About your trip
The beauty of Southeast Asia comes from its varieties and contradictions. Vast tropical landscapes and epic rivers give way to urban metropolises and ancient temple complexes, while each community has its own cultural specificities and culinary specialties. A trip to this part of the world should cross multiple borders. Start in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, for street food and temple visits, then cross into Cambodia. Visit Angkor Wat at dawn and discover Cambodian cuisine in Phnom Penh before hopping on a speedboat down the Mekong, into Vietnam. Enjoy an overnight cruise and explore the river by traditional rowboat before heading to your final destination, Ho Chi Minh City, where you can visit a food market and sip Vietnamese coffee while getting to know the complex history and fascinating cultures of Vietnam.
Trip Highlights
- Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument.
- Whizz around Bangkok on a Tuk Tuk street food tour.
- Watch a local acrobatics show that supports social development for high-risk kids.
- Explore the temples of Ta Prohm and the ancient city of Angkor Thom by e-bike.
- Cruise down the Mekong River on an old river boat.
- Discover tiny islets and local communities on a Mekong canal tour.
- Sip classic Vietnamese coffee on a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City.
Your Itinerary
Your Southeast Asian adventure kicks off in Thailand’s buzzing capital city. After settling in at the hotel, gather for a welcome meeting with our Local Insider and your fellow travelers, followed by your first taste of authentic Thai cuisine at a group welcome dinner.
Accommodation:
Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon – Deluxe Room
Activities Included:
- Welcome dinner
After breakfast, set off on a city and temples tour of Bangkok. The architecture here features an almost surreal blend of ultra-modern skyscrapers alongside ancient temples and traditional side streets. Explore old and new districts as our Local Insider guides you around Bangkok’s three most famous temples – Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), Wat Pho, and the Marble Temple. Enjoy free time in the afternoon, before reconvening to delve into Bangkok’s cultural cornerstone – food and nightlife. As night falls, whizz around on a Tuk Tuk food tour. Experience the sights, smells, and sounds of Bangkok while discovering markets, street food vendors, and local restaurants, sampling local favorites. Round off the tour at a lively bar – the perfect way to end your night in Bangkok.
Accommodation:
Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon – Deluxe Room
Activities Included:
- Bangkok city and temples tour
- Evening Tuk Tuk food tour (dinner included)
We recommend grabbing a few snacks from the breakfast table as we have a big journey ahead through eastern Thailand, across the border and into Cambodia. Cross around midday and continue on to Siem Reap with our Local Insider. After a late-afternoon check-in, stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat before getting together for an incredible Phare circus show. Phare Ponleu Selpak originated at a refugee camp on the Thai border in 1986, developed as a way to use artistic expression to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war. Enjoy an hour of pure Cambodian theatrical and acrobatic performance while supporting an excellent cause!
Accommodation:
Sokchea Angkor Hotel
Activities Included:
- Phare Circus Show
It’s an early start today, but our morning activity will surely make waking up worthwhile as you will witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. This Unesco World Heritage site is the largest religious monument in the world, a stunning feat of 900-year-old temple architecture. Observing the reddish tints of sunrise illuminating the temple’s intricate carvings is an experience that even the unreligious will find awe-inspiring. After this breathtaking view, tuck into breakfast and have some free time to explore the area. Rejoin our Local Insider for an e-bike tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, including Ta Prohm – a stone temple reclaimed by nature – and Angkor Thom, the last city of the Khmer Empire.
Accommodation:
Sokchea Angkor Hotel
Activities Included:
- Visit to the Angkor Wat temple complex
- E-Bike visit to Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom
The next leg of our journey begins with a transfer to Phnom Penh. This scenic journey goes through the lush Cambodian countryside. We’ll stop at Kampong K’dei, a remarkably well-preserved stone-arch bridge from the 12th century, around midday for lunch before heading onward to Phnom Penh and our hotel for the evening. After freshening up, we’ll set sail on a dreamy sunset cruise on the Mekong, taking in the city’s iconic landmarks as day slowly transitions into night.
Accommodation:
G Mekong Hotel
Activities Included:
- Lunch in Kampong K’dei
- Mekong sunset cruise
After getting to know Phnom Penh through its food, it’s time to delve deeper into the city’s historical and cultural perspectives. After breakfast, you’ll go on a comprehensive city tour, notably visiting the ornate designs of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Armed with fresh knowledge of the city’s finest eateries, enjoy some free time for lunch before reconvening for a culturally significant visit to the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Understanding the horrors of the Pol Pot regime is essential to grasp modern Cambodia comprehensively.
Accommodation:
G Mekong Hotel
Activities Included:
- Phnom Penh city tour
- Killing Field and Genocide Museum visit
Prepare for our final border crossing of the trip via a speedboat down the Mekong river into Vietnam and onward to Chau Doc, where we’ll spend the evening at a beautiful riverside hotel. Enjoy views of the passing boats before a delicious group dinner at the Bassac Restaurant on site.
Accommodation:
Victoria Chau Doc
Activities Included:
- Speedboat down the Mekong and into Vietnam
- Dinner at the hotel
After breakfast, we’ll exchange the speedboat for the Mekong Eyes, a lovely old riverboat for an overnight cruise. The boat incorporates high-quality wood with modern comforts, providing a charming experience. Departing around midday, lunch will be served onboard while stopping for an excursion through rural orchards and villages, gaining insight into local life. Savor sunset on the top deck with dinner before retreating to your air-conditioned cabin.
Accommodation:
Mekong Eyes River Cruiser
Activities Included:
- Departure on cruise
- Lunch onboard
- Guided excursion through orchards/villages
- Sunset on the top deck of the boat
- Dinner onboard
Enjoy a serene breakfast onboard before checking out from the boat. Our journey continues on a sampan rowing boat, exploring the river’s many islets. Experience local music, try traditional handicrafts, and cycle alongside canals before settling down for a well-earned lunch. Later, travel to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Spend your first night in Vietnam’s most populous city as you wish.
Accommodation:
Northern Charm Hotel
Activities Included:
- Mekong Canals excursion on rowing Sampan (lunch included)
On our final full day, embark on an exciting treasure hunt at Ben Thanh Market, interacting with local vendors while discovering unique souvenirs and culinary delights. Follow with an immersive walking tour exploring Ho Chi Minh’s past and present, from the 17th-century French arrival to the Vietnam War. Sip classic Vietnamese coffee in a trendy local cafe, learning about the city’s unique stories. The day concludes with a Vietnamese family-style farewell dinner, reflecting on an incredible journey through Indochina.
Accommodation:
Northern Charm Hotel
Activities Included:
- Ben Thanh Market visit
- Ho Chi Minh City walking tour
- Farewell Dinner
Sadly, the Southeast Asian extravaganza concludes. Enjoy one last breakfast before being transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) in time for your flight home.
What’s included
- 9 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 night river cruiser accommodation
- Private and local transport
- Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN)
- 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Local Insider
- Bangkok city and temples tour
- Evening Bangkok Tuk Tuk food tour
- Phare Circus Show
- Visit to Angkor Wat at sunrise
- E-Bike tour of Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom
- Mekong sunset cruise
- Phnom Penh city tour
- Visit to Killing Fields and Genocide Museum
- Speedboat down the Mekong into Vietnam
- Mekong River Cruise
- Guided excursion through orchards/villages
- Mekong Canals excursion on rowing Sampan
- Ben Thanh Market visit
- Ho Chi Minh City walking tour
What’s not included
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from the destination
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating:
4.6/5
Independent Service Rating based on 153 verified reviews.
Accommodation
Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon – Deluxe Room, Bangkok
This light and breezy modern hotel in the heart of Bangkok is an oasis of calm amid the pulsating streets of the city’s most popular districts. The breakfast buffet is held in the lovely Déjà Brew Lifestyle Café, a contemporary space where you can dine all day on Thai delicacies or order to your room.
Sokchea Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap
Relaxation is the name of the game at this four-star hotel in the heart of Siem Reap. This is best exemplified by the calm surrounds of the outdoor pool, bordered by greenery and tucked away within the hotel’s courtyard.
G Mekong Hotel, Phnom Penh
This urban sanctuary delivers stylish contemporary design and a hint of metropolitan luxury to your stay in Phnom Penh. Its convenient location in the heart of the Cambodian capital leaves you within walking distance of the Royal Palace and the banks of the Mekong River.
Mekong Eyes, Mekong River Cruise
This charming river cruiser combines regional boat-building traditions – think fine wood used for traditional rice barges – with modern comforts like air-conditioning. Enjoy panoramic river views from the lounge and dine on authentic local cuisine crafted by the experienced chef.
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel
This gorgeous riverside hotel sits on the banks of the Bassac River in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy unobstructed views of the rivers below and sip drinks at the Tan Chau before dining on authentic southern Vietnamese food at the Bassac restaurant, the perfect place to unwind after a long day of travel.
Northern Charm Hotel
This conveniently located contemporary hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for a short stay. Savor all-day dining at the 16th-floor Panorama Restaurant, offering stunning city views and refreshing cocktails by the rooftop pool.
Covid Safety
Your safety and wellbeing are the utmost priority, thus several measures have been implemented on all trips:
- Average group size is 10 people (max 18), ensuring a balance between group travel and personal space.
- Utilization of small/boutique accommodations to reduce exposure to other travelers.
- Accommodation providers are required to share protocols around extra health and hygiene measures.
- Activities minimising external contact whenever feasible.
- Covid-19 negative test results or vaccine certificates may be required. Consult travel experts for specific requirements prior to travel.
- Ensure all guidance is confirmed on official government sites and meet all insurance requirements.
Important Info
- Participants must be 25 years or older to join.
- Visa requirements depend on your destination, please check ahead of the trip.
- If pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements exist, notify the Customer Support team as soon as possible.
- Single travelers will not incur additional fees and will be paired with same-gender roommates.
- Travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
- Itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
