Singapore to Siam Discovery (Ground Only)

DAY 1

Monday 16th November
After making your own flight arrangements to Singapore, you will meet the Tour Leader at Changi Airport and transfer to the One Farrer Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. After check-in, we will enjoy time at leisure to explore our new surroundings before meeting for drinks and enjoying a welcome dinner together.

DAY 2

Tuesday 17th November
After breakfast this morning, we will discover the multicultural vibrancy of Singapore and our exploration begins in Kampong Glam where we will stroll along Arab Street's trendy shops and cafes before visiting the elegant Tanjong Pagar Station. Afterwards, we wander through Chinatown's narrow streets ahead of our lunch at Singapore's largest hawker centre with over 220 food stalls to choose from! This afternoon, we walk along Clarke Quay before our evening meal at the historic Fullerton Hotel with the opportunity to stop for a nightcap and take in the spectacular Spectra Light & Water on our way back to the hotel.

DAY 3

Wednesday 18th November
This morning, we collect our breakfast boxes and board our private coach to travel to the Singapore-Malaysia border crossing to the Johor Bahru railway station for our journey to Segamat. On arrival in Segamat, we enjoy our lunch together before continuing by road to Malacca with our route offering beautiful countryside views of oil palm plantations, small kampung villages, and rolling hills as we make our way to the Majestic Hotel for our overnight stay. This evening, we embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure to dine at a local restaurant.

DAY 4

Thursday 19th November
Today, we head out for a charming trishaw tour through the narrow streets of Malacca exploring distinctive architecture, ancient trades, and historic buildings before taking lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we transfer to Tampin Railway Station to board the ETS Gold train to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital and, on arrival, we transfer to the luxurious Majestic Hotel for our two-night stay. We will meet in the elegant Contango restaurant and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 5

Friday 20th November
After breakfast, we will explore the fascinating city of Kuala Lumpur where tradition meets modernity including the historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a landmark that once housed British colonial offices. Our tour ends at the base of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers where we enjoy some free time to take lunch and explore further. Later in the day, we enjoy a relaxed, guided food tour to savour Malaysia's diverse culinary heritage, discovering a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavours as we visit renowned food stalls, market streets, and hidden gems known only to locals.

DAY 6

Saturday 21st November
Today, we make our way to Kuala Lumpur station for a scenic journey through rolling hills and traditional villages to Ipoh, the gateway to the highlands. The Ipoh Railway Station is often referred to as the 'Taj Mahal of Ipoh' and we have time to explore this colonial building and the Old Town before continuing by road to the Cameron Highlands and our overnight hotel, the Cameron Highlands Resort, for an evening at leisure.

DAY 7

Sunday 22nd November
This morning, we will explore the highlights of the Cameron Highlands including a tea-tasting experience at a tea plantation. Following lunch together at a local restaurant, we transfer to Gua Masang Station to board the famous Jungle Railway, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in Southeast Asia. This iconic railway will follow winding rivers, traverse dramatic limestone hills, pass through tunnels, and cross viaducts into the lush tropical rainforests and pristine jungle landscapes to Tanah Merah. Here, we transfer to the Belum Rainforest Resort where we check in for our overnight stay and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 8

Monday 23rd November
This morning, we embark on a boat excursion across Temenggor Lake for a short, guided walk to see the rare Rafflesia flower, one of the most extraordinary and bizarre flowers in the world with a very distinctive smell! Afterwards, we begin our journey to Penang, pausing along the way for lunch at a local restaurant, before checking in to the Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel for our two-night stay. We will explore the charming streets of the city on an orientation walk ending at Penang's only revolving restaurant and the largest rooftop bar in Malaysia where we will enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 9

Tuesday 24th November
Today, we delve deeper into Penang exploring the colonial architecture and vibrant street markets before visiting Chew Jetty, an historic waterfront settlement where Chinese communities built stilt houses over the water, and Khoo Kongsi, one of Malaysia's most magnificent clan houses. From here, we will ascend Penang Hill via the country's oldest funicular railway system and enjoy our lunch at the top before spending the rest of the day at leisure to explore at your own pace and dine at a local restaurant.

