River Kwai & Ancient Kingdoms Itinerary

Get this ancient odyssey underway by heading out to Bang Pa In Summer Palace, a former residence of Thai kings, set around a lavish ornamental pond. Then, make tracks to the Ayutthaya where there's the chance to have fortunes told inside Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon before admiring a temple often compared to the Taj Mahal.

Be humbled by inscriptions on the Hellfire Pass Memorial, built to honour the POWs who died while constructing the 'Death Railway'. Venture into the steamy surrounds of Erawan National Park, home to seven refreshing waterfalls and plenty of rock pools for swimming. Return to Kanchanaburi and perhaps hit the markets for a night stroll.

Board a traditional samlaw and take in several historic sites including the WWII War Museum, the Allied War Cemetary and the notorious Bridge on the River Kwai. Return to Bangkok where the journey wraps up.