Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll arrive in Bangkok and have the rest of the day to settle in. If your flight gets in early, there's time to wander Khao San Road, check out the Grand Palace, or browse the massive Chatuchak Market. At 6 pm, you'll meet your group for a welcome meeting, then head out for dinner and explore the nightlife to kick things off.
Optional Activities
- Walk around Khao San Road
- Visit Grand Palace
- Explore Chatuchak Market
- Dinner and nightlife with travel companions
- Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure
- Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure
- Grand Palace entrance
- Thai Massage
- Jim Thompson's House
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Landmarks/POIs Grand Palace Khao San Road Chatuchak Market - Day 2
Bangkok
Today you're walking through Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods in Chinatown. You'll stop at food stalls on Sukorn Alley for snacks and visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, a sacred temple with 58 gods and golden statues. The Sampeng wholesale market is next, then lunch at the famous Labour Egg Noodle shop. After that, your afternoon is free until you catch an overnight train this evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Famous Labour Egg Noodle restaurant - Fish Ball Noodles or Tom Yam Pork Noodles)
Included Activities
- Walking tour through Chinatown with leader
- Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
- Lunch at Labour Egg Noodle restaurant
Optional Activities
- Snacks at Sukorn Alley food stalls
Landmarks/POIs Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Chinatown Sampeng wholesale market Sukorn Alley - Day 3
Chiang Mai
You'll arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning after your overnight train. The entire day is yours to plan. Your guesthouse is centrally located with easy access to everything. Consider heading up to Doi Suthep mountain temple, getting a traditional massage, taking a cooking class, checking out the night bazaar, or joining your leader for bar-hopping in trendy Nimman neighbourhood.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Doi Suthep Temple Complex
- Traditional Thai massage
- Cooking class
- Explore night bazaar
- Bar-hopping in Nimman area with leader
Landmarks/POIs Doi Suthep Temple Complex Nimman area - Day 4
Chiang Mai
Another free day in Chiang Mai to choose what you want to do. You can take a 1.5-hour beginner Muay Thai class with professional trainers, try ziplining or white water rafting, or cycle around the area. Alternatively, wander through the many temples and end with a relaxing massage.
Optional Activities
- Muay Thai 1.5-hour class with professional trainers
- Ziplining
- White water rafting
- Cycling around the area
- Wander temples
- Relaxing massage
- Day 5
Chiang Mai to Nan
After breakfast, you'll take a local bus to Nan and check into your hotel. Once you've refreshed, head out to explore the town. Wat Phumin is Nan's most famous temple, constructed in 1596 and later restored during the reign of Chao Ananta Vora Ritthi Det. Spend the rest of your evening exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Phumin
Landmarks/POIs Wat Phumin - Day 6
Nan
Your morning is free to explore Nan at your own pace with suggestions from your leader for local places to eat. There's a gallery by the Nan River if you want coffee and modern art from local Thai artists. Later, you'll travel to Pua District to visit a hand-weaving centre and learn how local women keep Tai Lue traditions alive while creating income. After exploring the village, you'll head to the evening market with your leader and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Visit hand-weaving centre in Pua District
- Village exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit gallery by Nan River for coffee and modern art
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Nan River Pua District - Day 7
Nan to Luang Prabang
This morning you're traveling through rural countryside to cross the border into Laos. You'll stop at the village of Muang Ngeun in Xayaburi Province to explore Buddhist temples and see traditional cotton weaving. Then it's on to Luang Prabang where your leader will walk you around this well-preserved city. You'll hike up to Wat Phu Si for sunset views of the mountains, then head to Talad Mued Night Market for a local BBQ feast with Sindad-style charcoal grilling.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local BBQ feast at Talad Mued Night Market - Sindad traditional charcoal grilling with meat on hot pan and blanched vegetables)
Included Activities
- Local village visit in Muang Ngeun
- Explore Buddhist temple in Muang Ngeun
- Luang Prabang orientation walk
- Wat Phu Si sunset hike
- Talad Mued Night Market experience
Landmarks/POIs Muang Ngeun Wat Phu Si Phu Si Mountain Talad Mued Night Market - Day 8
Luang Prabang
You'll spend the morning on a half-day boat trip along the Mekong River, cruising past riverside scenery, distant mountains and overhanging reeds. You'll stop to explore the Pak Ou Caves with hundreds of Buddha statues inside. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Luang Prabang. If you want, you can head to Kuang Si Waterfall for a refreshing swim.