DAY 10

Wednesday 25th November
After breakfast this morning, we will transfer to Penang International Airport for the short flight to Phuket, Thailand's largest island. Here, we will make our way north into the untouched wilderness of Khao Sok National Park, a spectacular park home to one of the world's oldest rainforests thought to predate even the Amazon. After checking in to the Khaosok Boutique Hideaway for two nights, we enjoy our evening meal together surround by the park's serene beauty before joining a flashlight-led night safari to discover the nocturnal side of the park as the jungle transforms into a symphony of sounds and hidden life.

DAY 11

Thursday 26th November
Today, we make our way by road to Cheow Lan Lake for a relaxing boat ride across the water surrounded by towering limestone karst hills rising almost 1,000m above the lake. We will stop at one of the park's remote islands for a guided wildlife tour where we may encounter friendly wild Asian elephants, hornbills, and gibbons before exploring the incredible Pakarang Cave, celebrated for its intricate stalactites and stalagmites. After dipping our feet in the tranquil waters and taking lunch at a local raft-house beneath the rainforest canopy, we will return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 12

Friday 27th November
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Surat Thani Station to board the Special Express Train for a memorable journey through southern Thailand to the charming town of Hua Hin with lunch served on board. Upon disembarking in Hua Hin, we will step into the historic railway station, adding a nostalgic touch to the experience, before making our way to the Centara Grand Beach Resort for our overnight stay and evening meal.

DAY 13

Saturday 28th November
Today, we journey north along the Gulf of Thailand stopping along the way at Samut Songkhram, home of the fascinating Maeklong Railway Market located on the railway tracks themselves. Afterwards, we visit the nearby Amphawa Floating Market set along the canals with boats laden with fresh produce, seafood, and other goods selling through the bustling waterways. Here, we enjoy lunch together before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ayutthaya where we check in for our two-night stay and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 14

Sunday 29th November
This morning, we will experience one of Asia's lesser known but most captivating railway journeys - the 'Floating Train'. Passing near the Chao Phraya River, the tracks are often close to the water's edge giving the floating feel, and our scenic route takes us across a series of viaducts above the Pasak Chonlasit Reservoir where we will stop at the viewpoint in the middle providing a fantastic photo opportunity of both the train and the stunning surroundings. We will complete the return journey to the hotel this afternoon for an evening at leisure.

DAY 15

Monday 30th November
Today, we will explore the ancient city of Ayutthaya, often referred to as the 'Venice of the East', and we will discover former palaces and temples, gilded structures, and intricate ruins. After enjoying our lunch together at a local restaurant, we continue to Kanchanaburi where we check-in to our hotel in time for our evening meal on the river.

DAY 16

Tuesday 1st December
After breakfast this morning, we will explore a significant chapter of Thailand's history - The Thai Burma Railway known simply and sadly as the 'Death Railway'. Constructed by the Japanese during World War II and employing forced labour consisting of prisoners of war and Asian labourers, this railway became synonymous with suffering and death due to the thousands of casualties during its construction. We will travel directly to the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai and board a historic train to travel alongside the Kwai Noi River enjoying panoramic views before visiting the Hellfire Pass Memorial. After a morning of reflection, we take our lunch at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel spending the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 17

Wednesday 2nd December
This morning, we will visit two poignant testaments starting at the Thai Burma Railway Centre, a museum and research hub that has dedicated over two decades of researching, mapping, and preserving the railway's history. We continue to the JEATH War Museum, one of the first museums to focus on the atrocities of the Death Railway. We return to Kanchanaburi in a long-tail boat ride along the River Kwai, stopping for lunch at one of the floating restaurants along the way. This afternoon, we board one of Thailand's most scenic slow train rides passing through tranquil landscapes and charming stations as we make our way to Bangkok. Here, we transfer to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

DAY 18

Thursday 3rd December
Today, we will explore Bangkok and discover three of the city's most iconic landmarks. Our first stop in the UNESCO listed Wat Pho Temple, home to one of the largest and most impressive Buddha images in the country. We continue to the Grand Palace which once served as the official residence of the Thai kings before completing our tour at the Temple of Dawn with colourful broken porcelain forming floral motifs and mythical creatures across its entire surface. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore before we reconvene this evening for a grand farewell dinner, reflecting on our amazing journey.

DAY 19

Friday 4th December
After our fantastic Southeast Asian adventure, you will make your way to Bangkok Airport for your chosen flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner