Things to Do in Kanchanaburi
Kayaking, canoeing, caving, waterfalls, elephant encounters, cultural experiences – you name it and Kanchanaburi offers it. Perhaps, our favourite in Kanchanaburi was driving along route 323 to Sangkhlaburi, but even if you are not going to get as far as that, a couple of national parks, elephant camps and trekking opportunities have a potential to keep you busy at least for a week.
Erawan waterfall
Part of Erawan National Park, the waterfall is the main attraction. It consists of 7 different levels with incredibly clear water teaming with tickling fish. You can climb to the top level and have a bath in all the 7 pools. Note that it can be incredibly crowded especially on weekends and during the high season, but it’s worth visiting all the same.
Admission fee: THB300
Opening hours: every day 7am–4.30pm
How to get there: Bus 8170 leaves every 50 minutes from the bus station (THB45). The ride is one and a half hour.
Sai Yok National Park
Waterfalls, caves, wildlife and mountains: located close to the border with Myanmar, this natural park will show you how impressive Thailand can be even away from the islands. It is a perfect day trip, though there are also accommodation options near the Visitor centre if you want to spend a couple of days in the park.
Admission fee: THB300
Opening hours: every day 7am–5pm
How to get there: Bus 8203 leaves every hour from the bus station (THB55). The ride is one hour long.
Elephant World
Elephant World is a sanctuary 20km from Kanchanaburi that is home roughly to 25 elephants. There’s no riding option: tourist can only spend time with the animals preparing food for them, feeding them and bathing them in the river.
Admission fee: THB2500 for a full day program. There are no options for a quick visit. You need a full day to visit it.
Opening hours: every day 10am–4pm
How to get there: Elephant World will pick you up at your hotel/guesthouse at 9 am and will drop off in the afternoon.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking or canoeing along the river Khwae is becoming more and more popular and it is a real fun. Several tour companies on Mae Nam Khwae road will offer you more or less the same options. One of the easiest option is to be dropped at Ban Nong Bua, some 20 km away from Kanchanaburi, and paddle back to town where your tour company will pick you up close to the bridge. It takes at least 3 hours and usually costs around THB400 per person.
Massage and spas
Like everywhere in Thailand a good Thai massage is a perfect way to spend one or two hours. On Mae Nam Khwae Road there are plenty of massage shops and the quality is generally good everywhere. Many masseur ladies work for different massage shops and are called on request when clients show in. If massage you got was especially good, ask for the lady’s name and the next time they will call her for you. One of our favourite is Le Best Massage, a small place in a little street close to Jolly Frog, a popular backpackers’ guesthouse near 7/11. One hour of Thai massage is THB150.
On’s vegetarian cooking class
On’s is an institution in Kanchanaburi and even non-vegetarian people frequently go there. The food is simply amazing and it will taste even better if you learn how to cook it. Their cooking class lasts two hours and you can pick any three dishes you want to learn to cook from the menu. The price is THB600 per person. On’s vegetarian is right in the middle of Mae Nam Khwae road, next door to Tesco.
Sangkhlaburi
Sangkhlaburi is a stunning little town 4 hours away from Kanchanaburi, on the Myanmar border. Sitting on a lake and surrounded by mountains and jungle, Sangkhlaburi is a magical place to relax for a couple of days. There are temples to visit, quite an impressive 800 meter long wooden bridge to cross, a nice little morning market to have a different kind breakfast. But the best reason to go there is simply to take in the rural atmosphere with basically no western tourists visiting it at any time.
To get there catch the bus 8203 and be prepared for a long ride. The ticket is THB170.
