South East Asia Highlights (31 Days)

Touch down in Bangkok and meet your group and local leader. Tonight is your first taste of the city with a rooftop dinner and a tuk-tuk night tour past the illuminated temples and buzzing streets. Finish with a drink at one of the city's sky-high bars.

Start slow or join an optional tour of Bangkok's Old City, taking in Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. This afternoon you store your bags and head to the station for the overnight train north to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation

Overnight train

Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to your local homestay. Drop your bags, then head straight into the jungle for a 4 to 6 km trek with a stop at a stunning waterfall. Back at the homestay, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and a relaxing evening.

Accommodation

Homestay in Chiang Mai

Meals Included

Dinner

Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary for a half-day experience learning about conservation, behaviour and how to make their favourite snacks, with a veggie buffet lunch on site. Back in the city, choose between a Muay Thai fight or a Thai cooking class for the evening.

Accommodation

Hostel in Chiang Mai

Meals Included

Lunch

Start with a monk chat and temple visits by songthaew, including the iconic Wat Doi Suthep. In the afternoon you can opt to visit the unique Sticky Waterfall. Those keen for nightlife can head to the famous Zoe in Yellow.

Accommodation

Hostel in Chiang Mai

A free day to explore Chiang Mai your way. Go whitewater rafting, trek through the mountains or hit the old town markets for street eats and souvenirs.

Accommodation

Hostel in Chiang Mai

Enjoy a chilled morning before flying to Luang Prabang in Laos. Settle into your new hostel, join an optional group dinner, then explore the vibrant Hmong Night Market.

Accommodation

Hostel in Luang Prabang

Start with options like the Takbat monk ceremony, a Laotian cooking class or a cycling and pottery village adventure. In the afternoon the whole group heads to the incredible Kuang Si Falls. Tonight you can opt for a traditional Baci ceremony and dinner with a local family.

Accommodation

Hostel in Luang Prabang

Visit the whisky-making village of Ban Xanghai, then cruise the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves. Stop at Mount Phousi for a sunset view before heading back into town.

Accommodation

Hostel in Luang Prabang

Hit the road for Vang Vieng, with a detour to the dreamy Blue Lagoon for crystal-clear water and a swim. Check in, settle in, then chill out or dive into Vang Vieng's buzzing nightlife.

Accommodation

Hostel in Vang Vieng

A packed day of choices: scale rock faces, bike to the coolest spots and climb to Pha Ngern Viewpoint. If you prefer to take it easy, grab a rubber tube and drift down the river. When evening hits, Vang Vieng's nightlife is waiting.

Accommodation

Hostel in Vang Vieng

Travel day: a bus to the airport and a flight to Hanoi, then a cruise into town and into your new hostel. As night falls, go on a street food mission or join the optional bar crawl with your travel crew.

Accommodation

Hostel in Hanoi

Soak up Hanoi's culture and history, starting with Hoa Lo Prison. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and the temple in its centre, then wander the Old Quarter's narrow alleyways and street food scene and master the art of dodging scooters. Tonight you can catch a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation

Hostel in Hanoi

Head to Ha Long Bay, arrive at the shores of Lan Ha and board your cruise through emerald waters and limestone cliffs. Stop for a swim or a boat jump, then enjoy a buffet dinner on board with your crew as the sun goes down.

Accommodation

Cruise boat in Ha Long Bay

Meals Included

Dinner

Start with a kayak across the emerald water of Ha Long Bay with limestone cliffs all around. After a group lunch, head back to Hanoi, then board the overnight bus to Phong Nha.

Accommodation

Overnight bus

Meals Included

Lunch

Arrive in Phong Nha at about 4am, head to the hostel to rest, then hop on a bike and cruise through the countryside to Bong Lai village. Stop at the famous Pub With Cold Beer, play a game of volleyball and tuck into local food in the sun.

Accommodation

Hostel in Phong Nha

Choose your own adventure. Explore Paradise Cave and get muddy in the Dark Cave with ziplining and swimming, or hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail through wild terrain. After dinner you board the sleeper bus to Hoi An.

