Ultimate South East Asia - From £3,100

Asia Thailand
OVERVIEW
Sharpen your chopstick skills & clear a month of your calendar. This is so much more than a holiday. Walk the streets of Bangkok. Explore limestone caves in Laos. Participate in Buddhist alms giving. Stay on a junk boat. (No big deal). This trip is the magical mix of everything south-east Asia has to offer!
EXPERIENCES
Bangkok: Nose around the gilded Royal Palace, then travel like a local: floating down the Rivers.

Chiang Rai: Blazing blue deities will welcome you at the gates of this mesmerising temple. Don’t forget your camera for a spectacular view of this unconventional style of Buddhist art.

Chiang Rai: Tour one of Thailand’s most-recognisable temples – the White Temple. You’ll find plenty of Buddhist symbolism hinted throughout its beautiful architecture (you know, to satisfy your artistic soul).

Chiang Rai: Visit the place that has hosted art scholars and researchers for over 50 years. This museum is all about mixing traditional and modern Thai architectural styles, and it’s pretty spellbinding too.

Da Nang: Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.

Elephant Nature Park: Help to protect to these majestic giants by learning about their struggle while watching them roam free - the way they were meant to live. ​

Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes

Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!

Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?

Hanoi: Step inside KOTO Restaurant  and enjoy a high-quality meal with a twist where you’re helping young, at-risk Vietnamese trainees sharpen their hospitality skills. KOTO (AKA  Know One, Teach One) is Vietnam’s first social enterprise, offering a 24-month free training program for disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on empowering women.  By eating here, you’re supporting more than just a meal. KOTO equips trainees with hospitality, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills, opening doors to long-term careers and breaking cycles of poverty. Each year, over 100 young people get a shot at realising their dreams—all while serving up delicious, expertly crafted dishes.

Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’.

Hanoi: Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife.

Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war.

Ho Chi Minh City: Passports at the ready folks.

Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace.

Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro!

Kanchanaburi: A sombre slice of history. See the Death Railway Museum, WWII Cemetery and the famous Bridge itself.

Kanchanaburi: Cool off in emerald pools, shower under a waterfall and get your step count up. All in a day's work.

Luang Prabang: Always wanted to live like a Buddhist? Here is your chance to offer an ‘Alms’ to monks, in the spirit of karmic giving.

Luang Prabang: Cycle around the former capital of Laos, visiting Ock Pop Tock, Wat Xieng Thong, and Big Brother Mouse.

Luang Prabang: Definitely the most surreal caves we’ve ever seen. Rock caverns packed with thousands of mini-Buddha statues. Pics or it didn’t happen.

Luang Prabang: Hop onto the train from Luang Prabang, travelling at a dashing 160 km/h. You’ll catch some breathtaking views on the way.

Luang Prabang: Meditate at this ornate temple, or just marvel at its gilded beauty and take lots of pics.

Luang Prabang: Step inside the Living Crafts Centre in Luang Prabang and watch over 50 Lao artisans at work, creating beautiful clothes and homeware using traditional weaving techniques. Learn how Ock Pop Tok, founded by Joanna Smith and Veomanee Douangdala in 2000, empowers women by turning their skills into a viable career, while promoting Laotian textiles and crafts across the globe.

Luang Prabang: Today, you'll get to test out your teaching skills and chat with the students at Big Brother Mouse, who are there to learn English. The team at Big Brother Mouse are working to reduce illiteracy levels across Laos, providing language lessons and publishing/promoting books and other learning materials

Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.

Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies.

Ninh Binh: Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette.

Pak Beng: Float down the Mekong from Pak Beng, past craggy caves and sleepy hillside villages. A proper taste of Laos life.

Phnom Penh: A sombre but important remembrance for the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the fields and Genocide Museum.

Phnom Penh: Admire the architectural wonder of some of the best buildings from the Khmer Empire of Vietnam – built back in the 1800s!

Phnom Penh: Spend the evening at one of Phnom Penh's best-loved after-dark hotspots for refreshing beverages and tantalising food.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: Golden temples, a giant reclining Buddha and so many incredible sights to see. Try not to fall off your bike in shock!

