Jewels of South East Asia 2012

South East Asia Escorted Tour - 24 Days

There is a good reason why we call this tour the Jewels of South East Asia – at every turn you will discover exotic gems. We’ve combined Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos to bring you an abundance of culture, legend, architecture, nature and unmatched hospitality.

Holiday highlights
   -A comprehensive tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
   -Sightseeing tour of cosmopolitan Singapore.
   -The seaside city in of Malacca in Malaysia, offers an eclectic mix of influences – nowhere else will you find Chinese antique dealers in colonial Dutch houses.
   -Our tour of Kuala Lumpur reveals the fascinating contrasts between old and new.
   -Unwind amongst the sprawling tea plantations in the breath-taking Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.
   -Experience the endearing old world charm and beautiful beaches of Penang.
   -Overnight journey to Bangkok on the luxurious
   -Eastern & Oriental Express which recaptures the golden age of rail travel.
   -A tour of Bangkok’s temples and palaces.
   -The capital city of Siem Reap in north-western Cambodia and the immense walled city of Angkor Thom with its beautifully intricate architecture.

   -Discover the museums and shrines of Luang Prabang, Laos.
   -A visit to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand and the famous Golden Triangle, discovering two surviving hill tribes in the area.

Extend Your Tour
At the end of your tour, why not make the most of your holiday by extending your stay with a visit to a different region to experience something different?

Krabi

Day 1
Fly from Bangkok to Krabi and transfer to the Centara Grand Beach Resort for a four-night stay. You’ll stay in a deluxe garden view room on bed and breakfast.
Days 2, 3 & 4

Relax and enjoy your resort surrounded by limestone rock formations and its own private beach.
Day 5

Transfer back to Krabi airport for your flight to Bangkok and onwards to London.
From £895 per person Single supplements on request

Day 1 Departure from London Heathrow
Join your Tour Manager and fellow travel companions in the executive lounge at London Heathrow ready to board your Qantas flight to Singapore.
Meals: In-flight

Day 2 Arrive in Singapore
Today we arrive in Singapore, considered the heart of South East Asia and the starting point for our tour of this fascinating region. This evening there’s a chance to get to know your Tour Manager and travel companions over welcome drinks.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: Swissôtel Stamford

Day 3 Singapore
After breakfast we commence our tour of this diverse and cosmopolitan city. Spectacular modern buildings contrast with traditional sights like Thian Hock Keng Temple, Little Indian and Chinatown. A change of scenery follows as we explore the National Orchid Garden filled with beautiful floral displays, some as rare as they are exotic. The remainder of the day is yours to relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Swissôtel Stamford

Day 4 Singapore to Malacca
After breakfast, we cross the sea via the long causeway connecting Singapore to Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Our journey takes us past seemingly endless lush rubber and palm plantations before we reach the seaside city of Malacca. On arrival in historic Malacca we begin our tour of the major attractions of St Paul’s Hill, also known as Bukit Saint Paul. The small gateway of Porta De Santiago, or Gate of St James, is the only remaining gateway to the fortress built by the Portuguese back in 1511. We will also make time to discover Cheng Hoon Teng, Malacca’s oldest Chinese temple.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Majestic Hotel

Day 5 Malacca to Kuala Lumpar
This morning we head north to Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. The city has some of the tallest buildings in Asia, historic mosques and temples, modern shopping malls and typical Malay traders’ stalls. On arrival there will be a tour of the city, which includes Independence Square, the location of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Royal Selangor Club, the Petronas Twin Towers and the railway station – all showcasing the mixture of eastern and western architecture for which Kuala Lumpur is famous. We then check into the Grand Millennium Hotel for a twonight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Grand Millennium

Day 6 Kuala Lumpar
Our tour continues as we travel into the northern suburbs of Kuala Lumpar to the Batu Caves, one of the greatest Hindu religious sites outside India. There are 272 steps leading up to the cave and you may spot one of the many monkeys that scale the vertical cliff faces. En route we will be making a stop to see how Malaysian handicrafts – batiks and pewter wares – are created. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping, to enjoy the sights of Kuala Lumpur or just to relax at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Grand Millennium

Day 7 Kuala Lumpar to Cameron Highlands
There’s a change of scenery today as we head north out of the city into the state of Perak, and into the beautiful Cameron Highlands – the ‘green bowl’ of the country.
This is the centre of Malaysian tea production and takes you to an altitude 1500-1800 metres above sea level. The cooler temperatures are part of the reason why this is an extremely fertile area with vegetables growing in profusion and flowers blooming everywhere. We have the opportunity to meet the ‘Orang Asli’ (original people) and learn about their history and lifestyle. Lunch follows at a highland restaurant. No trip to this region would be complete without a tour around one of the tea plantations. We make time to visit the factory to learn all about the tea making process and finish off the experience with a freshly made cup of tea. Suitably refreshed we make our way to the beautiful Cameron Highlands Resort, your hotel for the next three nights. We have arranged for all of us to have dinner together this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Cameron Highlands Resort

Day 8 Cameron Highlands
Today is at leisure, so take advantage the picturesque, tranquil location. Enjoy a relaxing walk through the peaceful hills, jungle trails, strawberry farms or a tea plantation. The hotel boasts an excellent Spa Village should you wish to indulge.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Cameron Highlands Resort

Day 9 Cameron Highlands
Continue to unwind in the relaxing ambience of the Cameron Highlands. Jim Thompson’s Tea Room is popular for those wishing to have a traditional English-style afternoon tea, offering a wide selection of teas, finger sandwiches and scones.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Cameron Highlands Resort

