Thursday - Singapore
The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Singapore’s
Keppel Road station in the morning. Having been
welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into
your compartment. Enjoy the passing scenery as the
train crosses to Malaysia via the causeway of the
Straits of Johor. Lunch is served in one of the
opulent dining cars. Dress for dinner and then spend
a relaxing evening in the Bar Car in the company of
our resident pianist. During the evening, the E&O
pauses at Kuala Lumpur’s magnificent Moorish-style
station where you may disembark for a stroll.
Retire to your compartment which has been
transformed into a cosy bedroom.
Friday - Penang
Breakfast is taken in your compartment before
arriving in Butterworth. Here coaches take you
across to colonial Georgetown, capital of Penang, on
the local ferry. Enjoy a guided introductory tour
with pre-World War II mosques, elaborately-roofed
temples, churches, bazaars and colourful shophouses. Reboard
the waiting coaches for the short ferry ride back to
Butterworth and the Eastern & Oriental Express for
lunch. As the train crosses into Thailand spend the
afternoon watching the changing scenery from the
open deck of the Observation Car or relax in the
comfort of the Saloon Car. Dinner is served in the
sumptuous dining car.
Saturday - River Kwai & Bangkok
After breakfast E&O arrives at the River Kwai Bridge
station where the train stops to allow you to
disembark. Guides escort you on the short walk down
to the jetty to board a local craft for a cruise
along the lush greenery of the picturesque Kwai Yai
river, passing under the Bridge. On board, a local
historian provides a brief overview of the history
of the Thailand-Burma railway and the bridge. At
the E&O landing point board a motor coach for a
brief trip past the North Temple and Chinese
Cemetery to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre. As
you explore the informative museum, the historian is
available to answer questions. There is time to
visit the Don Rak War Cemetery adjacent to the
museum if you wish.
Rejoin the coach
for the transfer to Kanchanaburi railway station
from where your E&O journey continues with lunch.
Arrive into Bangkok in the afternoon.
The journey ends in Bangkok, where guests are based
at the Mandarin Oriental with its spectacular pier.
Early morning breakfasts are by the pier - one of
the memorable features of a stay at the Mandarin
Oriental Bangkok.
We could tailor your itinerary in Bangkok that could
include visiting the blindingly magnificent palaces,
lunch in a remote garden requiring a long, leisurely
boat ride, trawling through the finds of the night
bazaars or catching a performance at the Joe Louis
Puppet Theatre.
This journey combines well with a trip to Bhutan,
Bangkok being the most convenient entry point to
this unique Himalayan kingdom. For those looking to
extend their stay in Thailand, Urbane Nomads is able
to tailor-make itineraries that could involve
luxurious getaways in a luxury tent with private
dipping pool a mere two hours' drive (although the s
