Ultimate South East Asia
Overview
Highlights
- 26 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 7 Lunch (L)
- Bangkok: Nose around the gilded Royal Palace, then travel like a local: floating down the Rivers.
- Kanchanaburi: Help to protect to these majestic giants by learning about their struggle while watching them roam free - the way they were meant to live.
- Kanchanaburi: A sombre slice of history. See the Death Railway Museum, WWII Cemetery and the famous Bridge itself.
- Kanchanaburi: Cool off in emerald pools, shower under a waterfall and get your step count up. All in a day's work.
- Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: Golden temples, a giant reclining Buddha and so many incredible sights to see. Try not to fall off your bike in shock!
- Chiang Mai: Lift your spirits with a trip to this gilded, mountaintop temple. It’s a dazzling work of art with unbeatable city views.
- Pak Beng: Float down the Mekong from Pak Beng, past craggy caves and sleepy hillside villages. A proper taste of Laos life.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Itinerary
Touch down in Thailand's capital. After checking into our hotel there'll be time for DIY exploring, a massage or lying by the pool to catch the first of that sweet tropical sunshine. Later we'll rendezvous back at base so you can hear what's in store for the trip, then the night is yours to enjoy authentic Pad Thai & the Khao San road nightlife.
Nouvo City Hotel (or similar)
We'll start the day early, with so much to see, there's no time to waste. Catching Bangkok's water taxi system with the city locals is the most convenient way to get to our first stop - The Royal Palace. With our incredible local guide leading the charge, we will lear...
We've got an exciting journey ahead of us today! We'll first make our way to the impressive Erawan falls. Walk across the serene trials. Or dip your feet into the emerald blue waters before we head to our next destination. We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city o...
Time to rise and shine. Today we're waking up in Chiang Mai! Right here in this city is everything you’ve been waiting for. That’s right, we’re spending an entire day at an elephant nature park! Watch these majestic giants strolling through their natural habitat as a...
Ah yes. A completely free day in this amazing city - and there’s so much you can do. How about getting into a glove game with a Muay Thai lesson? Or maybe tour the local markets, guided by the head chef - who’ll then teach you how to rustle up an authentic Thai meal (...
It’s time to bid farewell to this lovely place. Why, you ask? Because we’re saying hello to the Chiang (‘city’ in Thai) of colourful temples! We’ll munch on a delicious breakfast, then head straight there. The Black House Museum. A blue temple, and a majestic white o...
Taking a border hop, we’ll cross out of Thailand and into Laos. After collecting our oh-so-valuable passport stamps, we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat. Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.
Local Guest House (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Pak Beng, we make our way to Luang Prabang - get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals. Ending our Mekong River magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Tem...
A city cycle and a swim under the 60-metre cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset...
This morning, the early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals – kissed by the sun's morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang's 34 temples. After collecting our blessings, we’ll jump on a high-speed train that’l...
Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot… Welcome to the largest city in Laos! If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised. The vibe here is stric...
This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia. Drop your bags off at our cool hotel in the Bassac Quarter (the perfect spot to kick back with a beer and a bite). We’re doing some historical sight-seeing...
You'll find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past hidden among the shy smiles and pretty tree-lined streets. Today we'll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our local guide...
Another included flight takes us out of Cambodia's capital this morning, landing us in the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world. The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in th...
Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn's hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day's first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it's pretty much magic. After a siesta ...
Saying good-bye to some of your group at breakfast will be sad, but the thought of getting to Vietnam will no doubt cheer you up! With a coriander filled Bánh mì in one hand and a Vietnamese coffee in the other, hit the road and get ready to explore the busy streets o...
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. Though this isn't the first time we are seeing the Mekong Delta, our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dram...
After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experie...
With some traditional R'n'R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We'll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea. Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustl...
Good news - we're kicking it in Nha Trang for another night. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach saving your energy for seaside bar fun as the sun sets.
Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast
We'll travel North and take a short coastal drive we find ourselves in a canal town overflowing with beauty and ancient history. With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through...
Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo B...
Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang… Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town. Welcome to ...
Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty. Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep, or a vintage Vespa (if that’s your vibe) and let’s get goi...
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one). A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wo...
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our ...
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out and make plans to reunite sometime soon - Latin America, perhaps?
Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
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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.
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Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Other Contiki Reviews
Anthony Nash
Apr 2024
European Whirl
It was very cool seeing so many iconic places in a short amount of time (but just long enough to really enjoy it)! I’m glad I booked the trip so I could experience t...
Anthony Nash
Apr 2024
Anonymous
Everything about was perfect! Great trip manager, great driver, great coach...
Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
My least favourite Contiki trip so far
Good experience booking the trip.
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
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We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
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About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
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Accommodation
- 25 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 7 Lunch (L)
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