River Kwai Paradise

"River Kwai Paradise" guided tour from Pattaya

 "River Kwai Paradise" is a two-day excursion to river Kwai from Pattaya, Thailand. The excursion is somewhat similar to more cheap tours to Kanchanaburi province: Kwai Maximum, Economy and others. However, there is a significant difference:

• "River Kwai Paradise" is more attractive for those who would like to have the maximum possible time at the seven-cascade Erawan Falls. In "River Kwai Maximum" program the guests have 2 hours of free time at Erawan Waterfall. But "River Kwai Paradise" give you 3-3,5 hours for explore Erawan Falls. This turns out to be quite enough to pass all levels of this magnificent waterfall, go downstairs and take a swim without undue haste. If you have planned to pass all levels of Erawan Falls, then without a doubt, you should prefer "River Kwai Paradise". For 2 hours you are unlikely to have time to climb to the top of Erawan waterfall and go down without haste.
• The night is spent in a more comfortable "River Kwai Paradise" hotel, or in "Sweet Garden" hotel. There is a choice of accommodation options. If you wish, can check in to a floating wing directly on the river, or into garden view bungalow. Your choice can be made upon check in to hotel and this does not affect the tour price.
• Rafting along river Kwai is much longer. Not 700 or 1,200 meters, as in the simpler versions of excursion! But 3 kilometers on a raft up the river and 3 kilometers of body-rafting in the safety vests downstream the river. Total is 6 kilometers.

 "River Kwai Paradise" begins very early in the morning. Usually, time pick up from hotels and condos of Pattaya is 04:00 to 04:40. Sometimes the excursion performed on a large bus. But on certain days the group is small and the trip is carried out in a minibus. Of course, all transport is air-conditioned, the tour is conducted with a guide. It is lovely excursion of Russian tourists and other Russian-speaking people from ex-Soviet countries. Of course, English-speaking guests can also go. But the guide will not be translated into English. Therefore, many English-speaking guests have already been on this tour. 

 Before the first stop the transfer will take 2-2,5 hours and we parking at gas station for breakfast, coffee and promenade. If you stay in Pattaya's hotel - can take lunch-box from it. Order lunch-box at hotel reception on the eve of this trip. If you are not staying at a hotel, or breakfasts are not included, take something to eat with you: sandwiches, fruit, nuts. The first breakfast is not included in price of any two-day trip to Kwai. All tourists eat a packed lunch from hotels for breakfast. Where we make a stop are offered hot drinks - tea and coffee. About 30 minutes for breakfast, and after the group goes to the first point from which you can start the actual tour countdown.

 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Of course, this is not the same "floating market", which is located in Pattaya. It really is a market on the water, where local people buy and sell the goods. And also houses built right on the water. The houses here are very diverse, from rich to very modest hovels. Life in the floating market is in full swing in the morning. Someone washes the clothes right in front of everyone, someone washes the plates and spoons, someone prepares breakfast. We take short trip by boat, which is put on the 4-6 people. A classic Thai motorboat carries through the canals of Damnoen Saduak market, you can stare at all this and be amazed at how much is unseen in the world. You can buy a lot of things here. Ranging from the most common wooden elephants, magnets and pictures, to the original hats worn in this region, as well as exotic food, which everybody does not dare to try. Of course, here you can buy fruit or drink coconut. Bargaining is not forbidden. No one forces us to buy anything and does not impose goods. This half hour is more for exploring the historic site, not for shopping.

 Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), the monk’s mummy and the Tiger Cave. Mostly locals go to this temple, and many come from surrounding cities. The temple was built on the top of a hill and you will have to climb stairs from 200 steps. It is easy for young people to climb a lift that is even built for people of all ages.

 You will enjoy a magnificent panorama, opening from the top where the observation deck is equipped. When people come and see the panorama - everyone forgets about the temple and sacred water that pouring from the spring. All fascinated by the scenery. Beautiful valley with plantations and the mountains far away.

 Also in Tiger Cave Temple are stored the relics (that is, the mummy) of the monk. For several decades now, his imperishable body has been in a glass coffin. The camera directed to the coffin and there is an online broadcast for everyone who wants to see the relics. This is not the only monk mummy in Thailand, although guides sometimes argue the opposite. Also, in the temple there is a small cave, where the monk lived for several years.

 By this time, everyone is getting hungry and we will stop for lunch. The program includes four meals - two lunches, dinner and breakfast. Lunch on the first day is held before check-in at the hotel, in a small cafe. Where everything is hot and tasty. The buffet system usually includes soup, rice, chicken or fish, Som Tam national salad, vegetables, tea, coffee, water. Everything is tasty and satisfying.

 One of the "pearls of the program" during the excursion to river Kwai is Erawan Falls, consisting of seven cascades (levels). On the humid tropical forest to go on the rise from one side is simple, because the shadow and there is no open sun. But it is very stuffy and soon sweat starts to pour. After the passage of the 4th level, there are practically no concrete tracks and steps, only a couple of short bridges and a few stairs. Basically, the path to the upper cascade of Erawan waterfall passes through stones and huge roots. You need to have comfortable shoes and carefully look where you step. On this excursion you have 3-3,5 hours for all the way to the upper cascade, swimming and going downside. If you climb to the very top, the time is enough. Those who reach the top level of Erawan Falls, have time to swim normally and take their time to go back. But of course, walking to upper cascade is optional and many do not chase the number of cascades completed, but calmly rest on the lower levels or reach a maximum of 5. Entrance to Erawan National Park is not free, but of course this fee is included in the cost of our program.

 Leaving Erawan Falls, we go to the hotel. The guide will offer two accommodation options. To floating houses on the water or houses on land opposite swimming pool. The accommodation options do not affect the cost of whole program. Both the "River Kwai Paradise" and "Sweet Garden" hotels are large enough and there will be enough rooms for everyone with any choice of tourists, although probably 95% would choose floating houses on the water.

 Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms of both hotels.

 Houses on the water - a real exotic! Inside almost all made from wood. Each room has a large bed, air con and a hot shower. There is no TV and minibar, but you are unlikely to need them here. Buffet dinner and breakfast will be at the hotel.

 The next day after breakfast - immediately leave the hotel and us not need to wait check-out time. Already at 06:30 in the morning you can go for breakfast. Food is not particularly diverse, but it cannot be called scanty. Usually - rice, fried eggs, sausages, ham, buttered toast, tea, coffee. Have breakfast in a cafe overlooking the river. Beauty!

 After check out from the hotel, we drive entire 15 minute to the rafting point. Life jackets are handed out to everyone, a short briefing is given. Landing on a rather large raft that pulls 30 minutes behind a motor boat, and sometimes even more, against the current of the river. The views are incredibly beautiful, it may seem that you are not in Thailand, but somewhere on the islands in Indonesia. You can sit on the raft itself or on its edge, hang your legs in the water and admire nature. Then the raft stops and everyone desires to jump in life jackets into the water. This is the famous Kanchanaburi body rafting, or rafting in vests. With the flow, you can safely swim to the place where our rafting began. Or you cannot swim but spend time on a raft. Up to you. Although there is absolutely no extreme in body rafting, the main thing is to try not to let the river water get into your mouth or nose.

 Wellness time is suitable. What a pleasure to plunge into the Hindad hot springs! In several pools, water of different temperatures. Somewhere frankly hot, somewhere just warm. Most of all, visitors are attracted by a spring with a temperature of water resembling a regular bath. But lovers splash in a cold creek is a lot. Bathing in Hindad hot springs is considered beneficial to health, it is recommended to stay in them for no more than 30 minutes. However, the concentration of radon in Hindad hot springs is minimal.

 Tea ceremony. This stop is more for shopping. If you want to buy real Thai tea or coffee, there will be an opportunity to test different varieties of local tea and coffee and buy the ones you like. The tasting lasts about twenty minutes.

 Thai traditional medicine center. The same, stop only for shopping. Here the guide will tell you that the healing properties of drugs purchased specifically in this place are 100%, and that many products have been tried personally. You can really buy something, but you can arrange a smoke break near the pharmacy. Usually, the pharmacy takes about 15 minutes, but sometimes really more if someone buys something. By the way, in Pattaya there is free transfers to some centers of Thai classical medicine. Which are no worse, and maybe better than the famous medicine center in Kanchanaburi. And if you cannot buy anything - it does not matter.

 Sai Yok Falls and Deadly Railway. We drove to Say Yok waterfall. It is much less known than the seven-cascade Erawan Falls, as it usually appears dry before the eyes of tourists. Only in the rainy season is it full of water, but it must be said that it looks quite picturesque even without water. Next to the waterfall is another sight - very old steam locomotive. Most likely, even for the better, that in this program they are not taking to the memorial Hellfire Pass. A trip to river Kwai is more entertaining, but not historical. There is no need for people on holiday with a cheerful mood to actually go to the cemetery, to the memorial and listen horrible stories about the Japanese railway. "Hellfire Pass" is very sad place, probably like the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Cambodia.

 Elephant Village with elephant rides through the jungle and elephant shows. The price already includes elephant rides lasting 20 minutes. Additional costs as desired: photo in a frame made of highly compressed (practically plastic) elephant dung, a tip for a driver (he will also like to take pictures of you with pleasure).

 Bathing with an elephant is not included in the price and is also paid separately: ฿400-800 per person. Because it is necessary not for everyone and the pleasure is rather doubtful: an elephant will pour water from head to foot and need to be dressed in swimming suite, as you will be wet all!

 The elephant show is wonderful. Elephants in excellent condition, vigorous and frisky. You can experience the famous "elephant massage", but it should be noted - this test is not for the faint of heart!

 Feeding monkeys. Make a stop in an old temple, populated by monkeys. Monkeys are lured, gather in a large flock and wait for treats. Oddly enough, local dogs are side by side with monkeys, they also eat bananas quicker than monkeys))

 Many other unusual and surprising things await you in these two days of adventure! Finally, we come to cozy cafe, have lunch and start to Pattaya. Return to the hotel about nine o'clock in the evening.

"River Kwai Paradise" tour program

The first day:

• Pick up from your hotel in Pattaya.
• Stop for breakfast (not included).
• Riding a classic Thai boat along the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
• Coconut farm.
• Wat Tham Sue - Tiger Cave Temple.
• Buffet lunch.
• Long (3-3,5 hours) stopping at the 7-cascade Erawan waterfall. Swimming, fish massage, you can climb to the upper level of Erawan waterfall.
• Check in to "River Kwai Paradise" or "Sweet Garden" hotel. The choice will be offered to stay in floating houses on the river, or in garden view houses. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, and a hot adjustable shower. There is a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi.
• Dinner and after it free time.

Second day:

• 06:30 in the morning, breakfast and then check out from the hotel.
• Rafting along River Kwai and the famous body rafting in vests (highly recommended to everyone).
• Hin Dad termal wellness baths (radon springs).
• Tea ceremony.
• Thai traditional medicine center.
• Deadly Railway.
• Tham Krasae railway station, cave of desires.
• Sai Yok Falls.
• Riding on elephants (included in the price) and elephant show.
• Feeding the monkeys.
• Lunch and departure to Pattaya with transfer to your hotel.

As you can see, the program is extensive and the demand for it is appropriate. Order in advance!

"River Kwai Paradise" excursion - FAQs

Reservation

The best way to book it using Hot Line. An experienced English-speaking manager will answer you in a few minutes.

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Online payment

You can choose payment to Thailand bank as option. We accept payments to KBank, Krungsri, SCB, TTB. Choose the option when you fill reservation form, or specify payment method if book our offers via messengers.

Pay at the office

Yes, you can book tours and travel services in Pattaya and pay in cash at the office. We consult and accept payment at the office of "Magic Thai" travel company which is located on Jomtien Road Soi 2 near the branch of Kasikornbank in Jomtien. In this office, managers speak English, Thai, Ukrainian and Russian.
Address for taxi drivers: 144/1 Jomtiensaineung, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand

See location on Google Maps

Departure time

On 21:00-22:00, on the eve of departure, the guide will call you at the number specified in the application and tell you the exact time pick up. Or send a message if you do not answer.

Transport

Transfer is usually carried out by "Toyota Hiace" air-conditioned minibuses. If the group of more than 12 people - by big bus.

Paradise River Kwai guided tour photos Thai-Online