Compare Southeast Asia: Hilltribes & Street Food by G Adventures vs Papua New Guinea tribes & wildlife tour by Audley Travel

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time and welcome to Bangkok - Thailand's bustling capital! This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare!

Day 2 Bangkok/Chiang Mai

This tour is off to a colourful start with a day to freely explore Bangkok. Visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, National Museum, or Jim Thompson's House. Try a riverboat trip along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals (or klongs) for a different perspective of daily life in this busy city. Tonight, you'll take the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.

Day 3 Chiang Mai

Make sure you've got room for more than three meals today, because you're heading to the best street food spots in Chiang Mai. Besides eating, there's lots to do here — like a visit to Doi Suthep temple or taking it easy with a soak in the Sankampang Hot Springs.

Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.

Day 4 Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok

It's time for a change of pace. Today, drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where you'll set off on a trek through rugged forests to see how diverse this region of hilltribe communities really is. Every village you'll see has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. It's a few hours to the first village of hilltribe thatch bungalows, but every step is worth it as you get to know the lay of the land.

The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!

Day 5 Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam

Trek for 2–3 hours before stopping for lunch. Then head to a Karen village to see how traditional blankets and scarves are made. Keep trekking for a few more hours (you've got this!) before stopping in the next village for the night. Along the way, you might get the chance to stop at Mae Tang River to learn to fish using local tools or build a raft using bamboo.

Day 6 Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai

After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft and get a closer look at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai, a foodie's paradise. Try the city's most famous dishes like khao soi (noodles in curry broth) and sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and get ready for your big night out. Venture to the best bar in town and grab a drink on our tab to cheers to a completed trek and life-changing adventures!

Day 7 Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Make the most of Chiang Mai with more free time, where you can go shopping in the market, get a Thai massage, or explore any of the many temples. Or, hey, you could always go back for another taste of khao soi curry. Tonight, catch up on sleep during an overnight train and wake up in Bangkok.

Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.

Day 8 Bangkok

Get out and explore this fantastic city where there is endless sightseeing to be done.

As this longer tour is comprised of two shorter tours, there is the possibility that you will need to change hotels on this day. Check in with your CEO about this while on tour. The two hotels we generally use are within walking distance.

Day 9 Bangkok/Surat Thani

Get on first-name basis with Thailand's capital city by bike with an optional bike tour. Today, you can check out Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, go for a street food crawl, relax with a Thai massage, or explore the klongs (canals) by boat before boarding the overnight train.

Day 10 Surat Thani/Khao Sok

See southern Thai hospitality in action with breakfast at G Adventures-supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant, where you can also meet other international visitors. Later on, enjoy free time. Opt to go to Lake Cheow Lan where you can take in the views while hiking or swimming in the national park. Spend tonight falling asleep to the sweet sounds of the jungle. This area is known for its natural beauty. You know what that means: lots of chances for photos.

Day 11 Khao Sok/Koh Samui

Your next stop is just a ferry ride away. Today, explore Ko Samui Island's beauty by catching the sunset at Chaweng Beach before eating your weight in street food at the night market. For your big night out, head to a popular beach bar, enjoy a drink on us to celebrate life-changing adventures, and dance the night away.

Day 12 Koh Samui

Take a scenic day trip to pristine Ang Thong National Marine Park. As a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands, the views here are unforgettable — perfect for making friends back home jealous. Try to spot all the different kinds of marine life and explore above the water by foot or below the water by snorkel. Be forewarned: it might take you all day to take in all this beauty.

Day 13 Koh Samui/George Town

Gear up for a long day of travel. Ferry back to the mainland and continue by private vehicle to cross the border into Malaysia and on to George Town, Penang.

Day 14 George Town

Get a full day in Penang. Explore the busy streets and check out the colourful famous street art. Trust us: they make for a great backdrop!

Day 15 George Town/Chenderoh Lake

Learn about local culture (especially how to properly tie a sarong!) at this island homestay, nestled in the middle of a beautiful lake. Tonight, relax as you take in the scenery and connect with the family that runs this homestay.

Day 16 Chenderoh Lake/Cameron Highlands

Enjoy slightly cooler temperatures in the Cameron Highlands. Here, explore the well-marked trails through the lush tropical forest, visit a tea plantation, or search for the rafflesia: the world's largest flower.

