HONG KONG &
BRIDGE OVER RIVER KWAI
Battlefield Tour
About Hong Kong
The folly of War is full of errors and unwise decisions, and none more so than the request by the former commander of Hong Kong’s garrison, General Grasset, for the Colony to be reinforced by two Canadian Battalions just three weeks before the Japanese attacked. Even against Churchill’s initial opposition, these rural and ill trained young men from the Prairies and towns of Canada were pitted against battle hardened and overwhelming forces of Japan. During our visit, we will be exploring Hong Kong of today, as the city goes through a resurgence of interest in it’s history including the colonial period, World War Two and Canadian involvement.
About the River Kwai
Books and motion pictures conjure up images of the pain and suffering felt by the Allied PoW’s, when the black iron bridge was brought from Java by Allied prisoner-of-war labour supervised under harsh Japanese force to become part of the Death Railway linking Thailand with Burma. Still in use today, the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during World War II and was only rebuilt after the war ended. The curved spans of the bridge, however are all original sections.
In 1943, thousands of Allied Prisoners of War (PoW) and Asian labourers worked on the Death Railway under the imperial Japanese army in order to construct part of the 415 km long Burma-Thailand railway. Most of these men were Australians, Dutch and British and they had been working steadily southwards from Thanbyuzayat (Burma) to link with other PoWs on the Thai side of the railway. This railway was intended to move men and supplies to the Burmese front where the Japanese were fighting the British. Japanese army engineers selected the route which traversed deep valleys and hills.
The prisoners lived in squalor with a near starvation diet. They were subjected to their captor's brutality and thus thousands perished. The men worked from dawn until after dark and often had to trudge many kilometres through the jungle to return to base camp where Allied doctors tended the injured and diseased - alas many still parished. After the war the dead were collectively reburied in the War Cemeteries and will remain forever witness to a brutal and tragic ordeal.
Tour Info
Tour Dates: December 5th - December 14th, 2018
Destinations: China, Thailand
Join us for nine days in the far reaches of the east. We start in the city of Hong Kong, and embark on a journey through time, to achieve a better understanding of the colonial and post colonial Hong Kong: a breathtaking history. Take in panoramic views, and pay respects to the Canadians we've lost, laid to rest in cemeteries such as the Sai Wan. Not many Canadians are aware of the history made here and Canadian's involvement, and far less are able to make the visit.
After five days exploring Hong Kong, we then embrace adventure, and fly to Thailand in a search of a thorough analysis of the events that took place at the Bridge on the River Kwai. We wil catch the train from Tham Kasae station to cacophony along theDeath Railway on the wooden bridge. You'll also get a chance to walk along the trail to see the famous "Hell Fire Pass" cut through the mountain that was built by the Australian POW’s of WWII.
This tour won't just provide you with a focus on the Battlefields, Cemeteries, Memorials, incredible Museums, history, and culture, it will also give you a chance to embrace your adventurous side as well. A visit to a Tiger sanctuary, hiking through waterfalls, and exploring the golden, emerald, and ruby towers of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, are all included in this beloved and extraordinary Battlefield Tour.
Organizer's Contact information
Your Land Operator - The Battlefield Tours - SAMANTHA COWAN p: 647-746-9862 e:
Our Travel Agent - DH Tours - KAREN BURWOOD p: 905-639-9954 e:
Tour Program Full Info Sheet available to view, print, download, or share
Battlefield Tour | Map & Outline
Day One | December 5th, 2018
Depart for our flight to Hong Kong. You will be arriving in the early hours of the morning, to an early check-in to our hotel to relax and rest.
[Breakfast and Dinner will be served on board]
Day Two | December 6th
We will meet in the lobby and enjoy a ’brunch’ before a panoramic tour of the city. This is a low key visit to orientate yourself with all the major sites and history of the Colonial period as well as post Colonial Hong Kong. Again, we will take it slow today as we all get orientated with the opposite side of the world! Tonight our welcome dinner will be at our hotel.
[Overnight – Hong Kong (B, D)]
Day Three | December 7th
Today, we begin our tour at CSM John Osborn Memorial where Osborn won the Victoria Cross, before we make our way to Jardine’s Lookout where Osborn sacrificed his life near Mount Butler. We will also explore the Wong Nai Chung AA position which housed two mobile 3.7″guns manned by 7th Heavy AA Regiment. We'll also be able to view the ‘Volunteer Pillboxes’ and discover how the Japanese found a weak point in the wire defences. In the afternoon we will visit Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, formerly known as the Lei Yue Mun Fort, which was the most formidable fortifications in the territory built more than 100 years ago. It was also an important battlefield during the Battle for Hong Kong in 1941. Today it has been revitalized to preserve and present the 600-year history of coastal defence. We will also visit Sai Wan War cemetery, resting place of 283 Canadians. This evening, dinner in the city centre.
[Overnight – Hong Kong (B, D)]
Day Four | December 8th
On Christmas morning, approximately 200 drunken Japanese approached St. Stephen’s College, now a sanctuary for ninety-six wounded soldiers. We will tour the St.Stephens School which was the site of the emergency hospital during the Second World War, before touring on to Repulse Bay and the Stanley Military Cemetery before dinner in the centre once again.
[Overnight – Hong Kong (B, D)]
Day Five | December 9th
This morning we board a plane to Bangkok, Thailand. Here, we will explore The Grand Palace: if you only see one thing whilst in the city, this is the place to see. Thai people respectfully refer to it as Phra Borommaharatchawang. Your tour will then continue by boat, first, along the Chao Phraya River. Being one of Bangkok’s best known landmarks and one of the most photographed images in the world, The Temple of Dawn or - Wat Arun - is best viewed from the river. The temple was built in the days of Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthayaand originally known as Wat Makok or The Olive Temple. Tonight we have dinner at a locally famous restaurant.
[Overnight - Bangkok (B, D)]
Day Six | December 10th
An early pick up awaits us from our hotel in Bangkok to arrive in Kanchanaburi for a visit to the JEATH War Museum. We then visit the Don Ruk War Cemetery which contains remains of more than 6,000 prisoners of war who built The Death Railway. We then visit The Bridge Over the River Kwai with a special lunch that we have prepared nearby. In the afternoon, we will we visit the Tiger Conservation Project or Wat Pa Luaang Ta Bua. Here you will get a great opportunity to get up close with their tigers. You are allowed to cozy up with these tigers, and staff encourage us to take photographs to bring home for the non-believers! In the evening, dinner and overnight stay.
[Overnight – Kanchanaburi (B, L, & D)]
Day Seven | December 11th
This morning, we visit the Erawan Waterfall or Erawan National Park. Enjoy the trek from the 1st to the 7th cascade along an incredible nature trail, and finish with a relaxing swim at the fall in the quiet emerald water. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant nearby. Next, it is time to catch the train from Tham Kasae station to Thakilen along the Death Railway on the wooden bridge. Dinner will be back at our accommodation.
[Overnight | Kanchanaburi (B, L, & D)]
Day Eight | December 12th
This morning, we leave our accommodation to visit the Memorial Museum of Hellfire Pass, then enjoy a walk along the trail to see the actual pass cut through the mountain, built by the Australian POW’s of WWII. Lunch will be at a local restaurant nearby before we arrive at the Elephant Camp where we can connect and engage with these incredible animals. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Kanchanaburi. Once there, take some time for rest, relaxation, and an opportunity to explore a variety of your own dinner options in your own time.
[Overnight – Kanchanaburi (B, L)]
Day Nine | December 13th
Today we will be returning to Bangkok for a free day to explore and relax in this remarkable city, before joining your travel companions for our farewell dinner which is sure to be a perfect conclusion to what promises to be an exciting and eye-opening tour of South East Asia.
[Overnight – Bangkok (B, D)]
Day Ten | December 14th
Today we transfer to the airport for your flights back home.
[(B), Lunch and Snack served on board]
TOUR END.
The Battlefield Tours and our host agency DH Tour can assist you with the arrangement of any custom pre-trip and post-trip travel.
Please indicate on your registration form your flight requirements, travel insurance and/or your request to add any custom travel extensions to your journey. Our office will contact you directly to arrange and price. Should you have any questions regarding your flight, insurance, or travel extension options, please contact Karen Burwood, our travel agent [(Office Phone) 905-639-9954
(Toll-Free) 1-888-597-3519 | karen@dhtour.ca ]
Battlefield Tour | Itinerary
If you have any questions or special requests - please let us know!
This Tour Includes...
This tour is fully customisable and comes with the following inclusions & exclusions:
Inclusions
Exclusions
Round Trip Air Transportation from Toronto
All inter Asia flights listed on your itinerary
Superior First class hotels & Porterage
Meals as per your itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
All Entrances as per your itinerary
Experienced and knowledgeable Tour Manager
Executive Coach
Online Custom Map Kit & Resource
All meals not listed on your itinerary
Gratuities to driver / tour manager
(may we suggest 5CAD per day for your driver and 7CAD per day for your guide)
Travel Insurance (please contact DH Tour if you need assistance booking medical or trip cancellation insurance)
Custom Travel Extensions (either pre-tour or post-tour) (please contact DH Tour if you need assistance with organising and booking)
Single Room Supplement
Pricing
Hong Kong & Bridge Over River Kwai Only
$3950 CAD
$2470 CAD
$525 CAD
Per Person, based on twin occupancy including Air R/T from Toronto
Per Person, land only
Single Supplement
Hong Kong & Bridge Over River Kwai W/ Vietnam Extension
$6720 CAD
$5220 CAD
$1225 CAD
Per Person, based on twin occupancy including Air R/T from Toronto
Per Person, land only
Single Supplement
$4250 CAD
$2750 CAD
$750 CAD
Per Person, based on twin occupancy including Air R/T from Toronto
Per Person, land only
Single Supplement
**Air is also available from all major Canadian cities - please contact our DH Tour Travel Agent for more information**
TOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Initial Deposit: $500.00 (of which $300 is non-refundable) to guarantee your space is due immediately
Your Remaining Balance: Due by Saturday, August 28th, 2018 (70 days prior to departure)
METHOD OF PAYMENT
All funds will be collected by our host agency, DH Tour. If you would like to use your credit card, our agency will collect your payment details over the phone after you have registered. DH Tour accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as cash and cheque payments.
Personal cheques can be made to:
“DH Tour”
Attn to: Karen Burwood [Travel Manager]
Mail to: 2319 Fairview St., Suite 609, Burlington ON L7R 2E3
Please review our Groups Terms & Conditions before booking with us.
Where to go from here
Download and/or print full program information
Register your seat on this tour
Register Online Now
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Early registration is required for this specialized commemorative battlefield program - This program will not be made available to more than 40 travellers, we suggest you register as soon as possible to hold your space
No payment is required to register - An initial deposit of $500 CAD ($300 is non-refundable) is due to reserve/secure your spot.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure [September 28th 2018]