Self-guided Adventure by the River Kwai

Day 1

Bangkok - Bridge over the River Kwai

27 km / 120m total ascent

We meet today on the train platform of Thonburi Station. After a short briefing about the bikes, the itinerary and the guiding app, you escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok by taking the train to Kanchanaburi. The province is famous among other things for its Bridge Over The River Kwai which you will visit along with the War Museum and Cemetery: three main monuments of Thai’s WW2 history. You then ride towards your hotel and take a dip in the pool if you wish to cool down, before hopping on your bike again straight from the hotel onto tiny little backroads, zigzagging between rice fields, banana plantations and little village houses. You enjoy a slow leisurely ride during the golden hour, taking in the views and the slow life that surrounds you. You may stop midway at a nice locally-owned café surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies, before heading on quiet roads back to the hotel. The route is flat and ideal to get warmed up for the days to come.

You finish the day at the hotel restaurant by the river – what else to close such a beautiful day?

Day 2

Kanchanaburi - Nam Tok - Sai Yok Noi

31 km / 330m total ascent

You may decide to start very early today to beat the heat and grab the 6.02am train (arrive at the start point 8.00am), or chose to take it easy, lay in bed and catch the 10.30am train (arrive at the start point 12.05am – in which case you may want to have lunch and let the heat pass at the nearby Sai Yok waterfall).

You start the day with a short ride to the train station, buy your ticket and get onboard for a breathtaking journey on what is now historically known as the Death Railway. We suggest you seat on the left side of the train to get the best views of the river Kwai Noi along the way.

Once you reach the last station of Nam Tok, a beautiful and peaceful ride awaits!

You take your time meandering through the countryside, riding on a mix of tiny tarmac alleys and beautiful, easy dirt roads. You go through sugarcane plantations, cassava and eggplant fields, fruit orchards growing pomelo, banana, pineapple, etc. in between towering karst peaks. Without omitting the occasional temple, of course.

This ride is an amazing concentrate of what Thailand has to offer away from the crowds and will surely keep you wanting more!

You then head towards a simple yet cozy homestay where you may attend a cooking class given just for you, if you arrive early enough!

Day 3

Sai Yok Noi - Krasae - Prasat Mueang Sing - Bangkok

38 km / 350m total ascent

After a great breakfast, you set off today and keep exploring the countryside and the amazing landscapes the region has to offer. You ride on dirt and paved roads, through plantations and little villages. You head towards the renowned Krasae cave, a tiny temple sheltered into the cliff and opening straight onto the railway. Take time for a visit and a stroll along the rails offering magnificent vistas – or if you’re hungry, enjoy a local lunch nearby first.

You’ll head back to Bangkok after lunch or cycle first to Prasat Mueang Sing. Note: if you want a longer day, we recommend riding – mostly on dirt roads – to visit the ancient Khmer temples of Prasat Mueang Sing, adding an extra 25 kms.

These temples lie in the shade, offering a pleasant atmosphere that will undoubtedly remind us of Angkor Wat in Cambodia – though in a much smaller scale.