gain a unique perspective of the Bridge over the River Kwai from the river itself. On a hot day, this boat ride is not only a lot of fun but is also cooling as you speed along the river. At the Bridge, join the pilgrimage of people walking across the bridge and then take time to observe the war damage that can still be seen today but largely goes unnoticed. Then walk the short distance to the JEATH Museum and the seldom visited Japanese Memorial before boarding your minivan/bus.

After lunch, depart for Bangkok and the Ibis/Mercure Bangkok Siam Hotel (your Bangkok drop-off point). On the way, visit the Phra Pathom Chedi at Nakhom Pathom, the largest Buddhist Pagoda in Thailand. Nearby, was a large POW hospital camp where the well-known Australian railway doctor, Weary Dunlop, was based from mid-1944 until the end of the war. The chedi is a substantial landmark and was clearly visible to the men at the camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Accommodation (2 Nights)

• Meals: Breakfasts (2), Lunch (3), Dinner (2). Please note: Drinks not included.

• Experienced, English-speaking guide

• Comfortable, air-conditioned minivan/bus with driver

• All touring as indicated

• Long-tail boat and train ride as indicated

• Historic War Tours Burma-Thailand Railway historian

• Entrance fee - Thailand-Burma Railway Centre

• Historic War Tours – Anzac Day Polo Shirt

• Airfares, passports and visas

• Bangkok accommodation

• Meals, drinks and services not mentioned

• Comprehensive travel insurance

• Personal expenses (e.g. telephone, internet, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc.)

• Tips to Guide and Driver

If you find that you are unable to join a tour that has been booked, confirmed and paid in part or in full, the paid amount of that tour less any unrecoverable costs, may be converted to a voucher. The value of that voucher may be used towards the same tour with a later departure date or any other HWT tour.

If a refund is requested, the following cancellation fees may be deducted from the paid amount:

• Greater than 10 days prior to tour start date - 10% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

• 10 Days or less (including 'no show') prior to tour start date - No refund

Day 1:

• Kanchanaburi Railway Station - Low

• Train ride - Low

• Wang Pho Viaduct - Moderate

• Saiyok National Park - Moderate

Day 2:

• Anzac Day Dawn Service – Moderate-High

• Kanchanaburi War Cemetery – Low

• JEATH Museum – Low

• Long tail boat ride - Moderate

• Floating Restaurant - Low-Moderate

• Bridge over the River Kwai – Moderate

Day 3:

• Kanchanaburi Skywalk – Low-Moderate

• Chungkai War Cemetery – Low

• Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (museum) – Low-Moderate

• Phra Pathom Chedi - Low-Moderate