THE TICKET SHOP

Sultans Of Spice™

A Kampong Glam Walk (Arab Street Area)

The tour SULTANS OF SPICE™ is taking a break until further notice

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"The best walking tour around the city. There are so many little neighborhoods that you wouldn't learn about if you don't take the walking tours."

- Barbara H, USA

Winner of Singapore Tourism Awards
for Best Sightseeing / Leisure / Educational Programme 2005

How was Singapore sold to the British for 60,000 Spanish Dollars? Find out about the man who did it, and the man who forced him to. No one remembers the sultans that used to rule, except us. The old Royal Palace, Sultan Mosque: they all carry an air of royalty snatched away too quickly. Uncover a curious blend of Malay folk traditions and Islam in the legends of the mysterious keris (dagger), exotic perfumes and the story of the faith that is so often misunderstood. Stroll down Singapore’s most Instagrammable street. Take in the colourful vibe of the oldest quarter in the city, now home to an eclectic mix of charming cafes and boutiques. Don’t miss this hidden cultural enclave where Singapore’s indigenous culture thrives amidst modernity.

Inclusive of Local Treats

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Get the inside scoop on the British East India Company’s attempts to control the Spice Trade Route
  • Gain valuable insights to Islam at the historic Sultan Mosque and find out who-buys-what at the Traditional Muslim Supplies Shop
  • Explore some of the oldest (and narrowest!) streets in Singapore and discover colourful street art
  • Catch a glimpse of dying trades, some of the last remaining in the urban city
  • Take in the grandeur of the former Malay Palace (Old Istana Kampong Glam)
  • Taste traditional treats made with love from old family recipes at a charming cafe that will take you back in time
  • EVERY THURSDAY  9.30am – 12.00nn
    Public Holidays in 2023: 1 JAN, 22 & 23 FEB, 7 & 22 APR, 1 MAY, 2 & 29 JUN, 9 AUG, 12 NOV, 25 DEC 2023
  • Meet at Bugis MRT Station, outside Exit B
  • BY CAB: There are two MRT exits along Victoria Street. Alight at MRT exit on the side where Raffles Hospital is.
  • END POINT: Near Bugis MRT Station

TICKETING: STAY TUNED

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SINGLE TOUR TICKET:

S$38.00 (Adult) / S$18.00 (Child)

3-DAY PASS:

S$X.00 (Adult) / S$X.00 (Child)

1-WEEK PASS:

S$X.00 (Adult) / S$X.00 (Child)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  • Note 1
  • Note 2
EVERY THURSDAY, 9.30am - 12.00nn

Adult: S$38 Child: S$18

Sultans Of Spice™ – A Kampong Glam Walk (Arab Street Area) (Meeting Point: Bugis MRT, Outside Exit B)

S$38 (Adult) / S$18 (Child, 7-12 years old) 2 hours 30 minutes

Category:

TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • Tour confirmation is given upon successful booking and payment. Please flash your booking confirmation (either on mobile/printed copy) to our guide to start your tour
  • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before tour start time – our tours start punctually!
  • The Original Singapore Walks® runs rain or shine – please bring an umbrella or poncho
  • In the rare occasion that our tour schedule changes, you will be contacted by Journeys Pte Ltd via email and/or text as soon as we are aware of the changes.
  • The management reserves the right to amend terms and conditions without prior notice

(** Please note that guides and trainee guides are not allowed to join the tours, without express written permission.​)

Before Your Journeys With Us…

Here’s what you need to know before you embark on The Original Singapore Walks®

Do I need to book in advance?

No, you can purchase tickets from our guides. However, you will need to pay in cash, exact change. 


Meet your guide at the meeting point 15 minutes before your tour start time for a quick registration and cash payment (if any). In the rare event of an unusually large turn-out or a single walker, the tour goes on (sometimes with an additional guide). 

Advance reservations through phone (+65 6325 1631) or email (fun@singaporewalks.com) are highly recommended for

  • Parties of 8 or more
  • Changi WWII™ – Life, Death and Courage Coach Tour

Our team will send you an email confirmation once we have secured your spots.

 

If you have a group of 20 or more, we strongly recommend a separate tour just for your group. Please send in your request by filling out the enquiry form at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead.

Where is the tour meeting point? Is there a hotel pick-up?

The tour meeting points are mostly at MRT station exits (above ground) or at the entrance of a museum. The meeting point varies depending on the walk or coach trail of your choice. Please refer to the individual tour descriptions for more details. Hotel pick-ups are currently not available.

How do I recognise the guide?

That would be the person waving our brochures madly in the air. Alternatively, look out for a group forming at the meeting point and the guide who is wearing a Singapore Tourism Board guide badge.

What if I don’t find the guide at the meeting point?

There are generally two scenarios where this may happen: guests sometimes end up at the wrong meeting point, or, they turn up after the scheduled tour departure time. Our guides usually wait an additional 5 minutes after the scheduled departure time in case of any latecomers. Otherwise, a guide no-show rarely happens. If in doubt, please feel free to call our hotline +65 6325 1631.

How is payment done?

For a hassle-free experience, you are encouraged to book and pay online. Alternatively, you may make payment to the guide in cash prior to your tour.

