Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia adventure

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

On our Epic Asia trip, we reduce the need for additional internal flights by incorporating overnight trains and buses throughout the itinerary, including overland travel between Vietnam and Cambodia. Where practical, we choose transport options such as trains, buses and ferries, allowing travellers to experience a wider variety of local transport while reducing the need for domestic flights.

Throughout the trip, we also use local transport including tuk tuks, trains, buses and boats, alongside activities such as kayaking, bamboo rafting, cycling and walking. At the start of the trip, travellers receive information about our Small Change initiative, including practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint while travelling. Through our partnership with Skyscanner, travellers can also view information about the estimated emissions associated with their flights. Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available throughout the trip for travellers who choose them.

Many of the meals included during our homestay experiences are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients from surrounding communities.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

As part of our Small Change initiative, we support a range of environmental and community focused projects. In 2019, we partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant 10 trees for every booking received. Since late 2023, we have also worked with Path Net Zero to measure the emissions associated with our tours and with Veritree to support verified tree planting projects.

We have also partnered with organisations such as Trash Hero in Thailand to support beach clean ups and environmental awareness initiatives.

Throughout the trip, travellers receive guidance on responsible travel practices, including reducing single use plastics, respecting local communities and wildlife, and helping keep beaches and natural areas clean. Where safe and appropriate, travellers are encouraged to collect litter while visiting coastal communities and islands.

As tap water is generally not suitable for drinking across much of South East Asia, refill stations are available at most overnight accommodation and many activity locations throughout the trip. Travellers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to refill during the tour, and reusable INTRO bottles are also available.

Travellers also have the opportunity to visit Rungfah Farm Stay in Khao Sok National Park. Established by our longtime partner Mr You, the farm demonstrates practices including producing natural fertiliser on site and using solar power. Funds from each visit contribute towards supporting his family and the ongoing operation of the farm.

Animal welfare is an important consideration when selecting the experiences included in our trips. We support local animal welfare organisations and only include wildlife experiences that meet our animal welfare standards. We also care for a number of rescue animals at properties owned by INTRO Travel.

During the Thailand section of the trip, we visit Tree Tops Elephant Reserve in Phuket, a sanctuary that provides a home for elephants previously used in logging and tourist entertainment. The experience is observation based, allowing the elephants to roam and socialise naturally without riding or performances. Local guides also share information about elephant welfare, forest conservation and wildlife protection in Thailand.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Throughout this trip we stay in locally owned and operated accommodation across each country, rather than international hotel chains. We also include locally run homestays that provide travellers with a more meaningful connection to the communities they visit.

One example is Mr Op and his family in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Starting with only a small number of bungalows on a tiny island, years of support from our groups visiting and experiencing local life in the Delta have helped the family gradually expand their homestay to welcome more travellers while continuing to support their local community.

At Sarana Bungalows on Koh Phangan, one of our reception team members began teaching English lessons to Burmese colleagues outside of working hours. Alongside helping staff learn conversational English and hospitality language skills, she has also helped some classmates learn to read and write in Burmese for the very first time, giving them greater confidence and future opportunities within tourism.

Our local guides and group leaders are the backbone of our operations and a hugely important part of our family. Several times each year we offer opportunities for local guides to travel to other destinations or enjoy experiences they may not otherwise have access to, courtesy of and with love from us.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Approximately 95% of the people we employ and work with on this trip are from South East Asia, with around 80% coming directly from local communities. Through this itinerary we help create income opportunities for local farmers in Khao Sok National Park, Indigenous hill tribe communities in Chiang Mai, and families living throughout the Mekong Delta and other rural regions across Vietnam and Cambodia.

All staff and local partners are paid at least the minimum wage within their respective countries, and we are committed to creating fair and supportive working environments throughout our operations.

We also have a workplace diversity strategy in place that supports equal employment opportunities regardless of race, gender, nationality or sexual orientation, while ensuring our trips are welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Where possible, we aim to make this trip accessible for travellers with limited mobility, vision, hearing or cognitive impairments, depending on the nature and extent of individual requirements.