Day 10 Cameron Highlands to Penang
After breakfast we take the pleasant drive downhill and northwards to Ipoh – ‘the city of millionaires’. Ipoh made its fortune from the rich tin mines of Kinta Valley. As we make our way there, we visit Kellie’s Castle built by the Scottish rubber tycoon William Kellie Smith – the abandoned castle is allegedly haunted and there is a fascinating story to tell here.
We then visit famous Cave Temples in Ipoh up in the limestone hills of Kinta Valley. Lunch at a local restaurant follows before we make our way to Penang. We cross the Penang Bridge to the island of Penang – spanning 13.5km this is the longest bridge in Asia and third longest in the world. On arrival in Georgetown, we check in to the colonial Eastern & Oriental Hotel, where you will enjoy a two-night stay. Dinner this evening has been organised at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Day 11 Penang
The day is yours to spend as you please. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then perhaps head out into Georgetown for a little exploration.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Day 12 Penang to River Kwai
Say goodbye to Malaysia as we climb aboard the truly fabulous Eastern & Oriental Express from Butterworth Station toBangkok – a truly memorable experience! On board you can look forward to personal service and beautifully appointed cabins which are air conditioned with en suite facilities. Gourmet lunch and dinner are served in the two Restaurant Cars, each lavishly decorated with rosewood and elm panelling. You will be able to admire the changing scenery from the open deck of the observation car. Thailand is brimming over with mountain scenery and incredible flora and fauna, from fruit trees to orchids.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Eastern & Oriental Express

Day 13 River Kwai to Bangkok
Arrive at the River Kwai Bridge Station where we disembark to take a cruise past the river's lush greenery and dramatic gorge. There is an excursion to the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and time to visit the Don Rak War Cemetery before we return to our beautiful carriage. Enjoy lunch on board as we cross the historic bridge at the River Kwai. In the afternoon we arrive in Bangkok and to your hotel, where the rest of the day will be at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Royal Orchid Sheraton

Day 14 Bangkok
Today we visit the Grand Palace, which was once the home of the Kings of Thailand. The grounds of the enormous complex comprises of many buildings such as the Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation Hall. There is also Wat Phra Keo, also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s holiest religious sites. It is actually carved from one piece of nephrite jade. We then visit the nearby Wat Phra Chetuphen where we see Thailand’s largest Reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Royal Orchid Sheraton

Day 15 Bangkok to Siem Reap
Today we board our morning flight to the city of Siem Reap in north-western Cambodia. On arrival, we tour the capital of this province and the gateway to the world famous heritage site of the Angkor temples.The walled city Angkor Thom was established in the 12th Century, and there is a rich history to discover here. We visit the Terrace of the Leper King, an intricately carved platform which was the royal crematorium. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. This is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Then we walk or take an elephant ride (at extra cost) up the steep and winding road to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng to see the sunset cast its soft light over Angkor Wat before checking into our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: De La Paix

Day 16 Siem Reap
An early start this morning for an unforgettable sight: sunrise over Angkor Wat. Over a picnic breakfast, we’ll enjoy the temple’s magnificence in peace and quiet. Intricate carvings, perhaps the world’s longest unbroken piece of art – tell tales of Hindu mythology and the Khmer empire. Finally we reach the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: De La Paix

Day 17 Siem Reap to Luang Prabang
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we take our lunchtime flight to Luang Prabang in central Laos. Our hotel is situated in the beautiful grounds of the Xiengkeo Palace.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Grand Luang Prabang

Day 18 Luang Prabang
Enjoy breakfast before we take you on a half-day city tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour begins with a visit to the Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 during the French colonial era and now containing a rich range of artefacts. We also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai as well as the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground. We then return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Grand Luang Prabang

Day 19 Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Thailand and the city of Chiang Rai. En route to our hotel, we visit the picturesque Wieng Pa Pao district which is surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. We also stop off at Mae Ka Chan hot springs and the famous White Temple – Wat Rong Khun – an unconventional Buddhist and Hindu temple, having only been built as recently as 1997. We check in to the Anantara Resort. Catch up over dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Anantara Resort

Day 20 Chiang Rai
A day of discovery lies ahead, as we pass through the Golden Triangle – long an infamous opium smugglers haven – where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet at Sob Ruak. We take to the mighty Mekong River for a cruise to the old capital city of Chiang Saen which dates back to 1260AD and is located at the southern most point of the Golden Triangle. There is a fascinating history to unravel here as well as many ancient, magnificent ruins and temples to explore. We visit Chiang Saen Museum and the temple of the teak forest, Wat Pa Sak Ngarm, as well as the restored temple of Wat Phrathat Chom Kitti with its superb hillside location overlooking the Mekong River.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Anantara Resort

Day 21 Chiang Rai
This morning we’ll visit two of the remaining hill tribe villages. The Akha are particularly known for the artistry of their village gates, whilst the Padong – of whom only around 7,000 remain – have heavy brass coils which the women fit around their necks to give them an elongated look.
Then our journey takes us to Doi Tung, which is 2,000 meters above sea level and known by the locals as Thailand’s Switzerland. Lunch is included in this inspirational area before returning to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Anantara Resort

Day 22 Chiang Rai
Enjoy the day at your beautiful hotel or explore further. Your Tour Manager will be delighted to advise you on areas to visit in the area. This evening we have our final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 23 Depart Chiang Rai via Bangkok
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we transfer to the airport for our late afternoon flight to Bangkok and then onwards to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 24 Arrive London Heathrow
Today we arrive back at Heathrow armed with many wonderful stories to share with friends and family.
Meals: Inflight