Epic South East Asia

34 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Wanna head to South East Asia but can’t quite decide on exactly where to go? Quit it with the quandaries, we’ve just answered all your dreams (except that one where you get a pet dugong) – think of this trip as the most delicious-and-exciting degustation of your life. A little bit of Bangkok here, a pinch of Luang Prabang there, some Nha Trang beaches, Vang V...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Laos means laaaid-back. it's one of the most chilled-out countries going around
    • Two days of cruising down the mekong river in a traditional-style boat is one of southeast asia's classic trips, with more photo-ops than you can shake a bamboo cane at
    • Who'd have thought green seas and giant mossy rocks could be so pretty? cruising on halong bay is bliss
    • Is there anything more awesome than nha trang? yep! it's free time in nha trang. whether you fill it with beachside lolling, village hopping or partying is up to you
    • Is angkor the most incredible place in southeast asia? decide for yourself as you temple-hop with an expert local guide
    • A homestay in chambok puts you right in the heart of everyday village life in cambodia
    • Cut loose in bangkok, a frenetic wonderland of delicious street food and tuk-tuks, and the ideal launching pad for further travel in thailand

What's this trip about?

    Wanna head to South East Asia but can’t quite decide on exactly where to go? Quit it with the quandaries, we’ve just answered all your dreams (except that one where you get a pet dugong) – think of this trip as the most delicious-and-exciting degustation of your life. A little bit of Bangkok here, a pinch of Luang Prabang there, some Nha Trang beaches, Vang Vieng caves, Hue food and Angkor Wat, plus a whole lotta good times in between. Buckle up, peeps – even though seatbelts are hard to come by – this is gonna be a SUPER epic adventure. In 2017 the duration of this trip was 33 days In 2018 the duration of this trip is 34 days

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Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBangkok
End CityBangkok

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • Transformative

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Cambodia
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Attractions

  • Angkor Wat
  • Chiang Mai
  • Hanoi
  • Hoi An
  • Luang Prabang
  • Siem Reap

Activities

  • Culture

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok and get to grips with this awesome city. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in ti...

Day 2 Bangkok - overnight train

Start the morning with a sightseeing walk led by your leader checking out the local scene away from the normal tourist trail. Stop for some local snacks, see some cool street art and stroll through many back streets to see how many people live and work in these small...

Day 3 Chiang Mai

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning. The day is yours – see how many activities you can pack into 2 days. There are over 120 temples in the city centre alone. You can set off on an excursion to the top of Doi Suthep. There's a few hundred steps to climb, but the views...

Day 4 Chiang Mai

Another day, another chance to get your fill of awesome Chiang Mai. You might like to take part in one of our Urban Adventures, such as the 'Mind and Soul' or 'Mae Ping River Experience' day tours. To really get the blood pumping, head to the Flight of the Gibbon and negotiate the zipline and canopy course within the treetops.

Day 5 Chiang Khong

Take a public bus from Chaing Mai to Chiang Kkong via Chiang Rai )approx 6.5 hours) Explore this quiet town that sits on the Thai side of the Thai-Lao border. Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Luang are both well worth a visit while you are here. Perhaps rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding countryside and the banks of the Mekong. Your accommodation tonight is a basic guesthouse.

Day 6 Mekong River - Pakbeng

This morning you will complete border formalities at Huay Xai before boarding a slow boat for a trip down the Mekong River (approximately 7 hours). This is where the real relaxtion starts, as you ease into proper holiday mode. Read a book, play cards, swap travel stor...

Day 7 Luang Prabang

Continue on the private slow boat, stopping to stretch your legs and explore the Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the evening and wander the streets of ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’ (ie really, really old and exotic and beautiful). Get a load of those French villas. And that sunset over the Mekong...

Day 8 Luang Prabang

Enjoy free time for optional activities today. There are many on offer. A trip to Kuang Si Falls is highly recommended if you feel like a swim in nature (and when you see these waterfalls, you probably will). Or visit a Buddhist temple. Afterwards, we think you deserv...

Day 9 Luang Prabang

Enjoy some free time. Whether it's cruising around town or heading to those waterfalls that an Instagram filter couldn't even make more pretty, this is another day in paradise. By now you may have discovered the delicious (and amazingly inexpensive) night market food,...

