Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to relax, explore the city & adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Bangkok. Please arrive at our start point hotel before 6pm for an important group meeting where you will meet you Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel's notice board for the time and location of your group meeting. At this meeting you CEO will ask to sight your travel insurance and complete some other paper work. After your meeting, you may choose to head out for an optional dinner to further get to know your CEO and fellow group members. We spend this evening in Bangkok. Our hotel is located in China Town, next to the central train station and MRT (Subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. The hotel has a small pool and wifi is available at extra cost.
Estimated Travel Time: 12 Hours (train) In the evening of day 2 we embark on an overnight sleeper train adventure, traveling with local Thais' to Surat Thani in the south of Thailand.
Estimated Travel Time: 5 Hours (day 3) A short boat ride takes us to the small island of Koh Pha Ngan where we have the next few days to explore the islands waterfalls, swim in its lagoons or just relax. Options for snorkelling, hiking, visit waterfalls or simply chill out. With everything from yoga and meditation courses, natural beauty, waterfalls and its famous Full Moon Parties, Koh Pha Ngan has something for everyone.
Lying off of Thailand’s east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui offers everything you could possibly want in a tropical retreat: white sandy beaches, coconut palms, fresh seafood and warm, clear waters. With an area of 247 square kilometers, Koh Samui is the largest island in an archipelago of around 80 islands. We stay in a resort that is located a stone's throw away from the beach and has all the amenities that you may require, including a bar and swimming pool. All of our rooms are twin share and come with an en suite bathroom. Approx travel times: Transfer from hotel to pier: 15 min each way Ferry Koh Phangan to Koh Samui: 45 minutes
Located on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, Nakhon Si Thammarat was the administrative center of Southern Thailand during most of its history. An intriguing blend of cultures, where Muslim Mosques and Buddhist Temples blend with 17th Century European factories and houses, relics of a time when this city was a major trading hub. We stay in a comfortable hotel with twin share rooms and en suite bathrooms. Approx travel times: Transfer pier to hotel in Nakkon Si Thammarat: 2 hours.
You will have an early start from Nakhon Si Thammarat today. Take the option of a bicycle-rickshaw to meander through the streets and lanes of Georgetown. You can also see colourful bazaars, bargain at the night markets or visit numerous Chinese temples. If time allows, a visit to the Butterfly Farm on the north of the island offers a great insight into Malaysia's fascinating insects, Penang has something to offer everyone. Food is also a treat here, with an impressive variety from Chinese to Malay and Indian. Don't miss the waterfront night market that serves up excellent local food. Approx travel times: Private bus from Nakkon Si Thammarat to Satun: 4 hours (not including border crossing) Private bus from Satun to Penang: 4 1/2 hours
This morning we head for the hills (approx. 6 hours). The Cameron Highlands hill station is one of Malaysia's most famous. Established in 1885 by William Cameron, a British surveyor, the hill station is famous for its tea plantations and strawberry farms. The drive takes us from the flat lowlands through to mountainous terrain. In your free time you may want to take a walk along one of the many well marked trails, visit the tea plantations or just relax and enjoy the cooler temperatures!
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon after a 5 hour bus journey, we have ample time to see the city's impressive architecture and experience the fascinating cultural mix that gives this city such a uniquely cosmopolitan feel. You might like to head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the Orang Asli Museum, north of town. The evening is best spent at the night market sampling the different cuisine, some of the best in South East Asia and bargain hunting among the stalls of Chinatowns night market. How about starting the day with a visit the Petronas Towers,the tallest twin towers in the world.
A bus journey (approx. 3 hours) takes us to the old port town of Melaka where we can wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town. With the beginning of trade with China in the early 15th Century, Melaka rapidly became the most important trading port in South East Asia. Chinese traders were followed by those from India. With them came Islam and soon the Melaka sultans ruled the largest empire in Malaysia's history. Successively the Portuguese, Dutch and British arrived in search of trading wealth. While the effects of recent economic growth are apparent, Melaka remains one of Malaysia's premier destinations. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore.
In the morning we take a 4-5 hour bus journey to the Straits of Johore and onto the island of Singapore. Tonight you could visit the world famous night safari, take in a harbour cruise around Boat Quay or sample some mouth watering local food at one of the many hawker street stands. Whilst Singapore has few areas untouched by modernization, wandering the streets of Little India and Chinatown is a great way to see the old parts of the city.
Today a short flight* takes us to Jakarta, capital of Indonesia and the economic heart of Java. Frenetically paced, the chaos is a far cry from the order of Singapore and the afternoon is free to relax into the different atmosphere that Java brings. You might choose to take a walk around the old Dutch colonial heart of Kota, or simply search out your first true cup of Java coffee! *Please note the international flight between Singapore and Jakarta on Day 14 is not included in this tour and must be booked separately
Day 17 begins with a bus journey (3 1/2 hours) south east to Cianjur. Along the way we visit the 100 yr old Gunung Mas or 'Golden Mountain' Tea Plantation where we learn how tea is hand picked and then processed continually throughout the year. Cianjur is the Capital of the Cianjur Regency and is also considered the capital of rice production in Java. The region sees very little tourism and you will be delighted by the reactions of the friendly locals. Experience local life by sleeping at a homestay both nights here. The homestay is located on the outer ring of CIanjur.