Exact change will be much appreciated by our guides!

How long do the tours last?

The walks generally last 2.5 hours, although, depending on the interests of the walkers, they’ve been known to go up to 3 hours. The coach trails last around 4 hours, again, depending on guests’ interests and road traffic conditions.

Do the tours run as scheduled on public holidays?

No. Our scheduled tours take a break on public holidays in Singapore (we love our festivals!). Please see check our homepage or our red brochure for the exact dates. Private tours may still be arranged on Sundays and public holidays, depending on the availability of our guides.

Do you have any special discounts right now?

Check out our Promotions tab for the latest deals for our tours and attractions.

 

Currently, we are offering an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE, where you can get a sweet 10% off your total when you book 2 or more tours on our website (offer is valid with 2 or more DIFFERENT tours booked – we want you to discover different facets of Singapore with The Original Singapore Walks®!)

 

Now and then, we also present exclusive promotions through partners such as the Association of Singapore Attractions and the Singapore Tourism Board. Do look up their websites for the latest deals.

What are the tours like?

Charming, witty, illuminating and highly addictive. By foot, we will explore the many nooks and crannies that run abound in these lovely corners of Singapore and foray behind the scenes to see, hear, touch and feel things that you won’t on most other tours. We take pride and pleasure in exposing the depths, dishing out the dirty, pointing out the eccentricities and regaling you with astonishing true stories of the city-state we grew to adore. Simply go on one and you will see what we mean…

How are the War Trails by Changi Museum different from The Original Singapore Walks®?

The War Trails by Changi Museum are motorcoach-facilitated guided trails that visit selected WWII sites in Singapore. Please note that we will be running Changi WWII™ – Life, Death and Courage from 1 Apr 2018 onwards due to the closure of Changi Museum for redevelopment. This is a refreshed and enhanced version of our long-running Changi WWII™ tour. The 4-hour long coach tour explores the Occupation Experience and run every Wed & Sat (reservations recommended as seats are limited).

Will we learn anything about local festivals, celebrations and commemorations on your tours?

Definitely! During festive months, selected tours will be enhanced with festival-specific content. Learn more about our local festivals and how we celebrate them by hopping onto one of our special festive tours! Important events that have shaped our society are also emphasised during commemorative months. Follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theoriginalsingaporewalks to get the latest updates!

Are there other tours apart from the scheduled ones?

Yes, we have a whole gamut of tours available for private bookings. Based on our research team’s accumulated knowledge of local history, military history, the arts, religion and culture, Journeys is able to tailor make tour programmes and packages according to various special interests. Our forte lies in programmes which require educational and professional focus and content. Simply drop us a line at +65 63251631 or send in your details by filling out the enquiry form at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead.

For programmes requiring a full suite of destination services, visit www.journeys.com.sg/tours-and-services

What if it rains?

As long as guests are game, our promise is to run our tours regardless of rain or shine. Guests are advised to wear comfortable, weather-resistant footwear and bring along a cap, umbrella or poncho. Much of the walks take place at sheltered walkways and buildings, which our guides keep to in the event of rain. Coach trails are hardly affected as sites can be viewed from within the comfort of the coach vehicle if necessary. 

 

We reserve the right to avoid touring sites due to potential safety hazards under certain weather conditions, such as the open-field Kranji War Graves during a lightning storm.

Is photography / video-recording allowed on the tours?

In protection of the intellectual copyright that goes into the tours, note-taking and any forms of video and audio recording are not allowed on the tours. The interesting stories that we share with you are the result of painstaking research over many years, so do show your appreciation by listening with attentive ears, open hearts and obedient hands! By the way, photography is allowed but not in such excess that it disrupts the tour.

How should I dress to walk under the local climate?

Dress comfortably, preferably wearing a cap and comfy shoes. Bring along sunglasses, an umbrella or poncho, and a bottle of water. When all else fails, put on a big grin and face it like a real globe trekker! (Note: Walkers considering the Sultans of Spice™ tour should remember to dress modestly – sleeved top and full-length skirt or pants – in view of a Mosque visit during the walk.)

Will there be a problem having infants, elderly guests and guests in wheel-chair on the tours?

Most walks (except Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way™ that goes to Ann Siang Hill via long ramps or stairs and Of Graves, Guns & Battles™ that is conducted on Fort Canning Hill with several flights of steps) are on level ground and we maintain a comfortable walking pace throughout. 

 

We put in every effort to make the tours as convenient to all as possible. The walking routes are planned to include sheltered stops, if not stops that allow walkers to enjoy a short sit-down while the guide shares with the group. 

 

All guests are urged to be mindful of personal safety while crossing roads, which is hard to avoid while walking around an urbanised city. Guests who rely on wheel-chair to get around may require a considerable level of support embarking on / disembarking from the tour buses used for War Trails by Changi Museum.

Journeys is part of the
HERITAGE ASIA GROUP
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with the following,
OFFICE: Haw Par Villa Management Office, 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628   |   TEL: (+65) 6325 1631
FOR BUSINESS ENQUIRIES: discover@journeys.com.sg   |  FOR TOUR BOOKINGS: fun@singaporewalks.com
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