Day 10 Vang Vieng

Transfer in a private mini van to the village of Vang Vieng (approximately 6–7 hours). This beautifully located adventure gateway lies on a bend in the Nam Song (that's a river, remember). Take in the views of mountains, rivers and big limestone cliffs that are so clo...

Day 11 Vang Vieng

Spend your day checking out the caves, lagoons and forests as you please. There are more outdoor activities on offer here than you could poke a stick at, so just ask your leader for a recommendation. A solid option is the Tham Jang. It's a short trip from town, and ha...

Day 12 Vientiane

Finish up in Laos’ classy capital, Vientiane by catching a public bus from Vang Vieng (approx 5 hours). Swap your instant coffee for a latte and white rice for a baguette before snapping a few pics at Wat Sri Saket. Your tour leader will show you around this French an...

Day 13 Hanoi

Say goodbye to Laos and hello (xin chao!) to Vietnam. Fly into Hanoi, please note you will be unescorted on this flight and you will be met by a Geckos representative to take you to your hotel in Hanoi. As this is a combination trip, your leader and the composition of...

Day 14 Halong Bay

Travel by private minibus (approximately 4 hours) to the awesome World Heritage site of Halong Bay. This secluded harbour has something like 2,000 little limestone islands. And the water is one pretty green scene. It's one of Vietnam's most 'scenic' places, so get tha...

Day 15 Hanoi - Overnight Train

Wake up to the beautiful scenes of the bay, and maybe appreciate it with some optional tai chi on the deck. Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by your crew, then cruise back to port around midday. Take a bus back to Hanoi (approximately 4 hours). Then take your overnight train bound for Hue (approximately 12 hours).

Day 16 Hue

Arrive in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You have today free to explore. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring Hue’s massive walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple Palace that's enclosed within it. Perhaps jump on board a ‘Dragon Boat’ and ...

Day 17 Hoi An

Continue along the coast to Hoi An by private bus (approximately 3 hours). Once in Hoi An, your leader will take you on a walking tour of this unique town which has been influenced over the years by Europe, China, Vietnam and Japan. The town was a major trading port f...

Day 18 Hoi An

Enjoy a free day in Hoi An. Maybe wander to the Central Market and browse the paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors, so if you’ve been wearing the same shirt every day and it's starting to smell like coriander, why ...

Day 19 Hoi An - Overnight Train

Lucky you – it's another free day in paradise. You could take a trip out to the My Son temples (World Heritage-listed beauties that reflect the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation), hop on a cruise along the Thu Bon River and or get beachy with a trip to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Afterwards, board your next overnight train. This one's to Nha Trang (approximately 8 hours).

Day 20 Nha Trang

Arrive in Nha Trang at around 7 am and transfer to your hotel. Once referred to as the 'Cannes of the Orient', Nha Trang's sandy palm-lined beach and island-dotted bay still make an idyllic picture, and a (dare we say it) trendy feel prevails in the town itself. Nha T...

Day 21 Nha Trang - Overnight Train

Don't get so relaxed from your chilled time in Nha Trang (lazing in a deck chair, swimming or perhaps taking a mud bath) that you forget that tonight it's back on the Reunification Express for one last ride (approximately 7 hours).

Day 22 Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Hanoi very early (approx. 4am) and transfer to your hotel. Then leave your gear in a day room at the hotel. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is whirl of sights and sounds. A blend of old and new, East and West, if you will. You can still see the Fr...

Day 23 Ho Chi Minh City

Today you may be required to move to a different hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, for the next section of your trip. Your leader will let you know if this is the case, and will help with the transfer to the next hotel. You will have a free day today for many optional activi...

Day 24 Phnom Penh

Travel to Phnom Penh by public bus today (approximately 6–7 hours). If you're looking for a tasty beverage on arrival, hit the Foreign Correspondents Club for a mojito on the rooftop. Or you can explore the city on a cyclo tour – generally these go to the central mark...

Day 25 Chambok Homestay

Travel by private bus into rural Cambodia (approximately 3 hours) to the region of Kampong Speu and the village of Chambok. It's right next to the beautiful Kirirom National Park, so you can imagine how serene it is here. A homestay tonight is your chance to really im...

Day 26 Sihanoukville

Take a private bus to Sihanoukville (approximately 4 hours). Whether you like your beaches lively or chillaxed, Sihanoukville has something for you. You might get a clue as to why this place was named after royalty when you see the natural splendour that surrounds it. And the people are super nice and welcoming.

