16 Feb 2023
My wife and I enjoyed the 2 day tour to River Kwai and Jungle rafts overnight.
The first day started for us at 6am pickup by mini bus and taken to a central point to board a coach that had 14 of us. The railway museum and War graves cemetery were very interesting and thought provoking. Then on to lunch, before we were met by our next guide who was to take us to the Hellfire pass and museum. As it was very hot and humid we decided to skip the pass until the following morning when it would be much cooler, which proved to be a good idea as we were almost the first to arrive at the Jungle rafts and had the swim in the river to ourselves.
We arrived at the Jungle rafts early afternoon and after check in jumped in the cool but swift flowing river and drifted the length of the rafts a few times, before we chilled on the sun lounges and hammocks. We walked the gentle route to the Mon Village and cave Buddhas before returning for dinner next to the river before the Mon traditional Dance show, which last about 30 mins. The rooms are lit by LED battery mock kerosene lamps, but all dinner tables and walk ways are lit by kerosene lamps. Just before breakfast the Elephant is brought down to the river from the Mon Village to allow guest to feed her various pieces of fruit.
We then did the Hellfire pass and museum, leaving the rafts at 08.30, which was quite cool and opens at 9 ideal, before moving onto the Death Valley railway and the 3 hour drive back to Bangkok, so take a book or just doze on the coach. A great 2 days trip. We would definitely recommend to all our friends. A word of note there is no electric or Internet at the jungle rafts to take a power pack if you want power for your phones.