Eastern & Oriental Express - Observation Car

Eastern and Oriental Express and Save Wild Tigers invite you to a remarkable railway journey from Singapore to Thailand to support a cause of a lifetime .

Luxury travel takes a whole new meaning when Eastern and Oriental Express teams up with Save Wild Tigers to create a charity train holiday, that starts from Singapore and ends in Thailand, scheduled on 2nd October 2014.

We have heard and experienced plenty of holiday cruises on sea, but embarking on a train voyage through the rural landscapes, ancient temples and jungle clad hills of South East Asia is truly an unforgettable experience that many have yet to experience.

As one of the few companies that provides these holiday experiences, Eastern and Oriental Express, founded by Belmond, is a true epitome of railway luxury with decadent and posh train tours that span across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Now partnered with wildlife non-profit organisation, Save Wild Tigers, the train service has opened up the Eastern and Oriental Tiger Express holiday tour that aims to give an unprecedented experience to its patrons, while bringing awareness to the endangered wild tigers and hosting a charity drive to help fund the important cause.

From Singapore to Malaysia
This 5 days and 4 nights tour will take its passengers through an enlightening journey that begins with a luxurious cocktail reception in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. Guests are also gifted with a complimentary stay in its beautiful colonial inspired rooms before boarding the train.

The following morning, patrons will depart from Singapore to Malaysia in the ‘Orient Express’ inspired train service, which was built in 1972 and remodelled in the recent years to cater to the luxury jet sets of the world.

While on board the train, guests will have three cabin options – Pullman, State and Presidential. For those who are seeking for the comfort of luxury, the Presidential Cabin Suite is the recommended choice. Boasting of a posh lounge that can be converted into a bedroom whenever needed, the sleek wood furnished cabin is possibly the best you’ve seen on a moving carriage and on par with some of the best first class flight cabins in the world.

When patrons board the train, they have also the option to have flowers and champagne presented in the room as a welcome token – perfect for those who plan to surprise their partners.

The first leg of the trip will be spent in The Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur where guests are rewarded with a star-studded drinks reception and charity auction gala dinner, named The Majestic Tiger Reception and Dinner, to support the Save Wild Tigers initiative.

The night will be a combination of elegance and inspiration with a series of performances and entertainments including a tiger inspired fashion show, created by Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi and supported by Dato’ Jimmy Choo. The evening will also play host to a selection of personalities and international celebrities including the Malaysian Royal Family and UK fashion guru Gok Wan.

From Malaysia to Thailand
From Kuala Lumpur, passengers will continue their journey northwards to Penang where they are invited to attend a private viewing of a curated tiger-art exhibition, at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel before travelling to Thailand.

During the ride to Thailand, guests will be spending some time with tiger conservationists, who will be providing insights and lectures on the plight of the tigers and various efforts done to conserve their wild habitat. Throughout the journey, patrons are also rewarded with the beautiful scenery of the tiger’s historic habitat that spans through the entire trip, plus the option to tour the tiger’s jungle habitat with expert guides.

For the best views, head to the train’s observation car, located at the rear of the train. The colonial-style, teakwood carriage is a great place for sightseeing during the day and for cocktails and entertainment parties after dark. Also, part of the carriage is outdoors, created to provide wonderful photo opportunities throughout the holiday.

Once the train passes the Malaysia-Thailand border, patrons can also sign on to the many excursions and activities. One of the recommended excursions is a cruise along the River Kwai with a visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and the Don Rak War Cemetery that will immerse you into the traditions and culture of Thailand.

While on deck, there are also plenty of entertainment and performances provided for your viewing pleasure including traditional Thai dance performances, puppeteer shows and cultural music shows.

The final stop of the journey will be in Bangkok. Here, guests will indulge in an extravagant tiger-themed cocktail reception at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok to mark the close of the spectacular journey before adjourning to their complimentary stay at the hotel.

Also, in conjunction to this special Eastern and Oriental Tiger Express journey, guests will have the opportunity to place silent bids for a stunning and unique Crystal Tiger Sculpture, designed by artist Lauren Baker. The winning bid will be announced on the final night of the journey at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. This opportunity will also be available to all patrons who have booked a journey with Eastern & Oriental Express in year 2014.

 

Prices for this 5 days and 4 nights journey start from USD 4,910 (RM 15,000) per person and up to 30% of the ticket prices will be donated to targeted tiger conservations programmes including The Born Free Foundation, the Environmental investigation agency and Mycat in Malaysia.

For more information and reservations, please visit the Eastern & Oriental Express website. Alternatively you can call +65 6395 0678 or email reservations.singapore@belmond.com.

 

(Photos courtesy of Eastern and Oriental Express and Save Wild Tigers)

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