Day 27 Sihanoukville

You might take the option of scooting out to the nearby islands on a boat tour (barbeque lunch anyone?). Another excellent choice is to go on a tropical safari in Ream National Park, a wonderland of birds and wildlife. Coooowee!

Day 28 Phnom Penh

Shake the sand off your feet and jump on a bus back to the capital (approximately 4 hours). Here there's the option of visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) – both pretty sobering but important and informative. The very different Royal Pal...

Day 29 Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham in nutshell: frontier charm, French-colonial character. Take a private bus there (approximately 3 hours) and soak it all up. Koh Paen Island is a good option while you're here, and you can hire a bike and get there with no fuss (you'll just have to take a...

Day 30 Siem Reap

Take a public bus to Siem Reap (approximately 5 hours). Your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get you acquainted with the town. Afterwards you might want to hit the markets for some cheap and tasty street food, then get some rest and relaxation before tomorrow's visit to... (drumroll please!)... Angkor Wat!

Day 31 Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

Get your camera ready, strap on your walkin' boots and get excited: Angkor is one of Southeast Asia's number one highlights, possibly THE highlight. The obvious banger is Angkor Wat, which is every bit as amazing as everyone says it is, especially at sunset). But you'...

Day 32 Siem Reap

Kick back in Siem Reap and wander around town, visiting its market, shops and restaurants. You may be a little templed out, so take this opportunity to explore your options and do something different. Depending on the season, you might be able to visit Tonle Sap, the ...

Day 33 Bangkok

Drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a private mini van (approximately 8–9 hours, including border crossing and lunch). Again, your leader will assist with the border-crossing formalities. If you expect a soothing and charming backwater, think again – it's go, go, go in...

Day 34 Bangkok

Your adventure comes to an end today, with no more activities planned. You're free to depart the accommodation at any time. If you are staying longer in Bangkok check out some of our Urban Adventure tours, a great way to see the sights with a local guide.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,295
Price per day$97
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Geckos Adventures.

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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At Geckos we’ve taken the dorkiness out of group travel. You’ll snack on the tastiest grub, hang out with people your own age (18-29) and clamber aboard public transport, sleep in family run places, see stuff other tourists never knew existed and have plenty of free time along the way.

We tread lightly, think local and make sure our trips are helping not hindering the places we visit. Plus, our local leaders are rad humans.

If you’ve got an open mind, a sense of adventure and are willing to step outside your comfort zone then you’ll fit right in. We’re for travellers who aren’t afraid to order off the local menu, jump in a tuk-tuk or take a punt on a new friend.

We reckon everyone should be able to see this great world, so we make sure our trips don’t cost the earth (literally and metaphorically). We make sure you see more awesome stuff, stay in more awesome places and eat more awesome things for your hard earned dollar.

We’ve done all the hard haggling for you, and because you’re travelling with a gang of friends, the cost is shared. We love you and we want to take you on the trip of a lifetime, whatever your budget.

When you’re travelling with a small group, you’ll get to know your gang of fellow travellers pretty well. Which means you’ll head home with a whole lot of new BFFs, rather than a hundred strange Facebook friend requests.

That’s why we based our Geckos symbol on the Native American crossed arrows. It means friendship. And we are totally down for making new friends.

Our guides are locals and our lodgings are locally owned, keeping profits and skills in the communities. We offset our carbon emissions; we don’t shirk the responsibility by passing the buck to our travellers. And we’ve set up a bunch of community and climate projects, which anyone can get involved in.

Geckos Adventures is committed to investing in the local communities we visit. To ensure we are offering adequate support to a variety of projects, Geckos has partnered with The Intrepid Foundation. Through this partnership, we can offer our travellers a more substantial base for donation and a greater selection of projects to support.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Guesthouse (8 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hotel (19 nights) overnight train (4 nights), Overnight boat (1 night),

