REGIONAL DEPARTURES AVAILABLE

To make your travel arrangements even more convenient for you, we are excited to announce that we are now offering some regional airport departure options outside London for this tour.

To view prices and departure options please click the image on the left. If you decide you would like to travel from an alternative airport we'd be happy to arrange this for you, simply call us on 0800 140 4444

TO SINGAPORE

We fly from London to Singapore. On arrival on Day 2 we transfer to our hotel for the next two nights, the 5-Star Stamford Hotel.

SIGHTSEEING IN SINGAPORE

We take an enthralling full-day sightseeing tour of this exciting city, beginning in the Civic District. We pause at Merlion Park, which enjoys impressive views across Marina Bay, before visiting the Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of Singapore's oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples. Our final stop before lunch is Little India, a symphony of colours, sounds and scents. Following Dim Sum at a local restaurant, we visit the Sultan Mosque and the superb Gardens by the Bay. Our last visit is to the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park, a distinctive building that resembles a luxury ship. Here we head to the viewing platform at 650ft, which offers a wonderful panorama of the city. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the world-famous Raffles Hotel.

THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS

Today we transfer to the station for our departure on the Eastern & Oriental Express. We settle into our two-berth cabins before the train begins its journey northwards, crossing the famous Causeway, built in 1923 to link Singapore island with mainland Malaya. Make yourself comfortable in the train's observation carriage and take in the views of passing colonial stations and dense Malaysian jungle. As the sun sets we meet in the opulent restaurant car to enjoy dinner, after which you may like to relax in the Bar Car with your fellow travellers before retiring to your elegant cabin.

KUALA KANGSAR AND THE RIVER KWAI

We arrive in Kuala Kangsar today, the first place that the British settled in, and the seat of the Sultan of Perak. On arrival we enjoy a guided tour, including the dazzling Ubudiah Mosque and the striking Royal Museum. Built entirely without nails, the walls of this masterpiece are woven from spliced bamboo strips. We also see some of the city's rubber trees before visiting the Sultan Shah Gallery and continuing on the Eastern & Oriental Express to Thailand. On Day 6 we arrive at River Kwai Bridge Station. We leave the train here for a cruise, passing under the 'Bridge over the River Kwai'. which we learn about from a local historian. Built by prisoners of war, along with the rest of the 'Death Railway', in the early 1940s, it has been immortalised in popular culture through film. There is also time to visit the nearby Don Rak War Cemetery, a site which contains memorials to an estimated 9,000 Allied soldiers who lost their lives here. Later we re-join the train as it makes its way to Bangkok. Here we disembark for a night at the 5-Star Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.

BAN SAO NAK AND CHIANG MAI

This morning we make a visit to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, just outside of Bangkok. Here we get to see the way that people buy their groceries - from one of the many small boats plying their trade on this busy stretch of water. Marvel at the wide array of produce available and the vibrant colours stretching as far as the eye can see. Later, we take an internal flight to Chiang Mai, where on Day 8, we are treated to an exclusive Elephant Life Experience. Guided by a local mahout (the traditional name for an elephant-keeper), we learn about the life of these majestic creatures, and the lifestyle of the mahouts who care for them. We embark on an elephant ride through the forest, drinking in the incredible natural environment as we travel on elephant-back, for a truly unique way to experience Thailand's scenic beauty. We pause for a picnic lunch, before returning to our hotel for a final night in Chiang Mai. On Day 9, we board an internal flight back to Bangkok, for a threenight stay at the 5-Star Peninsula Hotel.

EXPLORING BANGKOK

The metropolis of Bangkok is a sometimes hectic yet always fascinating place, and this morning we discover some of its most famous sights, visiting the Wat Traimit temple and continuing with to Wat Pho temple. Our tour also takes in the glittering Grand Palace, before our walking tour through Bangkok's best known fruit and flower market to sample the sights, smells and tastes of the local fare.

CHAO PHRAYA RIVER CRUISE

Today we make a visit to Jim Thompson Thai House which, set in beautiful tropical gardens, is the former home of James H.W. Thompson, the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company who mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian jungle whilst on holiday in 1967. The rest of your afternoon is then at leisure, allowing you time to pick up souvenirs or simply soak up a little more of Thailand. This evening we take to the 'River of Kings', the Chaophraya, on a wonderful farewell dinner cruise, enjoying classic Thai cuisine and dancing, accompanied by striking viewpoints along the river.

RETURN TO LONDON

Today we head to the airport for our flight back to London. Where, on arrival, our tour concludes.