We transfer by bus to Bandung on the morning of Day 19 and then board our train for a scenic trip to Yogyakarta. Once home to the Mataram Palace, Yogyakarta (or Yogya as it’s known locally) lies in the shadow of Mt Merapi, but is most famous for the nearby Buddhist Temple complex of Borobudur. Built in the 8th century, this stunning artistic and architectural marvel lay undiscovered under layers of volcanic ash until 1815 when Sir Stamford Raffles, then Governor of Java, ordered that the area be cleared. Further attempts at restoration were finally completed in 1983, and no visit to Java would be complete without a visit to this awe-inspiring World Heritage Site. Other options in and around Yogyakarta include the impressive Kraton, an 18th century palace built by the Sultans of Yogya and one of the finest examples of Javanese palace architecture or Taman Sari Water Castle, built around the same time as a pleasure park for the Sultan. Yogyakarta is very walkable and stroll around the fascinating bird market is always interesting, and if silver is of interest, then a trip to Kota Gede is definitely worthwhile to pick up a hand-beaten bowl or some fine filigree. Of course, being the home of arts, this really is the place to take in a Wayang (puppet) show, or a dance performance- usually based on the Ramayana story.
We begin the day with an easy 2 hour drive to Solo. On the way we have the option of stopping at Prambanan and hiring bicycles to tour around the largest Hindu temple complex in Java. Built between the 8th and 10th century, these temples stand as a one of the most outstanding works of Hindu art, with a wealth of intricate design, particularly on the Shiva temple. Solo, also known as Surakarta was selected by Pakubuwono II as the new capital of the Mataram Kingdom, following the sacking of Kartasura in 1745. Ranking alongside Yogyakarta at the heart of Javanese culture, Solo boasts Kraton Surakarta, the magnificent 18th Century palace and museum of the Royal Family as well as producing some of the finest Batik in Java.
Our 4 hour bus journey today takes us eastward to Malang, the second largest city in East Java. Dating back to at least AD760 Malang has been a regional center of government for successive dynasties eventually being enveloped by the Mataram Kingdom in 1614. Owing to it's altitude (476 meters) the climate here is cooler then the lowlands and therefore became very attractive to European settlement during Dutch colonisation. Spend the afternoon checking out the gorgeous parks, the bird and flower market, Singosari temple, Jago temple or Kidal temple or just relaxing with a cup of local tea.
Today's drive takes us through the tropical winding landscape of Eastern Java, climbing ever upwards and further out of the heat towards the grandeur of Mt Bromo- part of the Tengger Caldera, the largest volcanic range in the area. Bromo is only one of many peaks, but is distinct in appearance, having blown its top completely off and is constantly smouldering with white smoke.
A pre-dawn trek across the “sea of sand” to watch the sunrise over the crater’s rim is a must-see, popular with both tourists and the local Buddhist Tenggerese alike who can be seen giving offerings of food to receive blessings from the Supreme God Hyang Widi Wasa. After this wonderful start to the day, a 6 hour drive takes us to our overnight accommodation in the coffee plantations of Kalibaru. Brought to Java by the Dutch, Indonesia is now the world’s fourth largest coffee grower and the name “Java” is recognized in coffee houses all over the world.
Following a picturesque 2 hour drive through the rolling hills and plantations down to the coastal lowlands, we board our 1 hour ferry trip and bid farewell to Java. Arriving in internationally acclaimed Bali we continue with a short drive to Pemuteran. Pemuteran lies on the quiet North West coast sandwiched between National Parks containing pristine coral reefs and luxuriant tropical rainforest. 14kms offshore lies Menjangan Island, one of the best snorkel and dive sites in Bali with rich marine life and protected coral reefs. You may also wish to snorkel the reef directly off the beach at Pemutaran and explore the intriguing Bio Rock Structures, wire frames through which low voltage electric current is run to encourage fast coral regeneration. Wander up the beach and past the rural countryside for magnificent coastal views and ornate traditional temples inhabited by tribes of cheeky monkeys. For the energetic explorer set out on an optional guided hike through the West Bali National Park in search of deer, pigs, macaques or the elusive Bali Starling. The natural beauty of Pemuteran will astound and enchant you.
Today's drive is a journey, highlighting the spectacular natural diversity and intense cultural wealth that makes Bali such a sought after destination. We commence by traveling along the exotic northern coastline before heading up into the emerald carpeted hills, stopping at the Banjal Hot Springs and perhaps visiting nearby Brahmavihara Arama, Bali's only Buddhist monastery. We continue towards Monduk and have the chance to view the impressive Gitgit waterfall as we rise higher, eventually climbing over the lip of an enormous caldera surrounded by the peaks of extinct volcanoes and elegantly adorned with turquoise mountain lakes. Our journey proceeds southwards down through the rich tropical jungle, passing by idyllic terraced rice fields, quaint scenes of local village life and eventually passing through the thriving metropolis of Dempasar before arriving at our overnight destination on the magnificent beaches of Sanur.
You are free to depart at any time today.