Transportation & Flights

Boat,Overnight train,Plane,Private van,Public aircon coach,Public bus,Train,

Transportation & flights

Boat,Overnight train,Plane,Private van,Public aircon coach,Public bus,Train
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers.
Visa requirements
As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time. THAILAND: If entering by air most nationalities will be granted a 30 day stay on arrival. If entering by a land border, you will be granted a 15 day stay only (some exceptions are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Japan who are eligible for 30 day visa at land borders). A visa extension can be obtained in Thailand at an immigration office for approx. 2000THB or alternatively you can apply for a Thailand visa in advance from your embassy or consulate that will allow a 30 day stay when entering at an overland border. If planning to enter Thailand via a land border multiple times during your travels, we recommend you pre-obtain a 60 day multiple entry visa from you embassy or consulate before you travel rather than attempting to obtain a visa at the border on multiple occasions which may result in being denied re-entry into the country. LAOS We ask all our travellers to obtain their Laos visas at the border, and NOT in their home country. Your tour leader will assist you in obtaining a Laos visa, generally at the border, depending on the current state of affairs, as it can vary. Please ensure that you have at least 1 passport photos and up to US$60 cash (this may vary too) to fulfil the requirements. There will also be an Immigration Fee of USD1. To assist us in processing your Laos visas, please provide your agent with accurate passport details prior to the departure of your trip as these details will be passed on to our leader. When crossing the border you will most likely see a lesser entry fee than what you have paid. This is due to the leader having to use a local agent to process the visa which allows the group to cross the border as quickly as possible. The above information has been put together as a guide. We do endeavor to update this information as much as possible but it’s also important that you check for yourself as visas are the responsibility of the traveller. VIETNAM VISA: Most nationalities are required to obtain tourist visa in advance to travel to Vietnam. When obtaining your visa you should allow 3 weeks for processing with your nearest embassy or consulate, the cost is approximately US$60 to US$100. Please check with your embassy or consulate for further requirements. Some nationalities are exempt from visas for a stay of a maximum of 15 days, including British, German, French, Spanish and Italian citizens travelling to Vietnam (for all purposes). This exemption period is currently effective until 30 June 2021, and is based upon meeting all conditions prescribed by Vietnamese laws. If you are planning on staying in Vietnam for longer than 15 days you will need to obtain a visa extension in advance (please contact your relevant Consulate or Embassy). Please also check requirements if you plan to re-enter Vietnam. An eVisa is available for some nationalities including passport holders from Australia (from 2018), France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, valid for a single entry of a maximum of 30 days stay in Vietnam. For information on obtaining an eVisa visit the immigration website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ Evisas take up to 3 days to be processed. You will need a clear electronic copy of your passport data page and passport photo, and to make a non-refundable payment as outlined on the immigration website. Keep the customs and immigration form you receive on arrival, as you need it to complete exit formalities on departure. If your visa application asks for a point of contact, please write: Intrepid Vietnam 5th floor HiPT Building, 152 Thuy Khue Street, Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi, Ph +84 4 3715 0996. Most nationalities do not require a letter of invitation for Vietnam but if you do need one, please contact your sales agent for more information. CAMBODIA: If a point of contact is requested for your visa application, please write: Intrepid Cambodia 92 Taneuy Street Wat Bo Village Siem Reap EVISAS Evisas are now available for most nationalities through the official website: www.evisa.gov.kh Please note there have been reports of fraudulent evisa websites that mimic the official site. Intrepid recommends only using the official website listed above or arranging your visa through your booking agent. VISA ON ARRIVAL Visa on arrival is available for for most nationalities at airports or land border crossings for approx. US$30 (cost subject to change). You will need a passport photo for your visa. OTHER VISAS If you are not eligible for an evisa or visa on arrival you may need to submit an application through your local consulate. Allow up to 3 weeks for processing. Border Crossings Your visa application form may require you to state the dates on which you enter and exit that country. Please note we suggest you list your date of entry a few days before, and date of exit a few days after, your intended dates in case you encounter any delays or problems en route. The following are the international/administrative border crossings for this trip: Day 6 Thailand to Laos The Thailand border is Chiang khong The Laos border is at Houy Xai Day 13 Laos to Vietnam Flight from Vientiane Airport, Laos to Hanoi, Vietnam Day 24 Vietnam to Cambodia The Vietnam border is Moc Bai The Cambodian border is Ba Vet Day 33 Cambodia to Thailand The Cambodian border is Poipet The Thailand border is Aranyaprathet To help calculate the exact dates of these crossings we have found the following website useful: http://www.timeanddate.com
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Astera Sathorn Hotel
  • 143 South Sathorn Rd., Yannawa, Sathorn
  • Bangkok
  • 10120
  • THAILAND
  • Phone: 22127090
  • Fax: 22123610
Trip ID
geckos-GTEAC

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