I'll be in Bangkok for a week and I want to go to Kanchanaburi for elephant trekking, and I was wondering whether someone could help me with some information.
Do I have to arrange this elephant trekking before I go there, or is it always possible to arrange it over there??? (or is it always booked?? Or is it the best way to arrange a trip??
thank you for helping me!
Hanneke
I would say arrange it when you get there! that gives you the opportunity to compare prices and services, and talk to fellow travellers. I have been to thailand three times and have never booked anything, aside from a fe wnights accomodation on arrival, and have never encountered a problem. Have a great trip!
Hi Hanneke,
I think you'll be OK just going to Kanchanaburi and booking from there.
We did and Elephant Safari from our hotel, which had a special desk at which to book one of a choice of trips.
The buses from Bangkok take about 2 hours and the air-conditioned ones are worth it and still very cheap.
Hi, if you go to Khao San Road in historical part of Bangkok where there are hundreds of travel agencies, you will get a cheap price for Kanchanaburi area and i think you can select the appropriate day for yourself. Sometimes trips for 2-3 days are not organised every day. Keep this in mind.
It depends on your travelling time in thailand if you have limited of time. It might be a good idea to book something in advance. So, you don't waste your time wondering around to check and compare the price at sight.
[ Edit: Promo link removed ]
I would book it through your hostel/accom when you get to Kanchanaburi. We booked ours through The Jolly Frog Hostel. You can spend half a day Elephant Trekking and the rest of the day at a beautiful place called Erawan Waterfalls.
Please don't go to Kanchanaburi just for Elephant Trekking, it's such a beautiful place and there is so much history behind it. The River Kwai, Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway are all really worth seeing. One of my favourite places in Thailand without a doubt.
Kristie x
Hi....you can certainly arrange all that on an "ad hoc" basis once you get there. Any of the hotels will arrange it for you. There's also plent of tourist offices there so you won't have a problem.I hven't been elephant trekking myself but the country around there is quite beautiful.
I sometimes used to stay at the Jolly Frog, a cheap place run by a German lady, it's on the bank of the river Kwai.It a bit basic, if you want better there's plenty to choose from. I forget the name of my favorite on but it has cabins out over the reed beds (about650 to 1000 baht p/n?).
Take Mossie repelant! It's the wet season now but don't let that put you off too much.
If you get a chance visit Sri Nakarin lake (Si Sawat), it's about 100 km north west of Kanchanaburi and really beautiful forested land. there are various resorts and cabins, you might want to rent a 4wd this time of year.Whilst up there you should visit Maekamin Waterfalls, you can swim with the fishes!
For the less adventurous there is Erawan falls, about 60 km north west of Kanchanaburi...
[ Edit: Edited at Jun 25, 2006 10:21 PM by wildfk ]
thank you all for your tips! I'm going to book everything when I'm there! I'm definitely looking forward to this trip!!!
Hanneke
ive just been reading and i have to reccomend the elephant bathing. we have just come from kanchanaburi its a beautiful place. we did the jolly frog tour too..to erwan waterfalls, elephant treck and substituted bamboo rafting for elephant bathing ..it was so much fun you sit on the elephants back and they plunge you under the water while you hang on for dear life..so much fun..the trip also includes a train trip on the railway and a visit to the bridge over the river kwai. all the tour places offer similar tours ours cost 860baht.
hi guys,
i am just back from bangkok trip yesterday. It is great to visit Kanchanaburi and try the elephant bathing. I booked a 2 days 1 night tour at Khao San Road. The tour costs 1200 baht which includes accomodation, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, transport, elephant treaking, bamboo rafthing, visit to floating market. It is cheap. I forgot the company name, it just located beside the Swasdee Smile Inn hotel(not recommended to stay in this hotel). I have great days in Kanchanaburi, natural lovers should not miss the opportunity visit to this place...U will love it.....