60th Anniversary - The Great Trans Asia Railway Odyssey Westbound
60th Anniversary - The Great Trans Asia Railway Odyssey Westbound
60th Anniversary - The Great Trans Asia Railway Odyssey Westbound
60 Days Starting in Singapore and ending in London, UK
Visiting: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Kunming, Chengdu, Xining, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Urumqi , Almaty, Taraz, Turkistan, Aralask, Aktau, Across the Caspian Sea, Baku, Tbilisi , Yerevan , Batumi, Kars , Ankara , Istanbul , Veliko Tarnovo, Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna, Paris, London
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SASL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 15
Age range:
18-90
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Festival & Special Events, History, Photography, Rail Tours
Tour Overview
Embark on an extraordinary 60th Anniversary journey with "The Great Trans Asia Railway Odyssey Westbound," a rail tour that spans 15 countries from Singapore to London. This epic adventure takes you through the vibrant cities and stunning landscapes of Southeast Asia, China, Central Asia, and Europe. Experience the cultural richness of places like Bangkok, Vientiane, and Lhasa, and marvel at the historical wonders of Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Istanbul. Traverse the scenic routes of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, cross the Caspian Sea, and explore the ancient Silk Road cities. Conclude your odyssey in the iconic cities of Vienna, Paris, and finally, London. Join us for an unforgettable rail journey that celebrates history, culture, and the spirit of adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Singapore
Location: Singapore
Our Journey begins in the bustling city-state of Singapore. This evening you join your Tour Leader and fellow group members at 5:00pm for your Welcome Meeting and later a welcome drink at Raffles Hotel.
Day 2: To Kuala Lumpur
Location: Kuala Lumpur
An early transfer will take us across the Johar Causeway to Malaysia and Johor Bahru Sentral station where we board our first train on the journey to London. Connecting via Gemas we will continue to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 3: To Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
We continue our journey up the Malay peninsula through lush tropical forest and plantations to the Thai border at Padang Besar where we join the overnight sleeper service to Bangkok.
Day 4: Arrive Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
With just 30 hours in Thailand's colourful & flamboyant capital, our local guide will share some of the classic highlights as well as some less well known aspects of this amazing city.
Day 5: Bangkok And To Laos
Location: Bangkok
We escape the city this morning to explore the calm and cool gardens and private collections of the Prasart Museum before joining our overnight train to Nongkhai and the Laos border.
Day 6: Vientiane
Location: Vientiane
Tree-lined boulevards blend Buddhist temples with French colonial era architecture. Our sightseeing includes the 16th century Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket. This evening enjoy a sunset stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.
Day 7: Vientiane
Location: Vientiane
A day to further explore 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.
Day 8: To Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
This morning we rejoin the train north to the beautiful UNESCO city of Luang Prabang. The Royal Palace Museuem, Wat Mai and Wat Xiengthong highlight the history, culture and architecture of Laos. Enjoy sunset at Wat Prabath before visiting the city's famous night market .
Day 9: Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
With its headwaters from the Tibetan Plateau, the Mekong River was the main route of trade and conquest for centuries, today we cruise upstream and enjoy the tranquil countryside and visit the Pak Ou Cave monastery. This afternoon we visit the Kuang Si waterfalls.
Day 10: To Kunming
Location: Kunming
This morning we board the train for the recently completed 750km rail link from Luang Prabang to Kunming, China. The journey will take us through the incredible scenery of northern Laos and southern Yunnan Province.
Day 11: Kunming
Location: Kunming
The climate and relaxed ambience of Kunming is perfectly suited to a leisurely walk, and our sightseeing today will take us through the old alleys to Cuihu Park, with its many bridges and pagodas, and nearby the Yuantong Buddhist Temple.
Day 12: Kunming
Location: Kunming
Beyond the city we visit the enchanting 'Stone Forest' - these unusual and unique karst stone formations are a highlight of Yunnan Province.
Day 13: To Chengdu
Location: Chengdu
Back aboard the train enjoy some stunning scenery as we travel to Chengdu (Sichuan Province) famous for giant pandas and spicy food.