Accommodation

Sleeper bus

Meals Included

Dinner

Roll into Hoi An around 4am and catch up on sleep. In the afternoon, get creative at a hands-on lantern-making workshop, then stroll the ancient town and riverfront with your guide to see its Vietnamese and Japanese influences. An optional group dinner caps the night.

Accommodation

Hostel in Hoi An

Today is yours. Head to Ba Na Hills, a French-style village in the clouds reached by the world's longest cable car, or rent a bike and cruise to one of Hoi An's beaches or a local farm. In the evening, hit the food scene or the nightlife, or join the optional Hoi An Memories show.

Accommodation

Hostel in Hoi An

Start with a spin in a coconut basket boat and a visit to a local farm, then fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive for a delicious dinner, skyline views from a rooftop bar and, if you are up for it, one last bar crawl with the crew.

Accommodation

Hostel in Ho Chi Minh City

Take a guided wander through the buzzing streets and landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City, then a group lunch at a local spot. The afternoon is yours, with an optional visit to the War Remnants Museum. At sunset, dive into a night market for pho, banh mi and sweet treats.

Accommodation

Hostel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals Included

Lunch

Visit the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground maze from the Vietnam War, crawl through tight passages and learn what life was like underground. In the afternoon, join a Vietnamese coffee workshop, then belt out your favourite tunes at a karaoke bar for one last epic night.

Accommodation

Hostel in Ho Chi Minh City

Say goodbye to Vietnam and cross the border into Cambodia for the capital, Phnom Penh. Check in, then take a chilled city walk for your first taste of tuk-tuks, temples and character. In the evening you can join the group for dinner and drinks on lively Bassac Lane.

Accommodation

Hostel in Phnom Penh

Get a proper introduction to Cambodia from your leader, then visit the S21 prison and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a heavy but meaningful look at Cambodia's past. Later, choose between a peaceful sunset cruise and the buzzing night market.

Accommodation

Hostel in Phnom Penh

Swap city streets for island dreams. Travel to Sihanoukville and take the ferry to Koh Rong Samloem, with white sand and crystal-clear water. Spend the afternoon in a hammock or kayaking, sip a cocktail at a cliffside bar at sunset, then swim with glowing bioluminescent plankton.

Accommodation

Hostel on Koh Rong Sanloem

Start with a buffet breakfast, then visit a traditional fishing village. Kick back on a beach or snorkel around a nearby coral reef. After dinner, camp on the beach under the stars with waves, bonfire chats and a dreamy night in nature.

Accommodation

Beach camping on Koh Rong Sanloem

Meals Included

Breakfast

Pick your morning: scuba with certified instructors, join a beach clean-up with local islanders, or stretch out on the sand. Enjoy a beach lunch, say goodbye to island life and cruise back to the mainland to board the overnight sleeper bus to Siem Reap.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper bus

Meals Included

Lunch

Arrive early, check in and rest, then join a walking tour of Siem Reap past the riverside, Royal Gardens and the Made in Cambodia market, finishing with a traditional blessing at Wat Prum Rat Temple. Treat yourself to an optional spa session, then watch the Phare Circus, an acrobatic show supporting free education and arts training.

Accommodation

Hostel in Siem Reap

Rise early for a bucket-list sunrise over Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, then spend the morning temple-hopping through the ruins, including jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm. In the afternoon there is an optional Apopo Hero Rats tour, and tonight a pedal-pub ride and a feast of Cambodian food.

Accommodation

Hostel in Siem Reap

Pedal a half-day cycling tour through the countryside past lotus fields and villages, with stops at a duck farm, a look at how rice is grown and a taste of local palm wine. The afternoon has an optional trip to Cambodia Wake Park, and in the evening the group gathers one last time for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation

Hostel in Siem Reap

Meals Included

Farewell dinner

After 31 days, say goodbye to the crew and ride the bus back to Bangkok, arriving at about 5pm. There is time to reflect, swap socials and plan the next adventure.