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Mystique of the Orient

10 Nights from $4530

Highlights

Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Eastern and Oriental Express train, Singapore

Your Itinerary Includes

All round trip airport and train station transfers
3 nights Bangkok at The Peninsula
Canals and Grand Palace private half day tour
City and temple private half day tour
2 nights Chiang Mai at Four Seasons Resort
City and temple private half day tour
Elephants at work half day tour
3 nights Eastern & Oriental Express Train (Bangkok to Singapore)
Wang Po and River Kwai tour
Georgetown and Penang tour (Malaysia)
2 nights Singapore at The Fullerton
Singapore private full day tour
10 breakfasts 3 lunches 3 dinners

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN.

Day 1 Fly USA to Bangkok

Day 2 Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand
Upon arrival, you will clear customs and immigration before being met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.

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 Klong cruise and Grand Palace
Take a morning boat ride along the Chao Phraya River, known as the ‘River of Kings’ and its quiet canals, on the West Side of Bangkok. Life along the river and canals is very interesting especially in the Orchis area. Stop at the Temple of Dawn 'Wat Arun' which is one of the city’s landmarks and visit the Royal Palace to see Dusit Hall (funeral hall), holy Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), and a fabulous Buddha image, carved from a single piece of Jade.

Bangkok city and temple tour
This afternoon you will visit some other notable temples in the city. 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 5.5 tons. 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
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 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.

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.

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 Singapore 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

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Hotels

For more information about the hotels visited in this itinerary please click the hotel name below.

City	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury

Bangkok	-	-	-	The Peninsula

Chiang Mai	-	-	-	Four Seasons Resort

Train	-	-	-	Eastern & Oriental Express

Singapore	-	-	-	The Fullerton

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Pricing

To determine pricing for your tour select the appropriate travel season and desired accommodation level from the table below.

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury

4/1/10-9/30/10	-	-	-	$4530

10/1/10-12/31/10	-	-	-	$4730

1/1/11-3/31/11	-	-	-	$4800

Single Traveler Supplement from	-	-	-	$3070

Single Room Supplement from	-	-	-	$2410

International Airfare Pricing
Routing: LAX or SFO-BKK/SIN-LAX or SFO

4/1/10-5/28/10, 8/17/10-10/25/10, 2/5/11-2/11/11, 3/12/11-3/31/11				$1280

5/29/10-6/18/10, 7/20/10-8/16/10, 12/11/10-12/24/10				$1460

6/19/10-7/19/10				$1550

10/26/10-12/10/10, 12/25/10-2/4/11, 2/12/11-3/11/11				$1160

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Terms & Conditions

*Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. Travel may be restricted to certain days of the week and be available from one or multiple US departure points. Add on fares are available from most US cities and surcharges may be applicable for travel on particular days of the week. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. US and Foreign Govt. taxes and fees vary depending on the itinerary selected and may range from $90 to $395 per person. Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per person, are not included. After ticketing changes may not be permissible in some circumstances, or a change fee may be applied. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note that some air segments may be served by an associated carrier. Full payment for special deals may be required within a number of days of the reservation being made as nominated by your consultant at the time of booking (or 60 days prior to departure). Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Group inquiries are welcome however specials remain subject to hotel and airline capacity control and therefore may not be applicable for group travel. The best deal available for group travel will always be given in lieu of the offer indicated. Unless otherwise indicated all travel must be completed by March 31, 2011 if not before. CST #2012413-20 See our Complete Terms and Conditions.

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