Day 17 Cameron Highlands/Kuala Lumpur

Today is yours to take on. Walk around and explore, but don't skip trying the national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak — a traditional rice dish made with coconut milk and pandan leaf. Once the sun sets, see another side to the city as you stop by the famous Petronas Towers (which light up at night) before checking out the local nightlife.

Day 18 Kuala Lumpur

You've got the whole day for exploring. Head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the Orang Alsi Museum. Later tonight, head to some rooftop bars for drinks and dancing, or stop by the night market and find some flavours you never knew existed. Built in 1928 as a fresh market for locals, and revamped in the 1980s as an outlet for all Malaysian handicrafts, the night market is a local institution. Make sure you don't miss it.

Day 19 Kuala Lumpur/Melaka

Today if your day to take on the canals by boat, and see a different side of this old port town. Maybe stop for some famous chicken rice at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah in Chinatown. Locals love it here; they often line up for hours to get a taste. The streets of Chinatown (also known as Jonker Walk) are also lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. Explore the many temples, churches, mosques, museums, and forts.

Visit the old port town of Melaka, wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore.

Day 20 Melaka/Singapore

Head to Singapore today, where you can use your free time to see that famous skyline by boat or eat so much street food, you can barely walk. For a peek into the city-state's past life, wander the old streets of Little India and Chinatown.

Day 21 Singapore

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and cheers before you head on your way.

Day 1: International Outbound Flight

Today you will begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Singapore.

Day 2: Singapore

Accommodation: The Fullerton Hotel

Arriving in Singapore you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the rest of the day to relax.

Day 3: Singapore

You have most of the day at leisure before you are transferred back to the airport for your overnight flight to Port Moresby with Air Niugini.

Day 4: Port Moresby ,  Mount Hagen

Accommodation: Rondon Ridge

Arrive in to Port Moresby at 8am where you will be met by your guide and taken on a short city tour followed by an early lunch in town. (You may be joined by other travellers on the same flight schedule). You will be taken back to the airport in time for the Air Niugini flight to Mount Hagen. You will be met off your flight for the 45 minute shared transfer to your lodge in the hills above town where you have the remainder of the day free.

Day 5: Mount Hagen

Accommodation: Rondon Ridge

Spend the day exploring the area with your small group and guide. Visit local tribes and go in search of Birds of Paradise.

Day 6: Mount Hagen

Accommodation: Rondon Ridge

Spend another day around Mount Hagen where you will visit small tribal villages and stunning woodland areas famed for their birdlife.

Day 7: Mount Hagen ,  Karawari

Accommodation: Karawari Lodge

Transferring back to Mount Hagen you will board a light aircraft for a stunning flight over PNG's dense jungles to the Sepik area. Your transfer from the airstrip to Karawari Lodge is by boat - the only practical means of transport in this extremely isolated part of the world. Once you have settled in to your lodge you will head out to a nearby village to meet some of the indigenous tribes.

Day 8: Karawari

Accommodation: Karawari Lodge

You may like to get up before dawn today to see the resident Bird of Paradise as it makes it's daily appearance at around 6am on a tree stump some 20mins boat journey away. This is the best time to see plenty of other birdlife in the area as it swoops over the rivers. Today you will spend most of the day travelling by boat to remote villages only accessible in this way. Pass by many locals in dug out canoes and see how day to day life goes on in this tribal area.

Day 9: Karawari ,  Ambua

Accommodation: Ambua Lodge

Today you transfer from the Karawari to Ambua on your second spectacular light aircraft flight. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colourful and proud people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon in search of the Birds of Paradise in the area with your guide.

Day 10: Ambua

Accommodation: Ambua Lodge

Spend the full day with your group and guide visiting the famous tribal regions of the Southern Highlands. Close up encounters with Huli Men or the Wigmen mean this will be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip.

Day 11: Ambua ,  Tari ,  Port Moresby

Accommodation: Airways Hotel

You will be taken to the airport for the flight back to Port Moresby by Air Niugini. You have an afternoon free to relax at the hotel.

Day 12: Port Moresby ,  International Return Flight

Enjoy a morning of bird watching before being taken to the airport for your flight to Singapore with Air Niugini.

Day 13: International Return Flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.