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Itinerary

Day 1-17

Day 1 - Arrive in Singapore
Fly to Singapore. You will be met at the airport by your Local Guide or National Escort. 
Travel to hotel and check-in.

Day 2 - Singapore
Explore Singapore, the ‘Little Red Dot’ that punches well above its weight. Begin at the orchid garden before a stroll through the Civic District, home to key colonial landmarks such as the former Supreme Court and City Hall. Head to the famous Orchard Road, the city’s famous shopping street, before hopping on a bumboat to get another perspective of the city’s skyscraper-studded skyline. Disembark at Merlion Park in Marina Bay, popular with photographers. Enjoy some free time before this evening’s visit to Gardens by the Bay, a world-famous horticultural park with an incredible Cloud Forest, featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and the Flower Dome. Finish at the SuperTree Grove, an orchard of vertical gardens built in tree-like sculptures. As the night draws in, the trees come alive with an enthralling light and sound display.

Day 3 - Singapore - Malacca
Depart Singapore via the bridge to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, stopping to pass through customs. Take take a road trip to Malacca, passing through the Malay countryside and hearing about the country’s history from your National Escort. Arrive in Malacca in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel. This evening, enjoy an introductory boat trip through the Malacca canals as the sun sets.

Day 4 - Malacca - Kuala Lumpur
Immerse yourself in Malacca’s multifaceted heritage with a tour of its fascinating Stadthuys and Old Town. A blend of empires have left their mark here, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British Empires. Visit the Street of Harmony, where Hindu and Chinese temples sit peacefully alongside a local mosque. Stop by a museum before lunch. Take a one-hour road trip through the Malay countryside to Tampin Station and hop on the two-hour ETS train to Kuala Lumpur, arriving at 17.55. On arrival, check in at your hotel and freshen up before this evening’s street food tour.

Day 5 -  Batu Caves and Kuala Lumpur
Hop on the city metro and head thirty minutes out of town to visit Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most important Hindu temples. Return to Kuala Lumpur and see some city highlights, including Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur’s oldest mosque. Admire the old district’s iconic landmarks, including Sultan Abdul Samad Clock Tower, Independence Square, River of Life and Central Market. Finish up at KL Tower, where you can head up to the Skydeck for views over the city skyline, dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers.

Day 6 -  Kuala Lumpur - Indigenous Village - Cameron Highlands
The morning is at leisure before taking the 11.32 service to Tapah Road, taking two hours. Enjoy lunch before taking a winding road trip through the Cameron Highlands, with a pit stop at Lata Iskandar Waterfall. Stop by an indigenous Orang Asli roadside shop, selling forest honey and handicrafts. If you’re lucky, the village chief will extend an invitation to visit their village and learn about this indigenous community. Check into your hotel in the Cameron Highlands before dinner. 

Day 7 -  Mossy Forest Walk and Train to Penang
Take a relaxed uphill hike to see the Mossy Forest, observing fragile exotic plants such as ferns and pitcher plants. Your reward is the beautiful panoramas at the top of the hill. Afterwards, drive to a tea plantation to learn about local tea production. After lunch, drive down through the valley to reach Ipoh, stopping to see the Mirror Lake. Hop on the 18.26 train to Penang, riding through picturesque countryside and even ‘floating’ briefly as the train crosses Bukit Merah Lake. On arrival, transfer to George Town, home for the next two nights.

Day 8-  George Town and Penang Hill
Spend the morning exploring the streets of George Town, a city rich in heritage. Admire the intricate woodwork and porcelain décor of the local temples before visiting the Penang Peranakan Mansion, which displays hundreds of fascinating antiques. After lunch, head to the foot of Penang Hill, the famous summer resort beloved by the British colonialists of the 19th century. Take the short funicular train to reach the top of the hill, pausing for a cup of tea and a pastry at the century-old bungalow-turned-restaurant. Continue to the Habitat, on the edge of the protected rainforest. Stroll through the trails and look out for rare flora along with wildlife such as dusky leaf monkeys, macaques, and giant squirrels.

Day 9 -  Fly to Phuket – Local Highlights and Thai Street Food
Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your lunchtime flight to Phuket in Thailand. On arrival, embark on a whirlwind journey through this intriguing island, seeing quirky local gems like a roadside donation-based barbershop and a colourful local temple, before enjoying a Thai street food tour. Enjoy local treats such as ‘Khanom Chin’, rice noodles accompanied by a curry of your choice, and ‘Oh Aew’ (shaved ice jelly). As dusk falls, head to the bustling night market, known for its upbeat feel and frequent live music, to sample sticky mango rice and spicy satay skewers.

