BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE
(2 NIGHTS)

Day 1
The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Bangkok's Hualampong station mid-morning. Having been welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into your compartment. Brunch is served as the train travels out of the city into the countryside with its rice-fields, villages and water buffalo.

Day 2
Breakfast is served in the comfort of your compartment. Spend the morning watching the passing scenery from one of the lounge cars or from the open deck of the Observation Car. On arrival in Butterworth, you depart on the guided excursion to colonial Georgetown, Penang, which includes an introductory tour of this historic town and Fort Cornwallis. Along Weld Quay, you will see traditional houses built on stilts over the water - some of Penang's oldest residences. The labyrinths of narrow streets through Chinatown reveal colourful colonial architecture and lively local markets. Disembark the coach for a walking tour of the local market street. A visit is made to a Chinese clan house before boarding a fleet of trishaws for a ride back through the colourful narrow streets, passing a Chinese temple before returning to the ferry terminal. Board the waiting coaches for the short ferry ride back to Butterworth and the Eastern & Oriental Express. Dress for dinner 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.

Day 3
After breakfast relax in your compartment or one of the lounge cars while watching the train cross to Singapore via the causeway of the Straits of Johor. Arrival into Singapore is mid morning.

SINGAPORE-BANGKOK
(2 NIGHTS)

Day 1
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 cozy bedroom.

Day 3
After breakfast E&O arrives at the River Kwai where you disembark for a visit to the infamous Bridge. The first version of the bridge, completed in 1943, was all wood and was situated 200 m upstream. Later the same year, in April 1943, a second steel bridge was built. The bridge was bombed several times during 1945 and was only rebuilt after the conclusion of the war. The curved portions of today's bridge are original. Pierre Boulle's novel and subsequent film gave the "Bridge over the River Kwai" particular international awareness. A good photo opportunity is provided as the train proceeds over the Bridge and then returns 5 minutes later.
You then board a traditional large floating barge for a cruise along the "Kwai Yoi" and "Kwai Noi" rivers. During the hour-long sailing, observe the many splendid Thai teakwood houses amidst peaceful scenery. Disembark the raft for a short visit to the Chung Kai cemetery. Honouring World War II soldiers, this cemetery is well preserved and peaceful. It is full of frangipani trees, which Thais plant only at temples or cemeteries and do not allow in their homes.

A short coach ride transfers you past sugar cane fields, the North Temple, Vietnamese temple, Chinese cemetery and Don Rak war cemetery to rejoin the train at Kanchanaburi main station, from where your E&O journey continues with lunch. Arrival in Bangkok is mid afternoon.

Day 2 Saturday
Breakfast is served in your compartment before a morning visit to the local Thai village of Lampang. Lampang is one of Thailand's most attractive provincial capitals, having retained a number of its old wooden buildings. Horse-drawn carriages, the town's symbol, are still used as taxis rather than the tuk-tuk. Established in the 7th century, Lampang became a prosperous trading centre with a wealth of ornate and well-endowed wats. The influence of the Burmese is clearly reflected in the architecture of some of the more important wats. Lampang also has a number of interesting secular buildings. The old wooden railway station is a charming point of arrival and departure, while the streets off Boonyawat Road contain a number of traditional Northern-style wooden houses. Soak up the atmosphere before returning to the Eastern & Oriental Express for lunch.
Afternoon arrival in Chiang Mai., Thailand's second largest city and a major centre for traditional handicrafts.

Singapore - Bangkok - departs Wednesdays.
A 2 night /3 day journey offering the traditional Eastern & Oriental Express experience. It includes off-train excursions to Georgetown, Penang, in Malaysia and to the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - departs Fridays
A 1 night /1 day journey through rural Thailand pausing for a brief visit to a local Thai village along the way. This offers a taste of the Eastern & Oriental Express experience for those who don't have time to take the longer journey.