Kanchanaburi Hills

Day 1 Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

We pick you up from your Bangkok hotel in the morning and transfer approximately three hours west to the province of Kanchanaburi. Upon arrival in the provincial capital, we visit a fascinating museum that explores the history of Allied POWs in Thailand during the Second World War, when the country was under Japanese control. We then pay our respects at the nearby War Cemetery, followed by a visit to the world-famous Bridge on the River Kwai, whose steely construction was immortalized in the classic 1950s film and remains in use by trains today. After checking into our riverside hotel, we fit our bikes and head out on a warm-up ride, giving us our first taste of the region’s excellent roads, scenic farmlands, and jungle-clad mountains. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner.

Royal River Kwai Resort
Lunch, Dinner
Ride 46km
+262m
-257m

Day 2 Kanchanaburi Loop

We begin our cycling adventure in earnest with a century ride through the lush countryside of Kanchanaburi. The route takes us across fertile plains nestled between the Khwae Yai and Khwae Noi rivers. The initial stretch leads us through a patchwork of agricultural fields, showcasing the region’s major cash crops such as rice, sugarcane, and cassava. At around the 33 km mark, we reach the 13th-century temple ruins of Prasat Muang Singh, once the westernmost outpost of the mighty Khmer Empire that ruled from Cambodia. The serene grounds offer a perfect spot to pause and soak in the history before we continue northward. Crossing the Khwae Noi River, we encounter a 5 km ascent up a forested ridge — a challenging yet rewarding climb. The refreshing descent that follows gives way to a final 40 km of flat terrain, where we pass by local Buddhist temples, schools, and an expanse of fields, weaving closer to and further from the gently flowing Khwae Yai River. The afternoon is yours to unwind — whether by relaxing at the pool or indulging in a rejuvenating Thai massage.

Royal River Kwai Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 101km
+526m
-522m

Day 3 Kanchanaburi - Srinakarin Dam

Today, we follow the Khwae Yai River upstream to where it meets the massive Srinakarin Dam. We begin with a ride through familiar scenes of Kanchanaburi’s agrarian landscape, but as we push forward, the jungle-clad Tenasserim Hills, which have so far loomed in the distance, draw ever closer. By the 35 km mark, we reach the southern edge of Erawan National Park, a vast tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife and greenery. We skirt the edge of the park on a quiet, mildly undulating road that continues along the river. The day’s main challenge comes at around 63 km, where a 4 km climb with an 8% average gradient tests our strength and may tempt some to push out of the saddle! After a quick breather at the top, we descend toward the shores of the beautiful Srinakarin Dam, one of Thailand’s largest manmade reservoirs, named after the revered former Queen Mother. We end the day at a lakeside resort, where you can take a dip in the lake, enjoy an afternoon paddle in a kayak, or simply relax and take in the views across the calm waters.

Raya Buri Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 81km
+815m
-657m

Day 4 Srinakarin Dam - Erawan Waterfall – Kanchanaburi

Our ride this morning takes us through the fields and forests bordering the southeastern edge of Srinakarin Dam. After approximately 20 km, we reach an arm of the expansive reservoir and board a ferry to cross to the other side. Once ashore, a 5 km climb — steep toward the end — leads us along a quiet road, cresting a hill before descending to follow the shoreline, offering stunning views of the water. Retracing our route through farmlands, we head south, tackling a challenging 6 km climb followed by a steep, exhilarating descent into Erawan National Park (you’ll remember it as a climb from the day before!). Erawan is home to one of Thailand’s most iconic waterfalls, the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall, nestled in lush jungle. After parking our bikes, we take a break to explore the falls, where, time permitting, you can hike to the upper tiers and swim in emerald pools, where small fish work their magic, exfoliating your feet. In the mid-afternoon, we transfer about 45 minutes to our overnight resort, back on the plains of the Khwae Yai River, where we’ll be based for two nights.

Mida Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 87km
+1267m
-1387m

Day 5 Kanchanaburi Rest Day

After four solid days in the saddle, a well-earned rest day is in order. Based at a lovely riverside resort with expansive gardens, the choice is yours on how to spend the day. Relax by the pool, indulge in a massage, or go bamboo rafting on the River Khwae. Lunch and dinner are not included today, so you can choose from the resort's offerings. If you'd like to explore the area, just speak with the guide, and arrangements can be made.

Mida Resort
Breakfast

Day 6 Kanchanaburi – Khwae Noi River

Back in the saddle, we head north, riding into the valley of the Khwae Noi River, nestled between Erawan and Sai Yok National Parks. Once traversed by Thailand’s infamous “Death Railway,” the train line now ends at Nam Tok station, which we’ll pass around the 30 km mark. Continuing along the valley’s main road for another 20 km, we arrive at Hellfire Pass — a series of railway cuttings built by Allied POWs during World War II, now a powerful memorial and outdoor museum. Take your time exploring the exhibits before hiking a few hundred metres to the haunting Konyu Cutting. After this reflective stop, we backtrack 20 km, cross the Khwae Noi River, and follow quiet backroads to tonight’s resort, surrounded by lush jungle, misty hills, and cliffs hanging over the river. Today’s ride features undulating terrain, including three climbs under 3 km with average gradients of 3-4%.

River Kwai Resotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 91km
+854m
-819m

Day 7 Khwae Noi River - Suan Phueng

At just over 130 km, today marks the longest ride of the tour, but don’t worry — you can cycle as much as you like, with the support vehicle ready to assist. The first 70 km involve a steady effort south along the plains of the Khwae Noi River, with some mild undulations along the way. After another 20 km, we enter Ratchaburi Province, cycling through its remote western region near the low-lying mountains that form the border with Myanmar. We won’t venture too deep into the hills, instead sticking to rural roads in the lowlands and making good time as we pass vast agricultural lands — growing everything from rubber to mangoes — Buddhist temples, small towns, and villages. The final stretch trends gradually uphill, testing our endurance before we arrive in Suan Phueng, a quiet corner of western Thailand that rarely sees foreign tourists, where we’ll spend the night at a simple yet comfortable Thai-style rural retreat.

Phu Pha Phung Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 134km
+709m
-614m

Day 8 Suan Phueng - Mae Klong - Bangkok

Our final ride takes us from the rugged western mountains into the lush lowlands of the Mae Klong Delta. We descend gently toward sea level, bidding farewell to the rolling hills that have defined much of our journey. At 60 km, we enter Ratchaburi’s provincial capital, navigating busier streets before following a peaceful road along the Mae Klong River. This vital waterway branches out into a network of canals that nourish coconut and banana plantations, as well as orchards filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables. We finish the ride at a riverside restaurant, where we enjoy a celebratory lunch before transferring back to Bangkok. On the way, we’ll stop at the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market — Thailand’s largest and most colorful. It's crowded, noisy, and definitely touristy, but great fun! The drive to Bangkok takes 2-3 hours, depending on traffic, and we drop you off at your post-tour hotel. Please let us know if you require assistance with post-tour hotel bookings or airport transfers.

Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 79km
+281m
-411m

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.