Wednesday - Chiang Mai
Board the Eastern & Oriental Express for an afternoon departure. Tea is served as you say goodbye to a country renowned for its rich and colourful history evident in its architecture. Relax in your private compartment before enjoying dinner in one of the restaurants. Overnight onboard the train.
Thursday - Sawankhaloke & Lampang
Breakfast in your compartment before the train arrives at Sawankhaloke. Waiting coaches take you to Si Satchanalai, part of the northernmost citadel of the ancient Khmer empire. Explore the impressive 13th century Bhuddhist temples. Return to the train at Sila At for lunch while you continue your journey through Thailand. Mid afternoon disembark at Lampang for a horse-drawn carriage ride to Baan Sao Nok “the house of many pillars”. Enjoy tea as you tour the house which is built in traditional Lanna Thai style and supported on 116 teak pillars. Return to the E&O to prepare for dinner on board and overnight.
Friday - Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok after breakfast where you disembark.
Transfer to your chosen hotel for a two nights stay. Hotel accomodation is not included in this itinerary
Saturday - Bangkok
Enjoy the day at your leisure.
Sunday - Bangkok
Depart Bangkok’s Hualampong station early evening. Having been welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into your comfortable compartment. Dinner is served as the train travels from city into the countryside with its rice-fields, villages and water buffalo. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom by your steward.
Monday - Wang Po & River Kwai
Awake early in order not to miss the excitement of the train making its way from Wang Po along the wooden trestle viaduct beside a towering cliff.
Later, on arrival at River Kwai Bridge station, the E&O stops to allow you to disembark. Guides escort you on the short walk down to the jetty to board a local raft 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 short ride to the Kanchanaburi railway station to board the Eastern & Oriental Express for lunch. Reflect on the day's sights over dinner and relax with a drink in the Bar Car before retiring for the night.
Tuesday - Penang
After breakfast, served in the comfort of your compartment, the train arrives into Butterworth. Here coaches take you across to Georgetown, capital of Penang, on the local ferry. First stop is the Kho Kongsi clan house for a tour of the main hall and temple built in the baroque style of the late Ch’ng dynasty. This is followed by a trishaw ride through the interesting districts, passing colourful shophouses, elaborately-roofed temples, famous colonial landmarks and churches before stopping at the charming “E&O Hotel” for a refreshing drink in Farquhar's Bar.
Take the short ferry ride back to Butterworth and rejoin the Eastern & Oriental Express. Spend the afternoon watching the passing scenery from one of the lounge cars or from the open deck of the Observation Car. Dine again in one of the opulent dining cars and then spend a relaxing evening in the Bar Car with its resident pianist. Spend your last night on board.
Wednesday - Singapore
All too soon after breakfast it’s time to leave the train, having crossed into Singapore via the causeway of the Straits of Johor.
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