Day 14: Chengdu And To Xining
Location: Chengdu
This morning we enjoy a tour of the city. Sichuan cuisine is renowned in China and internationally, we sample some of its classic dishes this evening before boarding the overnight train to Xining, Qinghai Province - high on the Tibetan Plateau (2275m).
Day 15: Arrive Xining And To Lhasa
Location: Xining
We arrive into Xining, 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. We enjoy just a brief introduction to the city and province before we board our onward train to the Tibetan plateau and Lhasa.
Day 16: Arrive Lhasa
Location: Lhasa
Across the 'roof of the world' aboard the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. At an altitude of 4000m and 5072m at its highest point - this is the world's highest railway, this remarkable engineering feat links Tibet and the city of Lhasa to the world - by train.
Day 17: Lhasa
Location: Lhasa
While it is the Potala Palace that dominates the city skyline and our sightseeing, we also visit Norbulingka Palace, the summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas and Drepang Monastery.
Day 18: Lhasa
Location: Lhasa
Considered the most sacred temple by Tibetans, the Jokhang was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000. Surrounding the temple, Barkhor Square allows us to see some of the daily life and rituals of the city. This afternoon we will visit Sera Monastery, once home to over 6000 monks, while today just 600 monks remain in residence.
Day 19: To Lanzhou
Location: Lanzhou
We depart as we arrived by train aboard the overnight service to Lanzhou capital of Gansu Province.
Day 20: Arrive Lanzhou:
Location: Lanzhou
Transfer to our hotel and free time to relax or explore the city.
Day 21: Lanzhou And Depart
Location: Lanzhou
The city's Silk Road history is reflected in the collections in the Gansu Provincial Museum, while across the Yellow River in Baitashan Park the hill-top pagoda provides excellent views to the river and city. This evening we board our overnight train to Xinjiang Province, skirting the northern fringes of the Taklamakan Desert to the city of Urumqi.
Day 22: Arrive Urumqi
Location: Urumqi
Transfer to our hotel and free time to relax or explore the city.
Day 23: Urumqi And Depart
Location: 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. Tonight we join the internatinal train for Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Day 24: To Almaty
Location: Almaty
We cross the Tien Shan mountains through the Dzungarian Gate - through which Silk Road caravans and conquering armies traversed the mountains separating China and Central Asia.
Day 25: Arrive Almaty
Location: Almaty
Kazakstan's largest city and former capital, Almaty is a surprisingly green and relaxed town. We explore the city; Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and ride the cable car to Kok Tobe for panoramic views of the city and surrounding Alatau mountains.
Day 26: Almaty And To Taraz
Location: Almaty
Beyond the city we visit Issyk Lake and Charyn Canyon. This evening we board the overnight train to Taraz.
Day 27: Taraz And To Turkistan
Location: Taraz
Taraz (Talas) is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia founded by the Sogdian empire over 2000 years ago. It was an important trade centre on the Silk Road and retains many monuments from different eras and empires. The UNESCO recognised mausoleums of Babadzhi-khatun and Aisha-bibi demonstrate the masterful ancient architecture of the region.
Day 28: Turkistan And Train To Aralsk
Location: Turkistan
An ancient and holy city its known as the 'spiritual capital of the Turkic world' and home of the UNESCO site commissioned by Tamerlane as a mausoleum for the Sufi Sheikh, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi, who lived here in the 11th Century.
Day 29: Aralsk
Location: Aralask
The receding Aral Sea has left once thriving ports marooned in the steppe, and 'ship cemeteries' dot the horizon. Aralsk's Old Harbour, museum and surrounding lake bed lay witness to the environmental tragedy.
Day 30: Aralsk And To Aktau
Location: Aralask
Beyond the city we visit Tastubek on the lake shore and meet some of the fishermen still relying on the diminishing lake for their livelihood.
Day 31: Aktau
Location: Aktau
Set up as a workers town for the port and petrochemical industry all addresses in Aktau consist of just 3 numbers; City Block Number/Building Number/Apartment Number.
