VIETNAM & THAILAND

Keep your eyes peeled for the big Kilroy sign then meet the rest of your travel crew and we’ll head into the city from the airport. You will meet with your amazing tour leader who is going to be your guide and your good friend throughout your awesome time in Vietnam! This evening we will head out for a delicious dinner to get us all welcomed to Vietnam.

Today we explore the ins and outs of this incredible city. You’ll be able to slurp on traditional egg coffee (at your own expense, if interested!) and explore the nooks and crannies of Vietnam’s vibrant capital.

Walk around the city and take plenty of pictures before trying another of North Vietnam’s staples - Bia Hoi! Retailing at around 25 USD Cents, a glass this local draft beer is worth getting excited about. We will explore the old quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Train Street and much more!

You will be picked up at your hotel in the early morning and transferred to the bus station to take the day bus to magical Sapa. When you arrive in Sapa, our guide will meet you and escort you to a local restaurant, where you´ll have time to eat lunch and relax. The guide will provide you with more information about the hike.

After lunch, you´ll travel by car to the starting point and head through the fields to Sin Chai village, where the Black H’mong people live. The Black H’mong are proud of their culture, and they have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. You will hike to your homestay and arrive in the early evening and enjoy some free time to explore the area. You´ll have dinner with the family and spend the night at Y Linh Ho village.

After an early breakfast, we'll say goodbye to our hosts and trek to Lao Chai village and learn more about the local culture and customs. We'll walk to Ta Van village to visit the Zay people - The Zay minority in Ta Van have their own distinct culture and lifestyle. Enjoy the amazing scenery of Muong Hoa Valley with endless rice terraces and lust green jungle. We'll have dinner and sleep overnight in Ta Van.

After breakfast, we'll leave Ta Van and trek to Giang Ta Chai village where we can see the Red Dao people. The women of the Red Dao have very colorful red embroideries, coins on their clothing, and on wear red scarves on their heads. Some of the women shave their eyebrows because they believe a hairless face is beautiful. We´ll stop for lunch before leaving Giang Ta Chai and drive to Sapa. Transfer back to Hanoi by bus. Upon arrival at Hanoi Bus Station, continue by private minibus to your hostel. 

Time to discover one of Asia’s big-ticket wonders - Ha Long Bay!
This morning at 7:30 our guide will meet you at your hotel. The transfer will be on a bus. At around 12:00-12:30 you will arrive at Tuan Chau Marina where you will be welcomed aboard the cruise. You will meet the captain, crew and join us for a welcome drink as we tell you about life onboard.

Check into your cabin and enjoy some time to refresh and unwind. Later you will be served a delectable lunch while cruising ahead to Ha Long Bay. Explore the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Back to the Cruise, we will take you to visit Titop Island – swimming. Climbing up to the Top of the Island – take the best view of Halong Bay in the Summertime.

Continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoying the beautiful seascape on the way. After that, come back to the boat, enjoy the Sunset Party on sundeck (free wine & fresh fruits). Dinner will then be served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just chill.

Breakfast will be served from 7:00 onboard while the boat starts cruising to the Natural Preservation Zone. Today, we continued exploring Halong Bay! You may visit some local caves, enjoy kayaking or visit one of the floating villages! Around 12:00 the boat will return to the marina, and you will hop on a bus bound for Ninh Binh. Arrive in Ninh Binh and check in late afternoon/early evening.

Ninh Binh is famous for the relics of the ancient capital city in Hoa Lu and the breath-taking landscape often dubbed as "Ha Long Bay on Land". A variety of beautiful landscapes await that will not disappoint you! Make sure your phone is charged because you’re going to need it! Today, we will take a sampan tour through lush rice fields and rocky outcrops and visit Trang A Scenic Complex - a land of several mysteriously deep lakes, another UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed since 2014. In the afternoon, we will visit the Hoa Lu Ancient temple.

This morning, get yourself ready as we will take a short hike to the Mua Cave Mountain where you can have a stunning view down to the Tam Coc Golden Rice valley. After exploring we will pop back to the local homestay/guesthouse for a few hours for showering and refreshing. At 20:30 get transferred to the train station for an overnight train to Hue – the ancient capital of Vietnam. Get a good(ish) night´s sleep or head to the front of the train where the restaurant cart is hung out there.

You'll roll into Hue early in the morning and head to the hotel to drop our bags then start our adventure to the Imperial City, where you’ll gain insight into Vietnam’s imperial history. From the hotel, you will walk over the Truong Tien bridge to the Citadel then get into the Forbidden city, once home to Vietnam’s royalty: the emperor, his family, court women, and few others lived within the structure protected by a moat and tall brick walls. Some of the damage caused during the 1968 Tet offensive can still be seen on the citadel walls today.

You will then be taken back to the hotel, get checked in and have a shower then go to the boat pier, where a boat will pick you up and take you to a local garden house with a view of Thien Mu Pagoda. Here you will learn how to cook Vietnamese authentic food at this unique and scenic cooking class. You will be able to serve yourself very delicious Hue cuisine at the end of this experience! After dinner feel free to head out for a few drinks in town or chill at the hotel.

