Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll land in Bangkok and have the afternoon to get oriented before your 6 pm welcome meeting. The Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and Khao San Road are all worth checking out if you want to get moving right away. A Thai massage or bike tour around the city are solid options too. After meeting your group, head out for street food dinner with everyone.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Grand Palace
- Explore Chinatown area
- Visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Wander Khao San Road
- Thai massage
- Urban Adventure bike tour of Bangkok's backstreets
Landmarks/POIs Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Khao San Road 
- Day 2
Bangkok
This morning you'll cruise down the Chao Phraya River and explore the khlongs (canals). At Wat Pho you'll see the 46-meter gold-plated reclining Buddha with intricate mother-of-pearl details covering its feet. The temple grounds have beautiful stupas and shrines worth walking through. Later, you'll board an overnight train heading north to Chiang Mai, so settle in and try to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Khlong boat canal tour
- Visit Wat Pho temple
Landmarks/POIs Chao Phraya River Wat Pho 
- Day 3
Chiang Mai
You'll arrive in Chiang Mai this morning and head up to Doi Suthep temple complex via a scenic mountain drive. Climbing the 300 naga-guarded steps gets you to temples where Buddhist monks are chanting, and you'll get sweeping views of the city below. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon and evening are yours to explore. The Night Bazaar is worth a walk through, or find a riverside restaurant and try kao soy, the signature northern Thai dish.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Doi Suthep Temple Complex visit
Optional Activities
- Visit Night Bazaar
- Dine at a riverside restaurant
- Sample northern Thai cuisine including kao soy
Landmarks/POIs Doi Suthep Temple Complex Night Bazaar - Day 4
Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary
You'll drive about 1.5 hours to ChangChill elephant sanctuary to watch free-roaming jungle elephants from a safe distance and learn about their behavior and social patterns. Local guides give live talks on elephant conservation and sustainable tourism. There's refreshments by the mud pit (be ready for spray), and lunch in a riverside sala pavilion. Back in Chiang Mai by afternoon, you'll have free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in riverside sala pavilion alongside the elephants)
Included Activities
- ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary visit with observation of free-roaming elephants
- Expert guide live lectures on elephant conservation
- Lunch in riverside sala pavilion
Landmarks/POIs ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - Day 5
Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong
Today heads through rural countryside to the border town of Chiang Khong. You'll visit Wat Rong Khun, the famous White Temple with its unique design mixing Buddhist mythology with pop culture references. After exploring the riverside market town and visiting Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Luang temples, you'll enjoy a final Thai dinner with views of the Mekong River and Laos across the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Thai dinner with drinks)
Included Activities
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) visit
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Chiang Khong town
- Visit Wat Phra Kaew
- Visit Wat Luang
Landmarks/POIs Wat Rong Khun Wat Phra Kaew Wat Luang - Day 6
Chiang Khong to Pak Beng
You'll cross into Laos this morning with additional local guides joining (government requirement). Then you board a slow boat for a 2-day journey down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. The boat has a toilet, covered roof, and open sides with seats up front and an open area in back with mats. You'll dock at Pak Beng tonight where local Hmong and tribal Thai people sell textiles and handicrafts along the main streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- 2-day Mekong River slow boat journey
Landmarks/POIs Mekong River Pak Beng 
- Day 7
Pak Beng to Luang Prabang
You'll reboard the boat and continue to the Pak Ou Caves, an important religious site where two sacred limestone caverns overflow with Buddha images at the junction of the Mekong and Ou Rivers. The lower cave (Tham Ting) is easy to reach by daylight. The higher cave (Tham Phum) requires a torch. Later you'll arrive in Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage former royal capital. If you have energy, the 328 zigzag steps up Mt Phousi lead to a sacred temple stupa with sunset views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Pak Ou Caves visit
- Completion of 2-day Mekong River boat journey
Optional Activities
- Mt Phousi sunset climb with 328 zigzag steps to Phu Si Temple stupa
Landmarks/POIs Pak Ou Caves Mt Phousi Phu Si Temple Mekong River Khan River - Day 8
Luang Prabang
You'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage city with its red-roofed temples and French Indochinese architecture from its time as the heart of the ancient Lao Kingdom. Head to Kuang Si Falls, a multi-level cascade with bright blue pools perfect for swimming. You'll visit a local social enterprise where women learn traditional weaving skills. Grab a drink by the Mekong River and learn about their work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kuang Si Waterfalls visit
- Weaving workshop and social enterprise visit
Landmarks/POIs Kuang Si Waterfalls Mekong River - Day 9
Luang Prabang
Rise early to watch saffron-robed monks collect food offerings on their daily outing, a centuries-old practice. By giving food to monks you 'het bon' (make merit). Your leader will guide you through the proper way to participate respectfully. The monks cannot eat after midday, so offerings are collected in the morning. Spend the rest of your day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alms giving ceremony participation with Buddhist monks
Landmarks/POIs Luang Prabang - Day 10
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
You'll take a high-speed train to Vang Vieng, a town on the Nam Song River surrounded by towering limestone karsts. After checking into your hotel, the evening is for planning the next few days with your group and leader. Get ready because this nature-surrounded town is known for outdoor adventures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Nam Song River 
- Day 11
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng has plenty of options for staying active. The area is popular for accessible caves, most famously Tham Chang, a beautiful cavern fed by natural spring water where you can swim. Hire bicycles to venture into the countryside, hike to nearby lookout points, join a kayaking daytrip on the Nam Song River, or visit an organic mulberry farm just outside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hire bicycles to explore countryside
- Hike trails to nearby lookout points
- Visit Tham Chang cave for swimming
- Kayaking daytrip on Nam Song River
- Visit organic mulberry farm
Landmarks/POIs Tham Chang Cave Nam Song River - Day 12
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
You'll travel by private minibus to Vientiane, Asia's most laid-back capital and Laos' cultural hub. Walk through faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards, and old temples creating a timeless atmosphere, especially in the older town by the Mekong River. Visit Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple still standing with around 7,000 Buddha images. Check out COPE visitors centre, dedicated to helping people injured by unexploded ordnance, and grab snacks at their Karma Cafe. Maybe join fellow travelers for dinner celebrating your adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wat Si Saket visit
- COPE visitors centre visit
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Wat Si Saket COPE Visitors Centre Mekong River - Day 13
Vientiane to Hanoi
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi this morning. A driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel. You'll have free time to explore at your own pace before the 6 pm welcome meeting with your new group and leader. Consider an urban adventure tour of the Old Quarter or wander around to see French architecture. After the meeting, head to dinner at KOTO restaurant, an organization helping develop hospitality careers for disadvantaged youth.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (KOTO restaurant dinner)
Included Activities
- KOTO restaurant dinner
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures tour
- Explore Old Quarter
- Admire French architecture
Landmarks/POIs Old Quarter - Day 14
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
You'll travel by private minibus to Ha Long Bay with its 1,600 limestone islands, sandy coves, and grottoes formed over millennia. Board a private boat and cruise the bay, exploring Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island Beach. Relax on deck as night falls and watch the stars come out. Grab a drink at the restaurant bar while getting to know fellow travelers. You'll stay aboard the boat overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ha Long Bay overnight boat cruise
- Surprise Cave exploration
- Ti Top Island Beach visit
Optional Activities
- Kayaking tour of Ha Long Bay
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay Surprise Cave Ti Top Island Beach 
- Day 15
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
You'll wake on the waters and watch the sunrise as eagles soar overhead. Visit The Green Life Centre, which turns the bay's trash into treasure by collecting items and transforming them into handicrafts like reusable bags and makeup cases. Learn how to make these items yourself. Return to Hanoi by bus, arriving late afternoon. You'll have free time until tonight's overnight train to Hue. Grab a bowl of pho and maybe relax by Hoan Kiem Lake before boarding.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- The Green Life Centre visit and handicraft workshop
- Return bus to Hanoi
Optional Activities
- Sample pho at local restaurant
- Relax by Hoan Kiem Lake
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay The Green Life Centre Hoan Kiem Lake - Day 16
Hue
You'll arrive in Hue this morning and transfer to your hotel. This former imperial capital holds treasures of Vietnam's royal past. You have free time in the morning to rest or explore, maybe visit Dong Ba Market to sample specialties once served at the Nguyen emperors' tables. Reunite with the group to see the Imperial Citadel ruins, a sprawling city-within-a-city with temple remains, state houses, and the emperor's palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Imperial Citadel guided visit and entrance
Optional Activities
- Visit Dong Ba Market
- Sample local food specialties
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Citadel Dong Ba Market - Day 17
Hue
Experience Hue like a local by riding on the back of a motorbike with a local guide through historic and contemporary sights. You'll stop at the 18th-century Thanh Toan covered bridge and the local market where villagers shop. Visit the active 17th-century Thien Mu Pagoda Buddhist monastery and see the car of Thich Quang Duc, the monk who self-immolated in 1963. Enjoy a vegetarian feast lunch in a nunnery. Finish at the lakeside royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vegetarian feast at pagoda nunnery)
Included Activities
- Motorbike highlights and backstreets tour with local guide
- Thanh Toan 18th-century covered bridge visit
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Vegetarian lunch at pagoda nunnery
- Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc visit
Landmarks/POIs Thanh Toan Covered Bridge Thien Mu Pagoda Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Day 18
Hue to Hoi An
You'll board a bus through coastal rice paddies and the spectacular Hai Van Pass with a photo stop. Arrive in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was a major international trading port during the 17th-19th centuries with beautifully preserved sections. Your leader takes you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town visiting major attractions. You'll receive a sightseeing pass to explore additional spots at your leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Old Town walking tour
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Old Town Hai Van Pass 
- Day 19
Hoi An
You have a free day to explore Hoi An on your own terms. Browse cobbled streets and art galleries or hire a bike to cycle through rice paddies to Cua Dai Beach. Look at paintings, ceramics, and colorful cloth lanterns in markets and preserved Chinese shophouses. Get a custom outfit made by one of the hundreds of tailors. Sample regional food at a riverside restaurant or take a cooking class to learn local techniques.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Browse cobbled streets and art galleries
- Hire bicycle and cycle to Cua Dai Beach
- Browse markets and Chinese shophouses
- Custom tailor service
- Riverside restaurant dinner
- Cooking class
- Food Adventure Urban Adventure (USD39)
Landmarks/POIs Cua Dai Beach - Day 20
