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11 Day Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand Expedition Cruise
Highlights: Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok
Trip start: Singapore
Trip end: Bangkok
Trip Available:
08-Oct-2011, 20-Dec-2011
Price Range from $6,877 pp *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Experience Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand with private tours and an exotic expedition cruise around the Gulf of Thailand. Relax on board the state-of-the-art MV Orion cruise ship while you sail along the coastlines & islands of Malaysia and Thailand. In addition to visiting some of Asia’s major centres, our expeditions provide the opportunity to experience both traditional and modern Asia from a different perspective, often far away from the crowds. This tour offers a balance between learning about the history and culture of the region, and relaxing on some of the finest islands and beaches in the world.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Singapore
  • Singapore: Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
Four Seasons (5*) (B)
Day 2
Singapore
  • Private - 1/2 d City Tour with Bumboat Ride (3.5 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Four Seasons (5*) (B)
Day 3
Gulf of Thailand
  • Private - Kukup & Malaysian Countryside (with Lunch, 8 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 4
Gulf of Thailand
  • Kuala Terengganu: Shared: Kuala Terengganu Discovery
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 5
Gulf of Thailand
  • Gulf of Thailand: At Sea
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 6
Gulf of Thailand
  • Koh Samui: Shared: Koh Samui Experience
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 7
Gulf of Thailand
  • Ang Thong Marine Park: Shared: Ang Thong Marine Park Explorer
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 8
Gulf of Thailand
  • Ko Kut: Shared: Ko Kut Exploration
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
MV Orion II (7N)  (B,L,D)
Day 9
Bangkok
  • Bangkok: Ship-based - Disembark MV Orion II
  • Private - 1/2 d City & Temples - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
Mandarin Oriental (5*) (B)
Day 10
Bangkok
  • Private - 1/2 d Floating Market - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
Mandarin Oriental (5*) (B)
Day 11
Bangkok
  • Transfer - Private - Airport - Guide/Vehicle/Driver
Depart (Int`l Airport) 
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Singapore

Singapore is the East's great melting pot, a cultural potpourri that leaves the unsuspecting visitor dazzled. Sir Stamford Raffles, a British civil servant, brought the ‘Lion City’ to world prominence after searching for a trading station to counter the Dutch influence in the Straits of Malacca, and trade has remained the island’s mainstay. The best way to experience the remarkable diversity of the city is on foot: the traditional architecture, customs and cuisine of the various ethnic areas are in fascinating contrast to the lavish luxury shopping arcades of Orchard Road and Raffles City. Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and Anglican and Catholic cathedrals are all likely to be encountered during a comparatively brief walk around some of the central areas of Singapore. St Andrew’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Al-Abrar Mosque, the vast and florid Kong Meng Sang Phor Kark See Temple Complex, the Chettiar Hindu Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple are only a few of these.

A private vehicle with driver will pick you up and provide a transfer between the hotel and Airport.

Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Singapore (5*). Escape into a quiet garden enclave in the heart of the city – steps from Orchard Road shops and entertainment, and just minutes from the financial district. Enter a world that is intimate and exclusive, yet complete in every way, with award-winning dining and 24-hour fitness. A warm, residential ambience showcases over 1,500 Asian art pieces, and thoughtful Four Seasons care elevates every moment.

Overnight at Four Seasons (5*).


Singapore
Singapore
Four Seasons
Four Seasons
Day 2 Singapore

Your tour will begin with a leisurely bumboat ride along the Singapore River.  The Singapore River is a small river with great historical importance. It is the place where Raffles made as the 1st trading port in Singapore.  The ride will end at Merlion Park at Esplanade Bridge. At the Merlion Park, come face to face with Singapore’s very own tourism mascot, the Merlion, standing in the foreground, whilst the the structural masterpiece of visionary architect Moshe Safdie, the Marina Bay Sands.  The tour continues with a drive around the Civic District past the Padang, Cricket Club, Parliament House, Supreme Court and City Hall.  Next stop will be one of the oldest and most important Hokkien temple in Singapore, Thian Hock Keng Temple. The temple was built in traditional southern Chinese architectural masterpiece of stone, tiles and dragons and phoenixes, amazing cravings, intricate sculptures and imposing columns.  Next and final stop is the National Orchid Garden, within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which boasts a colorful display of 60,000 orchid plants, with 400 species and more than 2,000 hybrids represented.

Overnight at Four Seasons (5*).


Merlion Park
Merlion Park
Day 3 Gulf of Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand, also known as the Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea. Bordered by Thailand, Cambodia, and the southwestern edge of Vietnam, the gulf's maximum width is 350 miles (560 km), and it extends approximately 450 miles (725 km) in length. The Gulf of Thailand harbours many coral reefs, and thus several diving resorts. Due to the tropical warmth of the water, it is popular with tourists. Some of the most important tourist destinations in the Gulf of Thailand are the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province, Pattaya in Chonburi province, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Ko Samet and Ko Chang.

Drive through Johor Bahru, the state capital of Johor, Malaysia's southernmost state, and to the countryside on a journey which takes us through rubber, oil palm, cocoa and coffee plantations. You will enjoy the serenity of the rural beauty and lifestyle. The Orchid Valley is set on 100 acres of scenic landscape with lakes, waterfalls and undulating hills. It is the world’s largest tropical Orchid attraction. You will be enchanted by the varied beauty of over 1.5 million Orchids from over 80 hybrids. The tour then continues to Kukup where on arrival, you will be treated to a seafood lunch. After lunch (included), your tour takes you on a boat ride to visit one of the many offshore fishing farms. You will also have time to explore and observe the lifestyle in this fishing village built partially on stilts and planks. Rates include admissions as per itinerary.

Orion II is a private yacht-like expedition cruise ship built by Cantieri Navale Ferrari of Italy. After a number of years as a private yacht, Orion II was relaunched in 2009 following an extensive technical refit. Little expense was spared with this stylish, Italian built, all-suite Mega Yacht. Orion II now offers the finest standards in small-ship cruise travel. She also has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers. The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service will require staffing by 68 offices and crew to serve Orion II’s capacity of 100 guests. Excellence of design, craftsmanship and quality materials combined with Orion II’s spaciousness and intimate ambience make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Kukup
Kukup
MV Orion II
MV Orion II
Day 4 Gulf of Thailand

The planned landing site today is right in the middle of the city of Kuala Terengganu, beside the famous market and a short walk from the historic buildings of China Town. You will easily be able to access this hustling market city throughout the day.

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Masjid Kristal Building
Masjid Kristal Building
Day 5 Gulf of Thailand

Today spend your day onboard Orion ship and enjoy the amenities on board.

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Day 6 Gulf of Thailand

Today you'll Zodiac ashore and land on the less populated side of Koh Samui. From here you can explore the beaches, take a swim, snorkel or wander through the beach side village with its small restaurants and cafes. Take the inclusive shuttle to Chaweng Beach the main tourist strip on the other side of the island for shopping if that takes your fancy.

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach
Day 7 Gulf of Thailand

Anchor just outside the Ang Thong Marine Park and the Zodiac fleet will allow you to explore the reefs and islands for the day. There are walks to be had in the Marine Park and ample opportunities for snorkeling.

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Ang Thong Marine Park
Ang Thong Marine Park
Day 8 Gulf of Thailand

The Zodiacs will take you on an exploration into the interior of Ko Kut following a meandering mangrove river all the way to a small waterfall. Some walking is required to get to the base of the falls over potentially slippery ground. After returning from the falls the ship will relocate to a small offshore coral island, just off the coast of Ko Kut, where a beach BBQ is planned. Snorkelling and swimming over the fringing reef is possible here. The expedition team will conduct snorkelling tours here this afternoon (weather/conditions permitting).

Overnight at MV Orion II (7N) .


Ko Kut Waterfall
Ko Kut Waterfall
Day 9 Bangkok

Bangkok is a frequently chaotic jumble of traffic, temples, savory food and entertainment. Over the last few years, the opening of a slick new elevated tramway that enables visitors to glide over the chaotic scenes below, coupled with the cheap and frequent river boats and the reasonably priced air-conditioned taxis, have made tourism in the city newly appealing. Within the city limits is a wealth of over 300 Buddhist temple and shrines. Most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). One of the largest temple complexes in the country is Wat Pho. Altogether, there are over 30 individual temples scattered here, of which the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the largest. The Buddha's statue is enormous, an amazing 47.5m (156ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Wat Phra Kaeo is a temple complex that houses the Emerald Buddha.

Disembark MV Orion II.

One of the most popular tours, bringing you along 3 of the most stunning temples, Bangkok has to offer! It features the “Wat Traimit” with its 5, 5, ton heavy Golden Buddha Image, the Wat Chetuporn (commonly known as the Wat Po), that boasts the over 45-meters long Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple-educated people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and to be considered, home of the Thai traditional massage. We end the tour with a visit to the Wat Benchamaborpit (also known as the Marble Temple): a representation of an outstanding success of marriage between Italian Carrara marble and classical Thai architecture. Especially for those interested to know a bit more about Buddhism and its history, combined with the always-busy city life.

The Mandarin Oriental was founded in 1876 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel is regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels and has accommodated royalty, dignitaries and distinguished travelers for more than a century. The Mandarin offers lavish rooms and suites, exquisite restaurants and bars, and one of the most beautiful spas in the world. It is rich in history and is filled with the stories of celebrated guests who have made this hotel an essential stop on their world travels. Enjoy genuine teak and traditional Thai silks in the elegant rooms with clear views of the River and take advantage of a personal butler that is available at all times to cater to your every need.

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental (5*).


Bangkok
Bangkok
Entrance to Wat Pho Temple
Entrance to Wat Pho Temple
Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental
Day 10 Bangkok

This most, interesting half-day tour takes you to the rural yet world-famous floating market of Damnern Saduak, situated around 100 kilometers west of Bangkok. It is generally known as Klong Ton Khem Floating Market or Damnern Saduak Floating Market. Damnern Saduak has officially three floating markets. A narrow canal flanked with food stalls and souvenir shops forms the principal market at Ton Kem. Photographers at Ton Kem will get their best shots from the bridge, which crosses over the canal, and from the produce shed on the right. Nowadays, the market is bustling with activity from very early in the morning until about 11.00 am. For those who want to buy some memorabilia here, be mindful that you bargain!

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental (5*).


Floating Market
Floating Market
Day 11 Bangkok

A private vehicle with English speaking guide & driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (40% of program price). The balance is due 120 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations 121 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund less any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise, or hotel deposits). 120-91 days prior will be subject to loss of deposit. 90 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of the program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions