Backpacking Asia

We make our way to Koh Phangan today, the island renowned for its legendary full moon parties. We'll settle into our exclusive beachside bungalows, which feature an infinity pool and dedicated yoga space.

Spend the day relaxing on the beach or poolside, discovering the island, or enjoying the ocean. We'll also provide you with a traditional Thai massage.

We'll explore the finest parts of Koh Phangan today, including premier island locations and hidden beaches. After a day of sunbathing, we'll gather this evening for a beachside BBQ.

Feeling sluggish from all that beach relaxation? We have the perfect remedy to energize you - choose between a Muay Thai boxing class or a private yoga session. As this is our final night on Koh Phangan, we'll venture out together as a group for some evening entertainment.

Trading one island paradise for another, we'll bid farewell to Koh Phangan and greet Phi Phi. Upon our late afternoon arrival, we'll check into our lovely resort before heading out for dinner and evening drinks.

Today we'll embark on a boat excursion around the stunning Phi Phi Leh. Snorkelling, kayaking and an evening underwater light show are all planned, and we'll conclude the day with dinner and drinks beneath the stars.

Trek to Phi Phi's famous viewpoint in the morning before discovering the spectacular Paradise Islands on an exclusive private boat trip for snorkelling. Later, we'll go out for dinner and experience Phi Phi's vibrant nightlife scene.

We'll take a boat to beautiful Phuket today and celebrate with a sunset dinner and drinks.

This morning we'll catch a flight to Chiang Mai, the culturally rich capital of northern Thailand. After checking into our accommodation, there will be time to discover the city, relax by the pool or browse the shops. Tonight we'll visit Chiang Mai's bustling night markets.

Today features a full day exploring Chiang Mai's cultural treasures and natural wonders. We'll begin with the famous Doi Suthep Temple, enjoy a traditional Thai lunch, then visit the intriguing sticky waterfalls.

We'll venture beyond the city into the surrounding jungle today, trekking toward our remote jungle accommodation. Walking past rice paddies and cascading waterfalls, we'll spend tonight experiencing the traditional lifestyle of a local hill tribe community.

After waking to jungle sounds, we'll continue trekking before bamboo river rafting our way back to the city. This evening you can either relax or explore Chiang Mai's nightlife.

We've saved one of the finest experiences for last. Today we'll encounter Thailand's most revered animal up close - elephants. At a dedicated sanctuary, we'll observe these magnificent gentle giants and discover how to feed and care for them properly.

Your Vietnam group leader will greet you at Hanoi airport and escort you to the guesthouse. You'll have ample time to relax and socialize with your travel group.

We'll dive into the energy and chaos of Hanoi today with a combined walking and rickshaw tour. Experience daily life in the hectic capital while sampling spicy spring rolls and delicious street food. This evening we'll venture out for dinner and drinks to discover Hanoi's after-dark offerings.

From Hanoi we'll journey to Ha Long Bay, where we'll sail the emerald waters encircled by limestone mountains in an otherworldly setting. The hidden caves and coves will entice us to explore by kayak before we settle in for the evening on our overnight boat featuring a hot tub and bar.

The sprawling rice paddies and dramatic limestone mountains of Ninh Binh are today's destination, where we'll stay at a local homestay in traditional riverside bungalows.

We'll cycle through rice paddies before taking a local rowboat along a network of rivers and through caves. A climb up Dragon Mountain viewpoint will gift us spectacular panoramas. Then we'll board our surprisingly comfortable overnight train heading to Hoi An.

The charming, historic town of Hoi An will captivate you immediately upon our morning arrival. After checking into our hotel, the afternoon is yours to wander, shop, or perhaps commission a custom suit or dress from a local tailor.

Local fishermen will guide us today through coconut groves, demonstrating the traditional art of crab fishing. We'll then participate in a hands-on cooking class to master the techniques of Vietnamese cuisine.

Today you'll get creative making one of Vietnam's most iconic keepsakes - a beautiful handcrafted lantern. Later, we'll travel to the coast for a leisurely beach afternoon where you can relax by the sea, swim, or simply enjoy the surroundings. We'll also stop at a trendy beach club for lunch, the ideal location for great food, refreshing drinks and ocean views.

We'll fly south to the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure.

The mighty Mekong creates expansive stretches of verdant landscape as far as the eye can see. We'll observe how locals live and work along the river, explore nearby villages, and spend tonight at a local homestay.

We'll visit the Cu Chi Tunnels today. This extensive network of hand-dug underground passages was vital during the Vietnam War, serving as supply routes, hideouts and living quarters for soldiers.

Today we board our bus to Cambodia. Following our border crossing, we'll reach Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh in the afternoon. Afterwards, we'll head out for dinner and drinks.

The day begins with a tuk tuk tour navigating the vibrant, crowded streets of Phnom Penh. We'll then visit two significant locations in Cambodia's tragic history - the S21 Prison and the Killing Fields. The accounts and history here will be challenging but essential for understanding Cambodia's past, including the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime. This evening features dinner, drinks and experiencing Phnom Penh's nightlife.

Trading urban streets for tranquil rural roads, we'll travel to the serene countryside province of Kampot, our base for the next two nights. After settling into our comfortable traditional riverside guesthouse, we'll spend the afternoon kayaking, gliding slowly along the river while absorbing the peaceful scenery.

Interesting fact - Kampot is celebrated for producing some of the world's finest pepper. We'll test this claim this morning at a pepper plantation. This afternoon brings a cooking competition as we learn to prepare some of Cambodia's most celebrated dishes, before enjoying a relaxed sunset cruise on the river.

Never considered Cambodia a beach destination? Wait until you reach Koh Rong Sanloem. We'll travel by train and fast ferry to this idyllic island, checking into our paradise accommodation owned by the village Chief. This afternoon, ease into island rhythm as you lounge on the beach, beer in hand, and capture stunning island photos at the Cliff Bar during sunset.

We'll board a private long tail boat this morning to discover some of the island's premier snorkelling locations. Expect secluded beach relaxation or exploring the vibrant underwater world swimming alongside tropical fish. This evening's sunset provides the perfect moment to reflect on another incredibly memorable day together.

On our last morning in Koh Rong Sanloem, we'll enjoy relaxing on the beach. We'll then ferry back to the mainland for dinner before boarding an overnight bus to Siem Reap. With fully reclining beds and air conditioning, this is comfortable bus travel at its finest.

Arriving in Siem Reap in the morning, we'll journey to the rural areas and explore traditional floating villages encircled by lush rice fields, lotus flowers and flooded forests.

We've saved the ultimate highlight for last - today you'll witness the 8th Wonder of the World. Constructed in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat ranks among the world's oldest and largest temples. We'll tour the site with a local guide learning its history, and perhaps recreate favourite Tomb Raider scenes at Ta Prohm, a temple featured in the film. This afternoon we'll meet the APOPO hero rats, who have been detecting landmines and saving lives globally since 1997, before our farewell dinner and final night out together.

Your incredible 38 day Southeast Asia adventure concludes today in Siem Reap. We'll assist with planning and arranging your onward travel.