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll take a short early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. This fascinating city is arguably Vietnam's commerce and culture capital. After landing, a sightseeing bus tour passes the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Opera House. You'll stop at the War Remnants Museum to learn stories from the 20-year Vietnam-American War.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ho Chi Minh City bus tour
- War Remnants Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Reunification Palace Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House War Remnants Museum 
- Day 21
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta
Today you'll head out on a daytrip to explore the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit coconut gardens and stop at a local home for tropical fruits and coconut jams. Paddle in sampans past coconut trees along the delta. Take a tuk-tuk village tour learning about rural life and coconut product industries. Eat lunch at a Delta restaurant sampling regional specialties like elephant ear fish. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at restaurant in the heart of the Delta, sampling regional specialties like elephant ear fish)
Included Activities
- Mekong Delta day trip
- Ben Tre coconut gardens visit
- Tropical fruit and coconut jam tasting at local home
- Sampan paddling through Mekong Delta
- Tuk-tuk village tour
- Mekong Delta lunch with regional specialties
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Mekong Delta Ben Tre - Day 22
Ho Chi Minh City
You have a free day in Ho Chi Minh to discover the city at your own pace. Or take an Urban Adventures tour to the Cu Chi tunnels to get an up-close history lesson on guerrilla warfare. This underground network in the jungle was used by the Viet Cong during the war. Climb into the tunnels and imagine living, working, cooking, and attending school underground while conflict raged above. A new group welcome meeting at 6 pm introduces travelers joining the next stage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures Cu Chi tunnels tour
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 23
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
You'll travel by public bus across the border through rural Vietnam and Cambodia to Phnom Penh, the capital set where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet. The city has fine French-inspired architecture. After arrival, head for a mojito on a rooftop or shop at the art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or check out Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best local souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rooftop mojito
- Visit Psar Thmei (Central Market)
- Visit Psar Tuol Tom Pong (Russian Market)
Landmarks/POIs Psar Thmei Psar Tuol Tom Pong Mekong River Tonle Sap River 
- Day 24
Phnom Penh
Join a guided tour of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former school serving as a Khmer Rouge torture centre where over 20,000 people were held. Visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek where a stupa made of approximately 8,000 human skulls marks an execution ground. Optionally visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda for brighter Cambodian history, or explore Wat Phnom, the National Museum, or take cyclo tours around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) guided tour
- Killing Fields of Choeung Ek visit
Optional Activities
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda visit
- Wat Phnom visit
- National Museum visit
- Cyclo tour around city
Landmarks/POIs Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Wat Phnom National Museum - Day 25
Phnom Penh to Battambang
Today is a longer travel day, so settle in with a book or podcasts. Along the way, visit Kampong Chhnang to learn about pottery making at local workshops. Continue to Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city, a riverside town with French elegance and beautifully preserved architecture. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Optionally take a cooking class to learn local dishes like amok, Khmer curry, and fried spicy chicken.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kampong Chhnang pottery workshop visit
Optional Activities
- Cooking class learning amok, Khmer curry, and fried spicy chicken (USD12)
Landmarks/POIs Kampong Chhnang Battambang 
- Day 26
Battambang to Siem Reap
You'll bike around the countryside visiting rural villages around Battambang to see traditional agricultural production methods like rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice. Stop at a Khmer house, relax, and enjoy coconut water while chatting about local life. This activity supports a local social enterprise training youth for future careers. Later, travel by private minibus to Siem Reap, arriving in the evening. Maybe hit the markets for street food dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Soksabike social enterprise countryside cycling and local snack tour around Battambang villages
Optional Activities
- Street food at markets
Landmarks/POIs Battambang countryside villages 
- Day 27
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
You'll head to Angkor Wat early this morning to watch the sunrise over this UNESCO World Heritage site. Then temple-hop with your local guide through the world-famous complex dating back to the ninth century. The temples were designed to represent the cosmic world in perfect balance and symmetry. Intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs offer spectacular photo opportunities. The main temple cluster near Siem Reap lets you fully explore Angkor Wat, Bayon, and jungle-covered Ta Prohm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat
- Three-day Angkor Pass
- Angkor temples guided tour including Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Bayon Temple Ta Prohm 
- Day 28
Siem Reap - Angkor Complex
You'll continue exploring the Angkor temple complex this morning. In the afternoon, take a private local boat to discover the floating villages and daily lives at Chhong Kneas, a trading port for agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also called the Great Lake of Cambodia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Angkor temple complex continued exploration
- Tonle Sap floating village visit at Chhong Kneas
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Complex Chhong Kneas Tonle Sap Lake - Day 29
Siem Reap
Your adventure ends this morning with no further planned activities. If you want to spend more time in Siem Reap, which is worth considering, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange an extended stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
