Southeast Asia Cultural Tours & Packages Tours & Trips

Highlights

• Stay in an eco-lodge on the edge of the jungle that’s fighting for the preservation of Ulu Muda Forest with research and awareness, low-footprint practices and ecotourism principles.
• Take not one but two river cruises deep in the Ulu Muda Forest to double your chances of spotting roaming wildlife like elephants as your guide tells you about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush haven home.
• Slip into the local way of life, staying with a family on a homestay that gives real insight into village culture – play traditional games, learn fishing techniques and tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
• Explore the rolling green Cameron Highlands, blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields, and then trek through the mossy forest to learn more about the unique plants living beneath this sea of moss.
• Wander the historic mural-lined streets of Georgetown, the vibrant cultural hub of Penang and see the array of contemporary art galleries, boutiques, traditional temples and churches.

Highlights

• Travel from Thailand's lively capital and activity-filled Chiang Mai, to the riverside tranquillity of Laos and its stunning scenery.
• Discover just why Luang Prabang has UNESCO status as you uncover the French influence, beautiful temples, traditional arts and the world renown night markets.
• Discover impactful local organizations that support local communities in various ways, including empowering local women through preserving traditional textile making, or caring for those who have been injured by the multitude of unexploded ordinance across the country.
• Explore the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat at Mandalao. Read more about this Intrepid Foundation supported project here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/elephant-sanctuary-laos/
• Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.

Highlights

• After spending time admiring Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient town, hop on a bike and pedal beside rice fields and through small villages on a guided bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside.
• Spend two days on Cat Ba Island relaxing on tiny beaches, hiking through verdant jungle and kayaking around karst-studded Lan Ha Bay. It’s just like Ha Long, but with fewer tourists!
• Cruise around the backwater canals of the Mekong Delta – the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam – and discover rural life and local interactions along the shores with your small group.
• Explore the 36 streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, as well as the Dong Xuan Market and Hoan Kiem Lake, taking in the unique mixture of French and Buddhist architecture.
• Bliss out on an immersive homestay in the National Park of Pu Luong – wake up to the serenity of quiet, terraced rice paddy fields, trek the local land to take in the scenery and meet some local tribes to learn about their culture.

Highlights

• Cycle through the backcountry of Yogyakarta – a world of flower-studded fields and friendly locals, this cultural centre is one of South East Asia’s standouts.
• Take a guided walk through the jungle and rice paddies of Seloliman Nature Reserve, then sit back, relax and soak up the ambience under the stars in a local guest house.
• Climb Mt Bromo in the early hours of the morning. If the conditions are right, you'll be rewarded with a dazzling view over mist-laden volcanoes.
• Explore Bandung – a city of contrasts – and feast on delicious street food in this unofficial food capital. Sit down in a 100-year-old café for a local cuppa, hike around volcanic craters, then soak your weary muscles in the hot springs.
• Balance out all of the activity and adventure with plenty of time to chill out away from the crowds at beachside paradise of Pemuteran on Bali’s less-visited north coast.

Highlights

• Fall in love with Vietnam one bite at a time, from pho, slurped on a busy street corner to a vegetarian feast in a Buddhist nunnery.
• Sail through Halong Bay's limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay's discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
• Travel like a local on a motorbike tour, riding pillion and taking in the historical pagodas, bridges and villages of Hue.
• Embrace a slower pace during a private boat tour of the Mekong Delta and meet local craftspeople in the villages that line the river's myriad waterways.
• Wander through the remarkably well-preserved streets of Hoi An's Old Town on a guided tour, where elegant wooden buildings line the canals.

Highlights

• Experience living like a local with a night in a locally run guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, with friendly hosts and delicious homecooked meals.
• Discover the bustling centres of Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – these diverse cities are a fascinating mix of ancient culture and new-age cityscapes, and you’ll get the chance to visit all the most iconic spots.
• Feast on the mouth-watering, fresh delights of Vietnam. From slurping traditional bun bo Hue and digging into a vegetarian feast at a local nunnery, to enjoying a home-cooked lunch with locals in Ninh Binh – the food of Vietnam is definitely a highlight!
• Spend a night on a traditional junk sailing boat in UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, surrounded by limestone karsts and turquoise waters.
• Visit Save Vietnam Wildlife, an Intrepid Foundation supported NGO focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Vietnam's endangered wildlife.

Highlights

• Visit endangered orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre – a facility that provides care for orphaned and confiscated primates and other local wildlife.
• Learn about a social enterprise that empowers women in the mountainous village of Kampung Kiau and enjoy a traditional lunch of regional favourites.
• Soak up the calm beach vibes with two relaxing days on Manukan Island where you’ll get up close to diverse marine life on a snorkelling trip.
• Search for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys as you cruise the Kinabatangan River on a water safari.
• Savour local cuisine, like roticanai and teh tarik, during food tastings on a heritage walk in Sandakan.

Highlights

• Begin in Bangkok and finish in Ho Chi Minh City – with plenty of opportunities to further explore these Southeast Asian hotspots, maybe add an extra couple of days to enhance your adventure and indulge in more Thai massage and Vietnamese coffees.
• Let a local expert bring Cambodia’s ancient history to life as you temple-hop at the Angkor complex with your small group – one of South East Asia's most stunning attractions.
• Take a boat tour through the floating village of Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia – and learn about the locals’ unique lifestyle of living on the water.
• Learn the confronting yet important history of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek in Phnom Penh with a full-day experience.
• Enjoy a trip that’s packed full of experiences, giving you a great insight into Cambodia, all in a short time – perfect for the traveller passing through or those with limited availability.