Included Activities
- Mekong River cruise (half day)
- Pak Ou Caves exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfall and swimming
Landmarks/POIs Mekong River Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfall - Day 9
Luang Prabang
You have a free day in Luang Prabang to explore however you'd like. Consider visiting Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th-century temple with ornate carved gilded wooden doors depicting Buddha's life. Wander the charming streets, photograph the lush greenery and colonial buildings, hike Mt Phu Si, or take a cooking class to meet other travellers.
Optional Activities
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong temple
- Wander streets and photograph
- Hike Mt Phu Si
- Cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Wat Xieng Thong Mt Phu Si - Day 10
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Get up early to see the daily procession of saffron-robed monks collecting alms, a practice that goes back centuries. Locals wait in front of their homes with food offerings since monks can't eat after midday. After that, you'll have free time to explore town or visit markets. Grab lunch at a top French cafe, then transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Vang Vieng, which sits on a bend in the Nam Song River with great views of mountains, rivers and limestone cliffs.
Included Activities
- Alms giving ceremony observation
Optional Activities
- Explore markets
- Lunch at French cafes
Landmarks/POIs Nam Song River - Day 11
Vang Vieng
You have a free day to explore this natural area at your own pace. Cross the river to check out massive caves on the West Bank, including Tham Poukham cave with its blue-green lagoon and reclining Buddha statue. Take a cycling tour of town, go kayaking on the Nam Song River, explore 16th and 17th century monasteries, or try hiking and hot air ballooning.
Optional Activities
- Explore caves on West Bank
- Visit Tham Poukham cave
- Cycling tour of town
- Kayaking on Nam Song River
- Explore monasteries from 16th-17th centuries
- Hiking
- Hot air ballooning
Landmarks/POIs Tham Poukham cave Nam Song River - Day 12
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
After breakfast, you're taking a private bus to Vientiane, Laos' stylish capital with French-influenced architecture. You'll visit Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane with almost 7,000 Buddha images. Your leader will guide you through this chic city and take you to COPE, an organisation helping people affected by unexploded ordnances from the Vietnam War. About 30 percent of Laos remains contaminated with UXOs. Later, you'll have dinner with your group and explore Quai Fa Ngum Road.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Si Saket temple
- COPE organization visit
- Leader-led city orientation
Optional Activities
- Dinner with group
- Explore Quai Fa Ngum Road
Landmarks/POIs Wat Si Saket COPE (Centre for Ordnance Removal and Victim Assistance) Quai Fa Ngum Road - Day 13
Vientiane to Hanoi
You're saying goodbye to your Laos group and traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital. You'll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, wander the gorgeous streets and explore at your own pace. Tonight, meet your new group for food and fresh bia hoi at roadside stalls or watch the motorbikes buzz by. Hanoi has great local beer and cocktail bars for nightlife too.
Optional Activities
- Wander streets and explore
- Dinner and bia hoi at roadside stalls
- Visit local beer and cocktail bars
Landmarks/POIs Hanoi - Day 14
Hanoi
You have a free day in Hanoi to explore however you want. Check out your reflection in beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, wander shaded boulevards, or relax in a park with delicious street food like spring rolls wrapped in rice paper. Visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the serene Temple of Literature, or the Fine Arts Museum. Try lunch at KOTO, which supports disadvantaged youth in hospitality careers. Explore the centuries-old architecture as the sun goes down.
