Luxury Voyage Through South East Asia

DAY 1  DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.

DAY 2  CHIANG MAI

Arrive in Chiang Mai, where your guide and driver will meet you for your private transfer to the Four Seasons Chiang Mai. This luxury hotel is set in the Mae Rim Valley, a relaxing rural setting aside from rice paddies and rolling hills. While the location is peaceful and luxurious, the sights of the city are still in easy reach.

DAY 3  CHIANG MAI

Visit the mountain temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai, situated 1,676 meters above the city. You can either climb up the staircase adorned with imposing-looking Nagas - the mythical Thai water spirits - to visit the exquisite golden pagoda or take a cable car. In the afternoon, you will be driven further up the mountain before switching to a local songtaew – the local taxi is a semi-open red truck with two rows of seats opposite each other – for the drive to the Chang Kien Hmong village. It is about a half-hour drive on a single-track road to this small village where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practise a culture that dates back 500 years. There's a great opportunity to stop for a local cup of ‘Arabica’ coffee, grown locally as part of the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project, before returning to Chiang Mai.

DAY 4  CHIANG MAI

Today we include a visit to the Elephant Nature Park, where you have the chance to interact with elephants in the wild.

DAY 5  BANGKOK

Fly to Bangkok, only an hour away. Meet your guide at the airport and go directly to the stunning Siam Hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day, or you can explore locally.

DAY 6  BANGKOK

Take an exhilarating traditional long-tail boat ride through the canals or klongs of Bangkok. Cruise past teak houses, local noodle shops, fruit orchards, and rice fields, visit a bustling local market and discover a riverside temple far from the tourist crowds. In the afternoon, you will have a personal guide at your disclosure to advise on anything you want to do in Bangkok, from the best markets on a given day to the most delicious hawker stands to sample local street food, and of course, Bangkok's highlights. 

DAY 7  BANGKOK

Today your guide will meet you for a Bangkok food experience, a meandering exploration of a historic corner of the city.  This experience is a great chance to try some delicious food and explore temples, side streets, and cultural sights in a part of Bangkok you would be unlikely to come across alone.

DAY 8 –THE EASTERN AND ORIENTAL EXPRESS TRAIN  (BANGKOK)

Most of the day is free for some last-minute shopping or to relax around the pool at the Peninsula. 

In the evening, your exciting journey aboard the Eastern and Oriental Express train begins. Your guide will transfer you to Bangkok station, where you’ll be welcomed onto your carriage and given time to settle into your cabin before dinner.

DAY 9  THE EASTERN AND ORIENTAL EXPRESS TRAIN (THE RIVER KWAI)

We’d advise waking early this morning to take in the views as the train makes its way along a wooden viaduct beside beautiful limestone cliff scenery as it travels through Kanchanburi province. Soon after, you leave the train for a day excursion to the River Kwai; here, you’ll take a tour of the area during which an experienced guide will give you an informative historical overview. Learn about the Thailand-Burma railway and visit the Don Rak War Cemetery. Spend the evening back on the train, where you’ll enjoy cocktails on the observation deck and dinner on board as you snake down into Thailand’s Southern jungles.

DAY 10  THE EASTERN AND ORIENTAL EXPRESS TRAIN (Kuala Kangsar)

This morning you’ll cross the border and continue your journey into Malaysia; enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the train before disembarking to explore the picturesque Royal town of Kuala Kangsar. The city boasts one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, and there will also be time to view the Sultan's palace.

In the afternoon, you’ll rejoin your carriage for the journey down through Malaysia. 

DAY 11 THE EASTERN AND ORIENTAL EXPRESS TRAIN (SINGAPORE)

Enjoy a final breakfast on the train before arriving in cosmopolitan Singapore; here, you’ll disembark the train and transfer to Raffles, one of the world’s most famous hotels. Check-in at Raffles and the rest of the day is free to relax in the opulent surroundings - maybe try a Singapore Sling!

DAY 12 SINGAPORE

Today you’ll take a guided tour of Singapore. Highlights include the beautiful Botanical Gardens, bustling China Town, and cosmopolitan Orchard Road. Singapore is a great crossroads of cuisine, so we’d recommend trying out some of the excellent Chinese, Malay, or Indian food available in the evening.

DAY 13  BOROBUDUR INDONESIA

Today you depart Singapore for Yogyakarta on Java, Indonesia. From here, you’ll transfer to the exquisite Amanjiwo resort set in a beautiful location with a backdrop made up of the impressive ancient temples of Borobodur and a breathtaking range of volcanic peaks. Spend the evening relaxing in this wonderful resort.

DAY 14 BOROBUDUR INDONESIA

 Rise early today to watch the sunrise over magical Borobodur, an ancient Buddhist temple complex as impressive as to rival Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The setting against Java’s landscape of terraced paddy fields and imposing volcanic peaks is truly exceptional.

The middle of the day is free to enjoy the fabulous facilities and hospitality at Amanjiwo. Then your guide will return to collect you for a tour of Prambanan, a Hindi temple complex dating back to the 9^th century.  While not quite as famous as Borobodur, it is still a magnificent piece of architecture.

DAY 15 BOROBUDUR INDONESIA

 Today you will venture into Yogyakarta for a guided tour. You’ll visit the Kraton, the traditional home of the Sultan, and you’ll explore the audience halls, the residences of the sultan and his queen and the various museums showcasing the history of the city and the city as a whole.

 DAY 16 JIMBARAN BALI

Today you’ll board a short flight for the hop over to the colourful neighbouring island of Bali. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to The Four Seasons Jimbaran, where you’ll check into your luxury pool villa. Bali has many superb, luxury beach resorts, but the Four Seasons is hard to beat for standard, service and location. In the evening, pop down to Jimbaran Bay and sample some of the fine seafood available in the open-air restaurants.

 DAY 17 JIMBARAN BALI

A free day to enjoy your surroundings.  Relax around your pool villa with sweeping views across the bay and out towards Mount Agung, or head down to the beach for a dip in the sea.

 DAY 18 JIMBARAN BALI

In the early morning, visit a local market to look for and purchase ingredients and then return to a local restaurant for an authentic Balinese cooking course, introducing you to the techniques and methods used in traditional Balinese cuisine. Spend the morning cooking and building up your appetite, and then lunch will be had to test your creations.

DAY 19 JIMBARAN BALI

 A final day to soak up the sun, enjoy the Four Seasons' hospitality and savour the delicious seafood in Jimbaran Bay.

DAY 20 FLY HOME

Today you fly home via Singapore. There are morning and evening flights so that you may have a chance for another few hours of sun today, depending on your flight times!  

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK