Eastern & Oriental Express Train & Luxury Beach
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

If you’d like to get a flavour of Southeast Asia in style or mark an occasion with a special holiday then this may be an ideal itinerary.

The holiday begins in Bangkok’s where you’ll enjoy a stay in one of the cities finest hotels and our unique signature city tour before boarding the Eastern and Oriental train for the 4 day journey through rural Thailand and Malaysia towards Singapore. After time to explore the city of Singapore with your guide you’ll transfer by road back into Malaysia to explore cultural Malacca and eclectic Kuala Lumpur before hitting the beach in Langkawi.  

Accommodation has been carefully selected to ensure you are based in some of the most unique and beautiful settings whilst receiving the highest quality of service and facilities. 

Highlights include:

• Holing up in the teakwood observation car of the Eastern and Oriental Express to sip cocktails as you snake through the jungle.
• Checking in to the iconic Raffles Hotel and toasting the occasion with a Singapore sling.
• Joining an expert naturalist to get immersed in the ancient rainforest surrounding your Langkawi beach hotel, The Datai.
• Getting a taste of the region's colonial history in cultural Malacca and Kuala Lumpur.
• Feeling totally pampered by the hospitality provided at some of the region's most wonderful hotels.

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Bangkok

Day 2-4 Bangkok  

On arrival in Bangkok your guide and driver will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. The first night is free to relax and enjoy your 5 star hotel, its facilities and its views across the exotic Chao Phraya River.

During your stay you’ll enjoy a selection of activities tailored to your interests. Typically you guide will walk you through the colourful flower markets before taking you on a small boat to whizz through the city's labyrinth of klongs (canals) - a great way to get a flavour of typical local life. The route will bring you to the opulent Grand Palace and Wat Po temple before a few hours back at the hotel to relax. In the evening you’ll embark on a fascinating tuk-tuk tour that will take you to corners of the city that many visitors miss; en route you’ll taste some of Bangkok's most delicious dishes.

Further adventures in the city could include a cycle or walking tour around some of the most interesting landmarks or dinner and cocktails with panoramic views at one of the city's best rooftop bars.

Day 5  All Aboard the Eastern and Oriental Express Train

After a free day to relax in your hotel surrounds, this 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 is served.

DAY 6 on 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. The evening is spent 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 7  on 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 on down through Malaysia. 

DAY 8 on 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 9 SINGAPORE  

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

Day 10 & 11 Malacca  

You’ll depart Singapore for the road journey across the border back into Malaysia and onwards to Malacca. The Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Indian and British have all left their mark on Malacca in one way or another and the resulting cultural mix has given Malacca a UNESCO world heritage status.

During your two night stay in Malacca there will be time to explore with your guide either by foot, car or bicycle.  Discover Malacca’s most fascinating landmarks: the fortress ruins, the Dutch Square, the Cheng Hoon temple, the Kampung Kling mosque, and the old city.

Day 12 & 13 Kuala Lumpur 

Travel door to door from your Malacca hotel to KL’s luxurious Ritz Carlton in a chauffeur driven car. Here you'll spend an afternoon at leisure before embarking on a full day city safari exploring the colourful local morning markets and passing the varied architecture en route to the colonial heart of old KL. You’ll learn about the city's history and the influences that have shaped the city. The day winds its way to the eclectic Chinatown area and the birthplace of a range of dishes that have put KL on the map. Enjoy authentic Hokkien ‘mee’ at a local restaurant which has used the same recipe for more than 100 years.

Day 14-17 Langkawi 

It's a short flight from KL to Langkawi for the last part of your holiday which will be spent at the blissfully idyllic Datai resort in Langkawi (4 nights, but this can be extended). Here, it's all about relaxing in one of Malaysia’s most beautiful natural locations at the edge of an ancient rainforest overlooking a sweeping white sand bay. Enjoy the service, indulge at the spa, sunbathe on the beach, swim in the sea or join one of the complementary nature walks; the resident naturalist will show you rare wildlife and bring the 10-million-year-old rainforest to life.

Day 17 Fly Home

Today you depart Langkawi and fly back to the UK.