Siem Reap: Back on the plane. (Didn’t get a window seat last time? Now’s your chance…)

Siem Reap: Not only is the food top-notch, this social enterprise trains and employs street youth (and also gives opportunities to other marginalized or at-risk groups!). Every bite supports these young locals to build skills, confidence and a brighter future. Respect.

Siem Reap: Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon – where Tomb Raider was filmed. But dress appropriately (no hotpants, soz).

Vientiane: Fasten your seatbelts folks, we’re off to Phnom Penh

Vientiane: It’s bizarre. It’s beautiful. And it has a lot of Buddha statues. This fanciful sculpture garden will leave you with wonder (and a little bit of confusion) in your eyes.

Vientiane: See the incredible work of COPE, a non-profit helping locals with mobility-related disabilities, including victims of unexploded bombs. Witness how they provide prosthetic and orthotic devices, surgery, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation - giving people back mobility, dignity, and independence.

Vientiane: This isn't your typical hectic capital city. Today, you'll walk around the peacefully lovely city of Vientiane and admire Laos' version of the Arc de Triomphe - the Patuxai.
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07/02/2026 05/03/2026 £3,471 Book
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ITINERARY

Touch down in Thailand's capital. After checking into our hotel there'll be time for DIY exploring, a massage or lying by the pool to catch the first of that sweet tropical sunshine. Later we'll rendezvous back at base so you can hear what's in store for the trip, then the night is yours to enjoy authentic Pad Thai & the Khao San road nightlife.

We'll start the day early, with so much to see, there's no time to waste. Catching Bangkok's water taxi system with the city locals is the most convenient way to get to our first stop - The Royal Palace. With our incredible local guide leading the charge, we will learn all about its 61 acres of incredible architecture and some traditions of the Thailand Royal Family. Then we'll jump on our private boat for a tour of the klongs (canals) and some fish feeding. Just listing today's sites gives us the butterflies. Once we get back to the hotel, ask your Trip Manager where to find the best local lunch before we wave goodbye to Bangkok. Bangkok, you've been a dream! But the show must go on. Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination - the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi. We'll start with a stop to visit the most famous bridge in town & The Death Railway Museum & WWII Cemetery will give you a healthy dose of history. And then it’s time to reach our home for the night - right on the riverfront! (Yes, you can jump in the river directly from your room.) Nothing like being greeted with a delicious dinner of local specialities, right? We’ll finish the day off watching the sunset over the dazzling landscape.

We've got an exciting journey ahead of us today! We'll first make our way to the impressive Erawan falls. Walk across the serene trails. Or dip your feet into the emerald blue waters before we head to our next destination. We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We'll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai. All aboard for Chiang Mai!

Time to rise and shine. Today we're waking up in Chiang Mai! Right here in this city is everything you’ve been waiting for. That’s right, we’re spending today at an elephant nature park! Watch these majestic giants strolling through their natural habitat as a part of an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. (Who knows, you might even befriend one!). We’ll grab a wholesome lunch at the park and make our way to Chiang Mai. A free evening in this blissful city? How about spending the evening zipping around on a Vespa? Exploring like a local is the best way to explore, after all.

Ah yes. A completely free day in this amazing city - and there’s so much you can do. How about getting into a glove game with a Muay Thai lesson? Or maybe tour the local markets, guided by the head chef - who’ll then teach you how to rustle up an authentic Thai meal (right in the middle of a rice field!). The city really is all yours to make the most of.

It’s time to bid farewell to this lovely place. Why, you ask? Because we’re saying hello to the Chiang (‘city’ in Thai) of colourful temples! We’ll munch on a delicious breakfast, then head straight there. The Black House Museum. A blue temple, and a majestic white one too. Welcome to the city where the beauty of colours culminates. We’ll drop our bags off at our hotel and head straight to the Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) - a modern architectural marvel, entirely designed using white glass. You won’t really find any temple like this in Thailand! We’ll then call it a day after admiring the incredible design of Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple), and the Baan Dam Museum.

Taking a border hop, we’ll cross out of Thailand and into Laos. After collecting our oh-so-valuable passport stamps, we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat. Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.

Leaving Pak Beng, we make our way to Luang Prabang - get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals. Ending our Mekong River magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Temples dusted in gold, historic French mansions, & locals wrapped in saffron robes make this one of the prettiest places in Asia. Our explorations will involve a sunset from a hill-top stupa & a bout of shopping at the local night markets.

A city cycle and an optional swim under the 60-metre cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and how relaxed you already feel.

This morning, the early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals – kissed by the sun's morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang's 34 temples. After collecting our blessings, we’ll jump on a high-speed train that’ll whizz us to a lively tourist hub filled with plentiful opportunities for adventure. Makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a little easier, right? Known for its dramatic limestone karsts, Vang Vieng will keep you busy this evening. You can opt to explore the local rivers and caves by kayak, or just chill out surrounded by like-minded travellers, watching the sun set over the mountains.

Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot… Welcome to the largest city in Laos! If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised. The vibe here is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to lend a helping hand to the COPE centre - a local charity that provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. It’s now time to visit the Buddha Park - a fanciful sculpture garden adorned with significant Buddhist images. Spend some time talking amongst the bizarre & sometimes ornate statues, and head back to our hotel for a good night’s rest.

This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia. Drop your bags off at our cool hotel in the Bassac Quarter (the perfect spot to kick back with a beer and a bite). We’re doing some historical sight-seeing today. We’ll visit The Royal Palace (the official residence of the Cambodian royals) and the Silver Pagoda (one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture). Later tonight, the city is yours to explore as you please.

You'll find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past hidden among the shy smiles and pretty tree-lined streets. Today we'll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our local guide. Next, you can choose to hit the streets on a tuk-tuk and taste your way through the city's best foodie spots. Then we’ll head back to our hotel located at an after-dark dinner hotspot. (Ask your Trip Manager for some local favourites!)

We'll take a coach out of Cambodia's capital this morning and drive into the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world. The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in the afternoon. Or choose to visit the Phare Circus (which also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest circus show) for some insane multicultural entertainment. There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with - but it's probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World (and something we know you've all been waiting for).

Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn's hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day's first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it's pretty much magic. Next, we journey back to the temples to explore Angkor Thom and the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm (which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle). With knowledge in hand, we'll pay a visit to a social enterprise, where disadvantaged and former street children are trained up in hospitality skills. And wow, do they do it well; their frozen shakes and mouth-watering menu never fail to impress. And finally, you've got the option to admire the sunset from the paddy fields - on a quad bike ride! With no early rise on tomorrow's agenda, we can let loose on the city's famous Pub Street and the buzzing local night markets.

Saying good-bye to some of your group at breakfast will be sad, but the thought of getting to Vietnam will no doubt cheer you up! With a coriander filled Bánh mì in one hand and a Vietnamese coffee in the other, hit the road and get ready to explore the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh. Tonight we can grab a meal together and explore the exciting Ho Chi Minh City nightlife.

Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river's fringes can vary. We'll visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam's famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local homestay.

After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam's staggering past.  Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).

With some traditional R'n'R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We'll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea. Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life - this is Nha Trang. Tonight is yours to take to the streets and explore.

Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience. Tonight, we'll head north via our comfy overnight train - where you'll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.

Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you'll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.

Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.

Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang… Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town. Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet you’re starving from all that travel. That’s why we’ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant - a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnam’s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesn’t end there. It’s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, you’re free to explore the capital however you like.

Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty. Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep and let’s get going. Spend the afternoon cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.

Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one). A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's', but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos. And also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.

Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.

Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometimes soon - Latin America perhaps?
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Nouvo City Hotel (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 2: River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: Overnight Train - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: The Empress Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Lunch
DAY 5: The Empress Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Wiang Inn Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Local Guest House (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: Luang Prabang Inn (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9: Luang Prabang Inn (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: The Silver Naga Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Hotel Aaron (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Mettavary Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: Mettavary Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15: Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17: Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 18: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 19: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 20: Overnight Train - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 21: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 22: Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 23: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 24: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 25: Junk Boat (Special Stay) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 26: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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