Day 10 -  James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay
Hop in a speedboat and discover Phang Nga Bay, home to some of Thailand’s most spectacular scenery. Stop by Panak Island and canoe into its mysterious caves to admire the many stalactites. Return to the speedboat and zip around Koh Tapu, or ‘James Bond Island’, lair of the Man With The Golden Gun in the Roger Moore 007 film. Bring a camera for the fantastic photo opportunities of the stunning Phang Nga Bay. Return to Phuket.

Day 11 -  Khao Lak
This morning, you will be transferred to Khao Lak and see the Khuek Khak Temple. Continue to the iconic Big Buddha, situated just outside of Khao Lak. After a scenic drive to the Andaman Viewpoint, enjoy lunch with panoramic views of the countryside and sea. This afternoon, visit the local harbour town of Baan Nam Khem, home to the Tsunami Museum—a poignant memorial dedicated to the people affected by the 2004 tsunami. Lastly, visit Takuapa Old Town, a treasure trove of cultural gems. Admire the ancient Chinese shrine, and marvel at the beauty of the Golden Temple. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.

Day 12 -  Mangrove Experience
Today, you will transfer to the Thaplamu river delta to visit Baan Tha Din Deang village, where you will get to meet the locals for an immersive cultural experience. Enjoy a relaxing kayak journey through the mangroves and find out more about this vital ecosystem and its importance in the fight against global warming. You will then take part in a tie-dye workshop, honouring a local tradition which has been practiced for years using natural dyes. Pause for lunch and enjoy some local dishes. All the food is prepared by the locals and many of the vegetables are grown organically in the village’s hydroponic plantations. Learn more about the village’s former tin mining history as you see some of its remains. Dinner this evening will be at the hotel.

Day 13 -  Surat Thani – Hua Hin by train
This morning, you will be transferred from Khao Lak to Surat Thani train station (approximately 3 hours by coach). Upon arrival take a train to Hua Hin – the journey time is approximately 450km / 5.5 hours, and it offers excellent views as the trains meanders up the coast to the seaside town of Hua Hin. Your lunch will be packed for you to enjoy on the train journey. After being transferred to your hotel, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 14 - WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre – Bangkok
After breakfast, transfer to WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre. Founded by Dutch-born Edwin Wiek in early 2001, the centre is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals previously exploited as pets or within the tourism industry. You will be given an introduction to WFFT’s work followed by a tour of the centre. Your lunch will be overlooking Thailand’s largest elephant enclosure. This afternoon, transfer to Petchaburi Train Station. Take Train No.40 back to Bangkok. The journey is around 170km and will take approximately 2hrs35mins. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening

Day 15 - Kanchanaburi & The Bridge on the River Kwai
Take a day trip to Kanchanaburi, made famous by ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, thousands of Allied POWs and Southeast Asian indentured labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway. Many of the prisoners died under the brutal working conditions, hence the track’s nickname ‘Death Railway’. Learn about their tragic story at the Thai-Burma Railway Museum, then pay respects to the victims at the Allied War Cemetery. Visit Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that cuts through the mountain, before taking a 40-minute ride on the Death Railway – a journey that will take you across the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Return to Bangkok, arriving early in the evening and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Day 16 - Bangkok City Highlights & Afternoon at Leisure
Enjoy a half-day tour taking in Bangkok’s finest attractions and journey around the city’s fascinating canal network. Start at the magnificent Grand Palace, a sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest architecture in the country. Explore the vast grounds and dazzling buildings, including the highly revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Afterwards, head across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok and home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. Stop by the amulet market before lunch and hear about Buddhist beliefs in the protection and blessings provided by these charms. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore more of Bangkok independently before a farewell dinner to mark the end of your tour.

Day 17-18- Bangkok 
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is bookable in advance for those who have chosen a later flight option. Any time before your transfer is at leisure to explore Bangkok.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions apply: All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise, and inclusive of all taxes and discounts. All prices & itineraries are current as at  11 October  2024 & subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change due to availability, currency fluctuations, fuel price, and tax increases. Price includes any stated bonus nights, upgrades & package savings, if applicable. All passports, visas, travel permits, and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice, based in economy class from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth and are subject to the carriers' flight schedules and conditions. Airfares are based on the lowest available fare, which comes with strict conditions i.e. non-refundable or non-changeable. Please ask your consultant for pricing on flexible fare options that allow cancellations and/or amendments at a fee. Please call us for prices from other airports. Travel packages advertised may include multiple products provided by several suppliers to provide a travel itinerary. Each component of the package will be treated independent of each other, and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. Hotels may charge resort fees, or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in.