BEST OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

You’ll start your journey by flying to Bangkok. If you want, you can opt to spend a few nights on your own, taking in the sights and experiencing this bustling city firsthand.

A HOT tip is to take the river boat express. “Bangkokians” use the river boats for commuting, but you should use them for exploring. By doing the conventional "taxi ride", you’ll be sitting relatively low and only get to see what’s right in front of you. On the express boat, you’re out in the open with the wind in your hair and the city rising up around you, while getting a glimpse of how people live by and with the river.

The express river boat is fast but also really relaxed, giving you the chance to become part of everyday life. It’s also super cheap. Try to get a seat at the back of the boat in the open-air section.

You’ll meet up with the rest of your crew in Bangkok before travelling through Cambodia and on to Ho Chi Minh City.

After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to continue to Cambodia where you'll touch down in Siem Reap. You’ll arrive in time to enjoy a delicious Khmer meal.

The next morning, get ready for the incredible temple complex of Angkor Wat. Some people spend days exploring the temples and taking it all in.

You and your travel buddies will then travel on to Phnom Penh to learn more about some of the darker chapters of Cambodia’s history. You can add activities to learn more about what the Cambodian people have been through, including visits to Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields. Or venture out to the Silver Pagoda or Royal Palace for a more peaceful experience.

The trip will, of course, also include stops at some of the nicest beaches Cambodia has to offer – so bring your swimming gear. You’ll travel to Sihanoukville and board a boat to your own private beach on Koh Rong Island.

Next up is a homestay in Chambok Village, where you’ll get to know the local people over a delicious Cambodian home-cooked meal.

Jump on a 16-day transport pass that takes you all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, with accommodation included along the way.

Explore some of Vietnam’s coolest coastal towns, including Hoi An, Hué, Nha Trang and Da Lat, as you make your way north to the capital. Your mode of transport varies along the way, with some stretches by bus and others by train. It’s a brilliant way to explore Vietnam from south to north without the hassle of organising everything yourself day by day.

Hanoi is a young city, and it’s packed with students from all over Vietnam. When night falls, the small, narrow streets become filled with colourful plastic chairs – the street corners are often the busiest spots. That’s where young people gather, eat sunflower seeds, drink local draft beer and chat while watching people cruise by. Take a seat and join the pack. They might be shy at first, but we guarantee they’ll love it. It’s a great way to make new local friends.

If you feel adventurous, you can also opt to take either a sailing trip in Halong Bay or go trekking in the Sapa region. Or both, if you have extra time on your hands? We can help either way, so just let us know what you want to do.

This part of your trip can be as long as you wish. When you're done exploring Vietnam on your own, jump on a plane from Hanoi to Vientiane, where your next group trip starts.

Once you arrive in Vientiane, it's time to meet your new group, with whom you will spend the next two weeks. This group trip will leave you in awe. Laos and northern Thailand will treat you to jaw-dropping nature experiences from start to finish. You will pass through Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang before heading into northern Thailand by boat.

Along the way, you'll enjoy included activities such as a two-day journey along the Mekong River and a two-day trek through rugged forests, with visits to different hilltribe communities.

Continue to Chiang Mai before taking the night train to Bangkok with the rest of the group. Here, you'll say goodbye to this group and hello to your new travel buddies.

It’s time to explore southern Thailand, with its stunning national parks and beaches. You’ll spend the first nine days with your new group of travel buddies, travelling from Bangkok through the stunning Khao Sok National Park and all the way to Koh Pha Ngan, where you can expect vibrant beach life and nightlife. It’s the perfect start to your southern Thailand adventure.

The rest of this itinerary is up to you, but we recommend visiting both Koh Samui and Koh Tao while you’re on the eastern side of southern Thailand. Perhaps you’d like to learn to dive in Koh Tao?

Continue to the western side, where you can visit Koh Phi Phi before ending your trip in Phuket, where your flight home will depart from. If this trip isn’t enough and you want to see more, just let us know and we’ll tailor the experience to suit your needs.