Experience Overview
A realm of untold history, sprawling waterways and ancient temples, South East Asia is a wonderland for travellers and explorers alike. This 24-day Premium adventure delves into the heart of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, touching on the unique charm each region has to offer. Start your adventure in bustling Bangkok and venture north, where the wildlife, history and local food brings one surprise after the next. Travel into the depths of Vietnam, rich in old world culture and hidden treasures, before finally arriving in Cambodia witnessing the lost ruins of Angkor, uncovering the confronting history of the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the tranquillity of the Tonle Sap confluence.
Highlights
- Enjoy three fabulous Feature Stays – the immersive community-based Lisu lodge in Thailand, a tropical oasis wellness resort in Cambodia and a magnificent junk-style boat on Halong Bay in Vietnam.
- Get to the heart of Vietnamese culture with Exclusive Experiences, including a soul-stirring Hat Xam performance, an afternoon in an ancient pottery village.
- Enjoy two days of fully guided temple tours in Siem Reap, with in-depth insights into the history of these extraordinary structures and plenty of time at Angkor Wat, plus an Exclusive Experience morning accompanied by a private archaeological guide.
- Uncover Cambodia's difficult modern history in Phnom Penh visit the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
- Learn about Thai culture during Exclusive Experiences – ‘make merit’ at a local temple in Bangkok, cruise on rice barges while enjoying traditional meals and visit the village of Kup Kap, home of the Lahu people.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2778
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: Boat,Plane,Private Minibus,Train,Longtail boat,Songtheaw,Bicycle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TTPEC
Starts: Bangkok, Cambodia
Finishes: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Duration: 24 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (21), Lunch (8), Dinner (11)Accommodation: Hotel (15 nights),Resort (5 nights),Lodge (2 nights),Overnight boat (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,572 ($399 /day)
Itinerary
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your journey begins in Bangkok, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe explore Thailand’s capital at your own pace. By day, you can experience a city filled with history and tradition, but by night Bangkok is taken over by a flood of music and neon lights. Maybe visit one of the many temples or explore Chinatown. Watch tuk tuks zip by while traditional khlong boats slowly wind down the Chao Phraya River. After your meeting, join your small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where your leader will introduce you to the local flavours.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Bangkok - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- The Theatre Residence or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise early for an optional Exclusive Experience away from Bangkok’s tourist track. Join the locals and visit a temple along the Chao Phraya River, where you’ll ‘make merit’ by bringing an offering to the temple’s monks. Later, your leader will take you for a day of sightseeing and activities around the city. Tour Wat Po – a larger-than-life temple complex in the city and home of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Visit the Grand Palace and learn about the site which has been the official residence of the kings since the 1700s, then head out on a boat tour of the city's canals as your leader shows you how Bangkok’s locals live today. The afternoon is free to do as you wish – maybe check out the art collection at the Jim Thompson house or relax with a Thai massage.
Included Activities:
- Bangkok - Grand Palace
- Bangkok - Wat Pho
- Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
- Bangkok - Temple Merit Making
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House (200 THB)
- Bangkok - Thai Massage (300 THB)
Accommodation:
- The Theatre Residence or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Unleash your creativity and learn about the history of Benjarong – a traditional style of painted Thai porcelain – during today’s visit to a ceramics community. The name literally means ‘five colours’ (although it’s not unusual to see up to eight) and artists use enamel to create intricate floral and geometric designs. This morning, you’ll get to paint your own mug or teacup which will be fired and sent to you to take home as a unique souvenir. After, maybe grab some lunch before you continue to Kanchanaburi to visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. This prisoner of war cemetery was one of the first museumsto educate the public and keep the memory of the Asian and POW workers who died constructing the infamous Death Railway alive.
