Eastern & Oriental in Southeast Asia Eastern & Oriental



Fancy trains, complete with mahogany-paneled walls, en suite bathrooms and white-glove service, have been chugging back onto the travel scene. Trips on them don't come cheap—it is expensive to run a five-star hotel on wheels. But these old-school rides offer more than a journey back in time: They can unlock some of the world's toughest-to-reach terrain, from the Rocky Mountains to Russia's vast countryside. Along the way, they pause for everything from safari expeditions to world-class golf. These five trains vie for trip-of-a-lifetime status.

—Elizabeth Gunnison

Inside the Eastern & Oriental Eastern & Oriental

Southeast Asia Sojourn

The ultraposh Eastern & Oriental began running its three-day route from Singapore to Bangkok 20 years ago. Since then, three more journeys have been added, covering Thailand, Laos and Malaysia (above). The seven-day Thai exploration takes in Khmer temples, an elephant camp and the historic city of Lampang via pony-drawn carriage. The train's interior is colonial-chic, decorated with Chinese lacquer work and Thai wall carvings. A team of onboard chefs prepares multicourse meals that blend European and Asian influences. Journeys from $2,560 per person, orient-express.com

Rovos Rovos

Safari on Wheels

Rovos's African rail fleet includes lounge, dining, sleeper and observation cars that have been restored to their 1930s glory. Accommodations are unusually spacious by rail standards (royal suites feature full-size claw-foot bathtubs) and meals highlight the best of local game and South African wine. The company currently runs nine routes, like a 48-hour jaunt between Cape Town and Pretoria, and a nine-day "golf safari" that winds its way around the eastern portion of South Africa. A 15-day voyage to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, takes travelers through Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia along the way, allowing for game spotting and cultural exploration. Journeys from $1,407 per person, rovos.com

Al Andalus Al Andalus

Spanish Ride

After a seven-year hiatus, Spain's opulent Al Andalus returned to service last year with a trip through Andalusia. This year, there is also a six-day "Ibérico" trip that runs from Madrid to Zaragoza, covering less-traveled territory such as Pamplona and the Rioja wine region. On board, passengers can enjoy live music in a Belle Époque lounge car while the countryside speeds by. The train stops overnight in major stations, allowing guests to experience local gastronomy before returning to their berths to sleep. Journeys from about $3,000 per person, luxurytrainclub.com

Royal Canadian Pacific Royal Canadian Pacific

Canadian Crossing

Inside the Royal Canadian Pacific Royal Candian Pacific

Ten restored 1920s-era railcars, once used to carry dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, make up the Royal Canadian Pacific. The train sleeps 32 passengers and features walnut paneling, brass fittings and sterling-silver table settings. Three times this summer, it will take off from Calgary on the seven-day Royal Canadian Rockies Experience, passing through remote reaches of the mountain range. Options for off-train activities include fly-fishing, golf and a helicopter journey over the peaks. Journeys from $8,200 per person, royalcanadianpacific.com

Russian Revolutions

An upscale alternative to the grim trains that cross the Russian tundra, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains runs two- to three-week routes from Moscow to Siberia, Mongolia and China, offering an opportunity to explore a vast region lacking in tourist infrastructure. Passengers can dine on Russian delicacies like Kamchatka crab and black sturgeon caviar (plus plenty of vodka). Each season brings new improvements—recently, imperial suites with heated bathroom floors and picture windows were added. This winter, for the first time, Golden Eagle will run two journeys between Moscow and St. Petersburg, detouring to Russia's northerly reaches to give guests the chance of glimpsing the Northern Lights. Journeys from $10,295 per person, goldeneagleluxurytrains.com