Optional Activities
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
- Wander boulevards
- Try street food in public parks
- Visit Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
- Lunch at KOTO
- Explore architecture at sunset
Landmarks/POIs Hoan Kiem Lake Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh Temple of Literature Fine Arts Museum KOTO - Day 15
Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
You'll travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island, the largest island in Lan Ha Bay connected to UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. Thousands of limestone islands dot the bright green waters with traditional junk boats creating iconic scenes. You'll cruise around Lan Ha Bay and enjoy a seafood lunch prepared by your onboard chef. In the afternoon, kayak through serene waters to get close to this unique landscape, then watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch prepared by onboard chef on boat)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
- Seafood lunch prepared by onboard chef
- Kayaking on Lan Ha Bay
Landmarks/POIs Cat Ba Island Lan Ha Bay Ha Long Bay - Day 16
Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh
You'll take a ferry back to the mainland and head to Ninh Binh province, once Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a local guide on a cycling tour to visit the ancient citadel and 17th-century temples built in honour of King Dinh and King Le. You'll explore other temples, pagodas, monuments and lush grounds surrounded by mountains.
Included Activities
- Cycling tour to ancient citadel
- Visit Temple of King Dinh
- Visit Temple of King Le
- Explore temples, pagodas and monuments
Landmarks/POIs Hoa Lu ancient citadel Temple of King Dinh Temple of King Le - Day 17
Ninh Binh
You have a free day to explore Ninh Binh's many options. Lace up your hiking boots and trek to Mua Cave, climbing 500 steps to the peak for great views of Hoa Lu and Ngo Dong River. Or get on the water with a boat tour past limestone peaks, caves and temples. You can visit King Kong movie filming locations too. Tonight, board an overnight train to Hue.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Mua Cave
- Climb 500 steps to mountain peak
- Boat tour past limestone karsts and caves
Landmarks/POIs Mua Cave Hoa Lu Ngo Dong River - Day 18
Hue
You'll arrive by train in Hue, the former imperial capital, and have a free day to explore at your pace. Spend a couple of hours wandering Hue's massive walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple Palace. Take a dragon boat cruise up the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Browse Dong Ba Market for locally made goods and street food including banh Khoai royal rice. Cycle out to royal tombs like Emperor Tu Duc's. Tonight, head to a local family home for a freshly prepared dinner with locals.
- Meals
- Dinner (Freshly prepared dinner at local family home)
Included Activities
- Home-cooked dinner with local family
Optional Activities
- Explore walled citadel
- Visit Forbidden Purple Palace
- Dragon boat cruise on Perfume River
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Browse Dong Ba Market
- Try banh Khoai royal rice
- Cycle to royal tombs
- Visit Emperor Tu Duc's tomb
Landmarks/POIs Hue Imperial Citadel Forbidden Purple Palace Perfume River Thien Mu Pagoda Dong Ba Market Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Day 19
Hue to Hoi An
You're traveling by private bus to Hoi An, a unique town shaped over centuries by Europe, China, Vietnam and Japan. Your leader will guide you on a walking tour through restored streets that look like they did 100 years ago. Visit a historic trader's house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. Later, maybe play bingo with your leader in a town square, a popular local pastime.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town
- Visit historic house
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit Chinese assembly hall
- Visit museum
Optional Activities
- Play bingo in town square with leader
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Old Town Japanese Covered Bridge Chinese Assembly Hall - Day 20
Hoi An
You'll cycle through beautiful surroundings to Tra Que Vegetable Village and visit an organic vegetable and herb garden. This 500-year-old village is a thriving agricultural hub. See, smell and taste what makes Vietnamese food special, then enjoy a freshly prepared lunch using ingredients you picked. Your afternoon is free to explore. Browse Central Market for paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Visit same-day tailors to get something made. Wander the lantern-lit streets tonight for great photos.