Today you’ll experience the most unique activity - travel to Hoi An on the back of the motorbike. On the way, you´ll have lunch by the beach and stop on the top of Hai Van pass and enjoy the breath-taking views there. It will be around a 5-hour journey to get to Hoi An. You will make our way up the Hai Van Pass to some viewpoints with awesome photo opportunities overlooking the coast and the train tracks or a place surrounded with French colonial buildings in ruins.

Today will be a highlight for sure! You´ll arrive in Hoi An at around 16:00. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major trading port with the West from the 15th to the 19th century. Today it has been restored to look exactly as it did more than a century ago, giving it an old-world feel full of nooks and crannies to explore.

Today Explore the UNESCO world heritage site of Hoi An on your own. Stroll through the streets and past all of the beautiful buildings. Visit some of the local artisan shops if you would like. Visit the ancient Japanese bridge and some of the other historic sites located around the town. Stop and have a coffee at a local cafe or try some of Hoi An´s famous local cuisine - Cao lau noodles, Mi Quang, Com ga or Banh mi (F&B not included in package price). Spend the evening in the old town watching the people and boats go by. Your guide will be able to recommend exactly what are the best places to check out!

Today, enjoy a free day to kick back and chill. Continue exploring the town or indulge in delicious local Vietnamese cuisine. A good plan for the day is to head to An Bang beach and have a super chilled beach day. 

If you would prefer to stay active, then your guide can help you plan activities. Just strolling through the old town and trying some of the famous signature dishes of Hoi An is also a great way to spend the day. In the evening we will transfer to the train station in Danang and head to Nha Trang.

You will arrive in Nha Trang in the morning then hop on a transfer to the hotel for check in and a freshen up. Take a bit of time to rest and chill.

In the afternoon, get to know Nha Trang with a city tour to the Po Nagar Temple, the local market and the city beaches. Later in the evening hang out, hit up some bars and grab some local food on your own.

There’s nothing on your schedule these days, so take some much-needed time to slow down, sleep in, or visit some of the other places of interest. You can check out Vin Pearl Amusement Park or visit a more off-the-beaten-path Ninh Van Bay. Chilling on the beach is a great option too! 

Good morning! Your day is free to walk around the city, chill at the hotel or take a trip to Vin Pearl Amusement Park, or visit the off-the-beaten-track Ninh Van Bay. Otherwise just pass the time chilling on the beach. In the evening you will transfer to the train station in Nha Trang and head to Ho Chi Minh.

Arrive to Ho Chi Minh City in the morning. You will then be transferred to the hostel where you can safely leave your luggage until check-in time.

You’ll leave right away for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels for a half-day excursion. Return back to the hotel just in time for check-in and time to say goodbye to guide. The remaining days in Ho Chi Minh you are unguided. Rest of the day at your own leisure to explore the city on your own.

Enjoy each and every second of your last full days in Vietnam. There’s plenty to keep you busy in HCMC so get out there and explore! Venture to district 1 or Thao Dien ward of district 2 in search of hidden murals, highlighting Ho Chi Minhs urban canvas. Make your way across the river to view the stunning city skyline from afar or search for some locally sourced craft beer at some of the award-winning breweries that have popped up in recent years. 

Today it's time to say hen gap lai (see you again in Vietnamese) to Vietnam as you head to the airport for your transfer to Bangkok! On arrival you’ll be met by your Thai guide and transferred to your accommodation where you can chill for the rest of the day.

After a tasty breakfast, you’ll head to the Chao Phraya River with your guide to check out the amazing views of the Bangkok skyline. At the river, you´ll get on board a Klang - a traditional Thai longtail boat - for a tour of the river. On the way, you’ll pass through a range of local wooden stilt houses along the river, taking in the atmosphere, the sights, sounds and smells.

Next up is a visit to the majestic Grand Royal Palace which is a massive complex of buildings in the heart of the city. You will end your time with your guide at Pier 9 on Chao Phraya River and can choose to spend the rest of your day exploring nearby temples, shopping or wandering the streets of the bustling city.

During the day you’ll have time to explore on your own. In the evening, your guide will meet you at your accommodation to accompany you to China Town. Here you’ll explore the secrets of this lively neighborhood and will taste dishes that are loved by Thai and Chinese alike. You’ll try the spicy stuff, indulge in the sweet deserts, hear stories about the dishes, and talk to the food sellers. In between, you´ll explore the less-traveled side-streets and hidden alleys for temples, local customs, and the behind-the-scenes of this world-famous foodie haven.

Today is a free day, giving you the opportunity to continue to explore Bangkok. Go shopping, try the food markets and museums or choose to relax. In the evening (around 18:00) you´ll be picked up from your accommodation and transferred to the Northern Bus Terminal where you will board an overnight bus to Mae Sot.