Included Activities:
- Benjarong - Ceramics Workshop
- Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
- Kanchanaburi - Bridge over the River Kwai
Accommodation:
- U Inchantree or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Visit Erawan National Park to explore famous seven-level waterfall or simply swim and relax. The falls are said to be some of the most beautiful in the country, with glacial blue waters perfect for a dip. Many Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers were engaged here to help build a rail route to Myanmar (Burma), including the passage infamously known as Hellfire Pass. Visit the memorial museum of the pass where your leader will provide more information about this chapter in history. Take a historical train journey across a portion of this 'Death Railway' along the Kwai Noi River and travel over the original wooden viaduct, known as the Krasae Bridge, constructed by the allied POWs. The evening is yours to explore the town.
Included Activities:
- Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park Visit
- Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
Accommodation:
- U Inchantree or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head to Ayutthaya – one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village – an agricultural village famous for its Pha Khao Mah hand-weaving. Visit the community’s museum, a palm sugar field and a local house to see how desserts featuring this famous Thai ingredient are made. Of course, you’ll get to sample these sweet treats. Then watch the weavers at work as they use more than 100 colours of yarn to create traditional Thai clothing. When you get to Ayutthaya, explore the photogenic 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat and discover rows of Buddhas beheaded by the Burmese. Look out for the displaced Buddha head suspended in the roots of a Banyan tree (one of the country’s most photographed images). Tonight, you’ll board a traditional rice barge and tuck into a delicious Thai dinner.
Included Activities:
- Baan Nong Khao - Weaving Community Visit
- Ayutthaya - Temple Visit
- Ayutthaya - Traditional Rice Barge Dinner Cruise
Accommodation:
- Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave Ayutthaya and travel to the town of Phitsanulok by train. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by. When you arrive, change to a private vehicle and continue this comfortable journey until you arrive in Sukhothai. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to relax by the pool or unwind with a Thai massage. For dinner tonight, maybe ask your leader where you can get a bowl of Sukhothai’s famously tasty noodles.
Included Activities:
- Ayutthaya - Train to Phitsanuloke
Accommodation:
- Legendha Sukhothai Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Sukhothai, established in the 13th century, was one of the first ancient capitals of Siam. Start your day with an optional alms offering before visiting its famed World Heritage-listed historical park, which captures the Golden Age of Thai civilisation. You’ll rent a bicycle for a cycling tour through the park and as you ride, your leader will teach you more about the history of this former metropolis and its fascinating structures. Have a picnic lunch then the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the town at your own pace, or relax by the pool back at your accommodation. This evening, regroup and head to the home of one of our local friends where you’ll sit down for a homecooked dinner and a unique insight into life in this part of the country.
Included Activities:
- Sukhothai - Morning Alms Offering
- Sukhothai - Historical Park Visit and Bike Ride
- Sukhothai - Dinner in a local home
Accommodation:
- Legendha Sukhothai Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region. Draped between rice fields and fruit orchards, you’ll find the Lisu Lodge – your Feature Stay for the night. The lodge is a community-based project that trains and employs Lisu villagers from the nearby hill tribe and aims to preserve their cultural heritage. The Lisu people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of the six main hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Meet the colourfully dressed villagers and learn more about the Lisu way of life – this is a truly special experience that’s sure to be one of your enduring memories of Thailand. The lodge offers guestrooms decorated in the traditional Lisu style with modern comforts. Savour unforgettable views of the surrounding hillside and valley and enjoy tonight’s dinner of fresh, local Thai food.
Accommodation:
- Lisu Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, it’s a quick trip to Muang Kued Village where you’ll meet with a local villager and enjoy a private guided tour. Learn about village life, the reforestation of the surrounding area and how produce is grown in the village orchards. Explore the organic farm and choose the ingredients for a cooking class where you’ll learn how to cook traditional Thai food. After lunch, join the villagers and learn how to weave palm leaves to create ornaments and accessories. You’ll also join them for a tasty barbeque dinner at the nearby Mae Tamaan Base Camp.
Included Activities:
- Muang Kued - Village Visit, Cooking Class, and Handicraft Workshop
- Mae Taeng - Mae Tamaan Base Camp BBQ Dinner
Accommodation:
- Lisu Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel to the Elephant Nature Park – a unique project that provides sanctuary for elephants and other animals. Be greeted by an expert local guide and learn the stories of the rescued elephants and the issues they face in South East Asia. Watch the elephants from a viewing platform with the expert staff as they bathe and play and tuck into a vegetarian buffet lunch. Back in Chiang Mai, visit the Yimsoo Café, which supports workers living with disabilities. Then, the evening is yours to enjoy your own way. Maybe visit the vibrant Night Bazaar or take a stroll around the Old Town, which is bounded by moats. Your leader can give you recommendations on where to go for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park Half Day Trip
- Chiang Mai - Yim Soo Cafe
Accommodation:
- Smile Lanna Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, drive to the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Take in the views along the scenic and winding mountain road, which brings you to an impressive 300-step Naga-guarded stairway. The rewards justify the ascent to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, not to mention the fantastic panoramic views of the city. Return to Chiang Mai where you’ll have time to relax before your farewell dinner, cooked by a local chef! Dine on Thai fusion food made with local ingredients as you reminisce about the wonderful adventures you’ve had in Northern Thailand.
Included Activities:
- Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Visit
- Chiang Mai - Farewell Dinner
Accommodation:
- Smile Lanna Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, Hanoi is the perfect place to explore on foot. Maybe head to the city’s colourful Old Quarter or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, showcasing ancient and contemporary Vietnamese art. This evening, join your leader for a welcome dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. Thinking of arriving a few days early to explore the majestic Northern Vietnam? Then check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) -for an off-the-beaten path discovery of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or you can try our Hiking In Sapa (TVAG) - for a big doze of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colorful hilltribes.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Hanoi - Welcome Dinner
- Fast Track Airport Service on Arrival
Accommodation:
- Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture Hanoi or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Hanoi and travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening – a beautiful and traditionally decorated junk-style boat featuring modern conveniences. Set sail in total comfort as views of scattered islands and towering limestone karsts slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay and sit down for a seafood lunch onboard. Learn about the geography of the region, visit a cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations or a fishing village to learn about local life. In the afternoon you will have opportunities to swim, kayak, or simply relax on the beach. Soak in the stunning surroundings with a candlelit seafood dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.
Included Activities:
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
Optional Activities:
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour (250000 VND)
Accommodation:
- Secret Halong Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and maybe take part in some Tai Chi on board the boat before returning to Hanoi. This afternoon, you’ll take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience and sit down to a soul-stirring traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is an art form of Northern Vietnam dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Originally, this was performed by blind performers and was enjoyed by local working-class audiences right up until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. Today, these performances are rare, but you and your group will be taken to a private club house and treated to an exclusive show in one of the few places where artists still sing acoustically. The performance takes around 60 minutes and includes possible interaction with guests, so be ready to get involved!
Included Activities:
- Hanoi - Hat Xam performance
- Halong Bay - Tai Chi
Optional Activities:
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (29 USD)
Accommodation:
- Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture Hanoi or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll get to know Hanoi on a half-day tour with your leader. Discover a captivating city where traditional and modern sit side by side as your leader shares knowledge on the Temple of Literature – an oasis of calm in the heart of town. You'll also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, which held American POWs. Today’s lunch is extra special as you’ll visit the fantastic KOTO cafe – a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and experience to disadvantaged youth in Vietnam and offers a creative menu of Vietnamese dishes made with local ingredients. This afternoon you’ll say goodbye to Hanoi and fly south to Danang. Drive on to Hoi An and take in views of lush scenery along the way. The rest of the day is yours to explore or chill out in the hotel’s pool.
