Join the Eastern & Oriental
Express and begin your journey via the
causeway over the Straits of Johor. Relax
in your compartment as you are served
afternoon tea.
Tonight, dress for dinner
and an evening of piano music in the Bar
Car.
Eastern & Oriental Express Train B L D
Days 1-2: USA or Canada/Singapore
Embark on a tour (partially by trishaw)
of colonial Georgetown, Penang, and
Fort Cornwallis. Return to the train
for lunch on board. Venture to the
Observation Car's open deck to see
how the scenery changes as you cross
into Thailand.
Eastern & Oriental Express Train B L D
Day 3: Singapore/Eastern & Oriental Express
Travel by boat along the River Kwai, lined on both sides by lush tropical jungle. Return to the train for lunch on board before arrival in Bangkok at your luxurious hotel overlooking the banks of the broad Chao Phraya River. Look out over this "Venice of the East" to glimpse the waterborne life of the city whose temples honor Buddha and bodhisattvas (enlightened beings) and whose streets are alive with thriving markets. Observe the bustling river traffic and the sun-splashed lines of the canals as they branch out from the
river. Dine this evening aboard a private rice barge as it cruises the Chao Phraya River.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok B L D
Day 4: Eastern & Oriental Express
Visit the
Ananthasamakom Throne and after
lunch, explore the Prasart Museum to
view a private collection of antiques and
artwork, where you may be joined by the
owner.
The next morning, a short boat
ride on the Chao Phraya River takes you
to a temple where you offer the monks
food. In turn, they perform a sacred
chant and offer you a saisin, a symbolic
string that has been blessed and is said to
protect the wearer from harm.
Wander
through the colorful Flower Market,
then explore two of Bangkok's most
interesting temples, the Wat Pho and the
Wat Trimitr. Later, visit the magnificent
Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful
examples of an ancient Siamese Court,
and the Emerald Buddha Temple.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok B L D
Day 5: Eastern & Oriental Express/Bangkok, Thailand
Laos is a charming, slow-moving
country that offers visitors an
unparalleled glimpse of old Southeast
Asia.
Fly to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Travel by boat up
the Mekong River to the caves at Pak
Ou, stopping at small riverside villages.
Visit a local whiskey factory as well
as a weaving village. Then participate
in a traditional baci (ceremony). Wat
Xieng Thong, built in classic Luang
Prabang style, features a low sloping
roof. Inside, richly decorated wooden
columns support a ceiling vested with
dharma wheels.
Visit Wat Xieng Thong
this afternoon before continuing to the
Wat Wisunalat (Wat Vixoun), the oldest
operating temple in Luang Prabang,
and the temples of Phu Si Hill. From the
summit, take in the panoramic vista of
the town below.
La R?sidence Phou Vao B L D
Days 6-7: Bangkok
Fly to Yangon, a handsome city with wide, tree-lined boulevards bordered by fine, stone buildings. The city bustles with small shops selling everything from antique lacquer ware to silver-backed dressing table sets left over from colonial days.
Explore the city and, at sunset, visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, a masterpiece of gilded stupas and stately Buddhas. Afterward, privately visit the home and gallery of art collector Anton Ferwerda.
Oct 15: B D; Oct 16: B L D
The Governor's Residence B L D
Days 8-9: Bangkok/Luang Prabang, Laos
Fly to Bagan, a flat plain dotted with the remains of 2,000 pagodas, temples and stupas; you visit a few of these this afternoon. In the evening, board the deluxe river cruiser MV 'Road To Mandalay,' your floating retreat for the next three days.
MV 'Road to Mandalay' B L D
Days 10-11: Luang Prabang/Bangkok/Yangon, Myanmar
Watch the local life pass by as you
cruise the Ayeyarwady River, enjoying
the comforts and amenities of 'Road To
Mandalay' en route. Explore Mandalay,
Mingun and Sagaing, considered to be
the living center of Buddhist faith.
MV 'Road to Mandalay' B L D
Day 12: Yangon/Bagan - 'Road To Mandalay'
Disembark in
Mandalay, and board a flight to Yangon
to connect to Bangkok and your
homebound flight.
B
Days 13-15: 'Road To Mandalay'
Optional Extension to Cambodia
Fly to
Siem Reap, gateway to the fascinating
Angkor complex.
La R?sidence d'Angkor B D
Day 16: Mandalay/Yangon/Bangkok/ USA or Canada
Explore Angkor
Wat, Banteay Srei and Angkor Thomas
well as the Bayon Temple, the Elephant
Terrace and the romantic Ta Prohm.
La R?sidence d'Angkor B L D
Optional Extension to CambodiaBangkok/Siem Reap
Board your homebound flight.
B
Day 17: Siem Reap
Day 18: Siem Reap/USA or Canada