SUMMARY

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the pristine waters of Koh Samui, this 15-day trip lets you soak up all the natural beauty and city life highlights of South East Asian gems – Thailand, Maylasia and Singapore. You’ll cycle through rural villages to waterfalls, laze on the palm-fringed beaches of islands and eat your way through Penang. Stay with the locals at a homestay in Phrom Lok and tuck into some delicious home-cooked Thai food. Visit temples, take street food tours and enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventures. If this trip was a dish, it would taste like Singapore’s chilli crab – full of spice and flavour, with plenty of time by the sea.

TOTAL DURATION : 15 Days

GROUP SIZE : MIN 1 MAX 16

TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES

START : Bangkok

END : Singapore

COUNTRIES VISITED : Malaysia,Singapore,Thailand

Validity : 01 JAN 2024 To 31 DEC 2024

Day :1

Location : Bangkok

Sawasdee! Welcome to Bangkok. Thailand’s capital is a chaotic hub of markets, shops and scooters... so many scooters. It’s a colourful place full of things to do and see, so it’s definitely recommended that you arrive a day or two early to experience everything. Your South East Asian adventure starts with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, but if you arrive early, why not take a walk around Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road or indulge in a Thai massage?

Day :2

Location : Bangkok – Overnight Train

Wake up to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok this morning. Today, you’ll visit Wat Pho – or ‘the temple of the reclining Buddha’. This is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok and as well as the huge reclining statue, this wat is home to over a thousand images of Buddha. Wander around the complex and then take a ferry to Wang Lang Market. Next to Chao Phraya River, the local market is home to food, handicrafts and clothes. After wandering the market, take the ferry back across the river and wander through the leafy riverside district of Tha Maharaj, maybe grabbing some lunch. Tonight, you’ll hop on an overnight train to Surat Thani.

Day :3

Location : Ko Samui

This morning you’ll arrive in Surat Thani in the early hours before hopping on a local bus and a ferry to the gorgeous Koh Samui. Thailand’s second-largest island is known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest. With your local leader, you’ll enjoy a half day tour around the island, before settling into island life in the afternoon. Relax on the beach, go cocktail hunting or maybe just find the best spot to park yourself for sunset – the nightly display of colour should not be missed!

Day :4

Location : Ko Samui

Today is a free day in island paradise. Maybe a day of relaxing by the sea is calling your name, or maybe you’d like to head out for an island sightseeing tour. Explore coastal beach spots or go searching for the many arms of the deities at Wat Plai Laem Temple. Foodies might like to take on a cooking class and learn how to dish up some of Thai cuisine. Day trips are also available, like a visit to Anthong National Marine Park or a full day snorkelling trip around Koh Nang Yuan. Your local leader will be on hand to help you choose your own adventure.

Day :5

Location : Phrom Lok Homestay

Say goodbye to the palm trees, silky sands and bright waters of Koh Samui this morning. When you arrive back on the mainland, you’ll take a private transfer to the Phrom Lok District, where you’ll stay tonight during a unique homestay experience. Meet the local villagers and immerse yourself in local life as you take on their daily activities and gain an insight into their culture. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch together, then hop on two wheels for a cycling adventure around the community. Cycle to Phrom Lok Waterfall and cool off with a swim (depending on the season), then discover Phrom Khiri District, passing the locals and their leafy surrounds. Tonight, you’ll tuck into an authentic home-cooked dinner of southern Thai food, then you’ll try your hand at the art of Batik painting (a textile technique that uses wax and dye to create patterns on pieces of fabric).

Day :6

Location : Ao Nang

Tuck into breakfast with the locals this morning, then head out on the bike again to visit a local mushroom farm, rubber plantation and see a grass broom making demonstration. After, refuel with lunch back at the village, then say goodbye to your hosts and head to Ao Nang. This resort town is known for its gorgeous beaches, colourful sunsets and limestone islands that jut out from the still seas. You’ll have free time from the late afternoon to soak in the beauty of the sky as the sun goes down – maybe ask your leader where the best spot for a local feed or a couple of beers might be and enjoy the balmy evening.

Day :7

Location : Ao Nang

You’ll have a free day for beach activities in Ao Nang today. You can opt to go sea kayaking around the limestone islands, rock climbing on the nearby mountains and cliffs, or take a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. Anything you choose today is sure to be full of stunning scenery, and you can always your ask your leader for tips if you’re feeling spoiled for choice.