Day 32: Aktau And Ferry To Baku
Location: Aktau
We are here to join commercial ship across the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan. Subject to vessel availability and timings we will have additional time on one side of the crossing. If we have time in Kazakhstan we will explore the unique and 'lunar' lanscapes of the Mangyshlak Peninsular.
Day 33: Ferry
Location: Across the Caspian Sea
Across the Caspian Sea, the world's largest endorheic basin.
Day 34: Arrive Baku
Location: Baku
We reach the port of Azerbaijan, Baku.
Day 35: Baku
Location: Baku
If our Caspian Sea crossing schedule provides additional time in Azerbaijan we will explore the Gobustan and Absheron peninsulas discovering 'mud volcanoes', Zoroastrian Fire Temples, ancient petroglyphs - and Roman legionnaires graffiti!
Day 36: To Tbilisi
Location: Baku
A full day to discover the incredible ancient and modern arcitecture of Baku. The explore the old walled city and some of the new, and stunning, civic buildings. This evening we leave the Caspian aboard our overnight train to Tbilisi, Georgia.
Day 37: Arrive Tbilisi
Location: Tbilisi
A free morning to relax before our afternoon city tour followed by dinner and an introduction to the incredible food and wine of Georgia.
Day 38: Tbilisi
Location: Tbilisi
Beyond the city we discover the UNESCO sites and Georgia's ancient capital, Mtskheta, where christianity was proclaimed the state religion in the 4th century. We continue along the Georgian Military highway to Kazbegi and the Gergeti Trinity Church (2170m) high in the Caucasus Mountains.
Day 39: To Yerevan
Location: Tbilisi
Enjoy the day exploring Tbilisi, or join the optional tour to the Kakheti wine region for some tastings, lunch and a visit to the beautiful hill top town of Sighnaghi. This evening we board the overnight train to Yerevan, Armenia.
Day 40: Yerevan
Location: Yerevan
A free morning to relax before our afternoon city tour followed by dinner and an introduction to the unique food & wine of Armenia.
Day 41: Yerevan
Location: Yerevan
We journey beyond the city to discover the Areni wine region. Our sightseeing will include Noravank Monastery and Khor Virap Monastery, with its incredible vistas of Mount Ararat.
Day 42: Yerevan
Location: Yerevan
As the first state to adopt Christianty (303AD) ancient history is never far away in Armenia. Today we visit the pagan temple of Garni and the UNESCO site of Geghard monastery.
Day 43: Yerevan And To Batumi
Location: Yerevan
A free morning to enjoy the city with its tree lined boulevards, parks and public art & sculpture before joining the overnight train to Batumi, Georgia's summer playground on the Black Sea.
Day 44: Arrive Batumi
Location: Batumi
Our first seaside since leaving Singapore 44 days ago; we can relax, enjoy a swim in the Black Sea, or just stroll the waterfront promenade before a local seafood restaurant for dinner this evening.
Day 45: To Kars
Location: Kars
The 300km section by road today is the only significant road section on the whole journey from Singapore to London, yet there is a railway line linking Tbilisi with Kars - it is just not yet open to passenger trains. Freight only. This afternoon an optional excursion to Ani, the ruined medieval Armenian city founded in the 5th century and now a significant UNESCO heritage site.
Day 46: To Ankara
Location: Ankara
We join the Dogu Express this morning for the scenic journey across the eastern Anatolian Plateau to Turkey's capital, Ankara.
Day 47: Ankara
Location: Ankara
Morning arrival into Turkey's cosmopolitan capital, Ankara. Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the city with your tour leader or relax.
Day 48: To Istanbul
Location: Ankara
Without the tourist crowds of Istanbul, Ankara offers a more relaxed and authentic Turkish experience. Our sightseeing includes the citadel and Roman ruins, the Museuem of Anatolian Civilisations and Anitkabir - the mausoleam to Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic who declared Ankara its capital in 1923. This evening we join the overnight train to Istanbul.
Day 49: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
And at last to Europe - well, at least at the crossroads between East & West. With just 36 hours before we join our train to Bulgaria choose to do and see as much or as little as you wish. Join our local guide for an introduction to the major landmarks of the city, or plan to revist some of you favorite places. Or just get lost in the back streets and markets, enjoy a traditional fish sandwich on the waterfront, take a cruise on the on the Bosphorous. We will endeavour to ensure you enjoy your brief stay to the full.
Day 50: Istanbul And To Bulgaria
Location: Istanbul
A further full day in this most historic and beautiful of cities. Join our local guide for a structured sightseeing program discovering the tastes and flavours of the city from the Spice Market to lunch at 'local' turkish restaurant. Or explore and discover at your own pace. This evening we join the overnight train to Veliko Tarnova - Bulgaria's historic and cultural capital.
Day 51: Veliko Tarnovo
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Sited on 3 hills and the Yantra River this charming town rose to strategic and cultural importance during the Middle Ages. Its unique architecture displayed in the many palaces and mansions, churches and cathedrals.
Day 52: To Bucharest
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy a morning stroll through the beautiful old town before joining the train to Bucharest, Romania.
Day 53: Bucharest And To Budapest
Location: Bucharest
We discover the wonderful and eclectic architectural mix of Bucarest's old town; the Stavropoleos Monastery and the imposing 1100 room Soviet-era Palace of the Parliament. This evening we join the overnight train to Budapest, Hungary.
Day 54: Budapest
Location: Budapest
We take the funicular up Castle Hill to Buda's Old Town and Trinity Square, home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion with sweeping views over Budapest.
Day 55: Budapest
Location: Budapest
Our sightseeing continues with a cruise on the Danube River offering the best vantage point for many of the city's landmarks.
Day 56: Vienna
Location: Vienna
We join our train to Vienna, Austria with a free afternoon to explore this beautiful city.
Day 57: Vienna
Location: Vienna
Our city tour reveals the rich history, cultural influences and elegant architecture of Vienna. The Hofburg and Schonbrunn Palace's of the Imperial Hapsburg dynasty highlighting the wealth and opulance of the city.
Day 58: Vienna And To Paris
Location: Vienna
A free day to further discover Vienna with your Tour Leader. This evening we join the overnight train to Paris.
Day 59: Paris
Location: Paris
Join your tour leader for a walking and metro tour taking in the city's landmarks and the Sunday Bastille market. And being the first Sunday of the month many museums have free entry including the Louvre, Orsay and Piccasso. This evening we will enjoy our farewell dinner to celebrate our remarkable overland adventure from Singapore to London.
Day 60: To London
Location: London
Some free time to enjoy an early morning stroll down the Champs Elysees or perhaps explore a different part of the city before boarding our final train: the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras. Our incredible journey complete.
What's Included
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Accommodation
43 hotel (twin share), 16 train
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Additional Services
Comprehensive schedule of sightseeing with certified Local Guides. You’ll have a generous sprinkling of free time to relax or explore on your own.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
All transfers including to and from the airport.
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Fully Guided
An experienced Tour Leader accompanies the whole journey to keep your adventure on track. Local Guides are native to each destination and as certified professionals will share their immense knowledge with you. 24/7 support is available in the office and on the ground.
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Meals
49 breakfasts, 21 lunches, 37 dinners
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Accommodation
3-4* accommodation
2 berth rail where available or twin share of 4 or 6 berth trains
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like-minded, well travelled clients who you are sure to forge lasting friendships with as you unlock the wonders of the world together.
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Can I create a customised journey with Sundowners Overland
Yes. All of our group tours can be used as a starting point to create your own adventure. Whether travelling alone or in a private group the options are endless. We are happy to work with you to craft a journey that meets your interests and requirements.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1964
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are no single supplements on group tours if you are happy to share with fellow travelers. If you craft a custom journey or would prefer private hotel accommodation, a single supplement may apply.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Comprehensive tour documentation and visa guidelines
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please see full booking conditions for details.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Contact us to see if an alternative start point applies to your chosen journey.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we ensure that all accommodation is of a suitable standard for our journeys.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Please see full booking conditions for details
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Aug 22, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025Book with Confidence
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CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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