Singapore to Bangkok by Rail

Fly to Singapore. You will be met at the airport by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, travel to your hotel and check in. Any time before this evening's dinner and welcome briefing is at leisure to explore.

Explore Singapore, the 'Little Red Dot' that punches well above its weight. Begin at the orchid garden before a walking tour of Civic District, with its beautiful colonial landmarks. 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. Enjoy some free time before this evening's visit to the Sky Garden. Finish at the SuperTree Grove, an orchard of vertical gardens built in tree-like sculptures. Return to your hotel after dinner.

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.

Immerse yourself in Malacca's multifaceted heritage with a tour of its fascinating Old Town, where a blend of empires have left their mark. Visit the Street of Harmony, where Hindu and Chinese temples sit peacefully alongside a local mosque, and stop by a local craft museum before lunch. Later, drive 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.

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, the 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.

The morning is at leisure before taking the 11.32 service to Tapah Road, taking two hours. Enjoy lunch before a scenic road trip into the Cameron Highlands, with a refreshing pit stop at Lata Iskandar Waterfall. Stop by an indigenous Orang Asli roadside shop, selling forest honey and tribal handicrafts. If you're lucky, the village chief will extend an invitation to visit their village. Check into your hotel in the Cameron Highlands before dinner.

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. Drive down through the valley to reach Ipoh. 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 your hotel in Georgetown, home for the next two nights.

Spend the morning exploring the streets of Georgetown, a city rich in heritage. Admire the intricate décor of the local temples before visiting the Penang Peranakan Mansion to see its fascinating antiques. After lunch, head to the foot of Penang Hill and ride 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 and ascend to reach a canopy walkway through the edge of the protected rainforest. Stroll through the trails and look out for rare flora and fauna.

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 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 vibes and frequent live music, to sample sticky mango rice and spicy satay skewers.

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 your hotel in Phuket.

Head north to Khao Lak and visit the Tsunami Museum, a poignant memorial dedicated to the people affected by the 2004 tsunami. Continue to Takua Pa and explore its old town, a treasure trove of cultural gems, before returning to Khao Lak. Check in at your hotel at the edge of the national park, your home for the next two nights. Take some time to refresh before dinner.

Drive to the Thaplamu river delta for an immersive cultural experience at Baan Tha Din Deang village. Enjoy a relaxing kayak journey through the mangroves, and find out more about this vital eco-system before pausing for a locally-prepared lunch in the village. Learn more about Baan Tha Din Deang's former tin mining industry as you explore some of its remains. Return to Khao Lak in the afternoon.

This morning, you will be transferred from Khao Lak to Surat Thani train station. The train takes around 5.5 hours, but offers excellent views as it meanders up the coast to the seaside town of Hua Hin. Transfer to your hotel and relax until dinner.

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.

Take a day trip to Kanchanaburi,. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, thousands of Allied POWs and indentured Asian labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma 'Death Railway'; many of the prisoners died under brutal conditions. Uncover their story at the Railway Museum before paying your respects at the Allied War Cemetery. Visit the dramatic Hellfire Pass 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.

Discover Bangkok's highlights with a morning city tour. Begin at the magnificent Grand Palace, a sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest architecture in the country. Explore the grounds and their 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 home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. The temple is considered the first public university in the Kingdom, and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. 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.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.