Day 1 Fly USA to Bangkok

Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.

Day 2 Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand

Upon arrival and after clearing customs and immigration, a driver will meet you and transfer you directly to your downtown hotel.

An exciting brew of traffic and temples, luxury hotels and labyrinth-like streets, the “City of Angels,” is a hectic heaven. This inexhaustible energy is part of Bangkok’s charm, and it has made this feisty capital one of Asia’s favorite tourist destinations. Cutting through the heart of the city, the magnificent Chao Phraya River, “the River of Kings” provides easy access to Bangkok’s numerous Buddhist temples and the Grand Palace, as well offering insight into Thai life.

Day 3 Tour - Bangkok city and temple private half day tour

Thailand has over 26,000 temples (or Wats). This tour will bring you to three of the most distinguished temples in Bangkok. Wat Trimitr, the temple of the Golden Buddha, features a statue made from solid Gold weighing 5.5tons. It is a fine example of Sukhothai art and was discovered by chance from a layer of stucco during construction of the temple.

Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po, the temple of the reclining Buddha which is the largest and oldest in Bangkok. Your last stop is at Wat Benchamabopit or the marble temple. This magnificent monastery was built with white Italian marble from Carrara.

Day 4 At leisure, Bangkok

Thailand's capital, Bangkok, is a city that displays 30,000 lavish temples and a great variety of colorful architecture. Treat your eyes to a parade of colorful canoes laden with everything from juicy mangoes to jolly-faced souvenirs at the Damnern Saduak Floating Market, or paddle up to one of the floating markets and order a bowl of steaming noodles.

Day 5 Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai

An English speaking representative will meet you in your hotel lobby for your private airport transfer for your flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.

Chiang Mai is the gateway city to Thailand’s lush north and its rustic hill tribe villages. Dating back 700 years, the focal point is “Old City,” the walled and moated remains of an imposing fortress.

Surrounding this historic site is a blossoming city containing all the characteristics of a modern town. World class restaurants and idyllic hotel retreats include the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. This is the place to pet an elephant as you enjoy off-road driving on the back of a gentle giant, or take to a bamboo raft for a watery fun-filled afternoon.

Day 6 Tour - Elephants at work half day tour
A pleasant morning is spent in the company of these magnificent gentle giants.

In present day Thailand, elephants are only used as tremendously powerful beasts of burden. But in the earlier times, they were a vital part of the King's army and played a very important role in Thai History.

On this trip you will witness the traditional techniques still used in the training process. Wonder at the delicacy and preciseness of such gigantic creatures in action. For a small fee, the adventurous can also enjoy the short but unforgettable elephant ride!

On the return journey to the hotel a stop is made at the beautiful Mae Sa Waterfall, as well as one of the region's orchid farms displaying a full variety of some of Thailand's exquisite blooms.

Tour - Chiang Mai city and temple tour

Today your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby, and you will depart for the tour. The city of Chiang Mai has a wealth of beautiful and historic Buddhist Wats (temples), 36 Wats within the old city walls and many more in the surrounding countryside, and on this tour a visit to the most fascinating Wats is made.

Near the summit of Doi Suthep, a 1,600 meters peak named after the hermit Sudeva who lived on the mountain’s slopes for many years is the 600 year old temple of Wat. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via an enormous mythological Nagas (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps. Inside the cloister is an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five- tier gold parasol, which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai from the temple grounds.

Day 7 Fly Chiang Mai to Bangkok

An English speaking representative will meet you in your hotel lobby for your private airport transfer for your flight back to Bangkok. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Hualampong station where you will board the Eastern & Oriental Express for your 3 night 4 day train journey to Singapore.

Travel from Bangkok through the beauty of Thailand, to the infamous River Kwai and onwards to Malaysia, colonial Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis, before crossing the causeway over the Straits of Johor to the elegant city of Singapore.

The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Bangkok early evening. Having been welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into your comfortable compartment. Dinner is served as the train travels from city into the countryside with its rice-fields, villages and water buffalo. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cozy bedroom by your steward.

Day 8 Eastern & Oriental Express – Wang Po & Kwai

Awake early in order not to miss the excitement of the train making its way from Wang Po along the wooden trestle viaduct beside a towering cliff. Later that morning the E&O stops at Kanchanaburi. Here you disembark for an excursion by boat along the River Kwai to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre where a local historian will provide an informative tour. Rejoin the E&O for lunch. Later reflect on the day's sights over dinner and relax with a drink in the Bar Car before retiring for the night. 

Day 9 Eastern & Oriental Express – Penang

After breakfast the train arrives into Butterworth. Enjoy a guided tour of colonial Georgetown, Penang, which includes an introductory tour of this historic town and Fort Cornwallis, and a trishaw ride through the colorful narrow streets. Reboard the train for lunch and spend the afternoon watching the passing scenery from one of the lounge cars or from the open deck of the Observation Car. Dine again in one of the opulent dining cars and then spend a relaxing evening in the Bar Car with its resident pianist. Spend your last night on board. 

Day 10 Eastern & Oriental Express – Singapore

After breakfast, soon it’s time to leave the train, having crossed the Straits of Johor into Singapore.

Once you arrive at the Keppel train station you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.

The island nation of Singapore is a blend of East and West, old and new. It is a modern and clean city where English is widely spoken. Places of interest include Raffles Hotel, a Singaporean institution; Chinatown, which is Singapore's cultural heart and is home to numerous temples, decorated terraces and shops and activity. Orchard Road is the area where the high-class hotels, shopping centers, nightspots, restaurants, bars and lounges are most dominant, and also possesses some sights of cultural interest. Sentosa Island is the city-state's most visited attraction. It has museums, aquariums, beaches, sporting facilities, walks, rides and food centers.

Day 11 Tour - Singapore full day tour

Today’s tour offers an interesting insight into life outside the city.  We start with a visit to the Haw Par Villa, a theme park of Chinese mythology with exhibits of legendary figures.  We then move on to Kranji Dam, once a swampy area used as the first landing spot for Japanese Advance Boats during World War II.  Next, we proceed to Kranji War Memorial, unveiled in 1957, the memorial for allied soldiers who lost their lives in World War II.

After lunch, we visit the Bright Hill Temple, a famous Chinese ancestral worship place. The final loop of the tour will bring you to Changi, passing the Johore Battery built by the British in 1939. The last stop is Changi Chapel & Museum, where you will visit the museum and a replica of the chapel used by POW during World War II. Drive through Changi Village en route back to the City.  Tour duration is 7 hours.

Day 12 Fly Singapore to USA

An English speaking representative will meet you in your hotel lobby for your private airport transfer.