Your local guide will meet you at the bus station in the (very) early morning and take you by songthaew to a simple hotel where you’ll have a few hours to rest, take a shower, and eat breakfast. After breakfast, your next songthaew arrives to start your journey to Umphang. 

After seemingly endless and curvy roads across the mountains, there's a stop at Umphang town where we’ll take the time to visit one of our favorite places to drink a delicious local coffee or fresh-squeezed juice (we recommend the passion fruit juice!). After this final stop, it's a relatively short drive to reach the Karen village of Palatha. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by your host family and learn about the Karen community and their culture. Each host family will accommodate a small group, and they will prepare a local dinner for you.

Wake up and enjoy a simple breakfast prepared by your host family and then leave into the jungle to begin your search for Thailand’s most iconic and animal: the Asian elephant. Depending on where you find the elephants on the day you visit them, you’ll either have lunch at a waterfall or deeper in the forest. 

After lunch you’ll trek back to Palatha and have some free time to shower before meeting at the village’s handicraft center to experience a live weaving demonstration and learn how the Karen make their handicrafts. You’ll have some time after the weaving demonstration to walk around, and we suggest visiting the village’s coffee shop before heading back to your homestay for dinner.

Wake up and enjoy your host’s home cooking as you await your songthaew to take you to today’s adventure. Leave your luggage at the homestay and only bring what you need for tonight’s camping underneath the stars in Umphang National Park. The songthaew will take you to the river where you’ll board a boat to get deeper into the forest. It´s a breathtaking experience to witness the unspoiled natural beauty of Umphang. After the boatride, you´ll be taken to Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall: Thi Lor Su. Here you´ll have lunch and spend a couple of hours taking a refreshing swim and, if the water level permits, cliff jump from the top of the waterfall!

From Thi Lor Su, we’ll trek through the forest for a few hours to reach our campsite before sunset and set up camp next to pristine Ko Tha waterfall.

Wake up to the sounds of nature and breakfast at the campsite before hiking a few hours through dense forest to return to Palatha village. You’ll arrive just before lunch so you can take a shower and freshen up, have a quick lunch, pick-up your luggage, and then hop on the songthaew for the long (and curvy) road back to Mae Sot.

In the morning, you’ll be picked up in a songthaew and driven to the bus station. Please note that breakfast is not included today, so we recommend buying some snacks for the road before boarding the bus. Expect to arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. Check-in and enjoy rest of the day on your own, exploring the city.

Now´s the time to either relax or go on a little urban adventure. We will hop on a bike for a delightful cycling tour in the early hours of the morning! Pedal through the serene alleys and quiet backroads of the old town, where you'll get to witness the breathtaking sight of golden temple spires glistening in the dusky light. Plus, you'll get to learn a bit about the city's history while you're at it. You'll bike to a local night market where you can try some different treats and delicacies. Yum! On the ride back, we'll pass by some historical landmarks unique to the city. 

Wake up and enjoy your breakfast and then get ready to experience real Thai cooking with a little of the special Northern Thai flavor You will be picked up between 8:30 and 9:00 for your morning cooking class which will start with a visit to a local market to pick up the ingredients for your dishes. After that, roll up your sleeves and start cooking!

Today you will go to Khao Sok National Park. You will start with transferring to Chiang Mai Airport where you´ll board a local flight to Surat Thani. On arrival, you’ll be transferred Khao Sok National Park. In the late afternoon, meet the group again and follow your expert jungle guide for an evening safari in the park. After a couple of hours, you´ll return to the hostel and enjoy a tasty dinner together.

Today is a full day in Khao Sok National Park. Start the day with a tasty breakfast and then go on an overnight trip to Cheow Lan Lake. Take a boat ride through incredible scenery to a raft house where you will have lunch. In the afternoon, swim in the emerald waters and go jungle hiking or spend some time kayaking. After a fresh dinner, spend the night in a floating bamboo bungalow. 

Wake up early for a morning mist safari, and look for giant hornbills, monkeys, and gibbons feeding in the trees before breakfast. Check out of your room and relax, swim, or kayak until lunch, after which you´ll take a boat to the Dam.

From here, you´ll continue to your next destination: Krabi. Expect to reach your hostel just before sunset. The remaining time in Thailand you will travel unguided.

Check into your hostel in Krabi by evening and spend the next day doing whatever you feel like. Make plans with the group, or take a day off, exploring or lounging by yourself. 

The day after, you'll hop on a ferry to your next stop: paradise, Koh Phi Phi! You’ve got 3 days to spend however you like. After all the adventures, maybe you just want to chill on the beach or work on your tan? You can also take a dip and snorkel in the crystal-clear water or rent a kayak and paddle out!

Your adventures almost wrapped up, and it’s time to catch the ferry to Phuket. You’ve got the last two days to explore on your own before it’s time to say goodbye to your new travel buddies and head to the airport. Thinking about sticking around Thailand or heading to another spot in Asia? Let us know when you book, and we’ll help you extend your trip!