Included Activities:
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature
- Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo Prison
Accommodation:
- Mulberry Collection Silk Eco or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Set off on a walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of traditional treasures and cultural influences from historical traders. Your leader will discuss the city’s history as you walk the pagoda lined streets, visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An was once a great trading port for pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee – your leader will take you to a local coffee shop, where you can savour a delicious brew as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An. Maybe try a traditional egg coffee or a refreshing iced coconut coffee. Your afternoon is free for your own explorations.
Included Activities:
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Optional Activities:
- Hoi An - Farm to Table dining experience at Tra Que Village and Mua restaurant (84 USD)
- Hoi An - Private Bike, Boat and Dinner Experience (69 USD)
Accommodation:
- Mulberry Collection Silk Eco or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
The morning is free for you to enjoy more of Hoi An and the surrounding area. Maybe browse the market for silk and other materials or collect any garments that you might have had crafted by the efficient tailors or hire a bicycle and ride along the lanes and out to a nice nearby beach. Your leader will have great recommendations for places to eat and drink. In the afternoon, transfer back to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel before heading out for a tour of the dynamic city, including a visit to the War Remnants Museum. In the evening – the food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market might call you over with the sweet and savoury scents of pho and bun mam.
Included Activities:
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - Half Day City Tour
Accommodation:
- Paragon Saigon Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Head out of the city to the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Enter a widened section of the tunnels with your leader who will help you imagine what life underground must have been like and explain how the tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used for refuge, storage and as a military base for the Viet Cong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and maybe spend some time with your fellow travellers and enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant. Your leader will have some great options!
Included Activities:
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
Accommodation:
- Paragon Saigon Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia's traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Phnom Penh - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- Anik Palace Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which will tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Then, your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Phnom – the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century – or the Royal Palace and sacred Silver Pagoda. Tonight, perhaps grab dinner with your group or wander the city and soak up the nighttime atmosphere.
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
- Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Optional Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom (2 USD)
- Phnom Penh - National Museum (10 USD)
- Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour (4 USD)
Accommodation:
- Anik Palace Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects, which the locals consume daily. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple, rustic local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel at approximately 5 pm. This tropical oasis boasts three pools and an excellent restaurant with a focus on wellness. Bright and spacious rooms are in harmony with the lush grounds and feature a veranda, private garden and rain showers. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites.
Included Activities:
- Santuk Silk Farm Tour and Lunch
- Skun Village Market Stop
- Siem Reap - Khmer Theater Dinner
Accommodation:
- Navutu Dreams Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
If you choose, you can embrace a very early start today and experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (optional). After, you'll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples of Angkor. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private Angkor Wat archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight along the way. Begin at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor's temples with an entrance facing west. For lunch, visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school, then visit Angkor Thom – the 'Great Royal City' – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in at your resort.
Included Activities:
- Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
- Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
- Siem Reap - Lunch at The Spoon Restaurant
- Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Archaeologist Guide
Optional Activities:
- Siem Reap - Phare Circus Ticket (18 USD)
Accommodation:
- Navutu Dreams Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort explore Siem Reap town, or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue exploring the site. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap .
Included Activities:
- Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple visit
- Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
- Siem Reap - Private Khmer Countryside Farewell Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Siem Reap - Khmer massage (17 USD)
Accommodation:
- Navutu Dreams Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Siem Reap, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jawad - Traveled, March 2024
This is a great trip. I’d hope everyone gets Tony for a guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/05/2024
Robert - Traveled, February 2023
This is not intended to be a review; just misc additional feedback. Don't use Viet Jet. It was terrible. Loved Navutu Lodge. Didn't like the alley restaruant in Vietnam. Need more time in Angkor Wat. Tourgude should automatically put a WhatsApp group together and publish daily meeting time on it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/29/2023
Olive - Traveled, January 2023
I loved my tour of South East Asia. The group leaders were fabulous-knowledgeable, attentive, accommodating and fun. The activities were amazing. The accommodations ranged from good to exceptional. The food was great. The leaders made sure free time was just as special as the rest of the trip. . I highly recommend this tour
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2023
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