Wild Malaysia with Eastern and Oriental Express

Board the striking green and cream carriages of the Eastern & Oriental Express at Woodlands Station, Singapore. Settle into your air-conditioned cabin, a sanctuary of cherrywood panelling, Thai silks and Malaysian embroidery. As the train travels through lush, green landscapes, it sets the scene for your immersion into wild Malaysia. Weave through tangled jungle, rubber and palm plantations, soaking up the vistas as your steward serves a healthy afternoon tea in your cabin. Soon, evening falls and it’s time to dress for dinner in the Dining Car. Indulge in sustainable specialities enhanced with herbs and plants sourced from remote regions. Afterwards, enjoy engaging onboard entertainment with a nightcap.

After breakfast in your cabin, admire the views of the Jungle Line as the train courses through some of the wildest parts of Malaysia. Following lunch on board, you arrive at Merapoh station and alight for an extraordinary experience. Conservation is at the heart of the Eastern & Oriental Express philosophy and the Malayan tiger is the national animal of Malaysia, emblazoned on the coat of arms and standing on the train’s emblem. Eastern & Oriental Express invites you to discover the “tiger territory” of Taman Negara National Park, meeting local villagers and organisations who are working on the ground to protect this noble, critically endangered wild cat and its habitat. Taman Negara was formed 130 million years ago, making it one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world. The dense jungle, wide rivers and lush mountains are home to wildlife ranging from water buffalo to macaques, tapirs to hornbills – a true explorer’s paradise. Returning to the train, a lively evening with local entertainment awaits in the Piano Bar Car, preceded by a delicious dinner.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board, before alighting for the crossing to Penang Island. Here, we’ve created a choice of immersions that make the most of Malaysia’s cultural melting pot. Art lovers can explore Georgetown Old Quarter with a guide, delving into temples, a contemporary studio and an opera and puppet house. Food aficionados can embark on a discovery of Peranakan cooking, purchasing specialities from spice and grocery stores before mastering delicious local dishes in a cookery class. Or, for those who prefer to explore independently, we present you with a trishaw, a driver and a map, so that you can wind through Georgetown’s enchanting streets and visit its attractions at whim. Rejoin the train at Butterworth for a convivial final evening on board with sublime cuisine and fabulous entertainment.

Linger over breakfast in your cabin or the Dining Car as you travel through the southernmost state of Johor, known for its beaches and rainforest. Soon afterwards, the train crosses the strait to Singapore, where you disembark with your magical memories. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Singapore.

Spend your last couple days relaxing and exploring the rest of the bucket list items of things to do in Singapore such as a day on Sentosa island or admiring the sight of the most majestic icon, the Merlion. On your final day, enjoy the morning at your leisure before your return flight to the UK.