Indochina tours
| country: | Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam |
| location: | Indochina holidays |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs several times a week throughout the year |
| price: | From £1130 (29 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $400. Price includes hotels/guesthouses (24 nts), homestay (1 nt), overnight boat (1 nt), overnight trains (2 nts), 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners. All departure dates are guaranteed |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This is your opportunity to experience it all, on an awesome adventure through Indochina.
Ride a longtail down Bangkok's khlongs Explore the ancient temples of Chiang Mai Cruise down the Mekong River Swim under a waterfall in Luang Prabang Visit laid-back Vientiane Soak up the charm of Hanoi Be enchanted by beautiful Halong Bay Experience imperial Hue Channel the spirits of old traders in Hoi An Tantalise your tastebuds in Ho Chi Minh City Ponder Phnom Penh's volatile past See the incredible temples of Angkor
Discover something new and different every day, as we travel from the hidden treasures of Thailand and the laid-back lanes of Laos, to the fabulous vibrance of Vietnam and the engaging charisma of Cambodia, with the lazy meandering waters of the Mekong never too far away.
Discover something new and different every day, as we travel from the hidden treasures of Thailand and the laid-back lanes of Laos, to the fabulous vibrance of Vietnam and the engaging charisma of Cambodia, with the lazy meandering waters of the Mekong never too far away.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Bangkok. Escape the clamour of the capital with a boat ride down the khlongs, then temple-hop or hit the shops. |
| Day 3: | Chiang Mai. Climb the 300 steps up to the mountain temple of Doi Suthep (or take the tram) for fine views out over town. Snap up some traditional food at the night bazaar - kao soy is a local specialty. |
| Day 4: | Khong. Explore this remote town on the Thailand and Laos border or sit back and soak up the riverside serenity. |
| Day 5-6: | Mekong River. Watch village life pass by and wave at smiling local children while cruising down the beautiful Mekong River. Call in at the Pak Ou caves, home to thousands of carved Buddha images and figurines along the way. |
| Day 7-8: | Luang Prabang. Get acquainted with the country's history and culture with a visit to the Traditional Arts Museum. The spectacular Kuang Si Falls are the perfect place for an afternoon dip. |
| Day 9-10: | Vientiane. This laid-back capital is easily explored on foot, by bicycle or by jumbo, Laos' answer to the tuk tuk. |
| Day 11: | Homestay. Travel through stunning mountain scenery and enjoy a night as a guest in a village home. |
| Day 12: | Ninh Binh. Enter Vietnam and follow the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail to the friendly town of Ninh Binh. This area is brimming with picture-perfect sights: emerald green paddy fields, water buffaloes, limestone formations and little village hamlets. |
| Day 13: | Halong Bay. Be enchanted by the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay. Wander into a cave, wallow in the water or unwind with a fresh seafood feast on the deck of the cruise boat. |
| Day 14-16: | Hanoi/Overnight Train. Experience Hanoi's seductive French charm and spend an evening entertained by traditional lacquered water puppets before boarding the Reunification Express to Hue. |
| Day 17: | Hue. Wander the Imperial Citadel, discover the wealth of the former Nguyen Emperors and perhaps pick up a famous 'poem hat'. |
| Day 18-20: | Hoi An. The rich heritage of this port town is evident in the shuttered windows and pitched roofs of the traditional merchant houses. Packed with artisans, tailors and food stalls, this is a great place to engage in some of your own trading. |
| Day 21-22: | Ho Chi Minh City. Browse the Ben Thanh Market for tropical fruit, t-shirts, handicrafts and anything, really - just be sure to bargain. |
| Day 23-24: | Phnom Penh. Learn about Cambodia's violent past at the infamous Killing Fields. Later, appreciate the peace of present-day Phnom Penh with a beer at a bar on breezy Sisowath Quay. |
| Day 25-27: | Siem Reap/Angkor Wat. The enigmatic, eye-popping ruins of Angkor provide ample photo opportunities. Wander through the temple complex and be sure to catch an amazing sunset over Angkor Wat. |
| Day 28-29: | Bangkok. Slurp up spicy specialties or simply shop some more. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip allows for plenty of time to explore the culture of two very fascinating yet different countries. Travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the language and interact with the locals as much as possible.
We always stay in small scale locally owned accommodation and in Laos we spend a night as guests in the homes of local villagers which provides an economic returns to local communities we visit. By shopping locally we interact with local craft and trades people and make a positive contribution to the economy. In Luang Prabang we have the opportunity to join local weavers to learn their craft, or learn how to dye your own silk scarf. Individual cooking tuition will create an insight into the Laotian cuisine. Our slow boat down the Mekong minimizes energy consumption and assists local families making their living on the river. Our small groups keep the impacts to a mimimum while we gently float down the river taking in the spectacular scenery. In Cambodia we have a chance to visit a Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Education Centre where confiscated animals from the illegal wildlife trade are nursed back to health and kept safe from poachers. A changing exhibition gives visitors an insight into local and global environmental problems and possible solutions. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |