OVERLAND SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & THAILAND
A cultural tour of Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand

South East Asia is a world all its own. A region that offers an interesting blend of traditional culture and modern technology living side by side. A journey through the three countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand is best done overland according justice to the experience of both the rural countryside and the urban metropolitan cities. We have therefore developed an interesting road-rail combination tour that gives the best of the region in 13 days.

Day 1 Monday: Arrive Singapore
Selmat Datai! We arrive in this world famous metropolis and are warmly greeted and transferred to our hotel. The drive from the airport is in itself the beginning of the wonderful experiences we will have with the people and culture of Singapore.
Overnight: Copthorn King’s, Singapore (2 nights)

Day 2 Tuesday: Singapore
Come on this trail and discover the history, culture and lifestyle of multi-racial Singapore.  Stroll along the colorful streets of Little India and be dazzled by the hive of activity that permeates every nook and cranny of the area.  Then visit the Esplanade, our latest multi-million dollar theatre attraction located in the Marina Bay.  Drive past the Financial District of Chinatown, a place where many of our immigrant forefathers set up home.  Patronize the varied and unique shops and visit the oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore, the magnificent Sri Mariamman Temple.  Last stop is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the “green lung” of our city center, and experience the calm and serenity of this 52 hectares garden.  Located within the grounds of the park is the National Orchild Garden, where you can marvel at the wide variety and colors of Orchids on display.  Tour includes a visit to a jewellery factory you can engage in one of Singaporeans favorite pass time – shopping or simple admire the fine designs of Singapore jewelers. (B)             

Day 3 Wednesday: Singapore / Tampin / Malacca
This morning we are transferred to the railway station for an 0800 hrs departure on an interesting train ride to Tampin without guide on board (train timings are subject to change). Enjoy the rural scenery as the train passes through villages and plantations. Arrive Tampin railway station at 1300 hours. The driver/guide will meet you here and proceed to Malacca. Tour the historic sites such as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple – the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia, Kampung Kling Mosque, Jonker Street (Antique Row), Baba & Nyonya Museum, Stadhuy’s Building, Malacca Clock Tower, Christchurch and the famous Porta de Santiago.
Overnight: Equatorial Hotel, Malacca (B)

Day 4 Thursday: Malacca / Kuala Lumpur
Depart by 0830 hours to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Tour of Kuala Lumpur upon arrival. Places to be visited are King’s Palace (photo stop), National Mosque & Railway Station, National Monument, Independence Square, Sultan Abdul, Samad building (photo stop), Selangor Club (photo stop), St Mary’s Church and the world tallest free-standing flagpole. Continue to visit the Seri Mahamariaman Temple and colorful Chinatown for bargain hunting.  Visit the tallest Communication Tower in South East Asia for a panoramic view of the City
Overnight: Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (2 nights) (B)

Day 5 Friday: Kuala Lumpur
Morning tour of the Countryside visiting the Ambassadors road, a pewter factory, Malaysia is one of the biggest producer of tin, Batu Caves, (except during Thaipusam in Jan/Feb), the sacred cave temple for the Hindus and a batik factory.  Rest of the day at leisure for you to discover the good bargains and cozy cafes and restaurants of Kuala Lumpur, the happening City (B)

Day 6 Saturday: Kuala Lumpur / Cameron Highlands
Depart by 0830 hours for Cameron Highland, which is located at 1542 meters above sea level. Famed for its tea plantations and cool temperatures. On the way, we will stop at visit a basket weaving cottage industry, Lata Iskandar Waterfall and a native settlement. Enjoy the cool, crisp air of Cameron Highlands beside its wonderful scenery.  Tour of Cameron Highlands upon arrival including the tea plantation, tea factory, market place and butterfly farm.
Overnight: Strawberry Park, Cameron Highlands (B)

Day 7 Sunday: Cameron Highlands / Penang
Early morning set off to Penang. En route visit the Sam Poh Tong cave temple. Thereafter stop at the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar for a spell of photographing of the exterior view only of Ubudiah Mosque, Iskandariah Palace and Istana Kenangan. Proceed further to Kuala Sepetang mangrove forest, the best-managed mangrove forest in Malaysia and one that serves a very important ecological role in protecting the coastline from erosion. Delight in the novelty of walking through natural mangrove forest on a boardwalk. Kuala Sepetang produces the bulk of the nation’s top quality mangrove charcoal. Visit a charcoal kiln where charcoals are produced. Cross over to Penang, better known as the “Pearl of the Orient” via one of the longest bridge in the world.
Overnight: Bayview Beach Resort, Penang (2 nights) (B)

Day 8 Monday: Penang
At 0900 hours, we will proceed for a City, Culture, and Heritage tour. Visit first 3rd longest Reclining Buddha in the world, next is the Botanical Gardens which offers lush green surroundings with a wide variety of tropical plants and bird life. Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple built in 1904, the most beautiful and largest Buddha Temple Complex in South East Asia and is known as the Temple of 1000 Buddhas and Fort Cornwallis where Captain Francis Light first landed. Continue to the old part of Georgetown where the Khoo Kong Si Clan House is located. Enjoy a breezy trishaw ride. Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.  In the late evening, you can explore the nightlife along Batu Ferringhi, Penang style! (B)

Day 9 Tuesday: Penang / Butterworth / Thailand (Train)
Transfer to Butterworth to board the international train to Bangkok, departing at 1420 hrs (train timings is subject to change). The journey is unaccompanied. Only 2nd class train tickets are available.
Overnight: on the Train (B)

Day 10 Wednesday: Arrive Bangkok
Expected time of arrival in Bangkok is 1050 hrs.  You will be met & transfer to the hotel for freshen up and relax. Afternoon take an excursion by boat on the canals of Bangkok’s surprisingly rural western suburbs.  Enjoy the natural scenery and observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals.   Stop enroute for an opportunity to take leisurely stroll through vegetable and herb gardens. Carry on by boat to an orchid farm for a short visit.  After passing by a local market continue to the boat-house where the Royal Barges are kept and maintained.  Return to the pier and transfer back to hotel.
Overnight: Amari Atrium, Bangkok (3 nights) (B)

Day 11 Thursday: Bangkok
A tour to visit the splendid Grand Palace complex and the Royal Temple of the Emerald Buddha where varied styles of Thai architecture are delicately woven together to enchant the viewer, see also the Coronation Hall.  Afterwards visit the world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace, on the south side.  It is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples.  Wat Po was built by King Rama 1 nearly 200 years ago and houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha.  This unique image is 46 meters in length and 15 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Then return to hotel.  Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 12 Friday: Bangkok
Bangkok is probably on of the world's greatest shopping areas and today we will have plenty of time for bargain hunting on your own. (B)

Day 13 Saturday: Depart Bangkok
After an interesting overland journey through these three beautiful countries, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Every Monday
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar International Airfare & Airport taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B = Breakfast) Visas / Insurance Domestic train tickets (share basis) Tips / Gratuities All Sightseeing and Transfers on seat-in-coach basis   Entrance Fees to the Sites included in this itinerary   Services of local English speaking guides
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 2860 US $ 895
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.