Voyage of Southeast Asia

On arrival at Raffles Singapore you are greeted by the Eastern & Oriental Express team, who assist with your luggage and check-in formalities. You will be escorted to Woodlands Railway Station, where the gleaming green carriages of the Eastern & Oriental Express await.  Be welcomed by stewards in exquisite Thai uniforms, their hands pressed together in a gracious wai. A cool drink is served as you settle into your luxurious cabin. The whistle blows and the journey begins as the train crosses the Causeway into Malaysia.  Make your way to the Bar Car for a cocktail reception hosted by the Train Manager. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other guests and the onboard speaker. After cocktails, an exquisite dinner of eastern and western specialties is served in the opulent dining cars. Before retiring, relax with a nightcap in the Bar Car and listen to our resident pianist play nostalgic melodies.  In preparation for your off-train stay tomorrow, please consider packing sun protection, sunglasses, sturdy walking shoes and mosquito repellent. We advise you to bring a light wrap – shawl, jacket or sweater – as the evening and early-morning temperatures can be cooler. Your cabin steward will assist you with the overnight luggage transfer from the train to Tiarasa Escapes resort.

After breakfast, the Eastern & Oriental Express arrives at Taiping Station, where you transfer by coach to Malacca for your pre-selected morning excursion. There are three tours to choose from. Board a trishaw for a tour of historical landmarks, including Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. Embark on a culinary tour of the city, visiting a local market, joining a cooking demonstration and sampling the locally renowned chicken rice balls. Or, if you prefer a more active excursion, pedal off on a bicycle tour, stopping at fascinating sites such as a tea house and shoemaker’s, where you can immerse yourself in local traditions.  After your excursion, return to the train and linger over lunch on board as we travel towards Tiarasa Escapes. Disembark for a night at this luxurious glamping resort in the Janda Baik Rainforest. Beautiful safari-style tents and treetop villas are surrounded by seven acres of pristine nature, filled with majestic trees and fruit-laden orchards, rare birds and vivid butterflies.  On arrival, you are shown to your charming tented villa. This evening, enjoy a relaxed barbecue dinner in the open air, followed by a performance from local musicians around the campfire. We recommend wearing a light jacket for the cooler evening air. Later, sit back under the moonlight and enjoy a screening of an old classic movie.

After breakfast, soak up your surroundings on a ranger-led nature trail through the jungle, or feel free to explore independently at your leisure. After lunch, return to your room to pack up your belongings.  Reboard the train as we continue our journey north towards Penang. In the afternoon, unwind in the Observation Car and admire the passing landscapes, or participate in the afternoon’s onboard entertainment. Afternoon tea will be served in your cabin.  Come evening, relax with an aperitif in the Bar Car before enjoying a sumptuous dinner as the train glides on to our next destination.

Arriving early morning at Bukit Mertajam Station, transfer to the island of Penang. Again, you will already have chosen your preferred excursion. The three options are: George Town Living Heritage Hunt, where you witness some of the city’s vanishing arts, such as joss stick making, batik painting and rattan basket weaving; Taste of Penang, a market tour and cooking workshop with celebrated local food enthusiast Nazlina; and George Town’s Colonial Legacy, which takes you back in time to 19th-century Penang, discovering the melting pot of cultures and architectural styles that makes this UNESCO World Heritage city so beguiling.  After your excursion, return to the train for a late lunch. Mingle with your fellow guests in the Bar Car, discussing the morning’s highlights as the train travels towards Thailand.  This evening, traditional Thai dancers come on board to give a mesmerizing performance, before you sit down to dinner in one of the restaurant cars.

Disembark after breakfast for a full-day’s island cruise. Board a catamaran and glide through the Gulf of Thailand, hopping from island to idyllic island. Step ashore to stretch out on white-sand beaches, wade into the water to watch the marine life, or at low tide stroll along the cliffs to spot birds.  A barbecue lunch is served on board the catamaran before you disembark to explore another of Thailand’s beautiful islands. Bliss out under the palms, swim in the crystalline turquoise waters, or perhaps enjoy a relaxing beachfront massage.  In the late afternoon, transfer back to the railway station to rejoin the Eastern & Oriental Express for your last night on board. Gather for a farewell cocktail party hosted by the Train Manager, before sitting down to a final exquisite dinner on the train. Enjoy local entertainment, including a saxophonist and a traditional puppet show.

Your journey draws to a close as the train pulls into Bangkok this morning. The onboard team waves you goodbye and wishes you a pleasant onward journey.  IMPORTANT NOTE: The Eastern & Oriental Express operates within the constraints of the railway network. As such, timings, routes and associated itineraries are subject to change. Please bear this in mind and allow yourself at least five hours when making arrangements for flight connections, transfers, tours, business appointments or evening engagements.