- Meals
- Lunch (Freshly prepared lunch using vegetables picked during garden tour)
Included Activities
- Cycling tour to Tra Que Vegetable Village
- Organic vegetable and herb garden tour
- Freshly prepared lunch with picked ingredients
Optional Activities
- Browse Central Market
- Visit same-day tailors
- Wander lantern-lit streets
Landmarks/POIs Tra Que Vegetable Village Central Market - Day 21
Hoi An to Quy Nhon
You're leaving Hoi An and driving to Quy Nhon, a coastal city in Binh Dinh province. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore at your own pace. Optional activities include visiting Banh It Tower or Canh Tien Tower for scenic views, taking a food tour to try local specialities like banh xeo tom nhay, nem nuong, or bun ca. Explore Eo Gio for coastal hikes or relax at local restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Visit Banh It Tower
- Visit Canh Tien Tower (Bronze Tower)
- Food tour with local specialities
- Try banh xeo tom nhay
- Try nem nuong
- Try bun ca
- Hike at Eo Gio with coastal views
- Dine at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Banh It Tower Canh Tien Tower Eo Gio - Day 22
Quy Nhon
You have a free day in Quy Nhon to explore any activities you missed yesterday. Visit Con Chim Ecological Zone for fishing or stand-up paddleboarding. Head to Ky Co Beach or take a day trip to Hon Kho Island for swimming in blue-green waters. Grab snacks this afternoon for your overnight train journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Play cards or read as you travel and watch the changing scenery pass by.
Optional Activities
- Visit Con Chim Ecological Zone
- Fishing at Con Chim
- Stand-up paddleboarding at Con Chim
- Visit Ky Co Beach
- Day trip to Hon Kho Island
Landmarks/POIs Con Chim Ecological Zone Ky Co Beach Hon Kho Island - Day 23
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early and transfer to your hotel. Formerly Saigon, this busy city still shows French influence in baguettes and coffee. The food here is spicier than the north. Take advantage of early morning by checking out markets and enjoying pho with local traders. Visit a local market to browse street foods with your group. Try iconic Saigon iced coffee with condensed milk while your leader shares stories about city life. Tonight, get together for a meal and drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Included Activities
- Local market visit with group
- Local coffee experience
Optional Activities
- Explore markets in early morning
- Try pho with local traders
- Browse street foods
- Meal and drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street
Landmarks/POIs Pham Ngu Lao Street - Day 24
Ho Chi Minh City
Your morning is free for leisurely breakfast or people-watching. You'll have another meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet new group members for the Cambodia portion. While you wait, wander Ben Thanh Market, snack on chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sugar cane sticks), or visit the Reunification Palace or War Remnants Museum.
Optional Activities
- Wander Ben Thanh Market
- Try chao tom
- Visit Reunification Palace
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Landmarks/POIs Ben Thanh Market Reunification Palace War Remnants Museum - Day 25
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
You'll travel to Phnom Penh on a public bus, a long journey with two border crossings and a lunch stop. Have your books and games ready to get to know fellow travellers. Your guide will help with border formalities at both crossings. When you arrive, treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage at Seeing Hands, an organisation supporting visually impaired masseurs.
