Ultimate South East Asia

27 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
preferred

USTOA

Group Tour
Sharpen your chopstick skills & clear a month of your calendar. This is so much more than a holiday. Walk the streets of Bangkok. Explore limestone caves in Laos. Participate in Buddhist alms giving. Stay on a junk boat. (No big deal). This trip is the magical mix of everything south-east Asia has to offer!
22%
$5,839
From$4,526
See departure dates

Overview

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

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?

    Sharpen your chopstick skills & clear a month of your calendar. This is so much more than a holiday. Walk the streets of Bangkok. Explore limestone caves in Laos. Participate in Buddhist alms giving. Stay on a junk boat. (No big deal). This trip is the magical mix of everything south-east Asia has to offer!

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBangkok
End CityHanoi

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Bangkok

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)

Day 2: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

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...

Day 3: Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai via Ayutthaya

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...

Day 4: Overnight Train to Chiang Mai via Elephant Nature Park

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...

Day 5: Chiang Mai

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 (...

Day 6: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

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...

Day 7: Chiang Rai to Pakbeng

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

Day 8: Pak Beng To Luang Prabang

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...

Day 9: Luang Prabang

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...

Day 10: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

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...

Day 11: Vang Vieng to Vientiane

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...

Day 12: Vientiane to Phnom Penh

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...

Day 13: Phnom Penh

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...

Day 14: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

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...

Day 15: Siem Reap

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 ...

Day 16: Siem Reap To Ho Chi Minh City

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...

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta

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...

Day 18: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City

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...

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

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...

Day 20: Overnight Train to Hoi An

Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience. Tonight, we'll head north via...

Day 21: Hoi An

Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you'll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an a...

Day 22: Hoi An

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...

Day 23: Hoi An to Hanoi via Da Nang

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 ...

Day 24: Hanoi to Ninh Binh

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...

Day 25: Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

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...

Day 26: Halong Bay To Hanoi

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 ...

Day 27: Hanoi

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

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,526
Price per day$168
Last Updated: 11/21/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
23 Nov 2024
19 Dec 2024
$3,198
30 Nov 2024
26 Dec 2024
$3,397
03 Dec 2024
29 Dec 2024
$3,397
07 Dec 2024
02 Jan 2025
$3,397
14 Dec 2024
09 Jan 2025
$4,197
21 Dec 2024
16 Jan 2025
$4,419
24 Dec 2024
19 Jan 2025
$3,414
27 Dec 2024
22 Jan 2025
$4,218
04 Jan 2025
30 Jan 2025
$4,218
11 Jan 2025
06 Feb 2025
$4,419

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
4,926
Great
741
Average
194
Disappointing
61
Terrible
69
B

Bailey Maguire

Oct 2024

Written on

Ultimate South East Asia

By far the most fun and adventurous experience of my life, experienced so many things and made so many friends ill remember for the rest of my life, our trip manager...

J

Jessica

Sep 2024

Written on

Ultimate South East Asia

Steph was an amazing tour guide and the trip was so f...

J

Jack

Sep 2024

Written on

Ultimate South East Asia

Despite the heat and having to wear temple wear a lot of the time in the first three countries, the trip was a lot of fun. There was always something to do, the food...

T

Trusted Customer

Jul 2024

Written on

Ultimate South East Asia

Bonding with the group Staying on the jungle rafts in Thailand Slow boat up the river in Laos

Write a Review

Other Contiki Reviews

C

Craig Stalowski

Nov 2024

Written on

Ultimate Inca Trail

An incredible experience! An experience that you will never forget! Book this trip!

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Contiki

preferred
View Profile

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.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

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.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

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.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

  • Nouvo City Hotel (or similar)
  • River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar)
  • Overnight Train
  • The Empress Hotel (or similar)
  • Wiang Inn Hotel (or similar)
  • Local Guest House (or similar)
  • Luang Prabang Inn (or similar)
  • The Silver Naga Hotel (or similar)
  • Hotel Aaron (or similar)
  • Mettavary Hotel (or similar)
  • Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar)
  • Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
  • Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar)
  • Le Pavillon Paradise Hoi An Hotel & Spa (or similar)
  • Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
  • Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar)
  • Junk Boat (Special Stay)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 25 Breakfast (B)
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 7 Lunch (L)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
contiki-BICA2415

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >