• 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

• 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

• 1 night at the Wiang Inn, Legend Hotel or similar
• Wat Klang Wiang and Wat Phra Khwo Temples
• Flight back to Bangkok

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