Day :8

Location : Penang

Today, you’ll say goodbye to the beauties of Thailand. Next stop – Malaysia! Today will be a long travel day, but it’s a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a little better, play some road trip games or get stuck into a good book. After border formalities, hop in a private transfer to Penang, Malaysia's prized island. Known for its gorgeous coastline and Georgetown area – a cool, World Heritage-listed blend of religious sites – this place is also serious about its street food! Head out with your leader tonight on a tour of the best local haunts and pick up some delicious specialties. You might snag an ice kacang (a dessert made with crushed ice, syrup and a mixture of jellies, nuts and sweet beans), a hearty nasi kandar (steamed rice accompanied by curries, fried chicken, seafood or vegetables) or the popular char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles). After, maybe head out for an optional bar crawl with the gang.

Day :9

Location : Penang

Today, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the Georgetown area, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to check out the shophouses, Penang Museum, street art and clan jetties. When you’ve got your bearings, the rest of the day is yours. You might like to get your heart rate up with a testing hike up Penang Hill, where the views are oh-so-worth the effort. Or perhaps check out Kek Lok Si (the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia), Khoo Kongsi (amazingly ornate and one of the oldest clan houses in Malaysia), or Cheong Fat Tze Museum (fascinating if you have an interest in Feng Shui), then go looking for some more delicious food. This place is famous for its cuisine, and it’s all thanks to the many cultures that have lived side-by-side for ages.

Day :10

Location : Cameron Highlands

Today, you’ll hop in a private vehicle to the Cameron Highlands, stopping at the city of Ipoh along the way. This city looks like it comes right out of an anime movie, with its dramatic rock formations, caves and the ornate Perak Cave Temple. Spend some time wandering around and then carry on to the highlands, making your way into the undulating green hills. This area is beyond gorgeous, and you’ll have a leisurely afternoon to choose how to best explore it. Maybe head on an optional sightseeing tour, which visits the local tea plantation and factory, a strawberry farm, a honey bee farm, a rose garden, a Buddhist temple and the market square. Otherwise, maybe just settle into your accommodation and soak in the panoramic views of deep greens.

Day :11

Location : Kuala Lumpur

Wake up to the lush surroundings of the highlands this morning and maybe take up an optional adventure through Mount Brinchang, trekking through the Mossy Forest and ending up in a cute strawberry farm (this is a great opportunity to fill your Instagram feed with some lush pics!). This afternoon, you’ll take a public bus to Malaysia's capital – Kuala Lumpur. If you're still feeling up for a little adventure when you arrive, you might like to head out to a bar with a view and take in the city’s lights over a cocktail. Be sure to try and find one with a view of the mighty Petronas Towers, which come to life under the lights of night.

Day :12

Location : Kuala Lumpur

Today is a free day to explore Kuala Lumpur at your own pace. Maybe you’d like to head out of the city and visit the famous Batu Caves. Check out the tall Murugan statue and the colourful steps that lead up to the limestone karsts (but be careful of the mischievous monkeys!) When you’re hungry, your leader can show you where to find some of the best roti in the city. You can hit Bukit Bintang (for restaurants and bars), the Golden Triangle (for shopping) or Menara Tower (entry fee applies). Kuala Lumpur also has some great nightlife and your local leader will be sure to know the best spots!

Day :13

Location : Melaka

Hop on a public bus to Melaka this morning. An intriguing blend of Malay, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese cultures, Melaka has a wealth of interesting architecture, distinctive food and proud cultural heritage. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader. Once the most important trading port of Malaysia, Melaka attracted Chinese, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese and British traders, and you'll notice how this diversity is reflected in its overall vibe. Check out Harmony Street where these communities have their places of worship, with a church, mosque and a couple of different temples. The rest of the day is free.

Day :14

Location : Singapore

Today, a public bus journey will take you to Singapore. After a bit of a long travel day and border formalities, your leader will take you on an orientation walk to give you an introduction to this ever-evolving city. There will be time to take in the retail hot spots like Orchard Road and the 'booming cross-cultural culinary scene' before enjoying an evening with your fellow travellers. You might like to hit up one of Singapore’s famous hawker centres (Newton, Lau Pa Sat or Tiong Bahru) or head to the Sky Bar at Marina Bay Sands, which boasts sweeping views of the Singaporean port and skyline. Maybe grab a couple of drinks here with the gang – the 360-degree views across the city also gives a great bird’s eye view of Gardens By The Bay. While you’re up in the clouds, you might catch its light show!

Day :15

Location : Singapore

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay and soak in more of what Singapore has to offer, just speak to your booking agent.