Eastern & Oriental Express & The Riches of the Mekong

Enjoy included airport lounge access before your overnight flight from the UK to Singapore.

Arrive in Singapore where you’ll be met and transferred to the luxurious Fullerton Hotel Located just a stone’s throw from Marina Bay, you’ll have all the city’s sights on your doorstep, while the hotel itself features a gorgeous infinity pool, several excellent restaurants and an indulgent spa. It’s the perfect spot to ease any jetlag before you enjoy a full day to explore at your leisure. Be sure not to miss the vibrant neighbourhoods of China Town and Little India with their bustling market stalls, colourful temples and excellent restaurants. Then, explore the city’s green areas, from vast nature reserves to the spectacular Botanical Gardens and iconic Supertrees.

Transfer to Singapore’s Woodlands Station today to begin an unforgettable journey on the Eastern & Oriental Express, one of the world’s most luxurious trains. Stepping aboard the famous green and cream carriages, you’ll enter a world of cherrywood-panelled refinement, all fine marquetry and rich embroidery. Settle into your air-conditioned cabin and relax as the train rushes through verdant landscapes en route to the tangled jungles of Taman Negara where the Malayan tiger roams. This evening, enjoy the first of your included meals in the opulent restaurant car, then head to the bar car for a night cap.

In Taman Nagara, you’ll learn about Eastern & Oriental’s ongoing partnership with the charity, Save Wild Tigers, and join local guides to explore this big cat’s habitat. You’ll then head on, via Kuala Lumpur’s iconic towers, to the east coast town of Butterworth, gateway to the island of Penang.

Here, you'll be treated to a choice of excursions designed to showcase Malaysia’s cultural melting pot. Art lovers can explore Georgetown Old Quarter with a guide, delving into temples, a contemporary studio and an opera and puppet house. Foodies can embark on a discovery of Peranakan cooking, purchasing specialities from spice and grocery stores before mastering delicious local dishes in a cookery class. Or, for those who prefer to explore independently, there's the chance to hop on a tri-shaw, complete with driver and a map, to wind through Georgetown’s historic streets and visit its attractions at your whim. Rejoin the train at Butterworth for a convivial final evening on board with sublime cuisine and fabulous entertainment.

Enjoy breakfast in your cabin or the Dining Car as you travel through the southernmost state of Johor, known for its beaches and rainforest. Soon afterwards, the train arrives in Singapore, where you’ll disembark and take a private transfer to the Fullerton Hotel for an overnight stay.

A morning transfer will see you back to Singapore’s Changi Airport in time to catch your flight north to Siem Reap. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel where you’ll stay for the next three nights. This evening, perhaps head out for dinner and explore the city’s lively markets as you ease into life amid the bustle of Cambodia’s second-largest city.

Stay: Siem Reap accommodation

Enjoy two action-packed days exploring the iconic Angkor Temples, from the smiling stone faces of Angkor Tom to the jungle-shrouded Ta Phrohm, its ruins wrapped in the roots of giant trees. Then, alongside an afternoon tour of Banteay Srei – the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art ¬– you’ll be treated to a traditional Apsara dance show at your hotel. You’ll then end your time in Siem Reap with an in-depth exploration of Angkor Wat – a 12th-century masterpiece of Khmer architecture and one of the most famous sights in world travel.

Stay: Siem Reap accommodation

After breakfast, a coach transfer will see you to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham, the starting point of your Mekong river cruise. Before you set sail, enjoy an excursion to the Twin Mountains, Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). Legend has it that these mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the sexes in an ancient Cambodian kingdom to decide which side should be responsible for wedding proposals. This evening, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Dinner on board.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

Arrive in Angkor Ban this morning where a walking tour will introduce you to one of the few villages that survived the destructive brutality of the Khmer Rouge. Wander between its stilted wooden houses and learn about the locals’ traditional way of life before heading to Oknhatey, known as the ‘Silk Island,. Located on the banks of the Mekong, silk-weaving is inextricably linked to this village, which is celebrated for its rich tradition of this craft. Visit a local primary school to observe this traditional art, which has been preserved and passed down for centuries.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

As you sail towards Phnom Penh, you’ll stop in Oudong, which served as Cambodia’s royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866 and serves today as a point of pilgrimage for Cambodians. You’ll be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery, and then you can choose to either stroll around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour for incredible panoramic views of the Oudong Plain.

An authentic experience awaits in the port town of Kampong Tralach: an oxcart ride through the local village. Then, in the afternoon, a tuk tuk ride through Phnom Penh reveals the enchanting nature of this city. You can’t help but be charmed by the blending of French Colonial architecture and monumental Angkorian structures. This evening, you’ll be treated to something really special in the Saigon Lounge: Khmer folk dancing performed by local children.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

This morning is a sobering but important reminder of Cambodia’s troubled history as you visit Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields followed by the Khmer Rouge’s Tuol Sleng S21 detention centre, now a Genocide Museum.

Return to your ship for lunch onboard, and then visit the highlights of Phnom Penh. This culminates in a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, where you’ll view their singular collection of Khmer crafts. If you’d rather do a bit of shopping, visit the bustling Central Market after the Royal Palace.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

Today you’ll make the border crossing into Vietnam as the AmaDara sails towards the Mekong Delta. Take the chance to relax on board as the riverine scenery drifts slowly by.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

Tan Chau is a small Mekong River town unspoilt by tourism. Ride a traditional ‘xe-loi’ (trishaw) around town for an authentic local experience. Along the way, stop at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. Alternatively, you can choose to take your trishaw to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to ‘Evergreen Island.’

If neither of these options suit, visit Tram Chim National Park to explore this wetland area by boat, gliding along the inland waterway as you discover its unique ecosystem. This option is perfect for bird lovers—keep your eye out for the highly vulnerable sarus crane.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

Visit the Mekong Delta town of Sa Dec where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. While here, take the time to visit Cao Dai Temple, a colourful market home to the unique religion of Caodaism, which is essentially a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

Later on, board a local boat to make your way to Cai Be. On arrival, you’ll have your choice of enriching activities for the day. Visit candy and rice paper-making workshops to learn about these important parts of the local economy. If you want to get a bit more active, you can add a brisk walk to the historic Kiet House to this excursion.

Stay: AmaDara (Deluxe)

Disembark in My Tho this morning and transfer by coach to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. This afternoon, you’ll join a guided city tour, taking in everything from the grand Notre Dame Cathedral to bustling Ben Thanh Market and the fascinating War Remnants Museum. The following day, you’ll encounter more reminders of the Vietnam War as you head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong in their fierce battles against the South Vietnamese and US armies.

Stay: Ho Chi Minh City accommodation

Transfer to the airport this morning for your overnight flight to the UK.