Optional Activities
- Traditional Khmer massage at Seeing Hands
Landmarks/POIs Phnom Penh - Day 26
Phnom Penh
You'll start with authentic local breakfast near one of the markets. The group will visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, sobering but important historical experiences. Explore other sights in your own time, like the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda for brighter aspects of Cambodia's past, the National Museum, or Wat Phnom temple built in 1372. Tonight, enjoy an included sunset river cruise with a drink, then hit rooftop bars with amazing city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Authentic local breakfast near market), Dinner (Included drink during sunset river cruise)
Included Activities
- Local breakfast near market
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) visit
- Killing Fields of Choeung Ek visit
- Sunset river cruise with included drink
Optional Activities
- Explore Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Wat Phnom
- Visit rooftop bars
Landmarks/POIs Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Royal Palace Silver Pagoda National Museum Wat Phnom - Day 27
Phnom Penh to Koh Rong
You're leaving Phnom Penh on a private bus to Sihanoukville, then boarding a speed boat to the island paradise of Koh Rong. Your afternoon is for swimming, relaxing on warm sandy beaches and walking along the coast in the balmy evening to find dinner spots. Your leader has great recommendations for where to eat.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Relax on beach
- Walk along coast
- Dinner at recommended spots
Landmarks/POIs Koh Rong Island Sihanoukville - Day 28
Koh Rong
You have another free day to chill at the beach. Soak in the sun, order cocktails or cold beers, and swim in the serene waters of Koh Rong. For something active, ask your leader about hiking options through gorgeous jungle and hidden waterfalls waiting inland. Tonight, party it up at Nest Beach Club, a lively spot known for great nightlife.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Lounge on beach
- Order cocktails or beers
- Hiking through jungle
- Explore hidden waterfalls
- Nightlife at Nest Beach Club
Landmarks/POIs Nest Beach Club - Day 29
Koh Rong to Sambor Prei Kuk
You're leaving the island behind and heading to your homestay in Isanborei, a rural community that maintains traditional lifestyle within Sambor Preikuk UNESCO World Heritage site, home to over 100 ancient temples. This is part of a community-based tourism project involving seven Khmer villages conserving the historic area. Take a village tour with your local guide and meet your hosts. Catch the sunset over rice fields, then enjoy traditional homemade Khmer dinner with your host family.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional homemade Khmer dinner with host family)
Included Activities
- Homestay in Isanborei
- Village tour with local guide
- Traditional homemade Khmer dinner with host family
Landmarks/POIs Isanborei Sambor Prei Kuk - Day 30
Sambor Prei Kuk to Siem Reap
You'll have breakfast prepared by your local host this morning. Optionally visit nearby Sambor Preikuk Temple with some of the oldest ruins in Cambodia dating back to the 6th century. Cycle through rural roads past locals working in rice fields, or try Sombai Cambodian Liqueur. Say goodbye to your hosts and travel toward Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat. Browse central markets and pick up delicious local food for dinner tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast prepared by local host)
Included Activities
- Breakfast prepared by host
Optional Activities
- Visit Sambor Preikuk Temple
- Cycling through rural roads
- Sombai Cambodian Liqueur tasting
- Browse central markets
- Dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Sambor Preikuk Temple Angkor Wat - Day 31
Siem Reap
You'll head out early morning to visit the mighty Angkor complex at sunrise, the largest religious structure in the world covering 400 acres. Get your camera ready. Take a guided tuk-tuk tour with a local social enterprise focusing on employment for women. See the larger-than-life Angkor Wat, grand Bayon and jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some buildings are over 1,000 years old from the Khmer Empire. If you want, nap after the tour then re-enter late afternoon to catch the majesty at sunset.
Included Activities
- Angkor Wat sunrise visit
- Guided tour of Angkor complex by tuk-tuk
- One day Angkor Pass included
Optional Activities
- Return for sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Bayon Temple Ta Prohm - Day 32
Siem Reap to Bangkok
You're saying goodbye to Cambodia and driving from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a private minivan. After the long travel day, you'll arrive in Bangkok. The khlongs (canals) are a great way to escape the chaos. Take a boat to popular Chinatown for delicious street food dinner. A traditional Thai massage might be a good option to relax into the evening. There's great nightlife and rooftop bars here, so stake out a place with travel buddies to watch day turn to night and celebrate your final evening.
Optional Activities
- Khlong boat tour
- Dinner in Chinatown
- Traditional Thai massage
- Visit rooftop bars
- Explore nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Khlongs (Bangkok canals) Chinatown Bangkok - Day 33
Bangkok
There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. Bangkok has plenty of things to do if you'd like to stay longer, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or the Jim Thompson Museum. Speak to your booking agent ahead of time if you'd like to extend your stay in Thailand.
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Jim Thompson Museum
Landmarks/POIs Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Jim Thompson Museum
