Backpacking Vietnam & Cambodia

We'll cycle through picturesque rice paddies before boarding a local rowboat to navigate a network of rivers and caves. A climb up Dragon Mountain will offer spectacular panoramic views. Later, we'll board our surprisingly comfortable overnight train heading to Hoi An.

Charming, historic Hoi An will captivate you immediately as we arrive this morning. After checking into our hotel, you'll have the afternoon free to explore, shop, or visit a local tailor for a custom-made suit or dress.

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

You'll get creative today making one of Vietnam's most iconic souvenirs - a beautiful handmade lantern. Later we'll head to the coast for a leisurely beach afternoon where you can relax by the sea, swim, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. We'll stop for lunch at a trendy beach club, perfect for good food, refreshing drinks, and ocean views.

We'll fly south to bustling Ho Chi Minh City. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

The impressive Mekong creates vast expanses of lush greenery stretching endlessly. We'll discover how locals live and work along the river, visit traditional villages, and spend tonight at a local homestay.

We'll explore the Cu Chi Tunnels today, a network of hand-dug underground passages that played a vital role in the Vietnam War, serving as supply routes, hideouts and living quarters for soldiers. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, we'll dress up for our farewell dinner and celebration this evening.

We'll cross from Vietnam to Cambodia by bus, arriving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, in the early afternoon. After freshening up, we'll head out for dinner.

This morning begins with a tuk tuk tour through Phnom Penh's vibrant, bustling streets. We'll then visit two significant locations in Cambodia's tragic history - S21 Prison and the Killing Fields. While difficult, these stories are essential for understanding Cambodia's past, including the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner, drinks and nightlife Phnom Penh style.

Trading city streets for tranquil country roads, we'll travel to the peaceful province of Kampot, our base for the next two nights. After settling into our cosy traditional guesthouse by the river, we'll spend the afternoon kayaking, gliding slowly downstream while absorbing the serene surroundings.

Kampot is renowned for producing some of the world's finest pepper, and we'll test that claim this morning with a plantation visit. This afternoon features a cook-off as we learn to prepare Cambodia's most iconic dishes, followed by a relaxing sunset cruise on the river.

Cambodia as a beach destination might surprise you, but Koh Rong Sanloem will exceed expectations. We'll travel by train and fast ferry to this idyllic island, checking into our village chief-owned accommodation. This afternoon, ease into island life lounging on the beach, beer in hand, and capture stunning sunset photos at the Cliff Bar.

We'll board a private long tail boat this morning to discover the island's premier snorkelling locations. You'll find yourself relaxing on secluded beaches and exploring the vibrant underwater world swimming among tropical fish. This evening's sunset offers the perfect moment to reflect on another incredible day together.

On our final morning in Koh Rong Sanloem, we'll relax on the beach before catching the ferry back to the mainland for dinner. Then we'll board an overnight bus to Siem Reap, travelling in style with fully reclining beds and air conditioning.

Arriving in Siem Reap in the morning, we'll venture into the rural areas to explore traditional floating villages surrounded by verdant rice fields, lotus flowers and flooded forests.

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

Your incredible 21-day adventure concludes today. Those flying home will head to the airport, or continue the dream by extending your stay in Cambodia or Southeast Asia with our assistance and the new friends you've made.