Every now and then I come across a trip that stops me in my tracks and this is it. Over 60 days you'll travel by rail, half way across the world, all the way from Singapore to London.
In celebration of 60 years ‘Sharing Asia Overland. Differently’, our friends at Sundowners Overland have announced the special departure of their 60th Anniversary overland journey:
Singapore to London by train: The Great Trans Asia Railway Odyssey.
This trip covers over 19,500km and visits 16 countries. Can you imagine a better way to see a country, than from the window of a train, whizzing through diverse landscapes, iconic silk road towns and cosmopolitan capitals, wild, open spaces and bustling cities, with all the architecture, history, culture & food you can pack into one trip? Back in 2015, I took a similar journey, driving from Bangkok to Istanbul (& then home to Suffolk) in our wonderful Dragoman truck with the best bunch of travellers. There is something truly special about an overland expedition. The chance to see everything in between the 'highlights', you realise it really is about the journey, not just the destination.
Your journey begins with a welcome drink in Singapore at the Raffles hotel, where you'll meet your expert tour leader and your group of up to 15 fellow travellers, with whom you'll spend the next two months. From here you'll board your train to Kuala Lumpur and then onwards to Bangkok across the Malay Peninsula through lush tropical forests and plantations.
During the trip many of your meals are included, as well as free evenings, where you can explore and find your own way. Plenty of time for sightseeing with an expert local guide is included and again a chance to do your own thing. Throughout the trip, you'll be accompanied by an experienced tour leader, who will help you make the most of the adventure.
From Thailand your journey takes you north into the stunning country of Laos, one of my absolute favourites during our overland tour of southeast Asia. The landscapes are so unique and the food is outstanding. You'll have time explore Luang Prabang, think temples and waterfalls as you cruise along the Mekong river. You'll experience Vientiane from the unique Buddha Park with its multitude of Buddhist and Hindu statues, Patuaxi, often called the 'Arc de Triomphe' of Vientiane and Wat Phra Keo with its collections of Lao and Khmer works of art.
Beyond Laos, with its forest and striking karst mountains, you'll enter southern China, travelling to Kunming and Chengdu, home to the amazing Sichuan opera, giant pandas and the famous hot-pot. This part China is diverse, open and intriguing and for me the best Chinese food I ever tasted. This is a brilliant first experience of China, for anyone who is new to the country. You'll experience bustling cities and night markets, before heading out into the vast grasslands, where you can travel miles without seeing anyone. This is a striking region. Your journey takes you to Xining, the capital of China's Qinghai Province and a cultural crossroads of the Muslim, Tibetan and Han peoples brought together with the trade of the ancient Silk Road.
Boarding the highest railway to travel across the high Tibetan plateau to the forbidden city of Lhasa, Tibet. I'd definitely recommend reading Peter Hopkirk's book 'Trespassers on the Roof of the World', with incredible accounts of journeys made in the region. The Potala Palace rises above the city impressive and imposing. You will have time to visit the Norbulingka Palace, the summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas and Drepang Monastery.
Onwards to Urumqi, bound by the Tien Shan and Altai mountains to the north and the Taklamakan Desert to the south Urumqi is one of the most remote cities in the world and our gateway to Central Asia. The Xinjiang Regional Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of Silk Road artefacts. From here, you'll board your train to Kazakhstan's capital Almaty and continue across this mysterious land, where you'll witness where the receding Aral Sea has left once thriving ports marooned in the steppe, and 'ship cemeteries' dot the horizon.
You'll cross the Caspian sea to Azerbaijain by ferry. A journey that took us around two days due to the crazy changable timings of the ferries, it was certainly quite the adventure. Baku is an incredible city which brings together the old and ultra new, from caravanserias to striking glass buildings. You'll immediately notice a change in food and drink and especially in culture. Continuing your journey west, you'll travel through wonderful Georgia, home to great wine and cheesy bread! We had a great day picking grapes in a vineyard and tasting the local wines. What is most striking in Georgia are the stunning churches, surrounded by soaring, snow capped peaks. I'm sure you'll love it here as much as we did.
Your next iconic stop is the city of Istanbul, the crossroads between the east and west. So much history and architecture to absorb and explore. You'll have time here to wander the old streets and markets, perhaps time for a hammam, and be sure to enjoy a sunset drink from a rooftop bar overlooking, what could possibly be one of the best views to be found.
Your journey continues into Europe, through the cities of Bucharest and Bupapest, Vienna and Paris. Mansions, palaces, museums, forts, monastaries, funiculars & galleries galore await. Life is probably feeling a little more familar as your journey brings you central Europe, but there is still so much to do and explore.
Embark on this epic overland journey and traverse nearly half the globe from the tip of the Malay Peninsular to central London in 60 days – by train. For transcontinental travellers, overland adventurers and rail travel enthusiasts alike this will be a unique journey.
The tour is operated by our friends at Sundowners Overland, who I act as an agent for. If you're wondering if this might be your next adventure, then please get in touch. I'd love to talk to you about it and answer any questions you may have about travelling across Asia.
For full details of this tour, you can read more here.
Comments