ROMANTIC ROUTE
Eastern & Oriental Express
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand and Laos
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
The Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) was the first luxury train to offer a direct ride from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok when it made its inaugural run in September 1993. Seventeen years later, it continues to make that journey, faithfully recreating an era when travel was leisurely, gracious and more earthbound.
The train consists of 66 air-conditioned cabins, which can accommodate 132 passengers and features colonial-style interiors with modern amenities such as an ensuite shower, washbasin, international electric sockets, personal safe and hairdryer. The cabins’ large picture windows provide excellent views of the passing scenery. The 24-hour steward service ensures that guests want for nothing.
WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE JOURNEY?
Each trip includes sightseeing and shopping tours around the local areas along the route. You can arrange for your group to engage in local cultural activities or even volunteer for a few hours at a local school.
On board, evening cocktails can be enjoyed in the Bar Car, entertained by the E&O’s resident pianist, or in the Observation Car located at the tail end of the train. This unique space boasts an outdoor deck, decorated with teakwood, from where unobstructed views of the verdant countryside can be captured by one’s camera.
E&O can make special arrangements for events groups. While enjoying a champagne reception on the departure platform, your guests can have a lively send off, courtesy of the Gurkha Pipers Band, the Kompang Drummers, a string quartet or traditional Thai Angklung musicians. And more activities can be expected during the journey, with the presence of a fortune teller, the staging of a murder-mystery night and performances by Malay or Thai classical dancers or Chinese opera stars.
GROUP SIZE
Charter trips for 80 or more guests can be arranged, hopping on one of the E&O’s regular itineraries. Alternatively, E&O can put together an itinerary to fit your timetable and needs. If an overnight excursion is not possible, the train can still be hired for a three- or six-hour return journey departing from and returning to either Singapore or Bangkok.
CONTACT
ROYAL VOYAGE
Palace on Wheels
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra
WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL?
Before the dawn of air travel, the elite and ruling classes of India travelled in style in these sumptuously adorned coaches. The experience can now be enjoyed by your group as it tries out an unforgettable journey along a route dotted by some of India’s most iconic landmarks.
WHAT CAN I DO THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY?
The seven-day trip begins with sightseeing around New Delhi before boarding the train to Rajasthan. On board, your group can enjoy elegant dinners and intimate get-togethers in the sitting lounge or take advantage of the 24-hour room service. The rich history of southern India unfolds before visitors at every stop. Guided tours bring them to renowned attractions such as the Pink City in Jaipur, the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and Lake Pichhola in Udaipur, the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer and the marble palaces of Jodhpur.
GROUP SIZE
Available upon request.
CONTACT
RUSSIAN ROTATION
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Russia, Mongolia, China, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express belongs to a rare breed, offering upscale train service across Russia through Mongolia and into China. Designated carriages serve breakfast, lunch or dinner and drinks, while the Gold and Silver Class provide five-star accommodation with their power showers, heated floors, LCD TV screen and DVD/CD players.
WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE JOURNEY?
A variety of tours, showcasing the arts and traditions of Russia and China, is available, whether customers are booked on the classic Trans-Siberian route or Trans-Siberian Express via the Silk Route. The Golden Eagle offers an extensive programme, including the five-day “Ring of Fire”, which brings groups within sight of active volcanoes, geysers and wild bears. On- and off-train schedules, as well as pre- and post-tour activities matching the group’s preferences, are easily designed.
This rail operator has catered for groups with special interests as diverse as archaeology, wine, steam trains, Islamic art, architecture, Indian cuisine, eclipses, World War II, among many other topics. For over 10 participants, the services of a Russian interpreter are provided for free.
GROUP SIZE
10 to 120 people.
CONTACT
email ian.lomas@gwtravel.co.uk
MAHARASHTRA MYSTIQUE
Deccan Odyssey
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Goa, Mumbai, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
The beautiful beaches of Goa and Maharashtra; the grand forts and palaces of the Marathas; the simplicity of the Osho Ashram in Pune are some of the highlights of a Deccan Odyssey experience,
Riding out with heritage as the theme, it’s but fitting that the luxury train begins and ends with the reality of a very modern Mumbai.
Of the suite of 21 coaches, 11 are for passengers, each accommodating four persons. Each room has an attached bathroom as well as a range of amenities such a lounge area, a television, mini pantry and CD/MP3 player, among others.
WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE JOURNEY?
Facilities on board include a bar, a lounge, two restaurant cars, a library, an Ayurvedic Massage Centre, a steam room, gym, grooming salon, personal mailbox and clinic, among others.
The conference room, which can host up to 50 guests, is equipped with satellite communication, a work station with internet access and a printer and fax machine.
The train takes your group to the Ocean Fort, a cashew factory, the ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati, a royal palace-turned-museum, Bibi-ka-Maqbara (a replica of the Taj Mahal), the Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary and of course, the sugar-white shores of Goa.
GROUP SIZE
Available upon request.
CONTACT
AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE
The Ghan
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
Covering 2,979km, this three-day transcontinental adventure offers an unrivalled perspective of Australia.
An abbreviated version of its earlier name, The Afghan Express, The Ghan takes travellers from one edge of the Australian continent to the other, zooming through vast areas of desert. But fear not the heat – The Ghan’s Platinum service consists of spacious cabins with double beds, ensuite bathrooms and 24-hour room service.
WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE JOURNEY?
The Ghan’s groups department can tailor-make itineraries for small groups (minimum 10 guests) up to large groups and charters.
The packages include hotels, transport, activities and tours. The rail operator has four private carriages that can be hooked on to scheduled services of The Ghan.
In Darwin, the group can visit art galleries and museums, wander through natural parks and enjoy the nightlife.
An alternative option is to travel to Adelaide, which offers a chance to view the city’s unique architecture and explore world-famous wine regions such as the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 10 people.
CONTACT
NORTHERN DELIGHT
The Shangri-la Express
WHERE DOES IT GO?
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Lhasa, Ulan Bator and Moscow
WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL?
The one-of-a-kind Shangri-la Express rolls along the fabled Silk Road, first extolled by the early business traveller, Marco Polo.
The train provides eight compartments per carriage. There is a restaurant that serves Western and Chinese cuisine as well as a bar that’s open till the wee hours.
Other facilities include wireless internet access, daily room service and an adjustable music player. The journey provides guests with five-star hotel accommodation while sightseeing by land and experts from the Dunhuang Academy are invited to give travellers a preview of the area’s ancient culture.
WHAT CAN I DO THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY?
The historical route runs through Beijing where the train takes you west, past the plateau of Tibet and through the Gobi Desert, finally reaching the Russian capital, Moscow. The Shangri-La Express provides packages that include meals and drinks, a tour doctor, tour guides and some stopovers for sightseeing. Your group will be able to explore the ancient cultures and lost heritage of North Asia throughout the journey.
GROUP SIZE
Available upon request.
CONTACT
www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide
