The Best of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam

21 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Discover the people, places and cultures that make Southeast Asia one of the most fascinating places in the world on this exploration of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
From$3,999
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • I like to spend much of the day exploring
    • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
    • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

What's this trip about?

    Discover the people, places and cultures that make Southeast Asia one of the most fascinating places in the world on this exploration of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityBangkok
End CityHanoi

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Departures In Flight

Day 2 En route In Flight

Day 3 Arrival Bangkok, Orientation Bangkok

Hotel check-in available from 2:00pm. Arrivals throughout the day and early evening. Please note that if you arrive late and miss Orientation, the Group Leader will give you a brief overview tomorrow.

Check in to the hotel, unpack, freshen up and relax. Orientat...

Day 4 Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Welcome Dinner Bangkok

Getting in and out of motorcoaches and tuk tuks. Walking approximately 1.5 miles throughout the day at the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple, then to Wat Pho. Wat Pho and Emerald Buddha are sacred sites. Conservative dress required (no shorts); shoes must be remo...

Day 5 Fly to Chiang Mai, Kantoke Dinner with Lanna Family Chiang Mai

Walking up to 1 mile at airport and at the home hosted dinner.

This morning we are joined by a local expert for a presentation on Thailand’s political economy: the interdisciplinary study of economics, political science, sociology, and other disciplines to under...

Day 6 Doi Su Thep Temple, Lecture with Monk Chiang Mai

Walking up 200 steps to the top of Doi Suthep. Transfer is approximately 12 miles/45 minutes each way by motorcoach.

We travel to Doi Suthep by motorcoach to experience a Buddhist tradition. Here we view the procession of the monks before they ascend the 309 ste...

Day 7 Elephant Experience, Elephant Dung Paper Making Chiang Mai

Drive to encounter the Thai elephants is approximately 34 miles/1 hour each way. Walking up to 2 miles on unpaved, dirt roads.

We travel by vans to the Mae Taeng district to visit an elephant sanctuary. Here we learn from local experts about the plight of the As...

Day 8 Fly to Luang Prabang, Baci Blessing Ceremony Luang Prabang

Flight to Luang Prabang is approximately 1 hour.

Free time. Take this opportunity to explore further on your own, or simply relax. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We come together in the afternoon to transfer by motorcoach to the airp...

Day 9 Alms Giving, Morning Market, UNESCO Lecture, Wat Xieng Thong Luang Prabang

Early morning wake up for alms giving. Coaching approximately 2 miles around the city. Walking approximately 2 miles through the market and at the temple.

Before breakfast, we travel by minivans into town to witness a very traditional part of Lao culture - Tak B...

Day 10 Mekong River Cruise, Pak Ou Caves, Village Visit Luang Prabang

Getting on and off small boats. Walking up riverbanks to explore local villages. There are around 220 steps at Pak Ou Caves to see all the Buddha images in the first and second set of caves.

We take a private boat up the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves ...

Day 11 Lecture at Ethnology Museum, Fly to Siem Reap Siem Reap

Driving approximately 8 miles/20 minutes in Luang Prabang, including the airport transfer. The drive from Siem Reap airport to the hotel is approximately 6 miles/30 minutes.

We are joined by a local expert for a presentation on the different ethnic groups that m...

Day 12 Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, School Visit, Cultural Performance Siem Reap

Walking up to 1.5 miles at Ta Prohm, along dirt and wooden paths through the temple. Walking for approximately 1/2 mile at Banteay Srei, without a lot of shade in hot and humid conditions.

We depart by motorcoach at around 7am to reach Ta Prohm, the Jungle Templ...

Day 13 Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Floating Village Siem Reap

Walking in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom will be physically straining today. We will spend the whole morning at these ruins, which have uneven steps and stairways. Please remember to bring a flashlight for the early morning visit. You will need to be able to get in and o...

Day 14 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Walking Discovery Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Walking approximately 2 miles/2 hours along the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City, with stops along the way.

We transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap International Airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, we transfer to our program hotel i...

Day 15 Lecture at University, Student Interaction, Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

The Cu Chi Tunnels are located outside the city, approximately 1.5-2 hours travel by motorcoach each way (depending on traffic). Walking up to 2 miles at the Cu Chi Tunnels on dirt paths.

We board our motorcoach to visit a local university. Here a professor give...

Day 16 Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Getting on/off a motorcoach and a boat; driving approximately 75 miles/2.5 hours each way. Walking approximately 2 miles/2 hours around a village in the Delta.

We set out early for the Mekong Delta. Here we board a boat to explore a region of Vietnam that few vi...

Day 17 Fly to Hanoi, Hanoi Discovery Hanoi

Getting on/off a motorcoach; minimal driving time. Walking up to 2 miles in total throughout the day; paved walkway at Ba Dinh Square. Shorts, tank tops and hats are not permitted at Ba Dinh Square.

We transfer by motorcoach to Ho Chi Minh City airport for our f...

Day 18 Coach to Ha Long Bay, Vietnamese Junk, Fishing Village Halong Bay

Driving approximately 113 miles/3.5 hours with a stop along the way. Getting on/off a Vietnamese junk boat. We will anchor and spend the night aboard the junk. Land excursions require getting in/out of rowboats, which comfortably sit 4 people.

After checking out...

Day 19 Ha Long Bay, Water Puppet Performance, Hanoi Hanoi

Getting on/off a Vietnamese junk. Land excursions involve getting in/out of rowboats which comfortably sit 4 people.

We transfer from the junk to the smaller rowboats and explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. We learn about the topography of Ha Long Bay a...

Day 20 Village Exploration, Hanoi Hilton, Farewell Dinner Hanoi

Transfer by motorcoach is approximately 5 miles/1 hour round trip.

This morning we travel by motorcoach to a local village to learn about traditional life in Vietnam. We explore a farmer’s home, take a bicycle or tuk tuk ride around the village and the rice padd...

Day 21 Program Concludes, Departures Home In Flight

Hotel check-out is 12:00noon

Prepare for check-out. Program concludes. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are include...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,999
Price per day$190
Last Updated: 4/7/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 18
  • Number of Brunch: 1
  • Number of Lunch: 11
  • Number of Dinner: 8
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-11347418

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