Discover the heart and soul of Indochina on this tour of four very diverse countries. Encounter history, both ancient and modern, and witness the unbelievable splendour of Angkor Wat. Our CEOs will ensure your accommodation and transportation are covered—so you can choose the activities that interest you. Push through hectic city lanes and tap into the pulsing nightlife. And with other travellers your own age, you can be sure to get down with adventurers that’ll keep up.
Day 1 Bangkok
Arrive at any time. Additional Notes: Please note: you MUST arrive on tour with your Vietnamese visa. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Day 2 Bangkok/Siem Reap (1B, 1D)
Cross from Thailand into Cambodia, the home base for exploring incredible Angkor Wat. Arrive in time for our included dinner at a Planeterra-project restaurant or with a local family in a village outside of Siem Reap. Included Activities: Border Crossing (Thailand - Cambodia) New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00-4.00 hours) Private Vehicle (3.00-3.00 hours)
Day 3 Siem Reap (1B)
Guided tour of Angkor Wat temple complex. Opt to visit Tonle Sap floating village and Angkor National Museum. Included Activities: Angkor Wat Guided Tour Big Night Out
Day 4 Siem Reap/Phnom Penh (1B)
Transfer to Cambodia's capital. Orientation walk around Phnom Penh. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Local bus (6.00-7.00 hours)
Day 5 Phnom Penh (1B)
Sights you might choose to visit this afternoon include the National Museum and adjacent complex which includes the Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. To learn about Cambodia's sombre history, visit the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields, reminders of the genocide that took place under Pol Pot's reign as leader of the Khmer Rouge. Additional Notes: Phnom Penh can be confusing and we recommend to always keep a hotel card with you when you are exploring.
Day 6 Phnom Penh/Sihanoukville (1B)
Swim and relax on the beach after transferring to Sihanoukville. Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00-5.00 hours)
Day 7 Sihanoukville
Swim and relax by the beach, or take an optional snorkelling boat trip.
Day 8 Sihanoukville/Cần Thơ (1D)
Cross into Vietnam and stay in a basic village homestay that includes dinner. Included Activities: Home Meal Border Crossing (Cambodia - Vietnam) Transport: Private Vehicle (9.00 hour(s))
Day 9 Cần Thơ/Ho Chi Minh City (1B)
This evening, head to one of the rooftop bars such as the Rex Hotel, one of the classic colonial Saigon institutions, where there is often live music. Included Activities: Floating Market Boat Trip Street Food Crawl Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours)
Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang (1B)
Free day to explore. Overnight train to Nha Trang. Additional Notes: During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (10.00-11.00 hours)
Day 11 Nha Trang
Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
Day 12 Nha Trang/Da Nang (1B)
In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An. Additional Notes: During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (9.00-10.00 hours)
Day 13 Da Nang/Hoi An (1L)
From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. Included Activities: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch Street Food Crawl Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s))
Day 14 Hoi An (1B)
Enjoy free time; opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Day 15 Hoi An/Huế (1B)
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, take a Perfume River cruise or tour the countryside by motorbike. Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
Day 16 Huế/Hanoi (1B)
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (14.00 hour(s))
Day 17 Hanoi/Ha Long (1L)
Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay. Included Activities: Hạ Long Bay Junk Boat Trip Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
Day 18 Ha Long/Hanoi (1B)
Get to know Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter. Included Activities: Old Quarter Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
Day 19 Hanoi
Spend time exploring Hanoi. Included street food crawl. Included Activities: Street Food Crawl
Day 20 Hanoi/Vientiane (1B)
Explore a bit of Hanoi in the morning before an afternoon flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by tuk-tuk. Visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong. Transport: Plane (1.25 hour(s))
Day 21 Vientiane/Vang Vieng (1B)
A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts. Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00-4.00 hours)
Day 22 Vang Vieng (1B)
Why not explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.
Day 23 Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang (1B)
This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Transport: Private Vehicle (7.00 hour(s))
Day 24 Luang Prabang (1B)
Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Day 25 Luang Prabang/Muang Pakbèng (1B, 1D)
We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong. Included Activities: Mekong River Slow Boat Mekong River Homestay
Day 26 Muang Pakbèng/Chiang Khong (1B, 1L)
This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon. Included Activities: Mekong River Slow Boat Border Crossing (Laos - Thailand)
Day 27 Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan. Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00-7.00 hours)
Day 28 Chiang Mai/Bangkok (1B)
Today, why not try your hand at local cuisine with a Thai cooking class? Other options include a visit the magnificent temple of Doi Suthep standing watch over the city from the hills above, taking a bicycle ride in the countryside or embracing the bizarre by getting a massage from the training school at the local woman's prison! Tonight we catch an overnight train to Bangkok. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds)
Day 29 Bangkok
We'll arrive early in the morning to Bangkok, Thailand's capital city. The day is free to explore the many sights of Bangkok. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, National Museum, and Jim Thompson's House are just a few suggestions. A trip along the Chao Praya river and through the canals (or klongs) gives you a different perspective of daily life in this busy city. In the evening, we'll say good bye and enjoy a Thai meal and perhaps a beer together to celebrate the end of an amazing journey.
Day 30 Bangkok (1B)
Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day
