Splendours of Southeast Asia - A Voyage from Thailand to Vietnam Including Malaysia

Arrive and transfer to the MS Island Sky (group transfer available at scheduled time) . Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.

There will be a choice of excursions today. An island drive will include Wat Chalong, the largest and the most strikingly ornamented of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist temples. Its intriguing history features a monk believed to have formidable healing powers. To this day, Thais from all over the country flock to Wat Chalong to pay homage to the monk and regain their physical and spiritual powers. Later see the Big Buddha Temple located at the top of Nark Kerd mountain followed by some time at leisure to explore Phuket Town independently. Alternatively, join a local speedboat to visit Phang Nga Bay which is renowned for the limestone islands rising dramatically from the sea including the famous backdrop to the James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’. Spend the day enjoying the scenery in the bay before we visit Koh Panyi, a settlement built over 200 years ago with houses built on stilts above the water. Later enjoy some free time to explore Phuket Town at your own pace before we sail in the early evening.

We start our exploration of Malaysia on Langkawi where a morning tour will explore the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark and discover some of the flora and fauna that are unique to the island’s wetlands. We will see the caves that are home to Malaysian fruit bats and during a cruise in the mangrove forest we hope to see white-headed eagles, herons, red eagles, long-tailed macaques and different species of reptiles. Alternatively, those feeling active may wish to visit the island’s rainforest for a guided nature walk up Gunung Manchincang, one of the oldest known geological formations in Malaysia. Our knowledgeable local naturalists will provide tales of Langkawi’s geological wonders and vibrant wildlife as we climb. Our hike will end at the Skybridge, a suspended bridge built from an 82 metre high single pylon which hangs at about 100 metres above ground with views over the rainforest and out to the coastline. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon to relax on board or maybe visit a nearby beach.

Awake this morning in Penang Island, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ where we have a choice of excursions. Maybe explore historical Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we can see the well-preserved cultural and historical heritage of Penang’s capital city. Founded in 1786 by the British East India Company, Penang grew as an important trading port and became a melting pot of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and European influences which we can see as we pass by the town hall, St George’s Church, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and the Kapitan Keling Mosque. Alternatively, discover the island’s natural beauty as we join the Penang Hill Railway which was constructed in 1923 and takes us to the top of Flagstaff Hill, 830 metres above sea level. Here we take a onemile nature trail through The Habitat, walking across a dipterocarp forest amidst oak laurels and tree ferns. The area’s rich biodiversity encompasses more than 100 species of birds, endangered endemic plants including the Penang slipper orchid, and a multitude of fauna such as flying lemurs, dusky leaf monkeys and the giant black squirrel. As we make our way along the Treetop Walk, we can take in panoramic views of the city and the Andaman Sea below. Return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon to explore further at your own pace.

From our berth in Port Klang we spend a full day in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Our walking tour begins in Independence Square, also known as Dataran Merdeka. This is the historical place where the Union Flag was lowered, and the Malayan flag was raised for the very first time on the 31st of August 1957. Continue to the Masjid Jamek Mosque, the oldest Islamic place of worship in Kuala Lumpur. Overlooking the Klang River, it offers breathtaking vistas due to the combination of ancient Moorish, Islam and Mughal architectural styles, verdant surroundings, and distant views of the city’s other iconic landmarks. Also see the Central Market, Chinatown and the extravagantly decorated Sri Mahamariamman Temple before ending at the Petronas Twin Towers which were once the tallest buildings in the world. Alternatively, those wishing to discover the flavours of Malaysia may wish to join a culinary tour which will include the chance to sample Nasi Lemak, a dish originating in Malay cuisine that consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan at a well-known local breakfast meeting place. This decade-old melting pot is one place where you can see Malay, Chinese and Indian customers having their packed ‘nasi lemak’. Continue to the Central Market for more tastings including roast duck, roti canai, char kuey teow and putu bamboo.

With more than its fair share of colonisers from Malaysian princes to the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese, this strategically placed city has a fascinating history which is brought vividly to life in the excellent Ethnographical Museum. On a guided walk we also visit the 16th century Portuguese fortress, the former Dutch Governor’s house and the impressive Christ Church. Later we continue our journey along the Malacca Strait which was named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 and 1511. It is from here that early traders from Arabia, Africa and Persia would trade glassware, camphor, ivory, sandalwood, and perfumes and today the Strait is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Please note we will be at anchor today and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs or local tenders to land.

Spend today in Singapore where there will be a choice of excursions this morning. A city tour will start in Little India including the magnificent Sultan Mosque before seeing the bright colours and vibrant hues in Singapore’s exciting Chinatown. Narrow streets centred on the pagoda lead you to a treasure trove of apothecary shops, quaint teahouses and a cornucopia of stalls selling trinkets as well as the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, Sri Mariamman. Here we join a cruise along the Singapore River sailing past a mix of colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers ending at Merlion Park. Alternatively, visit the National Orchid Garden which displays the largest collection of orchids in the world with 2,000 hybrids. After lunch on board, the remainder of the day is free to explore further at your own pace, maybe visit the Gardens by the Bay or the iconic Raffles Hotel before we sail tonight.

After a leisurely morning at sea, we return to Malaysia at Pulau Tioman, one of eight islands that form the Tioman Island Marine Park. From our anchorage we will use Zodiacs to land and you can choose between spending the afternoon relaxing on the beaches or join a nature walk to see the unique and protected flora and fauna found in the island’s jungles. Please note we will be at anchor today and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs or local tenders to land.

Spend a relaxing day at sea as we sail to Vietnam.

We arrive in Vietnam at the Con Dao archipelago. Consisting of fifteen islands, the largest, Con Dao, is the perfect base from which to enjoy palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and hidden inlets. A designated National Park, Con Dao is swathed in lush vegetation, almond trees and tropical fruit plantations yet also has a sombre history as it was used by the French to incarcerate political prisoners. We have a full day to explore the island, you may choose to visit the Palace of the Island Lord, the historical Con Dao Prison or to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Con Dao market. Those feeling active may want to join a hike on the lookout for wildlife in the forests whilst taking in some breathtaking views of the islands.

From our central berth in the Vietnamese capital, we take a guided tour of the city which was built by the French in 1850. We begin our day with a visit to the Central Post Office and along the way we will also view the Saigon Opera House, constructed by the French in 1898 and the Notre Dame Cathedral. We will visit Independence Palace, also known as Reunification Palace, which was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. The palace was the home and former workplace of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After lunch on board, the afternoon is free to relax or explore this bustling city further independently.

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport to continue with your onward travel plans.

Itineraries are subject to change.